PRESS RELEASE 15th April 2010
Youth Angling Thrives on North Dublin River
On St Patrick’s Day 2010, more than 400 juniors descended on the river Tolka for a fishing competition to mark the opening of the 2010 trout fishing season on the river. The Tolka Trout Anglers association who have been established for fifty three years have a long history of bringing young people into the sport. Every year on St Patrick’s Day up to 200 juniors fish the river in a well organised fishing competition. The committee works tirelessly during the year , organising clean ups, keeping a vigilant eye on the river and stocking the river with brown trout prior to the opening of the season.
The Tolka Trout Anglers Association and many of their members hail form Finglas, Cabra and other parts of the city. In recent years, another club has formed on the Blanchardstown side of the river under the umbrella of The Tolka Trout Anglers Association. This club is called the Tolka River Environmental Alliance and it places a huge emphasis on bringing juniors into angling also. Their competition was attended by up to 200 juniors from Blanchardstown, Mulhuddart, Corduff and surrounding areas. Their efforts in recent years have contributed greatly to the good condition that the Tolka river is currently in.
This year due to the lack of rainfall the river was low for the two fishing competitions, however, a beautiful spring day brought nearly 400 children and teenagers out on the river to take part in the fishing competitions run by the two clubs.
Many of these children caught, landed and released their first fish. At the Finglas end of the river, 26 youngsters received prizes with more than 50 adults and juniors in attendance at the weigh in. In Blanchardstown there was a similar turnout.
Josie Mahon of the ERFB was in attendance at the weigh in at Blanchardstown and presented prizes to the children.
Prizes for the competition were sponsored by Joe Devlin, the Pet shop in Finglas, the Tolka Trout Anglers Association, The Tolka River Environmental alliance and the Dublin Angling Initiative who donated more than 20 rods and reels.
Photo: Winners of the over 10s section pictured with Josie Mahon ERFB (Left to right) Lee Mullen 2nd place, Sean McMahon 1st place with his twin brother Robert, Tony White 2nd place, Luke Conlon 2nd place . There was a three way tie for 2nd place.
Photo: Prizewinners pictured with Des Chew, Dublin Angling Initiative and Christy Emmett, Tolka Trout Anglers Association (Left to right) David Losty, Ciaran Callanan, Dara Murphy – 1st place, Jake Vavavasour - 2nd place, Gavin Losty
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Media enquiries: Des Chew, Eastern Regional Fisheries Board, 15A Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Tel: 01 278 7022 / 087 6780214, email: des.chew@erfb.ie
Website: www.fishingireland.net Email:info@erfb.ie