Good catches alongside catchment planning Lough Ennell

Anglers from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, are coming to Lough Ennell this week for the International Trout Fly Fishing Championships.

The Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association (LETPA) host the event, following a successful national event at the same venue last year.

The international competition is on May 24, after a number of practice days leading up to it.

Catchment Management Plan

The angling waters of Lough Ennell, home to Ireland’s largest rod caught brown trout, also has partners working on a plan for its sustainable future.

After several years of discussion, a LEADER and LAWPRO funded project was established by LETPA in 2023, to develop a Catchment Management Plan.

The plan was developed in conjunction with a range of stakeholders and groups in the area, including LETPA, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Westmeath County Council, LAWPRO, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Teagasc.

It was developed by Alan Lauder of the ALCnature consultancy and completed as a working document in March. It is envisaged to develop further, as the plan steering group develop a means of delivery of actions through collaboration and cooperation.

David O’Malley, chair of LETPA, said: “Lough Ennell relies on its catchment to maintain its sensitive ecosystem, helping to maintain the good quality angling we’ve see in recent years.

“The Catchment Management Plan is in its infancy, but there has already been great work done by many groups and we hope the plan will help to maintain focus and effort to support the ecosystem in future, and also to address some remaining issues and any new pressures that come up.”

The plan focuses on six themes: water quality, land use, rivers and fish, biodiversity and climate response, communities, tourism and education, project functions and cross-cutting actions.

These encompass more than 30 actions across 10 years and include the proposed establishment of a project partnership and a project officer as mechanisms for delivering the plan actions, though further funding will be needed.

LETPA expect to publish the full plan in the coming weeks and hold a community catchment event during the summer.

Article submitted by Lough Ennell Trout Preservation Association