It’s not all about the fish, creating a fishing experience. With canals a little murky from rain i look at some tactics I use. Our guest angler this week was Russ from Orlando who usually saltwater fishes, how will he fair our against the southern county rainbows. In the beginner section we look at joining our leader to fly line and a simple float rig for roach. Finishing off with the upcoming events and classes.

As a guide in the hospitality sector most of my clients are new to fishing. Fishing has been special to me for some time and was always there. I have had some great days on the riverbank and just enjoyed the time. It can help with tough days, but you don’t have to have a tough day to go for a cast. Is fishing about the fish? well it can be as strange as that sounds.

A fishing experience is about adding more, good tea/coffee, traditional food, good conversation and perhaps a not so traditional fancy biscuit of some sort. I watch my clients fish and if I see them getting a little frustrated or perhaps tired we stop and have a cup of tea with a slice of apple tart while speaking about their topic of choice, you get to become good at this and the conversation just flows, people speak about things they normally wouldn’t. I have had people fish for ten mins and talk on the bank for one hour while they have some Lyons gold blend tea and a slice of homemade apple tart or some TK red lemonade with a pulled bacon bap. It makes the “fishing benefit” umbrella larger to show people it’s not all about catching “all the fish”.

The reason this can be beneficial is that it involves more people in fishing by creating an experience, they may not be the best angler but are quite good at making a packet of biscuits disappear while sitting on the bank watching their friend or family member fish. Some of course are not beginners and want to fish every minute that is given which is great, with beginners it’s nice to show them a way to ease them into angling, let them see it can be a lovely experience and just a “slow down” one.

Getting fishing in Winter

Coarse fish in the Canals

Ohhhh here is rain and our rivers look like the chocolate used in the making of rice Krispie buns, what to do. I fish the canals quite a lot with Anthony and mostly the fish push back into these canals during high water. The fish become more reliant on feel as opposed to sight in these conditions, their sense of smell is of course very important too. My approach during these times is simple and quite effective.

A little analogy I use with people is, if I blindfolded a person, usually they either sit down or put their hands out to feel for something sturdy to hold on to or lean against. The fish work similar, they tend to not be able to see so look for structure or banks to hug alongside. I fish the margins mostly and very quietly too, a light float set up with a delicate approach to where i want to fish.

The fish’s sensitivity to noise and vibration is on hyper mode so we must do everything with extreme caution. I drop the bait over the edge, which is usually a worm or something strong smelling. The reason I use a worm is that they get washed in and fall in during times of rain and higher water. It feels a little strange fishing so close in, however it can be a very successful way of fishing and exciting to. Best of luck out there

Rainbows at Southern County

My guest client this week was Russ who mostly fly fished on the flats for bonefish and other species, as its off season on the river we hit Southern County fishing resort for some rainbows. Let’s see what Russ had to say,

“I was excited to try for Rainbow trout in Ireland, I would have liked to fish the river for Browns but am hoping to return next year during the river season. We used snakes in southern county which are like our articulate streamers back home.

I mostly fish saltwater but have been on a few us rivers. The casting for me was enjoyable, I was able to get out to where Dan wanted me to cast, changing my retrieves was an interesting part of the experience, it is amazing how the fish respond so quickly to changing your retrieve, the pattern of the day was white and orange, Dan showed me how to tie these type of fly so i am looking forward to fishing them back home and tying a few for sure.

We had many fish, and each take as exciting and hard hitting as the next, the biggest fish i caught was about 9 pounds and was great fun on the 6wt rod. The line we used was a sink tip line as Dan mentioned we needed to get down a bit as the water was slightly coloured, it was a sink 5 if i remember correctly, never used a roll cast before to raise the sink tip before the cast but found it very useful and will for sure be using it in the future.

Until my next trip to Ireland which will hopefully be very soon.”

Rigs, tips and how tos

Joining our leader to fly line

Perfection loop – can be seen on my tiktok channel

As with most of my tips, it’s the way I tend to find easiest. When joining my leader to fly line I use the perfection loop. There are a couple of reasons I use the perfection loop;

• I find the turnover to be a little smoother
• it doesn’t cut through the pvc coating of the flyline.

On my Tik Tok channel I explain how to tie the perfection loop so be sure to check it out.

A simple float rig for canal roach

Roach on the canal can be super fun on light gear. I use a light 10ft combo rod by Cadence. I use 3 pound mainline with a 3bb float. I begin fishing with my bait just above the riverbed. I don’t like to ground bait to heavily this time of year, I like to put a mere suggestion of ground bait in the swim.  I stick with quite flat scents in the groundbait, nothing too sweet as it can put them off. Hookwise I use a kamasan size 16 barbless with a maggot or worm section on.

Roach can be quite shy and sensitive to resistance to so it’s always good to have your float barely visible so when they take the bait, they feel little or no resistance. If your float sits high, they will feel the resistance and will reject the bait, this is particularly true with the larger roach and can be the cause of many missed bites, so shot that float correctly.

Once you get the roach feeding, they will stay feeding confidently but if there is pike nearby it won’t be long before the activity of the roach attracts them into the swim. Many times, I have had a pike grab my roach on the retrieve. Once the pike has its fill and moves away the roach will begin feeding again.

Guided fishing

Pike and Rainbow trout guiding

I am taking bookings for rainbow trout and pike guiding trips. Can take up to 3 people per trip, Ideal for beginners or improvers. Contact me through [email protected] for more details.

Follow me 

Tik – Tok and Instagram live streams

I have begun my live streams over on Tik Tok and Instagram. I jump on Tik Tok first then Instagram immediately afterwards. Follow me on Instagram, Tik Tok or Facebook to get the time schedule for the lives and the topics that will be discussed. The live streams are about different fishing techniques and methods, I also look at fly rods and other bits and pieces, I also answer questions you may have. Lives are recorded and posted on my Instagram page in case you miss the livestream.

• Instagram – Instagram
• Tik – Tok – Trout fishing ireland (@trout.fishing.ire) | TikTok
• Facebook – Facebook

Upcoming events that I will be attending

I will be attending the Pescare Show in Rimini, Italy on the 13^th to 15^th of February after receiving an invite from the organisers, very honoured to receive the invite to this fantastic show. Keep an eye on the newsletter for all the latest news on the show.

British fly fair international – I will also be at the BFFI on the 7^th and 8^th of February, I will be with Cadence at the event casting some of the rod range and answering questions.

Ardaire springs – Irish spring angling show – I will be attending the Irish angling spring show on the 2^nd and 3^rd of May with Cadence, Fulling Mill and APGAI IRE. Showcasing the Cadence rod range with maybe even a surprise new range to try.

Irish Fly Fair – the iconic Irish fly fair is back on the 14^th and 15^th of November, I will be there with Cadence, Fulling Mill and APGAI IRE. Super to be included in the Irish Fly fair team and work with some of the greats.

Tuition classes – I hold tuition classes all year round on many different fly-fishing applications, for a full list contact me at [email protected]

Trout Fishing Ireland

Trout Fishing Ireland

Address Thomastown Kilkenny Irelandwork Mobile Phone: +353857652751cell Email: [email protected]INTERNET Website: Trout Fishing Ireland

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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

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Website: troutfishingireland.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +353857652751

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