Guide Richie Johnston of Guide Fishing Ireland reports:

21/04/13: Spent a couple of days with Johnny Reddin in Ballyshannon, famous for its wonderful sea trout fishing on the Erne estuary. We fished in some of the stormiest weather I was ever out in. Local IFI fishery officers Michael Patton and Lindsey Clarke were our hosts, while filming some promotional films about sea trout. First we tried sand-eels, free-lined from the boat. The lads really know the area well, and it was not long before we had some action. Johnny was first in, with a fish of about 1 lb. He was only back out and was into a 2nd fish, which threw the hooks at the boat.

Michael Patton and Johnny Reddin with Erne Estuary Sea Trout
Michael Patton and Johnny Reddin with Erne Estuary Sea Trout

We then went to a local beach and fly fished with sand-eel patterns.The crystal clear water is teeming with fry and sand-eels and the sea trout can chase you right up to your feet. We also persisted with the fly when back in the boat. In the end we landed 4 sea trout and lost quite a few others too. The best fish were touching 2.5lb.. Michael was astonished we didn’t hit a bigger fish as these regularly turn up to over 4lb.

Day 2 was a washout, with even bigger winds. We fished a few hours from the boat and managed to hook a couple of decent fish, but landed none. Ballyshannon is a wonderful venue to fish, there is so much variety in the fishing available. A special estuary licence is needed along with the state one. In the end we got some great footage and I will certainly be back again.

Guide Richie Johnston with Erne Estuary Sea Trout
Guide Richie Johnston with Erne Estuary Sea Trout

Compliments of:

Richie Johnston, Guide Fishing Ireland,

Telephone: +353 (0) 87 1939145

Web: www.guidefishingireland.wordpress.com

Email: [email protected]

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