OUR STORY
HISTORY
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Kilkeel Angling Club was formed in 1979 by a group of local anglers who were concerned for the welfare of their local rivers. Fears about poaching and increasing environmental pressures led to the the establishment of the club, which has grown into an immaculate fishery.
In the late 1970s following a number of dry summers, there was an increased demand for water, both for domestic and industrial purposes. Following this, there was a proposal to extract a large amount of water from the White Water River to supplement existing supplies in the Silent Valley Reservoir. This scheme was subsequently enlarged to supply a new reservoir at Knockalla - which would have been supplied from a number of local rivers. This proposal was abandoned following a ruling given at a major public inquiry. Following this the anglers decided to form a club to better deal with issues like this.
The first important action of the club was to acquire access and fishing rights. This required negotiations with land owners and the Kilmorey Settled Estate, who owned the fishing rights. Once the club had these matters dealt with then a development programme was put into place by the club committee.
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THE CLUB
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The Club has a membership of approx 120 adults and 20+ juniors. It is managed by a committee elected at the Annual General Meeting. The committee hold a main meeting 11 times annually and other sub-committee meetings as required. They are working hard on developing areas of the river that are currently overgrown, fixing weirs and general riverside maintenance. In addition, a vast amount of work goes into upgrading the hatchery to keep our river’s stock levels as high as possible and to remain one of Ireland's best Sea Trout rivers.
The Club has encouraged junior anglers to join and organises courses and outings for them. However the increasing legal requirements under the Child Protection Order has meant that issues like transport and taking photographs etc. are closely monitored and controlled by legislation resulting in fewer outings for the junior members. However, recently the Club organised a Fly Tying coarse and this involved Club juniors and their parents. It is hoped that by using accredited instructors, further Fly Tying and Fly Casting courses may be held.
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COMPETITIONS
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In 1987 the club entered the UK Salmon River Conservation Competition sponsored by Benson & Hedges. In recognition of the club's approach to the conservation of fish stocks etc., the club was awarded a joint first prize with two other clubs, one from England and the other from Wales. The Club has maintained its interest in conservation, not just in its own rivers, but it has, on occasions, given assistance by way of advice etc. to other clubs. The Club has also, when possible, made available juvenile stock, usually as ova or unfed fry, to other clubs that have suffered pollution incidents, resulting in fish kill.
Competitions are held on a number of occasions during the year and are usually well attended. The Club has also participated in major UK Competitions, and one team, led by the late Tommy Wilson, reached the finals of a UK Competition, fished on one of England’s major venues.
SOCIAL
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Since the formation of the Club, the social aspect has not been neglected. There is an annual club dinner, held in January, as well as an annual spring salmon fishing trip to the River Drowes or the River Moy. This entails 20 - 30 of our club members enjoying a weekend of fishing and socialising.