Wild Trout Trust gives Annalee seal of approval

A delegation from the Wild Trout Trust (WTT) has given the Annalee River the seal of approval for its water quality. The Annalee has long been recognised as a leading trout river in the northeast and at the request of the Cavan Anglers the delegation paid an advisory visit. The Wild Trout Trust is dedicated to the improvement, restoration and protection of habitat in which trout live, feed and attempt to breed. The group spent a full day on the Cavan Anglers stretch of the river, examining the conditions and making recommendations to the club on how to improve the physical environment in which the fish live. The visiting delegation expressed their satisfaction with the good water quality. A simple examination of the macro invertebrate fauna was undertaken, under the stones on the river bed, and this showed large numbers of cased caddis and fresh water shrimp. Mr Vaughan Lewis of the WTT, said that this was one of the best macro invertebrate fauna seen by him in a long time, re-affirming the generally good water quality of the river. The club now awaits the recommendations and observations of the Trust and hope to be able to implement them. Established in 1997 in Britain the WTT is the only national body dedicated to the protection and survival of this iconic fish in Britain and Ireland. At the end of 2008, the WTT had conducted over 300 habitat surveys on waters in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. These surveys have already covered hundreds of kilometres of river - and 90 per cent of surveys have resulted in conservation projects. So far, these projects have improved well over 300km of water and have increased the survival chances of many struggling wild trout populations. Any individual or organisation responsible for a wild trout population - fishing club, community volunteer group, another charity can call on the WTT for help, advice and support.