Ravensdale/Carlingford 2013

Took the camera out on Sunday to take advantage of the snowy mountains up our way. Easterly wind was so sharp with a serious bite to it.

Walk in the snow

The weather is bitterly cold but I do love to see a dusting of snow now and again. Went on a walk this morning before the thaw set in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Gillespie casting session

Myself, John and Petsie travelled over to Mayo on Saturday for a group session of casting tuition from Robert Gillespie. It was my third time meeting up with Robert and the lads first session with him. We all took out weapons of choice, John had an Echo TR 13' 6 #8 with an Airflow SH. Petsie had his Sage Z-Axis 13'4 #8 with a Rio AFS head and I took down my Guideline Le Cie 14'8 #9/10.
   It started off with Robert going through the basics of underhand casting and describing the processes involved, then John rigged up his Shooting head with an intermediate polyleader, leader and some wool and the tuition began.

Getting to grips with the underhand style

 

Robert casting using the traditional underhand style shown to him by Goran Andersson.

 

 

A left bank, downstream wind snake roll.

 

 

Robert going through the fulcrum process which is crucial to effective underhand casting.

 

The result!!

Robert shooting some loops, nice easy stroke for the top photo and a V-loop from the Antti Guttorm style of casting. Its an incredible cast and the most fun you can have with a double hander!

I used Robert's Guideline 13'7 #9/10 Exceed which he raves about and I can see why. For the money it is a beautiful rod, really responsive and great feel to it. Petsie picked it up and got on like a house on fire with it! The cork quality is really good too, I read a review of the Exceed which put me off the rod slightly but once I got it in the hand I was blown away by how user friendly it was and easy to get on with. It is just an outright shooting head rod and suits the job perfectly. I highly recommend it for its performance and price tag. I never even used my Le Cie in the end!

As always I highly recommend Robert as a casting instructor and also for a bit of craic. I think the lads took a lot from the session even though they were both accomplished casters. You just have to see the master at work!

Ackroyd

Here is an Ackroyd that I did up the other night, my first time trying the more traditional patterns, frustrating to say the least but satisfying if it works out! Myself and Ronan had a sit down session where we both tied one up, took the best part of an hour and a half! I just used a badger hackle for the top wing, I didn't have anything like the original white wing, it looks ok though.

A disturbing video reporting on Fish Farms

The proposed fish farms off Galway are receiving more attention. This video explains how fish farms are unnatural and are farms for disease, not only salmon. Everyone who consumes farmed salmon should be aware of the health risk you undertake when doing so. The Galway bay farms cannot go ahead as the problems associated with these farms are pandemic among the fish populations, and these fish make it into the consumer market. With the recent surveys of beef on the market I think the education of what you are eating in a farmed salmon should also receive the same spotlight.

Silver Wilkinson

Here is a silver Wilkinson tied on an Alec Jackson No. 5, I think! I used a Magenta Badger hackle in this tying, a blue badger would be nice to finish it off. Just too many cape options out there!

Frances on a B175

It may look like something you would chuck in the salt but I wouldn't be without it, its a fly that is a go to when all else fails, but you could equally fish nothing else.

Park on a Kamasan B175

Tying up my flies for the summer, thinking ahead!!!! Still using the Kamasan's, these are number 8's. I like there to be a bit of weight on the hook, 10's are as small as I go if I want to go smaller I just tie the fly small on the hook. The down eye can be a bit awkward if you are not careful to leave plenty of room at the front of the fly as you progress.

Its all about the Macro!

Here is a Bann Special and Curry's Red Shrimp. Tied on Alec Jackson singles. They really are a beautiful hook to tie on but I'm not yet convinced on how they hook. I would like the wire a bit finer which would set a little bit easier in my mind. I feel you would have to really focus on setting these hooks with a good strike after the take. That's in my mind though, have not tried them yet.

Im using a Nikon D3100 DSLR camera now with a Tamron 70-300mm lens with a macro function. Picked it up second hand and having fun getting to grips with it.