Dave Houghton from Active Irish Angling talks with an old pro when it comes to fishing and tells us why he and many others come to Ireland for the angling….
There are thousands of angler’s arriving in Ireland every year from across Europe and only a handful experience the liveliest fishing. The venue is the River Shannon – 220 miles long – from Leitrim downstream to Clare and every inch capable of churning out big catches of roach, hybrids, bream and growing numbers of fat pike.
And the Shannon at Hartley Bridge is a great example. Not so many years ago, bream were the target and the grass banks alongside the bridge were worn away as the keenest men were on the best pegs from dawn to dusk. Of course, the action would sometimes be outstanding but many sessions ended without wetting a net.
Dave Pickering is a well-known matchman and former fishing tackle dealer, loves fishing in Ireland and travels across from the UK several times each year. He mixes match and pleasure sessions and this week “took a punt” and opted to tackle Hartley Bridge after hearing reports of action.
“I pulled up alongside the river, walked 20 paces to the bank and within a short time was getting a fish every cast”, said Dave.
“I’ve pole fished at 15 metres with a gentle downstream wind and used a bodied float 1.2mts deep (about 4ft) with single maggot while loose feeding with a catapult. It was a bite every cast with fish from a few ounces to 12 ounces.
“This is what I really love about Ireland and it is so simple, no complications and no fishing licence necessary. Brilliant!”
Dave Houghton
Active Irish Angling
Go fishing in Ireland…
Active Irish Angling is a company specialising in travel to Ireland. We have the best accommodation, lowest prices and access on every ferry route connecting Ireland and the UK. And our team is led by a keen angler who can boast that he has tackled every coarse angling centre in Ireland!
Tel: (UK) 0151 324 4744 or (IRL) +353 (0)71 9642743
Web: www.activeirishangling.com
