Big jump in salmon and trout numbers in Milltown rivers

By DAVID BURKE These nests are different in colour from the surrounding gravel and can be counted. Mr Gorman said it was much better to assist the wild fish to reproduce naturally than to stock the river with fish bred elsewhere. Frank Glynn of Milltown Development Association said there had been tremendous strides made in the last few years. He commented that there was a great spirit of co-operation locally, and he had special thanks for the landowners who allowed access to the river for the work to be carried out. The angling club, which had been defunct for many years because of the low numbers of fish in the river, had been revived and was now very active. Pat Gorman commented that the Corrib system was now very healthy and was providing good fishing. The numbers of fish are closely monitored, and only when the conservation limit of a system has been reached can it be opened for fishing. Some other systems, like the Dunkellin and the Clarin, have had to be closed to angling because they did not reach their conservation limit. Mr Gorman said it was important for anglers to know that the licence fees went to do the kind of work being undertaken in Milltown. This increases the biodiversity of the area, and ensures a healthy population of fish for generations to come.