Angler expresses frustration at inaccessible local loughs in Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo

Roy Smyth from Belfast and two friends were on a three day pike fishing trip on Lough Allen in early June, "a regular occurrence for me over the last 56 years and sadly, as in recent times the fishing was poor."

"We could only fish the lough two days because of fresh north west winds and our returns were 20 pike up to 5lbs averaging 2.2lbs, mere tiddlers by the lough's previous 'biggies'.

"Up until recent times we were getting lots of pike over 10lbs and further back in time, lots of 20plus pounders and had 8 circa, over 30lbs, biggest 36.4lbs. Great fishing.

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"The big decline in the poor fishing which also saw brown trout and perch virtually disappear is puzzling.

"The lough is clear, has little slurry farming, no heavy industry, few houses, etc round the shoreline and very few anglers.

"There's no obvious reasons for this state of affairs although some locals say it's to do with forestry round the lough causing run offs from the mountains.

"Even more concerning was on the day we couldn't get on the lough we went to bank fish Lough Gara, near Boyle, only to find our way denied by a gate with a notice saying ‘Private Property,’ so off to Lough Scur only to find more gates blocking access to the two best spots for bank fishing! So no fishing.

"These turn of events should concern Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo Councils as anglers spend money fishing the one time, now inaccessible loughs."