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Shore Fishing in South West Donegal

Friday, May 18th, 2012

South West Donegal in the vicinity of Glencolumbcille and Ardara is a rocky indented coastline jutting out into the Atlantic with what would appear to be great shore fishing potential. Characterised by sheer cliffs to the south punctuated by Glen Bay and the beautiful Silver Strand (Trabane), merging into Loughros Bay containing breathtaking Maghera Strand to the north, this most definitely is an area worth exploring.

Close to the village of Carrick are the cliffs of Bunglass where the amazing Slieve League can be viewed. A mountain cut in half rising sheer to 1,972 feet above sea level, the vision really is awe inspiring. Not for the feint hearted is a walk up to the summit along a narrow ridge called “one mans path”, which can be a bit dodgy I believe on a windy day.

Sparsely populated outside of the main towns of Ardara and Killybegs, the landscape is mountainous moorland bisected by glaciated valleys such as Glengesh and Glencolumbcille which sweeps down to the sea. Visiting relatives I only did a bit of exploring supplemented by observation and a few well placed questions as to the quality of shore fishing available. Loughros Bay is tidal and the sea strips to reveal pristine sand flats pock marked with extensive lugworm beds, evidence of flounders burying themselves in the sand indicated a large population. Sea trout run the estuary so straight away there are two species worth targeting I would say with crab, sandeel, lugworm, or mackerel strips.

Loughros Point is definitely worth a pop with pollack, wrasse, and conger in mind, and Maghera strand which if it was in Kerry would scream bass, must on the form of similar Donegal beaches be home to flats and sea trout. Other marks which I intend to visit later in the summer would be Glen Bay beach (Glencolumbcille) and the nearby Silver Strand. What to expect, well I’m going to find out but certainly mackerel, pollack, and various flats, with possible ray, dogfish, coalfish, and codling. Essential baits and lures would be lugworm, crab, sandeel, mackerel, feathers, jelly worms, and spinners. A sea fly rod would be worth packing too, along with a five weight game fishing set up for sea trout which run the many spate rivers in the area.

Tags: Ardara, Donegal, Glencolumbcille, Loughros Point, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, shore fishing, Slieve League
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Off the Hook

Sunday, May 13th, 2012

Hook Head is in equal parts an interesting yet frustrating angling location, a long narrow low lying peninsular with a remote and ancient personality, comprised of three types of sedimentary rock, slate and shale to the north, old red sandstone across the center, and fossil rich carboniferous limestone creating a stepped landscape in the vicinity of the lighthouse, I have no doubt of its fishing potential but to date it continues to allude me.

Smallish pollack and wrasse (relative to the west of Ireland) are caught in the vicinity of the lighthouse, especially on the eastern (deeper) side, I’ve caught a few and seen images, but are there bigger? Mackerel visit mid to late summer especially in the vicinity of Slade harbour, while bass and mullet frequent the shallow rocky bays which punctuate both the east and west side of the peninsula. Rock platforms from the lighthouse back towards Slade are numbered for competitions, so ground fishing is obviously practiced, what is the level of success though?

Living in north county Wexford the Hook still represents a 120+ mile round trip for me, with diesel costing €1.55+ a litre the decision to travel down is not taken lightly. Yes it is fun to explore but how far can you take that concept, at some point there has to be an end result. Does the Hook look fishy or is it? I know there are whopper bass available I’ve caught one or two, but it’s hard work when your fishing window is tight and you have that distance to travel. Weather also plays a part with on occasions floating mats of weed a problem in some bays, yesterday being a case in point.

Saturday May 12th is early in the season and a month of cold north easterlies has possibly added a delay factor regarding species getting into gear, but to jelly worm for two hours over high water in various locations (regularly changing type and colour) and not get a touch. That said, I learned about the underwater topography along the eastern side close to the lighthouse, shallow (a count of twelve reaches bottom), with a stepped gradient. Maybe fishing will improve as the summer progresses, will I be out there? Diesel and distance limits, any advice gratefully accepted.

Tags: Baginbun, Fethard, Hook Head, Hook lighthouse, Slade, Waterford estuary, Wexford
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Surf Casting in Co. Wexford, Southern Comfort

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

Finally after weeks of north easterlies the wind shifted and blew southerly, air temperatures rose, creamy white capped waves rolled up the strand, and the air so filled with ozone that you could taste it. A low four meter tide had me on the beach at 13.00pm, my task to dig six dozen large, fleshy, black lug, before meeting up with Joe Carley of South East Bait Supplies to purchase a dozen peelers, when targeting surf bass you need top grade fresh bait. As it turned out Joe kindly drove my order to me, his traps being placed nearby, now that is service and much appreciated, thanks Joe. As is the form we talked fishing and again thumbs up to Joe re little nuggets offered which helped in deciding my final choice of venue.

Having time to spare after digging bait, it not high water until 20.00pm, I drove around and sussed out a number of venues. Low tide is a great time to carry out this exercise as numerous tell tale features are exposed which help in deducing how a particular mark may fish. Today one thing was clear, a big tide combined with a strong southerly breeze has the potential to push weed close in, this factor ultimately deciding my fishing destination. On arrival, with a good rolling sea pushing a single wave up the incline and terns and gannets dipping and diving about 60 meters out my casting distance was decided. A low grey, menacing sky promised rain as I made my first cast, sea fishing season 2012 had begun.

Tightening up against the gripper I stood up to prepare my second rig when bang the rod tip thumped forward hard just once. A characteristic schoolie bite and so it transpired, other than an hour long period over high water shoals of juvenile bass averaging a kilo marauded up and down the surf line, I lost count of how many that I caught but it was easily a dozen, all scissor hooked and returned. At least I was busy and in any other circumstances a two pound fish would be well appreciated, so lets get real “the session was fun and productive“. As light closed in my rod hooped to a smoothie which tore off parallel with the strand, allied to a large plump flounder beached earlier my first sea outing of the year most definitely set a bench mark for the season ahead, a double figure haul with some quality fish and it’s not even mid May, bring it on…..

Tags: Angling, Bass, Bass fishing, Beach fishing, Fishing, Ireland, lugworm, Peeler crab, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, shore fishing, Smooth hound, Surf casting, Wexford
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A New Sea Fishing Season Beckons

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

Living in south east Ireland traditionally I do not start back sea angling until May, some might say that bass are back in residence through late March and April especially if the weather is warm, and that the bigger sea trout start to migrate along certain shores and estuaries which is true and are very prone to taking a light pirken type lure or fly, however by sea fishing I mean surf casting and inshore boat fishing and relative to my neck of the woods May and if the truth be known mid May is the earliest worth really setting out. By then the crab moult is in full swing, weather has warmed and settled down, and most importantly a range of species are moving in after spawning, hungry and lean due to their exertions and ready to take a bait.

Plans to hit the beach this weekend with bass in mind were curtailed by my getting hit for six by gastric flu. With absolutely no energy and surprisingly for me no interest in food I summoned what ever reserves to at least get my tackle box ready for the fray. May is going to be a busy fishing month what with a bass trip or two before the close, smoothies, shad (their already in), and a trip to the Beara pencilled in for the last week, things would want to be in order. Having made a list and during the previous week purchased necessary items from the tackle shop to include new line, shock leader, and trace making gear, I got stuck in yesterday afternoon.

I have used matching Daiwa surf casting gear for years, initially modifying the original Millionaire for long distance casting, teaming it with a Paul Kerry rod and more or less have never felt the need to change, only upgrading an odd surf pole since and stepping up to the 7HT when they came on the scene around 1989/90. Come to think of it, the 7HT reel in the foreground above was purchased in 1990 and has never had a new part fitted, quality you cannot beat it. In my opinion keep things simple, forget about magnets, just regularly rinse in fresh water, apply the right grade oil and insert the correct size break block(s) for your style of casting (mine is a half pendulum) and you’re ready for action. Today I fitted my 7HT’s with 16.9 lb Sufix main line fronted by 18′ of 60 lb shock leader to a size 1 rolling swivel. They are now ready to cope with most clean and semi rough ground shore situations.

Attention was also given to my lure fishing clobber especially with that Beara trip in mind. I use a Shimano Exage 4000 with interchangeable spools, one loaded with braid the other filled with 12 lb mono. Coupled with a 10 foot pike or stiff lure rod depending on the target species, jig heads, 30 and 60 gram barrel leads, 2 ounce bombs, shads, jelly worms, feathers, hokais, and spinners, I’m ready for anything.

Finally I set about making some shore rigs, to be quite honest one type, it covers 90% of my shore fishing and really is a catch all trace. Roughly six/seven foot long, built around 60.lb mono and comprising a swivel/oval split ring connection at either end, and two snood connections linked by 18 inches of 9.kg Amnesia to two 2/0 kamasan B940′s, both positioned 18 inches from the top and bottom, couldn’t be simpler. Oh, it’s the two hook flapper I hear you say. Yes, why make fishing complicated, the rig works on clean/mixed ground everywhere and depending on the bait will catch most fish going. If something toothy is about or am fishing very rough ground I beef up the line/use wire (if necessary), employ spark plugs as weights occasionally and set up a running paternoster with a short snood. Pulley rigs? Forget it, again too complicated, keep it simple.

With those jobs done and a final list made of the one or two essential items that I still need to get the gear was packed away and I retired knowing that when I shake this bug a haul such as that pictured above is most definitely achievable. Tight lines…..

Tags: Angling, Fishing, Ireland, Reels, Rigs, Sea Angling, Sea Fishing, Tackle, Traces
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Fly Fishing In Wicklow, Blustery Day on the Derreen

Saturday, April 28th, 2012

Wind angled off my left shoulder as the weight forward number four line snaked out at a forty five degree angle to the current. Fishing a long line the twelve foot leader uncoiled depositing the kill devil point fly and its spidery team mates in the still water beyond the gut close under the far bank. Feeding a foot of line to sink the flies, entering the seam a boil followed by a heavy tug and a tight line, the fish bored deep and my reel screeched, zzzzzzzzzzz a good trout.

Twisting and turning the brownie gave a good account of itself, running towards a bed of ranunculus I applied side strain, the fish turned, a few hops more and it was in the net. Between a half and three quarters, a fine fish for the Derreen, two plump trout in three casts from the same deep run, the God’s are smiling. Ten minutes earlier a riffle further upstream had delivered three fish, all flies had scored from the kill devil to the greenwells but the partridge and orange had its nose in front and was to keep it there.

Although bright and sunny a stiff north east breeze blew and with snow lying on Lugnaquilla, the highest mountain in Leinster, it was chilly to say the least. Gusts ruffled the surface and although a few terrestrials were flying about there was no hatch as such, that said a few trout were rising. The Derreen flows down off Lug’ crossing the border into Co. Carlow then flowing past Hacketstown before meandering through rich farmland towards Tullow. The river bed is gravely well suited to spawning salmon which run up from its parent River Slaney. Today however the target was trout and although not giving themselves up they were on occasions obliging.

My tactics given the strong downstream wind were to keep low and cast a long line down and across keeping false casts to a minimum. The wind helped in this matter by ruffling the surface so breaking up the trouts field of vision. By combining the broken riffled water, where the trout would be positioned along the seams with the disturbed still water while keeping low I could get close and cover potential fishy lies. The system worked, it’s great when it does, with at least a half dozen wild brownies to the rod for a short two hour session. Later in the month as the weather warms up evening dry fly, in particular to the black gnat, should come into its own. I’ll be back…..

Tags: Angling, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Game Fishing, Greenwells Spider, Ireland, Kill Devil Spider, Partridge and Orange, River Derreen, Wicklow, Wild Brown Trout
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Fly Fishing in County Wicklow, Calm Before the Storm

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

With boats taking precedence over the last few weeks it was nice to get out on the river again. Recent falls of rain had both freshened the water and raised levels slightly. Pushing along nicely and running clear albeit with a tinge of dark tea, the river screamed fish and I was not disappointed.

Setting up an eight foot, four weight rod I made my way upstream to work a team of wets back down. Overcast, a cool north easterly blew down the valley making it impossible to upstream fish, besides other than spotting and photographing what I am certain was a mayfly there was no hatch of any description. Nymphing may have been an option but even that would have proved difficult. So putting up a beaded pheasant tail on the point and a greenwells spider on the dropper I commenced working the runs and pots.

Very quickly I connected with a nice 10 inch fish to the greenwells, closely followed by a similar trout on the pheasant tail. The first held station along a seam on the far bank, slashing at my flies as they swung across, the second fish took deep in the run tail, both giving a good account on my light rod. So a taking pattern developed criss crossing between the pheasant tail and the greenwells with at days end the greenwells just shading it.

An interesting aspect of fishing this particular stream is how it changes from visit to visit, no two days being the same. Given its rain fed almost spate like nature the water rises and falls all the time, steady flow maintained to a degree by the bog higher up, however in long dry spells like Ireland has just experienced the sponge drys up with subsequent dramatic effects on the river below. Today however it had come alive and tomorrow it will flow in a torrent a resultant of the forecast heavy rain.

Trout had moved out of the deep slacks and positioned themselves in ambush points behind rocks, along seams and guts, in fact just about everywhere you might expect them to be. Two fish in quick succession here, one trout there, head and tail rises, pulls, the day went in a blur, only my gnawing stomach told me it might be time to go home. At least a dozen trout caught and released with as many more slashing, pulling, and cavorting. This river is special and I never tire of it, the trout are not big, but they are beautiful, big spotted and yellow bellied providing wonderful sport in a breathtaking location.

Tags: Angling, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Game Fishing, Greenwells Spider, Ireland, Pheasant tail nymph, Wicklow, Wild Brown Trout
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Fly Fishing on Roundwood Reservoir, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Monday, April 16th, 2012

What started as an idea over 18 months ago finally become a reality when the Jean Anne made its first drift before a stiff northerly breeze across Roundwood south lake. It has always been my belief that Ireland’s natural resources, utilised and managed correctly, can help alleviate some of our economic problems by generating real long term jobs, and in the process contributing financially on a local and national basis. Having joined the unemployed ranks over 18 months ago and seen an opportunity to create an international standard tourist fly fishing product, yesterday was the first baby step on the road to what will hopefully be a success for both east Co. Wicklow and yours truly.

Accompanying me for the day was Mr. Irish Fly Fisher himself Liam Stenson, creator of a wonderful fly fishing blog and dab hand at fishing north country spiders on the mountain streams of Co. Wicklow, today we swished our 5 weight rods, casting ahead of the boat while stripping lines fast and slow, absorbed by the peace and quite of this wonderful location. Early morning showers of icy rain accompanied by strong gusts eased in the afternoon to variable breezes, which ruffled the surface away from the lee shores creating ideal conditions to work a team of flies.

It was great to meet unexpectedly my daughter Emma Claire and her partner Gary out enjoying the lake, making their own way in the world having vacated the nest long ago, unplanned shore side lunches of home made roast pork and stuffing rolls with your siblings taste all the better. Boiling up water in the Kelly kettle to make chicken soup, teas, and coffees, along with all the other bits and bobs we had, sure where would you get it, the rat race completely forgotten.

Saying our goodbyes Liam and I approached the second half with renewed vigour. Having rose a trout just before lunch and with conditions improving it was not long before action commenced. Fishing a sinking line while stripping at a medium pace my silver dabbler on the point was taken by a sprightly half pounder. Liam fishing a floating line was next in, again on the dabbler. Over the next hour three more fish to a little over half a pound came to the boat, all hard fighting wild fish.

Allied to numerous rises and turns it had been a productive and most enjoyable afternoon. A highlight being giving a heads up to a new CWA member as to a particularly productive drift, result a beautifully spotted pound fish and one happy angler. With the season just kicking in as the weather warms up, on the strength of yesterday afternoon things look bright.

Please note: “Due to circumstances which in time will become apparent the service outlined above has been suspended indefinitely. I am sorry for any confusion.”

Ashley Hayden

Note: Roundwood is a fly only water, An Irish Angler’s World has secured permission to run a boat fly fishing operation on the lake, while day tickets to fish the shoreline are available from Dublin City Council and can be purchased at the Vartry Waterworks beside the Dam on the south lake.

Tags: Angling, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Game Fishing, Ireland, Roundwood, Vartry Reservoir, Wild Brown Trout
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Willie Redmond, Boat Builder

Sunday, April 8th, 2012

My memories of Grandad (Willie) Redmond are of a jolly person well liked and respected within the community of Greystones, Co. Wicklow. Holding station at the end of the lane beside Killian’s Hall, “How are you old man” his stock greeting, Willie was always interested in what was going on in your life and the wider world. Prematurely struck down with motor neuron disease, Grandfather even in his wheel chair was a big character and a major influence. Early memories include Grandad playing the bag pipes, pint bottles of Guinness in the house when he would come to visit us in England, and his boat shed, all wood shavings, the sound of a circular saw (which frightened the bejaysus out of me), the smell of cut timber, copper nails, and a boat, always a boat at some stage of construction.

I learned to row and caught my first fish in the Jean Anne, a clinker design 16 foot boat built by Grandfather and named after my mother. Wide in the beam, deep with a high free board, designed with short east coast seas in mind, powered in the early days by seagull engines supplemented with long, strong, heavy oars, you always felt safe as these boats were well constructed. How many did he build? I do not know, but the last one would appear to have been around 1968. Which makes the following narrative all the more remarkable.

I am indebted to Barry Cantwell for contacting me about a boat his father bought many years ago which was built by grandad. Life works in mysterious ways, enquiring with restoration in mind and what contacts I might have, there is one thing for certain the conclusion of this story is going to be open ended and very positive. Curious to see the boat, Barry and I arranged to meet with a view to moving the craft from where it was stored to his house. On first viewing I was gobsmacked at its condition, while not quite ready for the sea she’s not a million miles away. This boat was well looked after and given her age of plus forty four years a testament to Grandads skills as a carpenter.

Barry and I discussed its history and possible avenues we could take in getting the boat ready for the sea again, for there is no doubt she will ride the waves at some point during the summer to come. It is hard to not feel that some how Grandad had a part to play in both Barry and I meeting. When you consider that Barry’s wife is named Jean Anne the story takes on even greater significance, synchronicity is a word that has been used. Six degrees of separation, I don’t know, but one thing is for sure, often I have wondered whether any of Willie’s boats survived. Now I have my answer, I’ll be always grateful Barry and thank you.

A simple plaque below the stern seat is testament to the boats creator. She was built to go to sea and her wish will be granted. Life has its moments, God bless you Grandad….

Tags: Boat Builder, Clinker design boats, Co. Wicklow, Greystones, Ireland, Sea Fishing, Willie Redmond
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Our Ocean Wealth, An Irish Angler’s World’s Submission

Friday, April 6th, 2012

March 31st marked the deadline for submissions to “Our Ocean Wealth” Towards an Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland. A welcome development but one which this soldier did not for reasons which will become clear participate in. Having made submissions on previous occasions, emailed politicians, briefly worked in fisheries on a short term contract, and handed personally on June 8th last year a letter to our current fisheries Minister Coveney (reproduced below) asking for a major shift in fisheries policy to include the recreational angling and tourism sector, his subsequent response last December re increasing the Celtic Sea commercial cod quota by 77% based on the first strong year class since 2000 on an already depleted stock told me all that I needed to know.

Letter to Minister Coveney, 08/06/2011

Dear Minister Coveney,

The historical and present tradition is that the marine commercial fishing industry, politicians, and Eurocrats decide how Ireland’s inshore and oceanic waters are managed. To date their record is appalling, and banner headlines on page two of last Saturday’s Irish Times dated June 4th 2011 do not inspire confidence that you in your role as Minister are going to tread anything but the same well worn and disastrous path as your predecessors. How can you forecast the creation of 158 seafood sector jobs when upwards of 50% of the 56 already commercially targeted fish in Irish waters are dangerously over exploited with the status of many others uncertain?Until such time as the brief is widened to include all interested parties around the table and the marine is looked at from a position whose terms are based on restoration, strict management which may have to include entry restrictions to the industry, and a wider socio economic input to include recreational angling and other tourism interests, then unfortunately Ireland is going to further squander and destroy the one resource that really can turn around our ailing economy.It is possible for recreational sea angling and commercial sea fishing to co-exist; they did in the recent past before we sold our territorial waters to the then Common Market. When one considers just one statistic it puts a lot in perspective. The pelagic fleet is the flagship of Ireland’s commercial sea fishing sector probably responsible for most onshore processing jobs. In 2009 the Irish pelagic catch (predominantly herring, mackerel, blue whiting) was 155,000 tonnes worth approximately €112million. In 2010 the volume landed was marginally up but the value stayed the same. It is reasonable to assume that the margins were down and the costs were up in 2010.155,000 tonnes is an extraordinary figure for one nation to remove from the sea. Contrary to what the industry says mackerel as a resource are being hammered, the dramatically reduced shoals off north Co. Wicklow compared to 20 years ago and the preponderance of joeys (juvenile mackerel) within the catch prove this. Also when one considers that blue whiting end up as fish food for the aquaculture industry at a weight conversion ratio of 4:1( four kilos of blue whiting makes one kilo of farmed salmon) the whole exercise just does not make economic or environmental sense.Contrast those figures with recreational sea angling whose understated contribution to the economy is €33million. This is a totally underdeveloped industry reliant on a decimated resource which hinders its growth just as it does for the commercial sector. If restoration policies were implemented Ireland could develop a destination sea angling market the envy of Europe and the web of benefits filtering out into the accommodation, restaurant, pub, general leisure industry, and artisan fishmongers from what is accepted as a sustainable industry has to date not even been quantified.Having lost my job a year ago and presently developing a recreational angling business in Co. Wicklow, I have plenty of experience, vision, and a desire to add to the creative mix necessary to further the development of our marine based industries. Minister Coveney, you really have an opportunity to change the way Ireland manages and develops its marine resource. Like our economy it is in a parlous state but has the fundamentals for recovery. Please use vision and widen the brief away from just the political and commercial seafood sector to include all interested parties. Failure to do this, besides being undemocratic, will retain a status quo which in a few short years if left to its own devices, will render one of Ireland’s few natural resources with sustainable long term potential unviable.

Yours sincerely,

Now one could argue that the Minister through the “Our Ocean Wealth” initiative has listened to my request, however maybe close on four years of atrocious fiscal management and poor governance of this nation of ours exemplified by the latest “Household Charge” debacle has brought out the cynic in me. That said, my views on marine conservation along with possible solutions are in the ether through this blog site, and I am most certainly willing to get my hands dirty for the greater good. So Minister Coveney and Taoiseach take note, the marine conservation element of this website plus any relevant articles and posts contained is my submission, they all interlink. My contact details are available through the site, I look forward to hearing from you….

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Coarse Fishing in Ireland, Bream Bonanza

Friday, March 30th, 2012

Like a mini depth charge the stuffed feeder hits the water thirty meters out, a measured distance guaranteed by the main line locked to the reel spool and guided to its mark by the designated tree cast towards on the far bank. Crumb, casters, red maggot, corn, and various soaked grains filter through the cage settling on the muddy bottom, their scent and the rhythmic splash which preceded signaling interest from the resident bream shoal. Vanilla scent fills the damp chill morning air as the rod tip curves to the current, a slack line followed by a purposeful wrap around bite, fish on and it’s heavy, kiting in the rivers flow, bream or large hybrid for sure and a good one.

Taking his time while letting the fish have its head there is no need to hurry, the size 14 kamazan has a firm hold in the rubbery lips and with rod straining a bronze slab is guided safely into the net. Disgorger to hand, hook deftly removed, quick photo for posterity, deep, slimy, heavy scaled bronze coloured flank, a cracking fish the first of many, then into the keep net. Whoops echo around the valley, hands are shook, congratulations offered, all the planning and effort has been worth while, a first bream for Keith Marsella and what a way to break your duck.

Regularly throwing balls of ground bait into the swim fish homed in, hung about, and hoovered. It needs a lot of bait to keep a bream shoal interested and Keith along with his friend Graham Pepper had plenty and used it well. Things had been slow for an hour with only a roach showing then the big boys moved in to hold station. From then on for a period of two hours things got hectic with regular bites for both anglers, dream fishing, you couldn’t make it up. Having decided to target bream, the boys hit pay dirt first time out. Being at hand with a camera was a privilege, and to share the occasion, well that’s what angling is all about.

Spring has come early to Ireland and everything is out of kilter, rivers are flowing at summer levels, and fish are one month ahead of schedule. Word had filtered up from Carlow that the bream were in situe so Gary and I made plans, we couldn’t have chosen a better morning to make our first trip. Blue skies, a chilly start, then as the sun rose shirt sleeves and wide brim hats. On arrival at our chosen venue Keith and Graham were already pitched and working away. Exchanging introductions the camaraderie of angling took over, helped no end by the fabulous fishing we experienced. Equipment shared, advice, jokes, more congratulations as fish hit the bank, you would think we had known each other all our lives.

To cap it all Carlow Coarse Angling Club stalwart Gerry McStraw arrived, bream having a magnetic pull which is hard to resist. Banter flowed and as the afternoon wore on bites eased, probably due to the heat as much as anything. Calling it a day at 17.00pm by lines up six species had been caught, bream, hybrids, roach, dace, trout, and smolts, what a prolific river the Barrow is. Graham and Keith’s bream haul bottomed out at 60.lbs which was fantastic, while Gary and I had 6 bream between us with Gary catching the largest at 5.lb 12.oz. It was a wonderful day made all the more by meeting with and sharing in the boys dream catch. Why do I fish…?

Tags: Angling, Bream, Co. Carlow, Coarse Angling, Coarse Fishing, Feeder fishing, Fishing, Hybrids, Ireland, Red maggot, River Barrow
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