I have always loved fishing for bream, watching the tip pull right round and leaning into what feels like the bottom or a snag. Then, thump-thump, not long after a bronze slab slides across the water into the net with that famous bream slime covering the line.
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To me, that’s fishing. So when I received an e-mail from the editor of FISHINGmagic, Graham Marsden, to say I had won a holiday for two people in southern Ireland, I was over the moon.
I have read so much about fishing in Ireland, but have never had the chance to go there. I chose a good mate of mine, Ryan Lennard to travel with me. We’ve had some good laughs on the river bank, not to mention some good bags of fish too.
The holiday was provided by Leisure Angling of Liverpool and Superseacat Ferries for three nights staying at Glebe house, which was situated in the small friendly town of Mohill (Co. Leitrim). This eight bedroom Georgian house, which is run by John and Marion Maloney, had all the facilities we needed, a shower, fridge for our bait, and a drying room for our nets.
We had an evening meal and a large fry-up in the mornings which was a great way to start the day. Glebe house is also a bait stockist, but as it was out of season (November), we had to travel to the tackle shop in Carrick-On-Shannon for all our needs. The house also has their own stretch of the famous Lough Rynn where the magical 100 lb bags are not uncommon.
Our first day
we decided to brave the wind, rain and very cold weather. Lough Templeport was our choice, a rich lake which holds all the coarse fish you would expect to find in Ireland. A very picturesque lake, which lay in a valley with cottages on one side and fields all around.
I mentioned that the weather was cold and this was reflected in the water temperature. I wondered if we would then struggle and it turned out that we did. I had one tap on my tip but wouldn’t let that spoil the day. It was a real pleasure just being there.
Day two
We needed some local knowledge, so we took a short drive up to the only two tackle shops in the area. One located in Carrick-On-Shannon (a half hour drive) and the other, in Ballinamore (15 mins away). It also gave us the chance to do a spot of sight seeing and to check out some of the local waters.
I forgot to mention that we booked two extra nights so we could stay for the week.
Day three
We travelled to Lough Scur, a large lake with a good head of bream. Once again the weather would take its toll with gales and heavy rain. Two and half pounds was to be my total weight, quite embarrassing. Ryan caught just over the pound mark, which quietly made me feel a little better.
Like fishing Lough Templeport, it was just a pleasure being there and fishing in Ireland.
After an evening meal, with an early night, followed by a lovely fry-up in the morning, we were ready for day four.
Our last day.
We had been told that Lough Garadice was fishing well with lots of roach being caught. This lake was massive and known for producing good catches of bream. We arrived to find the sun shining and there was a thick layer of mist hovering above the lake. That magical feeling was there. That buzz!
Fish were topping everywhere. If you couldn’t see them through the cloud, you could hear them. That was what we came to Ireland for. My tip was knocking all day and I weighed a respectable 22lb of roach with some small skimmers thrown in for good measure. Ryan weighed in 12lb of the same type of net.
Not a bad way to finish the trip, but no decent slabs, I can’t wait for June 2001 when we’ll be back there trying for that magical 100lb haul.
Ireland is a beautiful country. The people are very friendly and the fishing is second to none. It was a shame the weather put a downer on the fishing, but like I said, it was just a pleasure being there.
A big thank you to Graham Marsden and everyone at FISHINGmagic, and also to Leisure Angling, Superseacat Ferries, and John and Marion Maloney for an unforgettable trip.
Dave and Angela Houghton run the highly successful Leisure Angling of Liverpool that specialises in holidays to Ireland. Leisure Angling is celebrating its 21st birthday this year. They are experts at organising first class angling holidays to Ireland. The new Leisure Angling brochure can be ordered on 0151 734 2344 or www.leisureangling.co.uk
