PORTARRA NEWSLETTER 2001
Very few people will recall 2001 for angling alone. On the other hand the entire world will remember September 11th and the thousands of innocent people, with origins in very many countries including Ireland, murdered in the U.S.A. by heartless terrorists. Our hearts go out in a special way this Christmas time to the relatives of the dead, and also our sincere prayers for those injured that they will have a speedy recovery.
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FOOT AND MOUTH |
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| The outbreak of the
dreaded Foot & Mouth disease in England, and the ONE case we had
in Ireland, resulted in very many anglers canceling, or having to
cancel, their angling trip last season. Here at Portarra Lodge we
were closed down by the State from 3rd March and certain places,
including our Lodge, were permitted to re-open, under very strict
conditions, on 30th March. However as the disease was still rampant
in Britain we did not encourage anglers, both Irish and overseas, to
go out on the Lough fishing on the precautionary principle. Great
praise is due to those anglers who refrained from fishing and
especially those from abroad who cancelled their trip. The
"Green Light" was given in early May and Corrib was able to host those
eager men and women who enjoyed some of the best trout fishing we
have had for decades. Hopefully things will be back to normal for
next year, and as was the case this year all deposits will be
refunded by Portarra Lodge should the problem re-occur.
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BEST MAY FLY DAP FOR 25 YEARS |
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| The dapping of the natural May Fly in the last two weeks of May was the best witnessed on Lough Corrib for 25 years. The number, size and condition of the wild brown trout had to be seen to be believed. I can say without any doubt whatsoever that Lough Corrib is the best Wild Brown Trout fishery in Europe Ð if not the World. Great credit is due to the anglers and their associations for their actions down the years in trying to maintain the water quality. Such actions include the pollution report of 1996 ÒLough Corrib - A Cause For ConcernÓ and several Newsletters outlining the problems that threaten water quality AND the lack of willpower and commitment by those in authority to safeguard this wonderful natural amenity. The May Fly Dap of 2001 makes the struggle worth while and gives us the courage to continue on. |  |
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Aidan McCarthy with a
fine display of Trout taken on corrib with Mayfly |