Dan O’Neill, fly casting instructor and angling guide reports on a pike session on River Barrow…
Ended up doing a rushed unplanned lure fishing trip with Anthony over the weekend. As usual they end up being the best trips.
With lure fishing on the mind since his perch trip, I am pretty sure wild horses were not going to stop Anthony going on a quick fishing trip before returning to school after the mid-term break.
The weather was wet and windy and slightly cooler also. It was one of those trips that very little planning went into, just taking the bare minimums it was away to the river bank for some fishing.
As we got to the river it had risen slightly but still looked good. Walking along the bank I asked Anthony to point out different locations and features, then throw a cast or two as we had our final destination well set in our minds. As we walked the canal small fry shoals were visible just under the surface. Every now and again there would be sprays for freedom as a hungry jack pike or perch made lunge at them. We fished near the fry shoals getting knocks and inquiry’s from what I’d imagined were small perch until my first fish was hooked. A nice sized dace surprisingly thrashed around on the surface with the lure in the corner of its mouth.
Anthony was next, it was clear he had been watching some of Marcin’s videos on you tube as he was changing his retrieval, which worked very well for him in the end. First perch went to Anthony, a nice little perch full of energy. Tt was time to move on a little to an area where I have got some pike in the past. At a bend that looked like predator heaven Anthony began naming and pointing out features. Plenty of medium sized perch took the lure and some followed inquisitively.
Moving a little downstream we moved up a size or two in lure and began trying for something a little larger. Watching some dace boil on the top we fished nearby and within 15 minutes Anthony caught his first pike of the trip. The pike put up a great fight and eventually came to the net. A nice fish of 5/6 pounds. Carefully removing the barbless trebles the fish was then ready to return. With a slow steady almost swagger the fish returned to the river. Beaming with excitement Anthony returned and had another 4 pike from the area, all returned safely and carefully.
A wonderful session today, quite unexpected and unplanned but a great trip before school life and “normal life” kicks back in.
Go fishing…
For a full list of classes in various different aspects of fly fishing or guiding please contact me on the below details
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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: troutfishingireland@outlook.com
Phone: +353857652751
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Pike fishing on the River Barrow
