Paddy Dunworth of Celtic Angling was pleased to get back on a high and mighty River Deel in Limerick after more than a fortnight of flooding, here is his report:

Nebraskan Tom Bowen and his extended family were staying at the palatial Fanningstown Castle near Adare this week and Tom, his son Dane and son-in-law Jacob White, joined me to fish a high and coloured, but dropping, river Deel. I was glad of the opportunity, as it was to be my first day guiding in 17 due to high levels from all the rain we’ve been getting this month.

Tom Bowen with a smashing Deel brownie

Jacob did the organising with me and, even though fishing prospects were marginal on the day, I did not want to cancel yet another booking and disappoint them. The guys all fly-fish regularly back in Nebraska/Montana and they really wanted a session on an Irish river.

Dane Bowen with his first Irish brownie on fly

We fished traditional wet-fly using a pair of size 12 nymphs and managed to eke out a few fish despite the tough conditions. From 26 years of guiding mainly US fly-fishers, I know only too well that netting a native, wild Irish brownie on a wild and natural Irish river is high on their fly-fishing bucket list….mission accomplished, evidenced by my photos. All fishing Catch&Release

Toasting a good session at Newbridge in challenging conditions, L to R, Tom & Dane Bowen and Jacob White
Dane Bowen with another Deel brownie
Tom Bowen releasing his fish with care

Paddy Dunworth
Celtic Angling

Go fishing…