Irish Extra February 2020
I missed the first Salmon report by the skin of my teeth last month, but was very pleased to hear The River Lennon in Co Donegal has, for the second time in three years, laid claim to the first wild salmon of the season in Ireland with a fine spring fish of 8lb on New Year’s Day.
Andrew Desmond (14), from Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal, was the lucky angler, and the fish was taken at Watt’s Pool on a silver Toby lure at precisely 1.14 p.m.
In the midst of a torrential hailstorm, Andrew showed remarkable skill in landing his first ever salmon – probably the most publicised and expensive fish he is ever likely to catch.
As is customary, the fish was purchased by the Silver Tassie Hotel in Letterkenny for €1,000 and the hotel will donate the money to the local Donegal Hospice. Commenting on the achievement, John O’Connor, CFB chief executive officer, said: “I am delighted to see a young angler catch his first salmon and hope it will encourage more young people to take an interest in fishing for many years to come.” Congratulations Andrew.
As I write the game shooting season is drawing to a close. In Northern Ireland sat 25th will be the last day for many shots as Friday 31st closes the season and unless you have booked a day off or “phone in shooting” as Philip Lawton used to say then it will be your last day. The Republic of Ireland has an extra day with shooting allowed on a Sunday. It seems only weeks ago I was crouched in a dark corner of a freshly cut field waiting on the Mallard to arrive and now we are once again drawing to a close. I noticed a significant reduction in ducks in my local area this year and we certainly didn’t have the numbers of Teal that usually frequent the river areas from October into January. Other areas I shoot I saw no reduction in birds, only perhaps in what I shot! My most memorable day of the season was one where I only shot 2 brace of Teal but witnessed the most spectacular sight of a Peregrine Falcon pursing a Teal from a number of birds my Teckel “Poppy” flushed from a stream. The birds rose and I folded one with the rest rising high, breaking up a little and going in two directions. Only 30 or so seconds later I heard what I assumed to be a fighter plane crossing above, but when I turned around it was a Peregrine flying against the wind and making such a fantastic sound in doing so. Going from left to right with a Teal only yards in front of it. The Duck turned and the Peregrine did the same until the two crossed over a small deep stream and as the Teal went over the wire he folded his wings and made a splash as he hit the water. In a split second the Peregrine turned sideways, swung round and was almost a speck in the sky before I could get my breath! An unbelievable sight and one very lucky duck!
From the Irish Coursing Club
There is profound sadness at the Co. Cavan coursing club on the death of Harry Reilly, Urney, Ballinagh Co Cavan. Not only was Harry a hugely popular figure in the Club but he was also an extremely hard working member and a quality net-man who rarely missed a day’s catching. This season his absence due to illness was felt by everyone and all in the Club had to work a lot harder to cover Harry’s duties. Possibly the biggest cheer ever heard at the Aughterra venue rang out when Harry’s dog Longway Rio won the Derby Trial Stake. Sadly he won’t be at Powerstown Park to see him run but everyone will be hoping he can do as good if not better than his other pride and joy, Longway Home, which reached the semi-final of the 2018 Irish Cup.
To his wife Theresa, children Linda, David, Nicola, Raymond & Keith, grandchildren & the Reilly family we extend our sincere sympathy.
Top Service from Meindl!
Some weeks ago my heart sank as I felt my left foot getting slightly wet while hunting with the Teckels. I hoped it was from water going down into my boot initially but after arriving home and making a few checks I quickly realised I had a faulty boot. I have had “experiences” to say the least with other foot wear companies before and probably the less said the better. However, after contacting Meindl via email they suggested I return the boots for testing, emailed to say they had been received and again to say they were going to test them and then again furthermore to say they had found a fault and dispatched a pair of replacements. I have always recommended Meindl footwear as it has never given me any problems and I had no idea how good their service was as I never had a problem with boots to actually find out, but my recent experience showed me that not only do they make in my opinion the best footwear for the outdoor person but they back it up with equally good service. So thank you Meindl, you have a whole hearted and genuine recommendation from the Long Netter, I am a life time customer!
Time for a Tan…
No, I haven’t taken up the Sun Beds, yet! But I was most pleased to receive contact this week from a lady a little further south of me who is a Hide Tanner. She works on various skins and hides for different products and creations including eel leather. Now before the anti hunting vegan type people start eating this weeks copy of the paper, the eel skin is a by product and would otherwise be wasted. So imagine my delight when she asked if I might have any rabbit skins for her. I had been trying to find for some years an outlet for the skins, some way for someone to use them and then I can honestly that NOTHING from the rabbits I catch is wasted. In my area up until the 1950’s rabbits were a commodity and exported throughout the world, with the rabbits from here commanding three times the price of any other due to their fine coat produced by a diet of grass and a specific moss that grows only here in this area. The meat, skin and even bones were used and my belief is that no part of anything should be wasted where possible. Hopefully in the next few months and I will be able to collect a few tanned skins and eventually have my long awaited rabbit skin cap put together!
