Tag Archives: Fish

1 Day Stillwater Fly Fishing Course

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Building on the success of last years fly fishing courses I will be holding a stillwater fly fishing course at the purpose built fly fishing lake, fishing lodge and tackle room at Ardaire Springs Fishery, Mooncoin, Kilkenny on February 15th 2015.  This is an ideal course for those new to fly fishing and also for those wanting to improve upon their stillwater fishing techniques.  Based on very positive feedback from last year I have decided to maintain the same affordable price of just €60 (including lunch).

Mick catches at Ardaire

The course covers all the standard fishing techniques (lures, wets, nymphs and dries).  There will be lots of helpful hints and tips relating to tackle set up and fly selection to help you catch that “big one”.

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There will also be time for participants to put some new methods to practice themselves before the day ends. This worked well last year with some participants catching their personal best trout on the day!

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In addition to being a Pro Guide and International Federation of Fly Fishers Casting Instructor I have also completed a Child Welfare & Protection in Sport Awareness Training Course and have been Garda Vetted for coaching.

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Given the date of this course it would make an ideal Valentines gift for the angler in your life.  If you would like to book a place on this course just send me an e-mail at: gamefishingireland@gmail.com or phone: 087-2965712.

Taking the Mick!

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My pal Mick had heard we had been putting the Mackenzie DTX single handed 10ft 7wt through its paces over at Ardaire Springs recently so he decided to have a go there himself.  Having fished the lower Suir for years Mick was very familiar with the Mackenzie Spey Rods but had not yet tried any of the single handed rods.

The average trout at Ardaore is a very good size and there are plenty rainbow trout in the 4lb to 6lbs range.

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These are broad well finned hard fighting rainbows that can really test your tackle.

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Mick is a very good angler and has a habit of catching decent fish so it came as no surprise to me that he managed one of the even larger rainbows in the fishery although this one just fell short of being a double.

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After a quick photo the trout was safely released.

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When I asked Mick to sum up his trial of the rod he used just two words “top class”!

 

 

 

Spring Salmon Flies

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Here are a few salmon flies for the Spring.  Some Irish rivers will be open very soon and of course the Munster Blackwater will open on February 1st.  Experience says the best fishing will be between Ballyduff and Fermoy.  Some cold weather with low clear water would be ideal.

Black & Green Double

Black & Green Double

Black and green can be a good combination in the spring.  It is worth noting that when the water is low and clear you don’t always have to fish really big heavy flies.  I also like flies with some yellow in them in the spring.

Yellow&Orange

Yellow&Orange

Of course any combination of yellow, orange and black is great for salmon.  The profile of flies tied with arctic fox always looks good.

Arctic Fox Profile

Arctic Fox Profile

If you are faced with high coloured water then some big bright tube flies are worth a go.

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So if the river is good order it will surely be worth a try.  However, always be mindful of kelts and baggots at this time of year!

Bassing it up this weekend

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Went bass fishing with Mike yesterday and we had a great session.  We started off with weighted soft plastics in about 25ft of water.  I had a few on a worm in a deep channel on the coming tide.

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We moved about a bit at high tide and Mike had a few beauties on a Feed Shallow plug and I smashed a few on a IMA Hound.

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Just before we finished up Mike had another on the Feed and I nailed a smaller but pretty fish on an IMA Sasuke.

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