May 2004

FRESHWATER FISHING IN THE NICOSIA AREA

Lefkosia (Nicosia) district could have been a paradise for freshwater anglers.  Being the only district without sea nearby, should not matter to anglers, as there are nine dams in the area.  However the situation is not as good as it sounds. And I will explain why:

The nine (9) dams of Nicosia district are:

Kalopanagiotis: The dam is emptied every year and all fish killed, so all previous year stocks are gone and therefore the fish are always small.

Kafizes: Inaccessible. Limited number of fish.

Lefka: Limited number of fish due to emptying the dam often. (Read more...)

Palaichori: Steep banks. Inaccessible. Limited number of trout.

Xyliatos: Closed for fishing

Lympia: Will be OK in a few years.

Vyzakia: Closed for fishing

Tamasos: Very limited number of fish. (In 2-3 years will be ready if was really stocked with bass etc..).

Athalassa: Polluted

KALOPANAYIOTIS: Stocked with Rainbow Trout. The size of the trout is usually 6-8 cm and are placed in the dam around March or April. They are too small to fish and due to the summer coming soon after that, there is no point visiting the dam until October or November. At that time their size is really good, the water cool enough but there is a "small" problem.  The rain !  Since there is not much access to the dam because of the steep mountains, one has to be very careful. People even use ropes to get close to the bank.  The soil being muddy makes approaching the bank very-very dangerous. Trying the wall of the dam is even more dangerous because the water level is dropping and the slime on the rocks makes it impossible to step on them. So what is one supposed to do? Obviously wait until February or March when the rain period is over and the sun dries everything out around the dam.  Surprise: By that time the Water and Fisheries departments have removed all the water from the dam to clean the mud from the bottom. At least this is the theory. By the way, they must do it with invisible machinery during the hours of low light, because we never see anybody working there.  The second theory is that they empty the dam so that the underwater vegetation is dried out because it stains the water.  But is it necessary to empty the dam completely?

KAFIZES: Stocked with Rainbow Trout. At least once every few years when the production of trout is more than the planned one, some trout are placed in this dam. So the quantities are not much, but you can find some big ones in the dam. Catching them is a problem because of the crystal clear water and the limited space of the bank. The biggest problem however, is getting there. There is no proper road, and you must have a 4x4 vehicle that does not belong to you to get there. That is, if you can find the correct little dirt road and not get lost in the nearby bufferzone and end up in the hands of the turkish soldiers nearby.

 LEFKA: Used to be a paradise on earth for the anglers. Species like Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Roach, Carp, Eel, etc, used to live there in perfect harmony. All until two years ago (2002), when all the water was removed by the Water and Fisheries departments and all fish were let to die in the mud and the river that dried soon after. Since then, nothing has been done to restore the dam. Instead, even though the Fisheries dept announces that it has been stocked with Rainbow Trout, Carp, Roach and Mosquito fish, towards the end of February 2004, all water was removed again. Now the dam is full and stocked with rainbows.

PALEKHORI: Thousands of Carp, Roach, Goldfish and some Rainbows live in the dam.  The banks are very steep making it impossible to fish anywhere but the cement wall a few metres above the water level. You can fish for Rainbows but I guarantee you will end up with lots of goldfish and carp.

XYLIATOS: A beautiful dam in the forest. Until a few years ago one could fish for Rainbow Trout. Then it was stocked with Largemouth Bass and suddenly the fisheries department decided to close it for fishing to "protect" the water snake that lives there.  There must be thousands of Bass in the dam and many of them 2-3 kilos. And the fisheries department closed the dam to protect the snakes from humans. Do the Largemouths know that the watersnake is protected???  Maybe there are underwater signs stating just that. (Read more...)

LYMPIA: Another beautiful dam that used to hold Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Tilapia, Carp, Roach etc... And all species lived in harmony.  Guess what. The Water and Fisheries departments decided one day that they wanted to increase the capacity of the dam and what better way than to remove the water.  Who cares about the fish that took so many years to grow and flourish? The crime continues. Two years later the dam was full again (2002).  Stocked with catfish, carp, largemouths, goldfish, tilapia etc.. looked promising. Suddenly one day at the beginning of 2004 the water was removed and the Water and Fisheries departments cannot give any explanation how it happened. Now the dam is full again, but it will take a few more years to reach a balance.

VYZAKIA: Mystery dam. Being kept closed for years with no convincing explanation.  We thought that the resources of Cyprus belong to all Cypriots. After all its the taxpayers money being spent. Maybe this is not the case. Maybe the dam is "private" and only belongs to the lucky ones that live at the nearby village (Vyzakia). What better way to keep the pesterers (anglers) away from the area. Is there any "inside" help?  Ask the Fisheries department.

TAMASOS: Being stocked with some Rainbow Trout. Limited numbers in a relatively big dam. Chances are you will never catch one. After all, they all die during the summer period. Who cares ??? Oh, by the way, somebody stocked the dam with some Largemouth Bass. Job well done. It was about time. Also we believe there are some Roach there too, along with Carp. Sounds promising doesn't it?  But it is all a matter of time.  In a couple of years when the numbers will be good, don't be surprised to hear that the water is removed from the dam. History always repeats itself.  And we have so many examples. I hope I will be proved wrong. It is the only dam in the Nicosia area that could be used for proper fishing in 2-3 years. Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.

ATHALASSA: The water is polluted by the sewers ending in the river.  Fishing is prohibited. Nothing is being done to solve the problem.  But again, what problem?  Who cares anyway?

You can understand now that the situation as far as freshwater fishing is concerned in the Nicosia district, is tragic. And it only gets worse. But some people are getting paid (from our money) to promote and protect freshwater fishing in Cyprus.  Things could be much different.  People should be able to take their families for a trip by the dam to enjoy nature and spend some good time with their children.  Just imagine.

Thank you for your time.