Dan O’Neill of South East Casting reports on some of his courses held recently
Most of last month I have been looking back on pictures of summer trips to the river with some new acquaintances and angling friends. I was a little more involved with the angling world this year and realised we have quite a community. Since passing my APGAI exam I have tried to give a little more back to the angling community by giving free tuition classes and information days. During these days I swap information with some anglers that have attended. I like to emphasise that I swapped information as the classes were not about me telling someone or ordering someone to do something a particular way. It was more of a gathering of angling friends talking about their style of fishing and my style. If the person took a little bit of information from me or some of the other attendees and felt it would improve their techniques or chances, then that was a great result for the class.
I never know what the best way to think of fishing is. We get together to “hunt” for the trout, discussing the best way to trick or capture our quarry, then once we trick them and capture them the “hunt” comes to an end. It’s at this stage we take the utmost care to release our friends back into the river to get on with their cycle and wonder how a small fly just dragged them across a river.
I recently spoke on a zoom meeting hosted by Glenda Powell and Noel Fitzmaurice which was an absolute pleasure, what a team they are. The meeting had some great people and speakers, it was truly a superb evening. I had a warm cup of tea and some Scottish shortbreads watching the lights of the Christmas tree fade and illuminate as people from all over the world told their stories of “why fishing”. Glenda kindly asked me to speak at the meeting and I shared my story. What an evening and just goes to show how international our angling community is. It’s a universal language in its own way.
My youngest apprentice Daniel was at the vice this weekend, he was tying a yellow fly called “SpongeBob”. Anthony enjoys tying also and has started on pheasant tails for next season. Planning a trip to the barrow in the coming weeks as water levels drop a little.
I will be running classes in January, February and March. These classes will cover getting ready for the new season. Tactics for early season trout, tackling the higher colder water and leader set ups. We will also speak about rods, reels and fly lines that will suit your 2024 season. I for one am always overspending when it comes to tackling up for a new season so let’s get together and discuss what we really need.
The free tuition days went very well over the last few weeks, and I met some fantastic people to which I am very grateful to. These classes also make me stronger as an instructor, so thanks to all who attended.
If interested in 2024 classes or guiding contacted me by phone, email or messenger.
Go fishing…
