Angling
Angling season casts off
Carrowmore Lake, Glencar Lake and the lower River Moy all produced their first spring salmon of the season recently, heralding the true start to the game angling season in the Bangor, Ballina and Sligo Fisheries Districts.
On the River Moy, local angler Fergal Ginty successfully caught the first spring salmon of the Lower Moy on the Ballina Salmon Anglers water, upstream of the newly refurbished salmon weir. The salmon, weighing 8.5lbs was caught on the worm.
Carrowmore Lake, perhaps the most prolific spring salmon lake fishery in the country, got its season off to a flying start with the capture of the first salmon of the season. Rocky Moran, Castlebar, was the successful angler who hooked the fine 11.4lbs salmon, near the mouth of the Glencullin River. Local pike angling guide Kenny Sloan enjoyed success once again while fishing the lakes of the Castlebar/Foxford area. A fine pike weighing 23lbs was caught while trolling a large roach bait. The fish was quickly photographed and safely released. Kenny reported that some pike in the area are already spawning, with the water temperatures locally warming to seven degrees.
Sailing
Mayo Sailing Club raises anchor for new season
This Saturday March 19 sees the start of the Mayo Sailing Club season. At Rosmoney Pier on that day the boats will be launched and the adventures of the sailors begin on Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean for 2011. The planned programme for the club offers sailing opportunities for everyone. For the first time sailor there will be ‘A taste of Sailing’ programme for four Tuesdays in April; for the competitive sailor there is weekly racing on Thursday evenings; and for children and youth there is an extensive programme planned for July and August.
Two members of Mayo Sailing Club, Daria and Alex Blackwell, are lifelong sailors and passionate cruisers. Together they have completed three Atlantic crossings and have spent years sailing the coasts of North America, Europe, the Bahamas, the Caribbean islands, and the Atlantic islands. With years of experience they are well qualified to give a seminar to boat lovers and boat users about the skills and adventures of boating and, in particular, that of anchoring a boat in a safe and secure manner.
Whether you are sailing your own vessel in Clew Bay, or plan to charter a boat in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or elsewhere, knowing how to safely and effectively anchor is one of the most essential and liberating skills you can have. Knowing about anchors, ropes, anchorages, and anchoring techniques is a prerequisite for enjoying an evening in a magically beautiful setting as well as getting a good night’s sleep while swinging from the hook. As the authors of a book called Happy Hooking - the Art of Anchoring, Daria and Alex are very well experienced and versed to lead an interesting and stimulating seminar. The book has received excellent reviews in the sailing press and their seminars on anchoring have drawn large crowds and delivered exceptional attendee critiques and comments.
A forthcoming seminar in Mayo will take place on Thursday March 31, 2011 at 7.30pm at Mayo Sailing Club, Rosmoney. Sailors, fishermen and water lovers are all welcome to visit the Mayo Sailing Club and to partake in the seminar. Refreshments will be available afterwards.
