Crumlin and District Angling Association

Historical Notes
 

Until recently, the potential for salmon and dollaghan reaching the excellent spawning and nursery habitat in the upper stretches of the Crumlin River was virtually impossible. The priority of developing the emerging textile, linen and other local industries in Ulster at the turn of the 18th century had taken precedence over most other needs on local rivers. Water was harnessed to produce the power for new factories and mills. Weirs and dams were constructed on many rivers to facilitate these new activities – without any regard to the impact on or the needs of migratory fish that had utilized the rivers since time immemorial.  In the particular case of the Crumlin River two large weirs had been built – one upstream and one downstream of Crumlin village. However, with the passage of time and the decline of the Ulster linen and textile industries during the 20th century, many of the weirs on local rivers (including the Crumlin) became redundant. These weirs, no longer in use, now stand as a testament to a bygone industrial age. 

 

 

 

Development in Recent Years

 

During the early years of the new millennium the Committee of Crumlin Anglers explored the possibility of constructing fish passes on the river to assist migrating fish to gain access beyond the weirs to the upper stretches. Following the completion of surveys on the river representations were made to Government authorities seeking funding. Ultimately, those representations were successful and grants were secured from the EU for the construction of two fish passes. These projects were supported by the Dept. of Culture, Arts and Science (DCAL) and the Antrim Borough Council.  Much time and voluntary effort was expended by the Club Committee in overseeing and overcoming the various issues that arose during the construction of the fish passes. Finally, both projects were completed during the summer of 2006.  However, despite initial enthusiasm from a few Club members in late 2006/2007 that the fish passes were functioning as planned, nevertheless, it soon became evident that the fish pass at Crumlin Glen was not working properly.  Some of the ‘box’ sections of the pass were found to be much too difficult for the fish to pass through without restriction.  The Committee agreed that a re-design or re-alignment of the pass was essential.  Discussions were held between the Club and officials of the Department (DCAL) seeking approval for remedial works to be undertaken.  However, at the time of writing this note (Autumn 2014) DCAL is still considering what action is needed to make the fish pass ‘fit for purpose’. The Committee hopes that 2015 will see progress on the matter.

 

 

 

 

Restocking Programme 

 

A restocking of the river with salmon and dollaghan fry was carried out by the Club over each of the three years from 2010 to 2012. It is obvious to all those who fish the river that this has proved highly successful - as is confirmed by the numbers of fish throughout the system.