Dan O’Neill, fishery manager at Mount Juliet, reports from the hotel’s coarse lakes…

I had two anglers from Dallas, Texas out for the first day of the season,10-year-old Christopher Flanagan and his dad Chris. With a very wet couple of days the River Nore for the 17th was unfortunately too high for us to fish so the lakes were the only option. As we walked towards the lake young Christopher told me of his fishing trips back home for crappie, bass and bluegill. I was absolutely fascinated to hear of these stories and the different baits they used. As we got to the lake I explained what species we were fishing and I could see the excitement building in Christopher’s face.

Conditions were less than ideal but it didn’t deter either angler. Float fished worm was our chosen method, bite detection was very tough but we persevered , after a little while Christopher reached for the rod seeing something that I didn’t, striking the rod Christopher lifted into his first Irish coarse fish, a beautiful roach. Some roach did follow as Christopher never gave up despite the heavy rain, it certainly must have been the lucky Irish hat of which I forgot today.

roach
10-year-old Christopher Flanagan catches his first Irish fish

It was great to talk to Christopher today and his dad, hearing of the fishing stories from back in Texas and also meeting such an accomplished young angler. I look forward to greeting Christopher and Chris again in the future (bringing my lucky hat this time).

Dan O’Neill
Mount Juliet

Go Fishing

Mount Juliet has trout and salmon fishing available on site over 2.5 miles of the river Nore. Classes also available for every skill level – learn or improve on your chosen technique. coarse fish ponds also available on the hotel grounds.

Mount Juliet

Address Mount Juliet, Kilkenny R95 E096 Ireland Mobile Phone: +353 85 7652751 Website: mountjuliet.ie

River Nore trout fishing