Record fish for Dublin Angling Initiative

Press Release 28th March 2013

RECORD FISH FOR DUBLIN ANGLING INITIATIVE !

A new record has been set by the Dublin Angling Initiative with Eric Cahill, 16 years old catching a fish of a lifetime - a 12lb record ferox trout from Lough Ramor, Virginia, Co. Cavan. This is the biggest fish ever caught by a youngster out fishing with the Dublin Angling Initiative.

A fishing trip for a group of 10 youngsters was organised for Mulhuddart Foroige Fishing club (Dublin 15) to Lough Ramor, Virginia by Des Chew, Dublin Angling Initiative in March. Following an introduction by Des on the setting up of rods, rigs and bait presentation the youngsters were soon fishing for roach, hybrids and perch with others choosing to fish for pike. Great fun was being had by the group who were catching and releasing lots of coarse fish.

Des Chew and Eric Cahill with his specimen 12lb trout from Lough Ramor

Meanwhile, Eric patiently waited for a pike to take his smelt deadbait. He signaled for assistance when his rod tip nodded indicating a take. Under the guidance of Des Chew and Chris McGregor he was instructed to knock his bale arm over so this cagey fish would feel no resistance. Suddenly there was a short run and Eric struck. It was obvious he had a big fish on. When the fish drew close the golden spotted body revealed that Eric was now playing a fish of a lifetime and maybe the first specimen caught by a Dublin Angling Initiative youngster. The fish was landed amidst great excitement by the youngsters, the youth workers and a crowd of local anglers who all looked on in amazement! This was clearly the fish of a lifetime for Eric.

The fish was weighed on certified scales, laid out and measured on an Inland Fisheries Ireland measuring mat. It reached a length of over 80cm and weighed in at over 12lbs. There was jubilation among Eric and his peers. Des announced that Eric had just caught his first specimen that had been recorded from over 10,000 teenagers who have participated in Dublin Angling Initiative courses over the last 15 years. If this fish is ratified by the Specimen Fish Committee it will also be the first specimen recorded from Lough Ramor. Josie Mahon photographed the fish with its proud captor Eric Cahill beside his mentor, Des Chew and the fish was safely released.

Eric Cahill is 16 years old and has been a member of Mulhuddart Foroige Fishing in Dublin 15 club since he has been 10 years of age. During that time he has always shown unique ability to listen and learn angling skills from his DAI tutors. He has attended numerous fishing courses in game, coarse and sea fishing run by the Dublin Angling Initiative with his Foroige youth officers, Bernie Moloney and Siobhan Hennessy. This was truly a very proud moment for Eric and Dublin Angling Initiative who now have a new record to beat!

……Ends…..

Media enquiries

Josie Mahon,
Inland Fisheries Ireland,
15A Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
Tel: 01 278 7022 / 087 6538202
Email: josie.mahon@fisheriesireland.ie Website: www.fishinginireland.info

Notes to Editor

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI will promote, support, facilitate and advise the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling and develop and advise the Minister on policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling.

The Dublin Angling Initiative was set up in 1995. Its principle aims are to promote, develop and improve angling in the Dublin and Greater Dublin area and is sponsored by Inland Fisheries Ireland. During the summer months the main work of the initiative is taking young people from National and Secondary schools, summer projects and youth services throughout Dublin City Centre and its suburbs on fishing courses. Already thousands of young people have been introduced to the joys of sea, coarse and game angling at the venues that are accessible by bus and rail from Dublin City centre.