SECRETS OF IRELAND
The stays I offer in Ireland are a product of numerous years of journalistic assignments, on-site prospections, exploration and gathering of information based on solid professional and friendly links gained and cultivated over a period of nearly 30 years.
The Republic of Ireland is one of the premier angling destinations for European (and French) anglers, both fly and lure anglers, so a host of Irish and French tour operators are currently offering various types of angling packages that do not have the fully committed fly angler in mind who is going to expect more from what will be available.
Those having the expertise and only cater for fly anglers are rare and the best ones, especially when it comes to fish for trout and salmon in lakes, are most often of Irish origins and come with a very traditional approach that can have its limits…
Just like everywhere where the access to lakes and rivers is not a particular problem in terms of logistics, the essence of the real angling qualities is usually widely known and exploited and hence the angling pressure goes accordingly.
Angling success in Ireland, especially fly fishing for wild trout and pike, is very closely related to the quality of the logistics available, considering the size of the venues and the equipment required (boats, engines, four-wheel vehicles, etc.) and the qualities of an experienced angling guide who knows the areas and who can quickly adapt to changing conditions depending on the season and, considering the times of climate change will quickly be able to offer a plan B or even plan C if plan A will not cut it.
My professional philosophy has always been one of including local businesses into my guiding operations, having them take advantage of my activities. I strongly rely on locals to lodge my customers and knowledgeable guides from the areas to advise my anglers
I focus my stays on fly fishing for wild brown trout, in both rivers and lakes. As soon as conditions will allow, I will concentrate on surface tactics using dry flies but most fly fishing techniques will be used at various times.
IN PICTURES :
To give you an idea what is awaiting the visiting angler (not in terms of weather, but to illustrate the ambiance and the fishing) , here’s a link to some footage :
My last exploration and guiding trip in late May 2018, right in the middle of Mayfly season
And some footage from a trip in early May 2016, lake fishing some three weeks before the peak of Mayfly action
Species
Time frames for 2021: due to COVID-19 situation in the Republic of Ireland, my irish guiding programs are suspended until further notice
Wild brown trout and pike on the fly mixed packages
- Upon request for 2021.
Based on 4 anglers (1 guide for 2 anglers). Non-Angling guests also welcome.
Other mixed fishing (trout/pike) offers are scheduled between mid-September and mid-October 2021.
Specific pike fishing trips are scheduled early April 2022.
Lodging :
We are fortunate to be able to stay in a top level rental home with floor heating, located right in the middle of all angling venues, it is equipped with large comfortable rooms, individual bathrooms, 2 large living areas, a large kitchen, washing machine, dryer, etc.
Lodging will be B&B (breakfast and picnic included), dinners taken on site self catered or in one of the local pubs.
