The many things I think about when I know the fishing for bass is closed, probably too many! The bass guiding business and its operation is limited and I have always accepted those limits, plugged those constraints into the business model so to speak.

I fully realise its difficult times in Ireland at the moment and there’s a tendency to want to rush to improve the economics of the situation. So considering opening the current bass angling restriction on the basis of commercial interest alone is not, in my opinion a good idea.

This week I have had requests for 12 days of guided fishing from International visitors during May and early June. These people were not aware of the closed season and were of course interested in the reasons as to why Ireland had one? All of them considered a closed season during ‘optimal’ spawning time a good thing, we had lots of interesting discussions regarding timings, C+R, extended periods, angling impact.

The limits of the fishery allow it to be what it is. This is what you have to work with. The truth. After ten years of experiences under these challenges you grow to accept the patterns of nature, the highs and lows of the fishing, twiddling your bass thumbs during the closed period, the delight, the excitement, the anticipation, the tough drudgery, the evolving changes, the beginning and the end of the week, the season! A bass fishing guides life.

HERE HERE and HERE

Courtesy of the artist and the Irish State Art Collection

Anne’s work will be on show this summer in Madrid, Warsaw, Rome and Dublin!

How’s that for posh?

Source: Sunday Independent May 12t

http://whitewolfprojects.com/

Modernisation and consolidation of the legislation governing the inland fisheries sector

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS, ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Fergus O’Dowd, T.D. invites members of the public and interested parties to attend a public information meeting to canvass views on the major elements of new inland fisheries legislation, in advance of the statutory consultation period.

Details of venues, dates and times for the information meetings are as follows;

• Drogheda in the D Hotel on Monday 29th April 2013 at 6pm
• Tuam in the Ard Rí House Hotel on Tuesday 30th April 2013 at 6pm
• Carrick-on-Shannon in the Landmark Hotel on Wednesday 1st May at 6pm
• Clonmel in the Clonmel Park Hotel on Thursday 2nd May at 6pm
• Dublin in the Lucan SPA Hotel on Wednesday 8th May at 7pm

The Minister of State wishes to canvass a comprehensive range of views to inform the general thrust of the new legislation and the purpose of these meetings is to update interested parties on the process for submitting their views.
The statutory written consultation process will commence on Monday 13th May.

Over the last few days the schoolie fishing has turned on across the Southern New England region. Many have been frustrated with the “long” (although some would say closer to normal) transition into spring. In any event the breeze has often been SW lately and the moon tides have put the the bait in gear. Now both recently arrived stripers and bait can be found in the bays and estuaries as one would expect. So all those who have called over the last two weeks and got a cautious response to “Are there any fish around?” will now get ” It’s go time!”. Have fun! Check out this and older reports in the fishing reports section of our blog.

From The Saltwater Edge Newsletter

From a Wexford perspective lets hope the next few days bring back those much sought after SW’s and a run of fish, its getting there!