April 23/12… I first set foot on Bartra island in 1949 and bought my first boat in 1959. There is a lot of water under the bridge since then I can tell you. Now, for the third time, I am witness to the transition of the channel from East to West. It moves from the …
South Africa is a wonderful place… great food wine and sunshine but they don’t tell lies over there like they do in this part of the world. “My grandads clock was so old… the shadow of the pendulum wore a track on the wall” An Irishman can’t survive without the craic in the ‘local’ where …
Well, here I am in South Africa with my wife Jean on our annual visit to this wonderful place. We live on a plateau just outside Knysna in the Western Cape overlooking the Indian Ocean on one side and a beautiful Lagoon on the other side. The lagoon is tidal and is very much like …
I have just read the following… Herewith my story… I am writing it on the eve of the half century, therefore my readers may be assured that my experiences are red hot though 1949 is dying hard in a cold north-easter. The bells are ringing it out… the minute hand of the clock slowly climbs …
I 1949 Larry Gaffey published his book Fresh Water Fishing in Ireland. I have just received a photo copy of the section on the Moy estuary from his grandson Peter… I like his writing and here are some excerpts. The dedication: To My Grandson Peter Gaffey… a small token of appreciation for the intelligent interest …
Every season I hear… “Isn’t it great to see the sea trout back again”. My usual reply is… “They never went away” Connemara Co. Galway was without a doubt, the recognized sea trout fishery in the country and when the sea lice problem developed into the disaster it is, most anglers thought it was a …
This morning there are 10 mt swells off the west coast… Last week we got the tail end of Irene and Saturday Katia started to blow. I have taken all my boats off the water as a precaution as Pegasus broke her mooring Saturday morning. I have never seen such an “evacuation” of boats from …
Dear Judd, I just received a glowing email from Tourism Ireland in Frankfurt following Holger Bente’s visit to Ireland and most particularly his time out with you. Holger claimed it was one of the best angling experiences of his life, quiet a compliment from a seasoned journalist. With kind regards, Orla Woods Product Development Officer …
I have not fished since last Monday as conditions are not good due to the spring tides. These high tides stir up the sand on the bottom creating “clouds” in the water and the sand upsets the fish if it gets into their gills… at least, that is my theory! Saturday the tides drop back …
May 3… My clients were the Dunne brothers from Derry with their uncle Martin from Nottingham. We departed the Quay at 9am and by 12.30 we had run out of bait… such was the fishing. What a day! A bite with practically every cast… every fisherman’s dream. Days like these don’t come very often but …