Angling Club proves self-regulation protects wild trout

We don’t need no regulation

An angling club has proved that effective stewardship doesn’t always need to be imposed from above, with a recent competition on Lough Conn in County Mayo highlighting how self-regulation can protect wild trout stocks.

The Mike Tiernan Memorial Cup, run on 24 August by Foxford Angling Club with support from local tackle shop Tiernan Brothers, operated entirely on catch and release principles – a voluntary decision that reflects growing environmental awareness among anglers.

The Mike Tiernan Memorial Cup

The competition honours the memory of Mike Tiernan, a beloved local angler. Michael Lynn was presented with the Mike Tiernan Memorial Cup after winning the competition with three trout, measuring 131/4in, 131/2in and 141/2in respectively.

What made the event particularly noteworthy was the attention paid to fish welfare. Tiernan Brothers supplied specialised measuring boards that allow quick, accurate length recording with minimal handling, ensuring trout could be returned safely.

Joint effort

This conservation-minded approach isn’t limited to single events. The clubs around Lough Conn, including Foxford, Conn and Cullin Anglers, and Ballina Cloghans Anglers, have collectively agreed to a four-fish bag limit, showing how local groups can implement meaningful restrictions without waiting for regulatory intervention.

As organisers noted: “This approach, increasingly seen as essential for protecting precious wild brown trout stocks, ensures the sport can be enjoyed by generations to come. The event brilliantly demonstrated that competitive spirit and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand.”

Tiernan Brothers has offered to lend their measuring equipment to other clubs wanting to run similar catch and release competitions.