Anglers catch a break on riverbank access
An agreement has been reached between Navan and District Anglers Association and Meath County Council that will make the riverbank at Blackwater Park more accessible to club members.
A meeting between members of the angling club and Meath County Council officials, along with Cllrs Eddie Fennessy and Frances Dean took place in the park last week, at which a resolution was agreed.
The council has agreed that the strip of riverbank in the park, which is famed as an area for early season salmon angling, will be mowed allowing greater access to the anglers.
The meeting followed on from a motion by Cllr Fennessy at a meeting of Navan Municipal Council calling on the council to facilitate angler access within Blackwater Park by mowing a grassed pathway close to the riverside.
“This measure would enhance this section of the River Blackwater as a game fishery for Navan and District Anglers Association and the numerous visitors who come to Navan to fish each season.
“The maintenance of fishery access would also encourage increased angling within the park and contribute to the wider recreational and amenity offer to the people of Navan,” said Cllr Fennessy.
The council responded that it was supportive in principle of initiatives that enhance outdoor recreation activities and amenities, subject to compliance with environmental and ecological requirements and agreed to engage with representatives of Navan and District Anglers Association to explore the feasibility of potential low-impact solutions and the associated costs.
Matthew O'Connor, vice chairman of Navan and District Anglers Association, who attended the meeting of stakeholders last week said it was a very positive meeting.
“It was very important to us to have improved angler access. Our club members have been fishing that stretch of riverbank for over 70 years and it is a renowned fishery, where the first salmon in the Boyne Catchment is caught nearly every year.
“Since Blackwater Park opened, it became more difficult to access that part of the riverbank, but we were fishing there long before the park ever existed. Our club tried to engage with council officials previously to address the situation but the council was reluctant to carry out any maintenance, however following Cllr Fennessy's motion, they agreed to meet us and it was a very constructive meeting.”
Mr O'Connor who met the council along with secretary Noel Conway, said the agreement will mean better access to the river for the angling club, it will improve the river and the habitat and will improve the park as an amenity for Navan.
He said the club is a very active one, maintaining the fishery and promoting the sport in the Navan area.
They host a number of angling competitions each season and have extensive plans to carry out in-stream conservation work in the locality including improvement works on Balmoral Weir that will aid fish migration up the River Blackwater to spawn.
Cllr Fennessy said he was delighted that a resolution has been agreed following the meeting of stakeholders.
“The stretch of river adjoining the park has long been fished by Navan Anglers. Indeed, the first salmon of the year is almost always caught in a bend of the river a little upstream from the old Spicer’s Mill. The Navan and District Anglers have an historic connection with the area, accessibility is important and I’m delighted agreement has been reached in that regard.
“Park life has really improved over the past few years with the introduction of various activities at Blackwater. We can now count recreational fishing as an available activity which is great for the community and the Navan and District Anglers, the sight of whom fishing on the park, will generate interest and potentially increase their membership.
“I thank Meath County Council officials, Ben Malone, Shane Durkin and David Carpenter and Matthew O’Connor and Noel Conway from the Navan and District Anglers Association for their co-operation said.