Visiting anglers plan their fishing trips well in advance, researching every aspect of the trip from location choice, to best target species and local contacts, all in an effort to ensure that they have the best fishing possible during their trip. All controllable factors are taken into account and then mother nature enters into the equation and does what she does best, demonstrates that she can upset the best laid plans. In recent days we have had multiple weather warnings and many rivers were left unfishable due to the huge volume of rain that fell in some locations. However, the north east had some luck and seems to have escaped the worst of the downpours and although water levels did rise in the Boyne, it was still fishable, not ideal conditions but fishable.
Patrick Jones and his wife had made an exhausting 36 hour trip last week from New Caledonia and were visiting the Boyne Valley over the last few days. Patrick was in search of some salmon and trout fishing and was fishing with local fishing guide Peter Cunningham. According to Peter, fishing on Friday and Saturday was very difficult, with only a few small trout taken. However, everything changed on Sunday. After a fruitless morning Peter and Patrick changed their location on the river in search of a fish when Peter noticed a fish flash in the area they intended to fish. The fish was covered by Patrick who hooked into what was thought to be a big fish which stayed down all the time and made a number of blistering runs across the full width of the river. The fish was fresh run and was expertly played and eventually landed by Patrick who’s first Wild Atlantic Irish Salmon was estimated to be around 14lbs in weight. After a few quick photos, the fish was assisted to recuperate before being released back to the waters of the River Boyne. Patrick commented about the distance that he and the salmon had to travel to eventually have this chance meeting on the majestic River Boyne.
Patrick was delighted with his catch and is now searching out a few big wild brown trout to round off his first fishing trip to Ireland. We wish him continued success during the remainder of his trip.
Peter Cunningham is one of the North East’s top angling guides. If you fancy a days guided fishing for salmon, sea trout, wild brown trout, pike or bass, then why not give him a call or drop into him for a chat in the Drogheda Angling Centre, Boyne Shopping Centre, Drogheda.
Peter can be contacted by Tel: 00 353 86 4682516 or by email: [email protected]
