Re-Opening After Covid is a series where we will be featuring angling-related businesses that have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, and are getting back on their feet now. With the new requirements for physical distancing and continued vigilance, angling businesses like many others face challenges. They may have to restrict customer numbers, limit their interactions, introduce new working methods. And of course, the primary requirement is to keep themselves, their customers and families safe.
Tiernan Brothers
Our first featured business is Tiernan Brothers tackle shop in Foxford, Co. Mayo. Michael and PJ run a great business, and also do their best to promote the local fishing, principally the salmon fishing on the River Moy.
“Hit hard”
Like most other “non-essential” businesses, Tuernan Bros were hit hard by the Covid-19 lockdown. As Michael says:
“At the very start of the Covid 19 pandemic we knew it was going to be disastrous to our angling trade. We decided early to tighten our belts and prepare for the bumpy ride. We figured the only way we could come out of the situation better was to follow the guidelines and encourage anglers to do the same. This meant for a large part closing our tackle shop and discouraging anglers from visiting. We did this in as gentle of a manner possible but of course we do know that some customers were not happy“.
Michael and PJ run a website www.themoy.com where normally they give updates on water levels and fishing. During the lockdown, they used this to promote angling and in particular encouraged junior and beginners to become involved, which got a great response online.
Silver Lining
There is a silver lining to every cloud, and the shop being closed gave the brothers more time to go fishing themselves and experience the great angling that Mayo has to offer. Lough Conn and the Moy Estuary both provided good sport.
And Michael has also been targeting the early-feeding trout on Conn, from where he sent a photo of a beautiful sunrise. An apt photo to go with reopening the shop after Covid!
Tiernan Bros are now open again, albeit with the universal requirement for distancing in the shop, and can be contacted at 09492 56731, or online at www.themoy.com
