Crossboyne

I want to focus on a specific stretch of the River Robe in this post. There are two reasons for this; firstly one of my followers tells me he fishes in the area and has struggled to catch much. Secondly I want to run through some basic techniques which have been successful for me inContinue reading "Crossboyne"

Fishing on the Robe picks up

  We went to our favourite restaurant last night, my better half and I. Luckily I had booked a table as the place was packed with others similarly engaged in eating and drinking. The food as superb (the spinach gnocchi with clams and prawns was to die for) and we washed the meal down withContinue reading "Fishing on the Robe picks up"

Boat out today

My boat was kindly moved from the yard to Lough Conn for me yesterday while I was at work so today I partly repaid the debt by helping Ben to launch a boat on Lough Cullin. We like to keep a boat there for those times when we just have an hour of two toContinue reading "Boat out today"

The drought continues

Sunday saw me out with rod and line not once but twice in one day but I am still waiting for a good fish in my net. Loose plans had been agreed for a short session on the Cashel River later on, leaving me time for an exploratory trip to the River Robe. I knewContinue reading "The drought continues"

Green with envy

I seem to recall it is one of the seven deadly sins. Envy. That gnawing wishing that someone has something better than you and you want it - badly! I am not generally prone to this particular sin, others come way higher up my list of deadly vices. Usually I take life pretty much onContinue reading "Green with envy"

A few hours on the Cashel

First day of April. Where did March go? Still feeling ever-so-slightly under the weather from an excess of alcoholic beverages last night when the alarm woke me this morning I rose to complete some chores before heading off for a bit of fishing. There are fish being caught just about everywhere in the area rightContinue reading "A few hours on the Cashel"

A purple shrimp pattern

I have never really been happy with Purple Shrimp patterns. They also looked kinda 'odd' to me, especially those ones with badger hackles at the head. The mix of badger and purple hackles somehow did not look 'right'. I can't describe this really, it is more of a feeling than any scientific analysis. Purple hasContinue reading "A purple shrimp pattern"

Holiday weekend (3), starting the old engine

My old Evinrude 4HP outboard has been in the shed for a couple of years without being used so I decided it was high time that I showed it a little TLC. After a general clean up and emptying out the fuel tank I filled her with fresh petrol and oil mixture (1:100 on theseContinue reading "Holiday weekend (3), starting the old engine"

Holiday weekend (2) Two more patterns for Carrowmore Lake

I am frequently asked for salmon fly patterns for use on Carrowmore. I generally give the same answer – whatever you have in the box that you have confidence in on a size 8 hook. That may sound like a cop out but the truth is that I have seen salmon caught on so manyContinue reading "Holiday weekend (2) Two more patterns for Carrowmore Lake"

Holiday weekend (1) a Dabbler pattern

Outside, there is only what can be described as a storm blowing. Trees are bending in the wind and sheets of cold rain are filling the gutters to overflowing. While the east coast of Ireland is just breezy and cool we here in the west are being well and truly battered and soaked. It isContinue reading "Holiday weekend (1) a Dabbler pattern"