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Post by Davy Telford on Jun 17, 2011 11:15:21 GMT
Heres a link to The Atlantic Salmon Federation check it out asf.ca/
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Post by Davy Telford on Jun 15, 2011 9:17:32 GMT
Northern Ireland was once renowned for the myriad clean lakes, rivers and streams that crossed our countryside and the superb quality of the fishing they produced. Indeed we have several strains of Trout, thought to be unique to our part of the world; Lough Melvin’s Gillaroo and Sonaghan, Lough Erne’s Harvesters and Lough Neagh’s indigenous Trout, the Dollaghan, which includes the Boddagh and Black Boddagh. These unique fish make for a rich tapestry of angling heritage, hopefully to be nurtured and passed on to future generations.
Unfortunately due to the unstable political climate in Ulster some aspects of Government responsibilities appear to have been neglected, e.g. the Water Service and Environment Agency. Prior to this a radical flood defence exercise had already done enormous damage to our natural habitat by canalising rivers. Changing agricultural practices resulted in high levels of organic waste, nitrates and phosphates entering the river systems causing algae blooms, which remove oxygen from the water. Insecticides and sheep dips can wipe whole populations of invertebrates upon which fish and birds rely for food.
A brief look at the situation on the Six Mile Water, which runs into Lough Neagh at Antrim, will provide a snapshot of the typical problems facing our rivers today. 1. Some flood defence work, such as canalisation of stretches, seems to flush the water quickly downstream rather than let natural floodplains release the water gradually. This causes erosion and flooding down below and a loss of valuable wildlife habitat on the flood plains as they are then drained and used for agriculture.
2. Ill considered planning developments have resulted in properties encroaching on the river corridor, again causing loss of valuable wildlife habitat.
3. Pollution comes in various guises, all present on the Six Mile Water: • Chemical – Industrial sources • Sediment – Quarries, cement works + Landfill sites • Sewage – NI Water discharge sites • Farming effluents – agriculture
To try to deal with these problems anglers and other river users have set up the Six Mile Water Trust. The Trust includes many organisations in its membership ranging from Ulster Wildlife Trust to Antrim Boat Club, as well as local councillors, Biodiversity Officers, MLA’s and representatives from various Government agencies such as NIEA, DCAL, DARD, etc. To achieve maximum effectiveness we have contacted many sources to lobby on our behalf from Ulster Angling Federation and Countryside Alliance to Westminster MP’s and local politicians, Danny Kinahan & Rev. McCrea, being especially helpful. We also seek to raise the profile of the Trust through magazines & newspapers and attend events such as Celebrate Six Mile Water Event at Loughshore and Biodiversity Forum, Greenmount Campus. At many of the meetings we have a guest speaker and they have given us a fascinating insight into how the situation is changing in favour of the environment, especially with the advent of the EEC Water Framework Directive.
N.I. Water – for many years the biggest polluter in the Province – is at last receiving the funding and resources it requires and many millions of pounds are being spent upgrading treatment plants to ensure effluent is being treated to a very high standard before it leaves these plants.
DARD – The Countryside Management Scheme is to be made operational again whereby farmers are awarded grants according to the level of protection they provide to rivers adjacent to their fields. Also most of the building of new slurry tanks will be completed shortly, which should help control the amount of organic material entering river systems.
NIEA – We are very fortunate to have as our Secretary for the Trust, Eileen Mallon, from NIEA whose drive and professionalism inspires us all and she gives us a very good insight into how NIEA are going to implement the Water Framework Directive. River Basin Management Plans have been drawn up and then the various local management area schemes set in place. The River Basin Management Plans were officially launched at Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office on 21st January 2010 so the process is already well underway. On the pollution front NIEA seem to be more efficient in dealing with offenders and more prosecutions are certainly a better deterrent than the ineffectual warning letters of the past.
All of the above bode well for the future of our river environments and are a very positive step toward preserving our rapidly disappearing natural river heritage. Angling clubs also have a part to play in this scheme of things and they are all endeavouring to improve the situation by adopting habitat enhancement schemes, controlling pollution, stopping poaching, etc. The modern angler realises what a valuable resource he has been charged with and most nowadays have adopted a ‘preserve and conserve’ approach. Garry O’Neill and his team from DCAL are a great support to the angling community both in terms of advice and in practical help.
One thing we would like to have investigated is the commercial exploitation of Wild Brown Trout in Northern Ireland. The Government issues licences for the sale of Trout and there is evidence that the market is expanding radically, possibly linked to the decline of the eel fishery. Most anglers feel that Wild Brown Trout are far too valuable a commodity to be commercially sold. Before licences are granted resources should be granted to DCAL (which has recently absorbed the Fisheries Conservancy Board) to do extra monitoring and surveys required to establish if there is a viable sustainable harvest to be taken commercially; certainly the great runs of Dollaghan and Salmon witnessed by our fathers and grandfathers do not exist today.
As anglers we would like to protect and conserve the fish stocks, preserve the habitat and encourage jobs and tourism by sustainable angling. No longer is a good fishing day measured solely by the number of fish in the creel – far more satisfying is to know your contribution has improved the habitat for all the waterside wildlife – fish, otters, kingfishers, dippers, etc. This is how our angling clubs are starting to embrace the future and with the help and support of NIEA, DCAL, etc. we can restore our river habitats so we can be proud to hand down the legacy of a rich angling tradition to our children and grandchildren.
“…the wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please. We have it in trust. We must account for it to those who come after. “ King George VI
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Post by Davy Telford on Jun 11, 2011 11:13:36 GMT
Permits are available from Antrim Information Centre - River + Dam + Coarse 16 High Street Antrim BT41 4AN Antrim Forum - Coarse Lough Road Antrim BT41 4DQ Simpsons - River + Dam Fountain Street Antrim BT41 4BB Dunadry Hotel - River 2 Islandreagh Drive Dunadry Antrim BT41 2HA 12th Milestone Butcher - River The 12th Milestone Garage 954 Antrim Road, Templepatrick BT39 0AY Joseph Braddell & Son Limited - River Lower North Street Belfast Game Permit Per Day 1st March to 31st July Senior Day Permits £5.00 Junior Day Permits £2.00 1st August to 31st October Senior Day Permits £12.00 Junior Day Permits £5.00 Coarse Permit 1st March to 31st July Day Ticket £5.00 Season Permit £22.00 Coarse fishing is restricted to that stretch of Sixmilewater River from Antrim Forum downstream to where the river enters Lough Neagh. There is no distinction between Senior and Junior permits for Coarse Fishing. Potterswall Resevoir Stocked Rainbow Trout Prices 1st March - 31st October Permit £8.00 per day Senior Season £100 Junior Season £20 Season Permit Game Fishing Senior Season Game Ticket £100 Junior Season Game Ticket £20 The maximum number of Season Permits issued by the Club for Potterswall Dam are 20 Junior Permits and 20 Senior Permits. Season Permits are only available by application to the Treasurer. (address below) Application forms can be downloaded from here www.sixmilewater.co.uk/Permits.htmlTreasurer Walter Lismore Kilmakee Road Templepatrick BALLYCLARE Co. Antrim BT39 0EP Tel: 028 9024 1818 Do I need a rod licence? Please note that all persons intending to fish are required by law to hold a valid fishing licence. A Fisheries Conservancy Board rod licence for game fishing is needed.
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Post by Davy Telford on Jun 11, 2011 10:48:32 GMT
REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF ANTRIM & DISTRICT ANGLING ASSOCIATION AND SIX MILE WATER TRUST
The following is brief summary of the work that the Antrim & Dist. Angling Association and the Six Mile Water Trust have been engaged in over the last year or so. Hopefully it will give an understanding of the extent of our activities and the effort which has been invested by some individuals on the clubs behalf.
Brief explanation of what Six Mile Water Trust is and its work in conjunction with Antrim & Dist. Angling Association.
The Trust was set up to achieve the objectives of improving the water quality & river environment. Because the Trust is composed of several organisations it has much more influence or clout than the fishing club alone. The Trust includes and is greatly influenced by four fishing clubs in the catchment representing over 500 members. Our membership includes organisations as diverse as The Ulster Wildlife Trust and RSPB to Antrim Boat Club as well as Ulster Angling Federation, biodiversity officers, council representatives (Antrim & Newtownabbey), MLA’s as well as government agencies such as N I Environment Agency, DARD, DCAL etc. The Trust strives to make maximum impact to improve the situation on the river so we get publicity at events & in newspapers to raise the profile of the Six Mile Water. Everything the angling representatives of the Trust do is endorsed by the club for the benefit of the club.In order to achieve maximum effectiveness we have contacted many sources to lobby on our behalf – from Ulster Angling Federation and Countryside Alliance to Westminster MP’s and local politicians, Rev. William Mc Crea and Danny Kinahan being especially helpful. We have had visits from two Environment Ministers, Sammy Wilson and Edwin Pootes. The club meeting with Sammy Wilson happened to coincide with a nasty pollution incident which we had reported but NIEA had not dealt with and to his credit he made sure that changes were put in place to allow NIEA to do their job properly such as targeting pollution hotspots (Mallusk Industrial Estate) and following through with prosecutions.
Position at the moment :- thanks to surveys conducted by NIEA we have identified the major problems and have irrefutable scientific evidence to back it. Thanks to DCAL surveys we have an idea what the fish stock density stands at. With the incoming EEC Water Framework Directive will come changes instigated by NIEA. Local Management Areas will be established for each catchment and thanks to our close contact with NIEA and Maurice Parkinsons attendance at the Lower Lough Neagh Catchment Stakeholder Meetings, the Six Mile Water has been given priority in these plans. There are also changes afoot on the agricultural front with the introduction of the N I Countryside Management Scheme with farmers being given financial reward for caring for the river adjacent to their fields. Slurry spreading should also be more controlled, most farms having completed construction of holding tanks. DCAL have been assisting our efforts to increase fish stocks although high water conditions last season prevented collection of broodstock. Hopefully the worst days of the Six Mile Water are behind us as we strive to bring the river back to it’s former glory. We owe a great deal to those who have worked so hard behind the scenes, particularly to Eileen Mallon from NIEA who’s dedication & expertise made establishment of the Trust possible; to Alan Flemming, club Secretary; Walter Lismore, Treasurer; Paul Erwin whose computer skills were often called upon; Maurice Parkinson who is currently chairing both the club and the Trust and whose experience working within government has proved priceless in terms of contacts and knowledge. He is always cool and confident and is never intimidated by any situation, whether meeting government ministers or chairing large meetings. Thanks to all who have been involved and to those who are not I hope this has given some idea of how the Club & Trust are operating at present, Michael Martin.
Below are short notes on what has been happening with each department over the last year ;-
NIEA – Meetings at Water Management Headquarters, Lisburn Endorsed 100 point pollution plan designed by late Alan Kirkpatrick Meetings with NIEA Chief Scientific Officer, Peter Hale Surveys;- Blackwater & Ballymartin rivers; Six Mile Water Catchment Survey;- Identified pollution points, advised on nature of pollutants and made recommendations as to actions required Specific concentrated effort on Mallusk Industrial Estate resulting in identification of High Risk Business Premises, 5 industrial prosecutions, 2 other prosecutions with several pending. ACA, Fish Legal briefing NIEA on Freedom of Information Act Maurice Parkinson representing club at Lough Neagh Catchment Stakeholder Meetings Priority given to Six Mile Water in Water Framework Directive plans, we already have a Local Management Area Scheme in place NIEA also granted licence to control cormorant numbers which were predating heavily on fish especially during spawning when they are particularly vulnerable
DCAL – initiated series of Stock Density Surveys to establish fish population, post fish kill Broodstock collection from Clady Water 2008, water too high in 2009 Supplied 1000 fingerlings to Ballymartin, 5000 fry to Clady Water AFBI- Robert Kennedy met club reps to explain survey results, electrofishing stock surveys have continued throughout 2009 R. Kennedy to give presentation on current status of fish stocks at AGM
RIVERS AGENCY – consultations with R A about plans for work on Ballymartin, Doagh, Four Mile Burn and main river itself. Objected to gravel removal & flood defence work. Monitored some work on Ballymartin River Some conflict of interest between good river management and flood defence work
N I WATER – in consultation with N I Water following NIEA report identifying problem areas, they sent a rep to address Trust meeting, improvements ongoing. Formerly the worst polluter of rivers in N Ireland, the Water Service is now receiving funding which was badly lacking in the past with the inevitable results on our rivers. Maurice Parkinson & Danny Kinahan instrumental in having Hilton Hotel sewage system directed into main system rather than river
PLANNING DEPARTMENT : – raised objections to proposed development of river bank at Dunadry and also hydro-electric schemes. Involved in consultation with planners of new Ballyclare Relief Road, placed objection to that scheme on grounds that not enough consideration had been given to Environmental Impact Survey
DARD :- Alan Morrow addressed Trust meeting to explain N Ireland Countryside Management Scheme whereby farmers are given awards for the level of protection they provide to rivers adjacent to their fields. He acknowledged findings of NIEA report on unacceptable levels of nitrates organic material finding its way into river and explained that completion of slurry tanks may help solve this problem. Alan is to try to keep us informed as to when new scheme is to be launched (early 2010) and will be encouraging the farming community of this catchment to take advantage of the grants available
Articles Published:- Belfast Telegraph, Newsletter, Newtownabbey Times, Antrim Guardian, Irish News, Trout & Salmon, Flytying – Flyfishing mag, Irish Countrysports & Countrylife
Events Antrim & District Angling Association & Six Mile Trust represented in:- Salmon in the Classroom Project, fry released from Ballyclare Leisure Centre; Celebrate Six Mile Water Event at Loughshore Biodiversity Forum, Greenmount College Fish Release at Pattersons Spade Mill, Ballymartin
ANGLING TRUST – ACA (Fish Legal) :- currently working on cases on Six Mile Water, did consultation visit in October, briefed NIEA and government officials on Freedom of Information Law. NIEA now working proactively with Fish Legal barristers rather than holding back information
Online Petition – we have started an online petition on the Antrim & Dist. Angling Association website to draw attention to the current situation on commercial exploitation of wild trout in N Ireland which appears to be expanding rapidly. We feel that the fisheries should be closely monitored and surveys done to see if there is a sustainable harvest to justify the pressures applied by a commercial fishery. We have already had communication with Nelson Mc Causland, Minister for Culture, Arts & Leisure and hope to continue this contact
From the above you will have gathered that we owe a great deal to many organisations and individuals who have given generously of their time and resources. Now it is up to the membership of the club to do what they can to help with the improvements necessary to bring back the river to it’s renowned status of the past. Please be aware that as ambassadors of the club we have a duty to be civil and courteous to other anglers and river users and especially to farmers who generously give us access to their property.If you see others acting inappropriately or leaving litter please let them know or report them to the committee.
“… the wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please. We have it in trust. We must account for it to those who come after ” King George VI
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Post by Davy Telford on May 31, 2011 19:28:55 GMT
Nice one Dusty did you get any photos of it before you put it back.
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Post by Davy Telford on May 31, 2011 19:23:21 GMT
Hi dustyroads Welcome to the forum and the club
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Post by Davy Telford on May 11, 2011 14:48:45 GMT
Here's a fly given to me by Allen to try later in the year. Wouldn't mind getting a few of them on 12 and 14 singles to try Teal Blue & Silver Spider Attachments:
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Post by Davy Telford on May 11, 2011 14:40:53 GMT
Excellent photos Dave, even better looking than I thought, so they are up to £4.50 ;D £4.50 Me Arse You'll get another bag of hooks if your lucky Big Man
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Post by Davy Telford on May 10, 2011 19:56:13 GMT
Here's another one of Allen's flies The Blue Butt Attachments:
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Post by Davy Telford on May 10, 2011 19:52:00 GMT
Allen dropped some flies into me today (cheers mate) Here's his take on the orange Wee Davy Attachments:
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Post by Davy Telford on May 9, 2011 9:55:54 GMT
£3.50 a fly The bag of hooks your tyeing them on you got of me for £4 for 20 Your a Highway man
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Post by Davy Telford on May 9, 2011 9:44:38 GMT
I'll be honest here, i use very few flies in a season because the ones i do use....work! Obviously the way you fish them is another matter. Here are 5 of the must haves in my box excluding davys spider he posted!. (Quote) So dont worry David I will still talk to you.
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Post by Davy Telford on May 5, 2011 9:57:34 GMT
What a joke !!!! N.Ireland Water have been fined £2.000 for polluting a 500 metre stretch of the SixMile Water in May last year. Again they get off with a slap on the wrist it time that the courts came down heavy on anyone polluting our water ways no matter who they are seeing that 40% of the drinking water for Northern Ireland comes from Lough Neagh.
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Post by Davy Telford on May 4, 2011 19:50:28 GMT
Looks the job Allen look forward to giving it a throw.
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Post by Davy Telford on May 3, 2011 12:23:13 GMT
Did you get it on a dry fly ;D
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Post by Davy Telford on May 3, 2011 12:20:07 GMT
They couldnt be any worse than the ones that our in my box already Allen so I wont say no to them
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Post by Davy Telford on Apr 15, 2011 15:01:20 GMT
One of my favorite flies of the river all year round is the Partridge and Orange Spider. Attachments:
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Post by Davy Telford on Apr 15, 2011 14:55:15 GMT
There's alot of this size of fish to be had on the river at this time. Really good fun on light gear 8ft rod and 3# line. Attachments:
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Post by Davy Telford on Apr 11, 2011 18:14:15 GMT
Welcome aboard Flyman and we hope you enjoy the forum. You should have great sport on Potterswall with your season ticket and hope you keep us all up to date with how you get on here on the forum.
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Post by Davy Telford on Apr 9, 2011 21:28:29 GMT
Well I got on to the river today for a couple of hours and had a good day. Caught and released a lot of trout and par witch was great fun. I also had 9 salmon smolts little bars of sliver which was good to see hopefully they can make it safely back to sea and back again in a couple of years to start the cycle all over again.
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