Dan O’Neill reports from the River Nore…
Adjusting to the higher water levels over the past few weeks has been interesting for sure. It is amazing how different a river can be and fish with just the slightest drop or hike in water level. Fishing the wet fly is as most know my favorite method. Watching the fly and working it through the swing is something that you become engrossed in. Then when it all comes together, and the take happens its just mesmerizing. I have been teaching quite a lot over the past 2 weeks. Growing my knowledge on different ways to approach different casting issues. I remember when I was younger being told I could be anything I wanted to be. I regularly hear it now also on different videos and clips. Put your mind to it and you can do it. I feel that firstly the heart must be in it to engage the mind fully. Looking on Facebook I see casters, fly tyers and anglers everyday putting up content and pictures. To see their passion and knowledge is phenomenal but to them they sometimes don’t see it. The best are usually very humble and have their hearts and minds fully set on their passion.
Once I had finished thinking of the above I finished my bankside coffee and wiped off close to 50 red ants that had a feast on my forearm, it was time to get to work. This week I guided over 20 people from far and wide. A couple of early 4am starts shook the cobwebs off and resulted in some wonderful trout fishing. Hatches were strong especially in the evening time. We fished gnats, olives and sedges close to the overhanging sallys.
Watching a dry fly sail on the water and then get sipped is just a feeling that never gets old. The first time seeing it remains the same for every take thereafter. I never minded the size of the trout taking the fly it was always the sight of a trout taking the fly off the surface that made me happy.
I did fish wet flies along the plantation pool and had some great takes. Still on the Greenwell’s Glory and some sedge patterns. I did also try something different to me. I tied a pheasant tail nymph on a light hook with the intention of fishing it on the surface. I powdered the fly and fished it dead drift. I was surprised how many trout I got and how close to me they took given conditions. Well worth a try and happy I gave it a shot. This is something I saw Tom Rosenbauer do from Orvis.
Great to see the trout fishing improving a bit across the board. The Nore fished brilliantly over the past week. I am taking bookings for group classes now. I have 4 days left in July. If you would like more information on the day contact me on the details below or on Facebook messenger. The days can be a great way to expand your knowledge on your chosen discipline.
For information on day tickets or memberships please call Dan on +353 (0)85 7652751 or email [email protected]
Dan O’Neill
Mount Juliet Estate.
Go fishing…
Mount Juliet House is set on a large estate, which offers private fishing on 2.5 miles of the middle to lower reaches of the River Nore. Mount Juliet Estate offers fishing of the highest quality, just a short stroll away from the Manor House. There is a fishing room on site in the Manor House for your convenience i.e. for storage and drying of fishing equipment. Mount Juliet Estate can also provide the necessary equipment on site if needed.