Displaying items by tag: bass

19th August 2011

Go Fishing in Ireland - an 'Angler's Paradise'

DiscoverIreland guest blogger Kirsten Fruit has posted a quick guide highlighting Ireland's abundance of world-class angling spots.

http://www.afloat.ie/watersport/angling/

"For years, fishing fanatics from around the world have found a haven of sorts in Ireland’s waterways," she writes, "and it isn’t hard to see why."

http://www.afloat.ie/inland/inland-waterways/

Ireland has it all, from deep-sea angling for bass or cod to trout or salmon fishing on rivers and lakes.

But it's not just for the experts, as there are many excellent angling guides throughout the country who make a business out of introducing newcomers to the sport.

"Having a guide adds 100 percent to an individual’s enjoyment on the river," says Ballynahinch Castle's master ghillie Simon Ashe.

DiscoverIreland has more on the story, including guides' favourite angling spots, HERE.

http://blog.discoverireland.com/2011/08/fishing-in-ireland/

DiscoverIreland guest blogger Kirsten Fruit has posted a quick guide highlighting Ireland's abundance of world-class angling spots.

"For years, fishing fanatics from around the world have found a haven of sorts in Ireland’s waterways," she writes, "and it isn’t hard to see why."

Ireland has it all, from deep-sea angling for bass or cod to trout or salmon fishing on rivers and lakes.

But it's not just for the experts, as there are many excellent angling guides throughout the country who make a business out of introducing newcomers to the sport.

"Having a guide adds 100 percent to an individual’s enjoyment on the river," says Ballynahinch Castle's master ghillie Simon Ashe.

DiscoverIreland has more on the story, including guides' favourite angling spots, HERE.

Published in Angling

Tagged under

Irish Bass Group Chair Gives Praise to 'Wolf of the Sea'

The chairman of the Irish Bass Group gave his praise to the fish described as the 'wolf of the sea' at a recent awards day.

John Quinlan told his audience at the Irish Specimen Fish Committee awards that Ireland has "something truly unique" in a marine fish that is reserved for recreational angling.

He also noted that "in spite of 21 years of bass protection, we have never felt secure enough to build the type of industry that this unique opportunity should justify."

Quinlan explained how bass play "a vital role" in the biodiversity of our inland waters, highlighting the interdependence between bass and sea birds.

“There are still magic days to be had bass fishing," he said, adding his belief that "anglers have a right to be involved in the management of our bass stocks".

He continued: "We have looked after them very well over the last 21 years and earned the right to be involved in any decisions about how they should be managed in the future. If we are to be successful we need to be taken more seriously by our Government."

Quinlan pointed to the potential benefits of angling tourism, an area that "has been lacking for far too long".

“The French call bass ‘loupe de mer’ or ‘the wolf of the sea’," he added. "These beautiful fish have hunted in our waters for centuries and I hope they continue to do so for many years to come.”

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0328/1224293220515.html

The chairman of the Irish Bass Group gave his praise to the fish described as the 'wolf of the sea' at a recent angling awards day.

John Quinlan told his audience at the Irish Specimen Fish Committee awards that Ireland has "something truly unique" in a marine fish that is reserved for recreational angling.

He also noted that "in spite of 21 years of bass protection, we have never felt secure enough to build the type of industry that this unique opportunity should justify."

Quinlan explained how bass play "a vital role" in the biodiversity of our inland waters, highlighting the interdependence between bass and sea birds.

“There are still magic days to be had bass fishing," he said, adding his belief that "anglers have a right to be involved in the management of our bass stocks".

Quinlan pointed to the potential benefits of angling tourism, an area that "has been lacking for far too long".

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Angling

Tagged under

Ireland & La Solitaire du Figaro

The Solitaire du Figaro, was originally called the course de l’Aurore until 1980, was created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and Jean-Michel Barrault.

Half a decade later, the race has created some of France's top offshore sailors, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new boat equipped with foils and almost 50 skippers Including novices, aficionados and six former winners.

The solo multi-stage offshore sailing race is one of the most cherished races in French sailing and one that has had Irish interest stretching back over 20 years due to the number of Irish stopovers, usually the only foreign leg of the French race.

What Irish ports have hosted The Solitaire du Figaro?

The race has previously called to Ireland to the following ports; Dingle, Kinsale, Crosshaven, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

What Irish sailors have raced The Solitaire du Figaro?

So far there have been seven Irish skippers to participate in La Solitaire du Figaro.

In 1997, County Kerry's Damian Foxall first tackled the Figaro from Ireland. His win in the Rookie division in DHL gave him the budget to compete again the following year with Barlo Plastics where he won the final leg of the race from Gijon to Concarneau. That same year a second Irish sailor Marcus Hutchinson sailing Bergamotte completed the course in 26th place and third Rookie.

In 2000, Hutchinson of Howth Yacht Club completed the course again with IMPACT, again finishing in the twenties.

In 2006, Paul O’Riain became the third Irish skipper to complete the course.

In 2013, Royal Cork's David Kenefick raised the bar by becoming a top rookie sailor in the race.

In 2018, for the first time, Ireland had two Irish boats in the offshore race thanks to Tom Dolan and Joan Mulloy who joined the rookie ranks and kept the Irish tricolour flying high in France. Mulloy became the first Irish female to take on the race.

Tom Dolan in Smurfit Kappa competed for his third year in 2020 after a 25th place finish in 2019. Dolan sailed a remarkably consistent series in 2020 and took fifth overall, the best finish by a non-French skipper since 1997 when Switzerland’s Dominique Wavre finished runner up. Dolan wins the VIVI Trophy.

Dolan finished 10th on the first stage, 11th on the second and seventh into Saint Nazaire at the end of the third stage. Stage four was abandoned due to lack of wind.

Also in 2020, Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball became the eleventh Irish sailor to sail the Figaro.

At A Glance – Figaro Race

It starts in June or July from a French port.
The race is split into four stages varying from year to year, from the length of the French coast and making up a total of around 1,500 to 2,000 nautical miles (1,700 to 2,300 mi; 2,800 to 3,700 km) on average.
Over the years the race has lasted between 10 and 13 days at sea.
The competitor is alone in the boat, participation is mixed.
Since 1990, all boats are of one design.