Cork man prosecuted after 'stroke-hauling' for salmon

A man who was “stroke‑hauling” for salmon when a fish took his line has been prosecuted by Inland Fisheries Ireland for that and several related offences.

Solicitor Kevin Quirke outlined the background to the fisheries offences committed by Paul Russell, aged 40, of 9 Presentation Close, Gurranabraher. 

He came to the attention of fisheries officers on June 21, 2025, at Farranmacteigh, across the weir on the River Lee from the Kingsley Hotel.

Mr Quirke said the defendant was stroke-hauling, which involves using a large gaffing hook attached to a fishing line that is whipped through a shoal of fish in order to snag the side of the salmon, rather than luring the fish with bait as done in traditional angling.

“The officers asked for his fishing licence and Mr Russell replied, ‘Fuck off, I have no licence and you are not getting my rod.’ He then bit off the line with the stroke-haul and threw it in the water,” Mr Quirke said.

Judge Philip O’Leary said: “That is a new one on me — he bit off the line?” 

Mr Quirke confirmed this and that apart from the threatening behaviour, there was no physical contact.

“He then ran from the fisheries officers and shouted, ‘Don’t box me in’. He held his fishing rod over his head and said, ‘If you box me in I am going to hit you with the rod’,” Mr Quirke said.

Barrister Mahon Corkery said at Cork District Court that Russell was pleading guilty to obstructing fisheries officers, having a stroke-haul on this occasion, and having the implement again on two other occasions.

Mr Corkery said the accused was serving an 18-month sentence for leaving the scene of a traffic incident. He said while Russell has 149 previous convictions, none were for fisheries and none for assault.

Judge O’Leary imposed fines totalling €600, or 10 days in prison in default of payment. 

He refused an application to direct the accused to pay the costs of Inland Fisheries Ireland in bringing the prosecution, saying that he was not going to do so where the defendant was a serving prisoner.