Beltra boat maintenance

One of the tasks to be undertaken each winter is to sand and varnish the woodwork on the fleet of angling boats for the Glenisland Coop. The way we manage this work is to identify the scruffiest boats and leaving those ones inside the boathouse to dry out over the winter. The rest of boatsContinue reading "Beltra boat maintenance"

After the rain

The rain finally stopped last week and the rivers have been slowly dropping back to more reasonable levels. I had a look at the Robe last weekend but she was over the banks and in the fields in most places so there was no chance of fishing. Today was a beautiful spring day though andContinue reading "After the rain"

Tactics for Lough Beltra

It is just over a month until Lough Beltra opens (20th March to be exact) so I thought I would share some thoughts about tactics and tackle for this wonderful fishery. I fish it from the Glenisland Coop side, so I will restrict my comments to fishing from that side of the lake but asContinue reading "Tactics for Lough Beltra"

Cure for a slipping drag

You know what I am like with reels. Of all my fishing gear it is the fly reels that I love the most. I own far too many and most of them see little use but I am still a sucker for a bargain reel. That’s why I bought a second hand System 2 aContinue reading "Cure for a slipping drag"

Worth a read

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 sportContinue reading "Worth a read"

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Some of the information regarding which rivers are open for salmon angling is out of date so check before making final plans,Continue reading "Mayo game angling guide"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 thanContinue 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 mildContinue 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 yetContinue 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 toContinue reading "Keeping it simple: a good midge pattern"