by David Hamill

I have just returned from three days Pike fishing by boat, commencing the 6th May on the Dromore river system in Ballybay. It should have been a great experience in beautiful surroundings, the pinnacle of which being the capture of a personal best 22lbs 10oz Pike for my boat partner Paul, but unfortunately the whole experience was marred by the sad reality, as if we needed more proof, that our sport is being systematically destroyed.

To explain, in order to make the most of our time over the three days we bivvied up for two nights on the shore of Lough Drumlona. An interesting experience in itself but given the strong winds on the second night and the feeling I was in a remake of the Blair witch project, it will be a B&B beside a welcoming pub, next trip. Our reason for choosing Drumlona and the connecting river and lakes was that we felt sure we would have the water to ourselves for our adventure. This was not to be the case. Before our departure from the shore of Drumlona on the first morning we spoke with three English coarse anglers who informed us that four boats of German anglers had left the shore earlier. Knowing now we would not have the lakes to ourselves, but with no less enthusiasm we made our way down river towards Dromore Lake with high hopes, passing the four boats as we did and indeed mutually waved at our Pike angling companions, in the spirit of friendliness. Being avid lure anglers, we began the search for the leviathan that we hoped would grace our net and after less than twenty minutes, Paul got a take from a Pike that immediately broke the surface in a frenzy of thrashing before diving deep. A good fight ensued for a few minutes and with the great fish at boat side, Paul expertly hand landed an obvious new personal best. After holding the fish over the side in a sack for a few moments while the camera and scales were prepared, the fish was again carefully brought on board and weighed in at 22lb 10oz. A few snaps later, the Pike was being held in the water by the tail to ensure a full recovery, which did not take long because of the thoughtful treatment it received while in the boat. After congratulations were over, we knew if we didn't see another fish but just enjoyed the surroundings for the next two and a half days we probably would have been happy with seeing the safe return of such a wonderful fish. As it happened though, I caught a fish of 7lb shortly after which again was safely returned.

However, that evening our eyes were opened as our experience started to turn sour. As we returned to the shore at Drumlona, our eight overseas companions had already returned and as we got closer to shore we realised that they were throwing something out into the lake. Our immediate fears were realised when we observed these to be Pike parts. We got out of our boat and walked over for a closer look and were literally nauseous at the site of a number of Pike being expertly filleted in front of us and filled into small see through bags. One of the Pike lying on the ground had already had its head cut off but was obviously without any doubt over 6.6lb in weight, however two minutes later it was in fillets in a plastic bag with all unwanted flesh thrown into the water. Four of the anglers were above at the car park with the three hire vehicles. The opportunity was taken to record the number plates and transmitted by phone in front of them to a Fishery Officer in our local region. However we knew full well a visit by an Officer at this stage would be a waste of time as the filleting was complete and also that the anglers would be legally entitled to have over 24lb of fillets between them. Also as we were to stay the night at the lake we did not wish to intimidate them, simply let them know that Irish Pike anglers respect the species as a sport fish, not a food source. The worst was yet to come.

The following day we set out about 7.30am. Our intention was to again lure fish and to cover the features we spotted the previous day. Our overseas companions arrived about 9.30am. No Coarse anglers fished Drumlona that day so any Fishery Officer that dropped by would not have known where the boats were. We fished hard all day catching and releasing two Pike of about 7lb and about 5.30pm decided to try the Dromore River for a spot of Coarse fishing. We finished fishing about 8.00pm having caught some decent hybrids and good quality roach, all of which were returned having offered some welcome sport. We motored the boat back to Drumlona and noticed the other four boats had again arrived before us. To our shock our companions were again huddled at one of the boats and again we saw parts being hurtled into the water when they noticed us coming. Just then, one of our overseas companions hurriedly made his way into the field with what was obviously a piece of the large Pike. We reached shore, got out of the boat and approached them only to see the flank of what was a large Pike being diced. I asked them what did they catch and was told some small fish plus a Trophy fish of 22lbs. I asked them did they return it alive knowing rightly I was probably looking at the same fish being filleted. They said they returned it. Again the Fishery Officer was contacted and told of what was happening but again we knew that once the Pike was filleted and bagged and the unwanted parts disposed of, then as long as no bag weighed more than 3.3lb and of which again there could be eight, then simply anything that may have broken the 1990 conservation Bye-Law, suddenly was given credence by it. Talk about a catch-22. We waited at the shore in what can only be described as a state of utter disbelief at what we had witnessed. About an hour later our overseas companions left the car park so we went to find out the truth about the 22lber. In the field lay the filleted body of the large Pike and while looking in the water at the myriad of entrails a large entrail was spotted down shore, which was indeed the head. The two body parts of the Trophy Pike were put together for the purposes of obtaining photographs and video footage. Those who know me will know I don't miss an opportunity to record any action leading to pike slaughter. The Pike measured approximately 40 inches from the nose to the fork of the tail, 42 inches to the tip and both parts were then put into a plastic bin liner to be frozen.

The following morning, the English Coarse anglers returned having had a days break. We exchanged stories, them telling us of the Pike they saw being filleted before we arrived on shore two days previous and us showing them the thought to be 22lber in the bin liner, to their dismay. Our overseas companions arrived again about 9.30 am and headed down river. Our Pike fishing, our interest having taken a severe battering, concentrated mainly on Lough Drumlona. In the afternoon a Northern Region Fisheries Board Officer arrived having been told of pike being killed. We immediately headed for shore and spoke to the Officer on what had been seen. We then showed the Officer the contents of the bin liner at which he was shocked and I gladly gave him the Pike remains for his own records or evidence. For the following 20 minutes we discussed the enforcement difficulties with the present 1990 Conservation Bye-Law and of how a fish such as that can be easily discarded, not as a "Trophy" but as surplus to requirement for the sake of a few fillets. The present Bye-Law is simply unenforceable and loop holed and does not provide for the protection of the Pike species in reality but only on paper. Our three days watching the systematic destruction of our sport proved that.