Posts Tagged ‘Watsons fancy’

Fly Fishing in Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Evening on Lough Dan.

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Easing away from the beach around 16.30pm a strong north easterly breeze was blowing down the lake producing a nice wave. Heading towards the boathouse shore, Gary and I aimed to work a drift close to the tree line on the assumption that terrestrial flies would be blown onto the water. Gary fished a wet cell three with a Bibio on the top dropper followed by a Connamara Black and an Alexandra on the point, whereas I fished a floating line with a Bibio on the top followed by a Watsons and a Wicklow Killer on the point.

Casting a line, evening on Lough Dan, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

Lough Dan is home to free rising wild mountain trout averaging 6 – 8 ozs, plump and dark they fight well above their weight. Closest to the bank, about ten meters out, I connected with the first trout who took the Watsons. Sprightly and game on that first drift I landed four trout to Gary’s one. We both rose a number of fish and close to a rock at the end of the drift I brought up one of the Lough’s biggies but failed to set the hook. Motoring up for the second drift it became apparent that the breeze was easing.

A brace of Lough Dan trout.

This time around roles were reversed with Gary landing four trout to my one. Again plenty of trout rose to the flies, some head and tailing which was great fun to watch. On connecting the trout would jump clear, tail walk, and bore deep, great sport the action was non stop that is until the wind died. It took a while, we managed to eke out another drift, but by 19.00pm the lake was mirror calm and the trout lost interest. As the sun disappeared behind the mountains it got decidedly chilly so we called it a day. Twelve trout to the boat and plenty of rises, a typical Lough Dan foray.

Wild trout fishing in Ireland, last day on Roundwood.

Monday, September 27th, 2010

The south lake is low, testament to the hot and dry summer Ireland has just experienced allied to Dublin’s voracious demand for water. The boats at Knockatemple have followed the retreating tide line close on thirty metres and I would estimate 10-12 feet in depth from the winter high. Still a long way from showing its bones, of benefit to the angler is the exposure of trout holding features which can be explored the following season.

Low water levels at knockatemple, Roundwood reservoir, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

An early Sunday morning phone call from Kevin had us on the water by lunchtime. A light variable breeze from the southeast  created barely a ripple.  Mill pond calm conditions, a few sedges on the water, occasional lone fish announcing their presence only by the spreading rings left behind after their sipping rises, conditions were tough. That said, we were on the water most likely for the last time this season and what better place to be.

Wild brown trout lured by a watsons fancy, Roundwood reservoir, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

As expected fishing was slow with only two fish boated for the afternoon. Putting up a fast sinking line teamed with a wickhams, watsons, and a daddy, shortly into the first drift over the point at knockatemple a positive take resulted in a nice pound plus trout. Staying deep the brownie was netted after a lively fight, golden olive in colour with large black spots, a typical plump Roundwood fish lured by the watsons. Subsequently we tried hard covering various shores, the reward for our efforts just one smaller fish to Kevin. With a chill in the air at six bells we called it a day. 2010 has been a good season on the lake with some fine fish taken and many good memories to sustain us through the winter.

For more information click on: End of  season cracker on Roundwood.

Fly Fishing in Ireland, Roundwood Lakes, Co. Wicklow

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

A request to help take a group of visiting Finnish anglers out on Roundwood lakes resulted in a fine days sport in good company. With the lakes low, the day dull, and a warm south west breeze creating a nice wave, conditions looked promising. Driving to the Knockatemple shore we loaded the boats with what seemed to be a mountain of gear and set off.

Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, brownie.

My guest for the day was named Essa and we hit it off straight away, a salmon angler back in Finland, he wanted to experience traditional Irish lough fishing. Choosing a drift across a shallow point, first cast a trout snatched at my bob fly, a bibio. Two casts later stripping fast a plump brownie took the watsons on the middle dropper with a bang. Launching itself into the air a spirited fight ensued, golden brown and well spotted, a great start to the day.

Happy anglers on a Roundwood, Co. Wicklow shore.

Mid afternoon we all met up for lunch. The kelly kettles were fired up, plenty of hot tea, wine, nips of Jameson, and the grub of course. Lots of banter and getting to know each other, how the fishing was going, what flies were working, which drifts, an hour flew by. Back on the water fishing was slow. Adjusting traces and changing flies brought no joy. The surroundings made up for the lack of sport and conversation flowed. In jig time dusk was upon us, the day had just disappeared.

Roundwood brownie nailed by a Wicklow Killer.

Suddenly the lake surface came alive as trout were head and tailing all around us. A hatch of small silverhorn sedges had got the fish moving. Just prior to this activity I had replaced a Peter Ross on the point with a Wicklow Killer. Bang it was nailed and a couple of minutes later another fine brownie graced the boards.

Wicklow Killer.

Essa and I fished on, trout were snatching at our flies, diving at the bob which was great fun to see. Essa had a fish on only for the hook to be thrown. Earlier in the day he had been broken by a take, losing his point fly. Finally in the midst of this great hatch Essa landed his first Irish brownie. By now it was dark, the hatch petered out, so we headed tired but also exhilarated by what we had witnessed to the mooring.

Kimo, with a fine catch of wild Roundwood trout.

Tying up the boats and packing away the gear we exchanged stories of the day. A few nice trout had been kept, mainly encountered during the evening rise of silverhorns. Tales of fish lost at the net, now of course twice the size they really were. But that is what it is all about. A great day in good company, memories to cherish.

Click on: Guided Lough Fly Fishing in Co. Wicklow.