Change of seasons

Last Friday was a scorcher, 28 degrees when Helen and I were mooching around Galway city. The sun splitting the stones on Shop Street, traditional music flowing from the open doors of the pubs and throngs of visitors enjoying the spectacle of the sun beaming down on old Eire. I found a high stool inContinue reading "Change of seasons"

The blue rod

This tale all begins many months ago when one of my followers on this blog got in touch about a post I wrote on old ABU rods. Keith had a similar love of the Swedish rods from the 1970's, and indeed we both actually owed examples of the same rods. We agreed to keep inContinue reading "The blue rod"

Shannon Harbour revisited

When I was careering around Ireland like a lunatic a few years ago doing my ’32 counties’ project, I visited Shannon Harbour and caught a handful of fish in truly horrific conditions. The wind and rain that day still remain vivid in my memory, colouring my view of the place. Perhaps it was time toContinue reading "Shannon Harbour revisited"

Just one of those days

We all get them, those days when nothing goes right. Last Monday was just such a day for me when a bad day and work spilled over into an equally poor session on the bank. I woke before the alarm, not an unusual occurrence for me but one which shortens an already insufficient night of sleep.Continue reading "Just one of those days"

New chair

Earlier this year I treated myself to a new piece of kit to celebrate my (semi)retirement. I know, just stopping work is not the most original of excuses but it was about the only way I could justify to myself the substantial spend on something as basic as a chair to park my bum onContinue reading "New chair"

On the road

Not so much a fishing post this one, more of a reflection on the ethereal nature of life In my last post I mentioned that I was heading over the Irish Sea for a week to catch up with family and friends. The few days flew by in no time, indeed it feels on oneContinue reading "On the road"

I do like Mondays

Fishing on Monday evening has now become a ‘thing’ for me. I stay in digs each Monday night so I make use of the free time between the end of my working day and darkness by fishing somewhere in the Irish midlands. This Monday I decided to re-visit an old haunt and do a bitContinue reading "I do like Mondays"

Bunaveela

While most of my trout fishing is done on the big loughs from a boat I still try to fit in the occasional trip to the smaller stillwaters dotted around the west of Ireland. These wild fisheries are usually home to small browns where a half pounder is a good fish. I think my favouriteContinue reading "Bunaveela"

What I bring for a day afloat

I was out on lough Conn yesterday. My usual routine of lugging all the gear out of the car got me thinking you might like to know what I bring with me on when I head out for a day on the Irish loughs. Rather than a boring list I will run through what eachContinue reading "What I bring for a day afloat"

Lost in Leitrim

It has been a tough season so far for me. Oh, I have caught a few fish alright but with the exception of a good afternoon with the brownies on lough Cullen there has not been much to write home about. With salmon scarce and the trout not much better, I decided to try forContinue reading "Lost in Leitrim"