Northern Ireland

Fishermen cast their lines as north eases angling restrictions

 An angler fly fishing on the bank of Creighton's Green outside Bangor, Co Down. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association
 An angler fly fishing on the bank of Creighton's Green outside Bangor, Co Down. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association  An angler fly fishing on the bank of Creighton's Green outside Bangor, Co Down. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association

Some pensioner fishermen were able to see their friends for the first time in weeks as angling was permitted in Northern Ireland today.

They had to raise their voices to shout along the lakeside due to social distancing but savoured casting fishing lines anew as coronavirus restrictions were eased.

For many used to spending days indoors it was a relief to enjoy the pristine water conditions of the Craigantlet hills near Belfast.

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Alan Chowney (64) said: "A 78-year-old said, 'it was nice to see my friends'."

He is honorary secretary of Belfast Anglers' Association.

The club is the oldest in Ireland and celebrates its 132nd birthday this year.

Its 90-strong membership stretches from Donaghadee to Lisburn.

Mr Chowney, a retired civil servant from Lisburn with more than four decades service, said the Association fished loughs near Holywood which have already been stocked with fish, rainbow and brown trout.

"It was in brilliant condition."

He said a lot of other lakes were suffering from weeds and algae growth, but savoured a trip on Monday morning to the hills overlooking Belfast.

"The water is very clean and the fish are in good condition."

 An angler fly fishing on the bank of Ballysallagh Lower Reservoir. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association
 An angler fly fishing on the bank of Ballysallagh Lower Reservoir. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association  An angler fly fishing on the bank of Ballysallagh Lower Reservoir. Picture by Liam McBurney, Press Association

He said a lot of club members were quite elderly and the sport was about socialising.

"It makes an awful difference.

"It gets people out of the four walls of their house which they have been looking at for quite a long time."

Despite social distancing measures his members are able to talk to each other with a raised voice.

The season at the higher-level lakes in the Craigantlet hills usually begins in earnest in April.

Mr Chowney added: "Today is the first day of our fishing season for 2020."

He said environment minister Edwin Poots had made the right decision in giving his hobby the go-ahead.

"Angling is a solitary sport in terms of the individual fisherman distancing from other fishermen because you need clear space to fish."

He said a strong case had been made to Government by the fishing clubs.

"Our sport is such that you are not in a crowd and a group so it is quite easy to do."