Season wrap from the River Nore, by Dan O’Neill

Another season passes on the Nore, and Dan O’Neill reflects on the ups and downs on the river bank:

Here we are again, at the least favourite side of the river season. Monday saw the end of another River Nore season. We now have time to look back over the season and fondly remember all of the glorious days and, of course, some of the less glorious days. This season, I met some tremendous people, and writing this brings me to wonder how they are and how their fishing trips have been since our trip on the Nore.

It’s always interesting to see methods used in different countries around the world, and it’s just as interesting to see if they work. As a guide, I have seen trout take everything from a size 10 Jimny cricket in bright orange to a size 24 Adams. It taps a little into what we feel confident using, does confidence make us fish the “confidence” pattern better, or is it because when confident, we don’t count the casts that don’t catch, so we are not as inclined to say “that don’t work” and be harsh on the new pattern which finds its way to permanent residence in the bottom of our chest pack or in the fly box of “Frankenstein’s creations” which also resides in the bottom of our chest pack or in the pocket that we dare not open on our fly vests.

Trout fishing this season was good, and I was never able to settle in on one technique for too long. The weather presented challenges most weeks, but like they say, “Don’t fear the storm; learn to dance in the rain”. At the start of the season, there were a lot of trout, mostly small; it took quite some time for the bigger trout to show and come out of their lies. I had some great days early season on streamers along the King’s River and even took my first dip of the season, which was the 19^th of March, with a client from New York. It was the typical stumble, panic, try to think, get wet and check who saw kind of incident; before I knew it, I was on my knees in the water with a fishing rod and a smile. A good friend always said to me, “If you fall in, throw me the rod and your fly box”. Who needs enemies, right?

As the season moved on, we had some great fishing and trout numbers were strong. I am working on going through my patterns over the next few days and the tying of them; I hope to add it to the river whispers newsletter, which will give you a breakdown of the tying of them. I tie quite a few nymphs and some wet flies; I will eventually move on to the other sections, but for now, most of, if not all, of my spare time, is spent with my double-handed fly rod practising for my exam next year.

Looking back on my diary, I guided 400 trips myself and arranged a further 450; I am very lucky to have a strong team of guides that are as passionate as I am about fly fishing, which really shines through and ensures the client has a great time. Of course, it does come with a little bit of sadness, too. Taking people fishing and getting to know them is wonderful, but at times, the drive home leads you to hope that they will be safe for the rest of their trip and stay safe on their fishing adventures. It’s amazing how friendships can form in such a short space of time, but what is it about guiding that forms that friendship? I think in the time spent with a client, they develop trust in you quite quickly as I am a talking wading stick mostly; people trust you to keep them safe on the water and to catch them some fish or even their first fish. People also look for advice on surrounding areas, places to eat, places to visit, etc. I am happy to assist them and help them get more from their time in Ireland, which is important. I have often been to different countries and am not sure where to go or what to do, so it’s always useful to know a little more than what fly works best.

Salmon fishing this year was good. We had some early season and sprinklings of fish throughout the summer. Fishing was made hard at times by weed buildup, which choked up the river bed. When water did come, it pushed the weed down through the system, making it frustrating at times. I had some sea trout mid-way through the season, nothing big, maybe a pound or pound and a half.

So, long story short, the season was as special as the previous ones, and I met a set of people who are now new friends; I may never see them again, but I know of their journeys and was lucky enough to spend time on the wonderful River Nore with them. I stay in touch with some and get emails from time to time to show me their catches and places they fish. So here is the end for now for the mighty Nore. Thanks to everyone who came to see me over the season, and I’m sure we will bump into each other over the off-season, and also a big thanks to the lads in Inland Fisheries who I’m sure have great fun correcting my bad spelling on the reports from the Nore. Looking forward also to the new season and the challenges and friendships it may hold.

Until the 17^th of March 2025….