I found this online and think you should take a read. Sea trout are still under huge pressure due to the filthy business of salmon farming and these wonderful sporting fish are now extremely rare in most west coast rivers. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/michael-viney-how-trout-disappeared-from-my-favourite-river-1.2962311#.WJ7wfb2C_9g.twitter I fish the Bunowen sometimes, a classic spate river which should provide good sportContinueContinue reading “Worth a read”
Category Archives: Fishing in Ireland
Mayo game angling guide
For those of you who are considering a trip to Co. Mayo for a bit of game fishing later this year there is a handy guide published by IFI. See this link: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/angling-1/294-county-mayo-game-angling-guide-1/file Some of the information regarding which rivers are open for salmon angling is out of date so check before making final plans,ContinueContinue reading “Mayo game angling guide”
4 for the new season
I have been busy at the fly tying table again. With a bit of time on my hands this week I was able to spend some time immersed in fur and feather. Ever the optimist, I am hoping this year will be kinder to me and days on the water will be more frequent thanContinueContinue reading “4 for the new season”
End of the trail(er)
The boat came with a trailer you see. It was part of the deal when I bought it second-hand (or pre-loved or whatever they say these days) but it was far from ideal for the job. It was one of those boat trailers fashioned in someone’s shed buy an enthusiastic welder from bits of mildContinueContinue reading “End of the trail(er)”
One for Lough Beltra
I have been thinking about variations for the basic Green Peter for some time and finally made up this one today. It’s a mash up of a normal Peter and hair winged Doctor. This gives the pattern a bit more colour and also adds to the movement. Does it work? I have no idea yetContinueContinue reading “One for Lough Beltra”
Keeping it simple: a good midge pattern
Check out the excellent video from T. Flagler which I found on Chi Wulff’s blog. This style of midge works exceptionally well in Ireland when tiny black flies are on the water in May and June. http://chiwulff.com/2016/11/18/tie-one-on-matts-midge-from-tightline/ He ties this fly on a size 22 but I find it works all the way up toContinueContinue reading “Keeping it simple: a good midge pattern”
How to tie a bead thorax nymph
I use this style of nymph a lot both in ‘traditional’ nymphing and as a point fly on a wet fly cast. Obviously other tyers have developed this style and it is commonly used in different parts of the world for trout and grayling. I love the extra ‘kick’ the bead gives to the hackleContinueContinue reading “How to tie a bead thorax nymph”
The Manulla river
A chilly wind is scattering the last of the leaves in the garden and the daylight rapidly fades to an inky blackness. Winter nights can be so depressing, can’t they? To cheer myself up I’ve been thinking about the coming trout season and places where I will ply the gentle art. One place where IContinueContinue reading “The Manulla river”
Tag tips
This is going to be a short post which may help some of you to make neater and stronger flies. Many patterns call for tags at the end of the body of the fly. Historically tags were part of fully dressed salmon flies (think of Jock Scott, Durham Ranger etc). These allegedly provide ‘aiming points’ContinueContinue reading “Tag tips”
The final link
I found this old spool of tippet material and it got me thinking about the huge changes in the line we use these days compared with when I started fishing in the late 1960’s. When I began to fly fish for trout the only line available to make leaders was nylon, and some of thatContinueContinue reading “The final link”
Claretbumbler 