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| Local angler Adrian Murray landing his salmon with the assistance of Moy Fishery Ghillie Billy Mitchell. |
For the third year in succession, The North Western Regional Fisheries Board held its hugely popular Juvenile Angling Day on the Cathedral Beat of the Moy Fishery in Ballina. The event is one of many held throughout the region by the Board to promote angling for young people. Fifty-five boys and girls, aged six to sixteen, took part and Board staff provided advice, supervision and some fishing tackle for the aspiring anglers.
Fishing commenced at 9.00 am and, after a quiet first hour, 14 year old Garreth Carolan, Northern Ireland, landed his first ever fly caught salmon, a grilse of 3 ¾ lbs, putting him firmly in contention for the prizes. Local angler Adrian Murray then caught another small grilse (1.87 lbs) on a worm which placed him an eventual 4th in the overall competition.
Angling was quite slow for the remainder of the morning, but as the early afternoon session got underway, another Northern Ireland contestant, Garett Quinn, hooked a really good salmon on his single handed fly rod. The fish fought hard and deep for a full ten minutes before coming loose much to the disappointment of young Garrett. He carried on undaunted and, within 5 minutes, he hooked another, smaller salmon, (2.28 lbs) which was successfully landed to the applause of on-looking friends and family. He finished up in third place for the day. Later in the afternoon, 11 year old local lad, Patrick Hennigan, caught another salmon of 2 ¾ lbs using a worm, which put him into second place.
The Ridge Pool Hotel provided the venue for the day’s prize giving with refreshments and food provided by the Fisheries Board. A fantastic array of prizes was donated by two Ballina based fishing tackle dealers. Garry Piggott, Ridge Pool Tackle Shop, and Michael Swartz, Ballina Angling Centre, were both extremely generous in sponsoring an array of quality fishing gear. Every participant went home with a substantial prize.
Another Juvenile Angling Day will be held on the Cathedral beat on 15 August, sponsored by the Fisheries Board and Recreational Angling Ireland. Places can be reserved by contacting the Moy Fishery Office at 096-21332, during office hours, from 8 to12 August.
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| Garreth Carolan plays his 1st Prize winning salmon. |
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| G Quinn, Northern Ireland, with his 3rd Prize winnng fish. |
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| Fully subscribed. One of the afternoon sessions on Juvenile Angling Day. |
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| Fisheries Board staff member, Padraig Traynor lands a fish for a delighted local lad, Patrick Hennigan. |
