I doubt whether there exists another book I have referred to as often as Trout and Salmon Flies of Ireland, by Peter O'Reilly. I keep a copy in my tackle box and by my bedside for reference almost on a weekly basis.
As one who has come to fly tying late, the book has given me an extra impetus to first identify and then attempt to match O’Reilly’s dressings. A really tough call. I’m still at the Buzzer and Sooty Olive stage!
First published by Merlin Unwin Books in 1995, the book has now been reprinted five times and is back in print by public demand. The latest publication includes both traditional flies, such as the Connemara Black and Ally’s Shrimp, as well as newer arrivals, such as the Klinkhammer and Humpy.
The publisher has cause for celebration, as there are few hardback books nowadays that can boast such longevity.
“We get a good indication of this by the number of books we sell to fishermen all over Europe, America and beyond, presumably all of them planning a fishing trip to Ireland,” says Merlin Unwin.
O'Reilly is also author of Rivers of Ireland, Loughs of Ireland and Fly Fishing in Ireland, and is fully qualified as a master casting instructor.
Trout and Salmon Flies of Ireland contains more than 600 trout, salmon and sea trout patterns. A comprehensive 176-page illustrated guide, it retails at £20 (€28.69) and is available in most bookshops and tackle outlets.
Illegal fishing
At a sitting of Kilcock District Court last week, Judge Gráinne O’Neill convicted a Co Meath man for illegal fishing. The defendant was charged with having a net and using a fishing rod equipped with barbed treble hooks capable of capturing salmon on the River Liffey at Leixlip Dam.
Fishing is prohibited in this sanctuary area as salmon can congregate there before ascending the fish pass. The Liffey is closed for salmon and sea trout fishing (upstream of Leixlip Dam) under salmon conservation measures introduced by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) in 2006. The judge fined the defendant €50 and ordered him to pay costs to the IFI of €2,464.
Reports from river and lough
The Drowes river fishery maintained a steady level last week of 0.45 metres. Although not particularly busy, some 20 salmon were caught throughout the system, the best reaching 2.7kg (6lb) on the fly from the Island Pool for Michael McLaughlin. For bookings, telephone 071-9841055 (8am to noon).
Lough Melvin continued to fish well, particularly for sonaghan in the deep water marks off Bilberry Island, Maguire’s Island and Roosky Point. At this stage of the year the lough usually enjoys a good run of grilse but, so far, there is a marked drop-off in salmon angling efforts, with many rods having caught their quota.
Reports from the Erriff are of exceptional fishing, with 59 salmon landed in the past nine days. Plenty of rain has helped matters greatly, giving good conditions on many days on this very water-dependent spate fishery. To book fishing or accommodation, contact Aasleagh Lodge at 095-42382.
Kylemore Abbey fisheries manager Nigel Rush reports that the grilse run is finally under way. Over the past week or so, the fishery produced 17 fish for just 21 rod days, and numbers are well up on last year. For bookings, telephone 087-9580702.
On Lough Mask, Ronan Cusack reports that the recent heavy rain has raised water levels significantly.
As trout fly-fishing world cup fever builds, angling has been mixed, depending on weather conditions. Fly hatches have remained steady, with plenty of sedge and late mayfly near the southern end.
Dromore festival
A popular two-day festival fished on the Dromore system lakes of Drumlona, Baird’s Shore and Lough Egish in the Ballybay area produced mixed bags of roach, perch, tench and some bream for 67 home-based and UK anglers.
Results: 1, J Keith 44.730kg; 2, N Seddon 33.495kg; 3, K Johnson 30.710kg; 4, T Burke 27.075kg; 5, J Fletcher 24.175kg.
angling@irishtimes.com
