The River Whispers 4
This week on The River Whispers I look back on the kids casting and social day at Laois Angling Centre, also what it’s like to return to some of my childhood fishing spots. Anthony is out with the fly rod chasing rudd and roach giving us a couple of tips to help us get started. Charlie Nesbitt speaks about the beginning of his guiding journey. Tim from Phoenix joined me for some dry fly and dry dropper fishing.
Childhood fishing spots
When I look back to where I began there are a few things that really stick out. My fondest memory is the walk along the Barrow track with my fishing rod tormenting my dad with many questions to which he always so calmly answered. As we saw the lock gate in the distance I would get the light smell of burning wood followed by the sight of the lock keeper’s house. The gentle stream of smoke from the chimney, Patterdale terrier at the front door and the lock keeper leaning on the arm of the gate looking down the river was something that belongs on a post card. Huge hatches of flies clouded the river. My dad would get to the river’s edge and I can still hear the crinkling of the old Hoburn pouch as he would look at the river and roll a cigarette. Every now and again he would say “nice fish rose there”. I always agreed I saw the fish but mostly never did. I would at times say “there’s a fish” there never was a fish I just wanted to be like my dad and able to see them rise too. There were always spots I couldn’t reach, of course at the far side!! I did revisit these spots later in life by boat as I wanted to fish them. I became disappointed when I would reach them as they were never how my mind had painted them when I was a young angler. I decided after a revisit or two not to get too close to these secret lies and instead cast from a distance and remember them as they were painted in my young angling mind
Laois Angling Centre
This was my first-time at Laois Angling Centre. I have heard many great things about it. Both Anthony and I were looking forward to this event. Anthony was busy on Google researching and exploring the area on Google Earth. An event like this is always a joy to be a part of. To see people and kids at the beginning of their angling journey takes us all back. Both APGAI and TAFI worked hard to make sure the kids had a strong foundation on their journey and we all hope one day that one of the people we helped will help someone else.
The fishery itself is quite impressive and I enjoyed speaking to the owner John. The fish all fought hard and were in good condition. I mostly used the dry fly, walking around the big lake watching for trout and casting to them. Very exciting in such clear water watching the fish decide whether or not to chance it, and of course when the fish did decide to take it was sensational. Very easy to relax and the feeling of fishing and exploring combined was something that would definitely bring me back to the fishery. Anthony for sure will be back after his new lake brown PB, a big thank you to fellow APGAI member Trevor for the wonderfully tied Adams.
Guiding
Tim from Phoenix was out with me this week for some dry fly and dry dropper fishing. I have been wanting to truly test the Cadence 8ft 6in 3wt for some time now on its accuracy and close quarter fishing. As many will know the more I can get out of a fly rod the better chance it has of being placed in the “line up”. We hit the pebble beach run on this particular evening and here is a little run down of how it went.
“Back home I mostly dry fly fish. Looking up the beat it was quite clear there were a few hotspots as there are quite a few over hanging trees. We watched for quite a while and saw a few fish surface. We decided to fish the open water first using a 2mm pheasant tail under one of what Dan calls “John’s Klinks”. It didn’t take long before we hooked into a small brown and many more to follow. As we got into the deeper water the fish got a little bigger. I did want to get one on the dry fly so we switched to a different set up and made our way slowly up along the bank by the trees. There were a few creases in the water that looked good and I cast to them watching the fly drift across them.
I must say the water was perfect and the way the fly was landing just screamed for a take. A small cluster of sedges danced enticingly neat the water’s surface just by an over hanging branch. From experience I knew if I could land my fly with a bit of a splash then a trout would hit it, for sure they were watching this swarm of sedges waiting on one to bomb dive. As the fly hit the first few times I got no interest but about 6 or 7 casts in a trout hit it quite hard, I connected with the fish and it immediately went to the deeper water, the fish was about a pound but superb fun on the light set up. We were using an 8ft 6in rod, 3wf fly line with a 9ft tapered leader. I at times use a longer leader back home but we didn’t need to on this particular evening. I really enjoyed my time on the beautiful River Nore and look forward to getting back soon.
Angling Tips
So, with water levels lower we have to be more subtle with patterns, tippets etc. How about our person, how can we be more subtle. Lighter steps, stay close to the bank to try and blend in. Put an obstacle between you and the fish, be it a rock, weed bed or water drop offs. Make every cast count, gently does it. Fish the water you usually walk across, do it discreetly, approach it with caution. You will be very surprised how many more fish you meet taking this approach.
Anthony on the Fly
My carp and tench fishing is now mostly early morning or late evening, after doing some sight fishing at Laois Angling Centre I wanted to try for roach and rudd. Luckily, we had the exact rod for the job. We still had a couple of Adams from my dad’s friend Trevor so said we would give them a go. Watching the water for these active little rudd was great fun and we spent some time bow and arrow casting from the rushes which was great fun.
I had a few rudd and couple of roach also. We were using size 18/20 hook size patterns mostly. I did use a wet fly and stripped it back watching them chase and take it was quite exciting. It was a lovely light way to fish and get to explore around the lake also, in areas we wouldn’t normally go to.
It was mostly sedges hatching and a huge number of flying ants. A great Ant pattern that I tied with my dad’s friend Arthur Greenwood a short while ago worked very well, thanks Arthur.
I am looking forward to getting out to the river again with the pellet waggler to try for some roach and Rudd with my dad. I have also been looking forward to perch fishing in Autumn.
Charlie’s Story
I remember my first time to guide for someone on the river. I was full of nerves and disbelief that I was getting paid to fish at the young age of 13. Growing up I had a catapult, fishing rod, trusty terrier and of course the local Gowran river. Seeing young Charlie Nesbitt walking towards the fishing room door brought me back many years to when I made the exact same walk to take my first client fishing. It was nice to hear Charlie’s story, who is no stranger to fishing.
“I have been fishing since I was old enough to hold a rod and am on the Leinster Junior fly-fishing team. Fishing is my favorite hobby, so when I was offered the chance to work as a guide, I couldn’t have been more delighted.
I was a little nervous before my first session. I had expected to take out one experienced angler, but plans changed and I was asked to guide for three people who were beginners. I started them off swinging wet flies and before long, everyone had managed to catch and were delighted with their first fish. One of the group asked for a tougher challenge. I switched him onto dry-dropper and coached him through the method. He was thrilled to catch three more lovely trout. Despite the challenge of teaching people to cast for the first time, I really enjoyed the day.
I’ve had many more sessions since then and am guiding all sorts of anglers from individuals to groups and from beginners to very experienced. I love meeting my guests, hearing their stories, using my knowledge (local and angling) in helping them to fish and to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. It’s my ideal job.”
Go fishing…
![Logo for Trout Fishing Ireland]( "Logo for Trout Fishing Ireland")
Notes
Growing up in the countryside of Gowran, Co.Kilkenny, I started my fishing journey on the River Barrow with my dad, which is where I caught my first fish, a lovely brown trout. The Gowran River was also a short walk from my homeplace, and on the days my dad couldn’t fish, I would walk through the fields and fish the Gowran River. My love for fishing grew and took me to Mount Juliet Estate, where I began guiding at 13. I went on to become fisheries manager at Mount Juliet Estate and, to this day, enjoy taking out hundreds of clients every year fishing on the River Nore. I enjoy all types of fishing and guide all over Ireland. I am an Apgai Ireland-qualified casting instructor and have Ambassador roles with Cadence and Yeti. I joined Fulling Mill as an endorsed pro guide and am part of the Patagonia pro team. My angling journey has been an exciting one and hopefully will continue to be.
I take out all levels of anglers, from beginner to experienced. I enjoy what I do and count myself very lucky to be able to meet and guide new people to what might be their first Irish fish.
Dan O Neill
Website: troutfishingireland.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +353857652751
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