Drawing the damsel fly nymph slowly through the layers using a figure of eight motion a heavy lean on my line indicates a presence. Left hand pulling main line down in conjunction with right hand raising rod, in a flash five meters of line zzzzzzzzzips away as the drag sings. Left hand now feathering the spool, under control and playing off the reel a lively rainbow twists, turns, bores deep and runs left, right and centre. Occasionally thrashing on the surface, after a few minutes a mint condition fish slips over the net, steel head silver, fully finned, running a pound and a half it felt heavier due to its strength.
On a first entering Ardaire Springs Trout Fishery what grabs ones attention immediately is how the facility ticks all the right boxes, this is a game fishing water built by an angler for anglers. Proprietor Ned Maher has used his experience fly fishing abroad, from Canada to Iceland, to construct a wonderful fishery. Attention to detail is paramount from the club house which incorporates a cafe and tackle shop to the holding pond where fish are grown on and aclimatised before transfer to the main lake. Balancing the fish population to holding pond size mitigates against fin nipping hence the rainbows are fully finned upon entering the main water.
Arriving round 09.30 am already about ten anglers are casting away. When the fishery was opened three years ago a pod of brownies was introduced, today a few of them are still present and have grown on, testament to the food rich spring fed water, yours truly landing a four pounder. Chatting with some of the anglers present, many of whom were seasoned game anglers equally at home on wild waters, revealed a love and loyalty to the fishery which spoke volumes.
Open all year round from 10.00 am to sunset inclusive of weekends and bank holidays, Ardaire Springs Trout Fishery is located two miles inland from the N.24 Waterford to Carrick on Suir road, if driving from Waterford turn right at the Royal Oak pub just outside Mooncoin and follow the signs.
Further details, contact Ned @ +353 (0)86 812 8937
or email: info@ardairesprings.com
See also: Ardaire Springs Trout Fishery.
