Keith McDonnell, APGAI casting instructor and angling guide of fluffchucker.com brought his new inflatable drift boat for its maiden voyage on the Suir with some great results.
Keith McDonnell brought his new drift boat down to the river Suir on Saturday to give it a test run. He had recently imported the boat from Dave Scadden in Utah, a very clever boat designer and pioneer of this style of craft.
The innovative craft was bought especially to access more water in his bonkers pursuit of big river trout. Philip Maher was given the honour of riding shotgun on its maiden voyage. Captain Keith tied on hisfavourite big fish fly, handed Philip the rod and invited him aboard. Initally Philip was a little unsure (Keith thinks he was scared!) of the vessel. But 10 minutes into their first drift down at Kilsheelan his sceptisim at the scruffy chewed up fly and blow up boat disappeared when we hooked this stunning trout.
The fish weighed 7lbs 4oz and put up an incredible fight: tail walking, jumping and taking us a long way downstream before finally netting him.
The fish was released unharmed. They also got a 6lbs Salmon but we didn’t care too much about that!
“Small” trout also were caught
For Dave Scadden Pontoon Boats: http://www.northforkoutdoors.com
Philip has extensive Fishing rights on the river Suir and runs an instruction and guide service and fly shop contact him through his website: www.fishhunt.ie
Keith McDonnell is a guide and instructor and big trout nut based in Dublin www.fluffchucker.com
