INTRODUCTION:

Of all areas in Ireland still to be "discovered " by the saltwater angler, the Northern Fisheries Region must surely have the greatest potential.

Stretching from the Inishowen Peninsula in the north to Mullaghmore in the south, the immense diversity of coastline offers every conceivable type of venue for both the boat and shore angler. There are golden sandy bays, rugged rocky headlands, roaring surf beaches and secluded sheltered estuaries. Each has its own special attraction but all are set in some of the most breathtaking scenery to be found anywhere in Ireland.

The coastline of County Donegal takes up the vast percentage of the Northern Regional area, but the small portions of Leitrim and Sligo which touch the south western corner of Donegal Bay are also included.

The Northern Regional Fisheries area can be divided into four distinct Saltwater Regions. They are North East Donegal (Lough Foyle to Lough Swilly); North West Donegal (Fanad Head to Bloody Foreland); West Donegal (Bloody Foreland to Malin Bay) and Donegal Bay ( Rathlin O'Birne to Mullaghmore).

Recent improvements in the road network have opened up the region, affording easier access to the coast. Great possibilities now exist for all sea angling followers be they the experienced specialist or casual holiday fisherman.

Facilities for visiting anglers too are improving apace. For example, several purpose built angling charter boats now operate regularly from a number of ports around the coast and the days of bartering with the local lobster fisherman for a few hours afloat are virtually a thing of the past.

Almost and fish known to exist in the temperate seas of the Northern Hemisphere can be expected and although cold water species such as cod, coalfish and haddock tend to be dominant, the warmer water species, such as tope and blue shark are also encountered regularly throughout the summer.

The offshore reefs abound with a wide range of species while the numerous areas of sandy ground also provide superlative sport. For many, the development of wreck fishing from the Northern ports has been the most significant advance in recent years. During the two world wars, the main trans Atlantic convoy routes approached the ports of Glasgow, Belfast and Liverpool via the Northern Approaches just off the Donegal coast. It was here that the German V' boats wrecked havoc with these convoys and literally hundreds of wrecks litter the sea bed of the area. In the last few years, anglers have taken huge hauls of ling, conger, pollack and coalfish from several of them including the Justicia (32 000 tons). Many more, even larger vessels, await to be discovered and the potential for record breaking catches is a very real proposition.

Shore angling is developing rapidly with quality fishing being found from numerous rock, beach and estuarine situations. Many of these "hotspots" have been signposted and new information is being uncovered annually as more anglers visit the area.