Angling: Dumping of household waste is huge concern in Tyrone

Rubbish dumped behind as wall at the reservoid at Cappagh. It's the same at the other entrance wall

I understand the two reservoirs at Cappagh have closed down and our water now comes from the most polluted lake in the country, Lough Neagh.

On a visit to, I saw that a walled entrance to the top reservoir was completely covered in waste, all household waste. The dumpers drive up to the entrance under cover of dark, dispose of their cargo and drive away.

And less than a mile further down the road, I spotted the bones and remains of dead sheep. I believe the council cannot be blamed for not lifting the rubbish as it’s on private ground.

On the road down to Ballysaggart Lough from the Ballygawley Road estate, near the pensioners’ bungalows, the entrance to a field is covered in waste - again it’s household waste. It’s simply a disgrace, especially if there are animals on the land.

Even near my own home in Lisnahull estate, the lane above the GAA ground has been on the receiving end of those who wilfully discard waste from their vehicles during the dark of night.

Our council provides bins for all kinds of waste products, along with some skips.

In the USA you could be prosecuted for dropping a match in the street. I know, because I did it when visiting my son and his family some years ago. I was quickly told quite sternly to pick it up!

Moving on and, while the weather was reasonably good over the Easter period, the same could not be said of the fishing - lack of fishermen perhaps being a better description of the situation.

Brantry Lough, especially, is the angling equivalent of a ghost town, except for the day-trippers walking around the lake. Myself and a few others have put proposals to DCAL which could help the roach problem - in the short term at least. I hoped to have a response but it hasn’t arrived before the deadline.

The odd fish is still being caught in White Lough, up the road from Brantry. As the weather is on the turn, river fishing will start to pick up from here on, hopefully.

Reflecting on costs published last week, I remind coarse anglers that all you need to frequent DCAL fisheries is an ordinary licence.