I will be engaged on a couple of things including a ‘Balsam Bashing’ event organized by Dublin Co. Council and IFI on Sat May 12th on River Dodder at Bushy Park. ‘Balsam Bashing’ is aimed at highlighting the growing invasive species issue especially with Himalayan Balsam which is prevalent on the Dodder River bank.

Dr. Joe Caffrey from IFI will demonstrate how to bash balsam to anglers, Irish Wildlife Trust members and Dublin Co. Council personnel. It’s a 10am start so if you are near, get down and find out what can be done to help address this threat.

The following week May 20th, I am in Navan filming on the Boyne. The local Navan & District Angling club have a fly fishing introduction day for kids including fly casting demonstrations and a talk at the Ardboyne Hotel. Should be great fun, and certainly that magnificent 7lb+ wild brownie caught last Sunday by Noel King will help spur some of those kids to serious things. Start is 10am.

Checkout FAW website for all the details of what Fisheries Awareness Week has to offer. With over 70 events already registered, there is plenty of activity all over the country and I am sure there is still time for local angling clubs to arrange something of interest in their area. Maybe it’s a river bank clean up, an introduction to fly-tying, a kids talk or a beach casting demo.

Get in touch with IFI or register an event through following link. http://www.faw.ie

Also remember, that the permit fee is waived for fishing on Inland Fisheries Ireland trout and coarse permitted fisheries during Fisheries Awareness Week. So no excuse, get out their and get angling.

Finally to wrap up, thanks to Derek Evans for the great review of ‘Sea to Stream’ in Mondays Irish Times. If you missed Mondays issue, check it out at the following IT link. rj

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0507/1224315684383.html