What an amazing couple of weeks we have just had. Up until last Saturday we have had no rain for seventeen days. I would not be aware of this statistic, but for a very simple everyday task as going to the post office.

I was waiting in line and it was very busy. The queue was literally creating a spiral within the small confines of the office. The man behind me told the queue that it had not rained in 17 days and that it was “Shocking”. Nobody said anything. As I was directly beside this man, all eyes took me to be the orators’ friend. I did not know him. However with all eyes on me I just said “The rain hasn’t gone away you know, its just we wear more rain resistant clothing these days”. It was an innocent statement but it sparked off an interesting conversation. A bit part of the conversation dwelt on the subject ‘Mayfly is up on Lough Arrow” A fantastic reason for going to the Post Office. The Mayfly is up!…

Leitrim Observer 13/05/2014 Read the article ‘Ollie wins Shannon Tackle Event‘

The month of May belongs, although not without reservation, to the trout. It takes its name from the Maia, the Greek goddess of fertility, and what a fertile month it is for us anglers!
One old proverb tells us ‘There is more to fishing than catching fish’, and so there is. If only we can tear our eyes away from the river we could see that the world is green again, that the sky is blue, as blue as the eggs of the thrush, whose nest we found in the ivy-covered wall of that old tower house. The thrush sang while men toiled over that wall and sang while they crumbled into dust. Now their castle makes a fine home.
We would see, too, through clouds of mayfly, as far as the road, where a constant stream of traffic draws honest men to toil again, as surely as I would draw that fat trout to the bank – if only he would take my fly. He will not. I believe it to be a matter of chance and that sooner or later he will – must – pick it out from the multitude of real ones that float over his head….

Mayo News 13/05/2014 Read the article ‘Annual Mayfly spectacular takes flight‘

IN AN effort to raise funds for the ongoing development of Lough Mask, the Ballinrobe and District Trout Anglers presented Ronan Cusack of Inland Fisheries Ireland with a cheque for €500 following a successful two-day boat competition last weekend.

“The competition is of critical financial importance to facilitate our development of the lake and facilities. It is our main source of revenue. I would like to thank Jackie Mahon for his generous support and to everyone who helped in any way”, club chairman, Kevin Beattie, said….

Irish Times 15/05/2014 Read the article ‘Thirty-three boats make Mask fundraiser a huge success‘