This latest episode was recorded as a video webinar in conjunction with the 2020 Virtual Irish Fly Fair which has been organising talks and fly tying demos online in place of the usual fair in Galway that was postponed. I was joined by renowned fisheries scientist, Ken Whelan and well known guide and instructor Jason O’Riordan, from GameFishingIreland.com, as they discussed What Lies Beneath - the lough trout’s underwater larder and how to imitate it. You can also view the video webinar itself at: http://irishflyfair.com/what_lies_beneath.html And Jason and Ken will be back for a follow-up session next week when they answer any questions you may have in relation to the topic and you can email them to info@lastcastmedia.com. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the Ireland on the Fly podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram and I’ll be back with another episode about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland.

Ireland on the Fly

What Lies Beneath - the lough trout's larder and how to imitate them

Earlier in the year I caught up with the casting instructor and guide, Robert Gillespie, to find out more about his life and career in fly fishing. Since then he has changed his career path as a chef, but he is still a mine of information when it comes to improving your casting and salmon angling, and for this follow-up interview I wanted to glean some nuggets from Robert around tactics and technique. Robert places great emphasis on knowing the type of water you’re fishing, the light conditions and timing of the salmon runs, and listening to him speak you can’t help but come away with tips and advice that will definitely improve your fishing. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the Ireland on the Fly podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram and I’ll be back with another episode about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland.

A Salmon Masterclass with Robert Gillespie

This latest episode is one of my favourites…..earlier in the year when I spoke to the fly fishing historian and writer, Andrew Herd, about his monumental William Blacker trilogy, he had mentioned the Limerick born Edward Fitzgibbon aka Ephemera, whom he described as one of - if not the most - influential angling writers ever. I had to find out more and so I caught up with Andrew to find out about the life and times of this often-forgotten Irishman who at the time of his death in London in 1857 was spoken of in the same breath as Izaak Walton. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the Ireland on the Fly podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram and I’ll be back with another episode about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland.

'A legacy greater than Izaak Walton' The remarkable story of Limerick's Edward Fitzgibbon

James Barry and Jason Nash are two prominent and successful anglers based in the south of the country and for this week’s Ireland on the Fly, I caught up with them to find how their 2020 season went. Jason is based on the River Bandon with occasional forays for bass while James Barry fishes the Copper Coast with salmon fishing on the Suir. They are both also fishery scientists and immersed in fly fishing with many successful catches throughout the season. But reading the conditions, timing it right and putting in the hours are all important as they explain to me. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the Ireland on the Fly podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram and I’ll be back with another episode about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland.

End of Season Review with Jason Nash & James Barry

Monica Hayes has produced a six-part radio documentary series on the salmon for KCLR called Make Way for the King. It is a documentary series that not only informs and motivates but also calls for action, in protecting and conserving the salmon population in the River Nore. Monica spoke to scientists about the future of our iconic fish and also captured the memories of days gone by from local ghillies and anglers whom you’ll also hear from in this podcast episode. Make Way for the King is a documentary of interest not just to salmon anglers but to those worried about protecting the fish and I spoke to Monica on the latest episode to find out more about the past, present and future of salmon on the Nore. To listen to the full series visit KCLR96FM.com. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the Ireland on the Fly podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram and I’ll be back next week with another episode about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland.

Make Way for the Salmon - the documentary series on the River Nore salmon

Although we’re experiencing something of an Indian summer this week in September, the rains in August were anything but seasonal and I wanted to get some more insights and tips on how to approach high rivers at this time of year. Keith McDonnell, aka Fluffchucker.com, is a recognised expert on streamer fishing in high waters - and the size of the fish he has caught this season is testament to that. I spoke to Keith back in the Spring but this around Keith explained how you should be approaching high rivers in the summer and when you can be catching them on dry flies despite a flood. With two over 6lbs in the last few weeks, Keith is definitely worth listening to….. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the Ireland on the Fly podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram and I’ll be back next week with another episode about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland.

High River Tactics

It’s been the strangest of summers what with the pandemic, lockdowns, and now reports that the salmon runs have been the best in years. Was it because the rivers and lakes had been rested earlier in the year and do we need to preach caution that one swallow does not a summer make and that the decline in salmon stocks is still terminal? Noel Carr, National Secretary with FISSTA, the Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers, joins me on this week’s episode to discuss green shoots from the summer runs – which he describes as the most hopeful time for salmon in Ireland since 2007 - whilst also outlining the more deep-seated problems and threats that still exist in the fight for our wild salmon. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the Ireland on the Fly podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram and I’ll be back next week with another episode about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland.

A hopeful time for salmon runs?

For this week’s Ireland on the Fly podcast, renowned fisheries scientist Ken Whelan explains the River Life in Ireland courtesy of a webinar from Limerick’s European Green Leaf Award and over the next thirty minutes or so, Ken places Ireland’s unique aquatic heritage in context. He introduces us to the underwater animals and plants you can find as well as the threats they are facing. “Look at the river in total, along the river bank, the canopy, the river corridor, and the interaction going on, rather just the river itself,” Ken says and advises what we - as citizens, farmers, volunteer scientists, and anglers - can do to help keep our rivers and streams healthy and productive. To watch the full webinar including the question and answer session afterwards just go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7_IRIXAtJI Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the Ireland on the Fly podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram and I’ll be back next week with another episode about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland.

River Life in Ireland Explained

For this week’s episode of Ireland on the Fly, I catch up with one of Ireland’s adopted sons, Peter Mantle of Delphi Lodge fame. After success with setting up and running fishing lodges in Connemara and then the Bahamas, Peter has returned home to England to dry fly fishing on the River Test where he runs a much smaller enterprise called Chapel House. I speak to Peter about the trials and tribulations of running a fishing lodge, the numerous obstacles he had to overcome and - most importantly - how he has succeeded despite it all. From fish disease and fish farms, to recessions, hurricanes and even a global pandemic, nothing has deterred him and he has done it all with a wry sense of humour along the way. Peter is forthright and honest about how he made it work, and the importance, above all, of the people you’re working and fishing with. If you’re looking to add chalkstream dry fly fishing to your bucket list then check out ChapelHouse1841.com for more information. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the Ireland on the Fly podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram and I’ll be back next week with another episode about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland.

‘Building a business based on fishing is a minor form of lunacy’ Peter Mantle's Final Fishing Project

Apologies for the radio silence in June and July which was due to an illness. However, Ireland on the Fly is back up and running covering the people and places about fly fishing in Ireland.  This week’s guest is someone I’ve wanted to speak to for a while. Robert Gillespie is an incredibly experienced salmon angler and instructor and having read his articles on his website RobertGillespie.Net, the depth of information and thinking that he brings to the sport is incredible. He’s someone to listen and learn from. For this episode we go into detail about Robert’s background and career and focus on casting matters, philosophy and approach and Robert tells me why he believes that the casting really is the fishing….. You can also get in touch with Robert for casting lessons on flycastingmatters@gmail.com. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from.  You can also keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com as well as on Instagram.com/IrelandontheFly

Robert Gillespie and why casting is the fishing

With summer upon us and the next phase of Covid restrictions being lifted, I thought what better time to get some tips and advice on fishing for bass. With some justification Ireland has become known as the bass Mecca of Europe and has regularly seen visitors from the UK, France and further afield visit these shores to fish for Irish bass. But, are we in danger of exploiting these fish too much and just why is it getting harder to catch them? For this week’s episode I speak to David Norman, a west Cork-based guide who has vast experience catching bass on fly and lure. With a background in windsurfing and the navy, the call of the ocean has always been central to David’s life as I find out. Ireland on the Fly is the podcast about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you’ll never miss a show and join Ireland on the Fly each week for all your fly fishing news and interviews. Keep up to date on https://medium.com/ireland-on-the-fly and on Instagram @IrelandontheFly. Ireland on the Fly is produced by LastCastMedia.

Irish Bass and the Call of the Ocean

This week’s episode is a short one as I speak to fisheries scientist Ken Whelan about a forthcoming webinar from himself and Jason O’Riordan on dry fly and night tactics for sea trout that is being run this Friday June 5th. Ken and Jason’s courses have proven to be very popular the last few years and with the current Covid restrictions they’ve had to move online for the time being. The courses are free but you have to register in advance by sending an email to Ken@KenWhelan.info and I asked Ken for more information on the webinar and his own love of sea trout fishing…. Ireland on the Fly is the podcast about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you’ll never miss a show and join Ireland on the Fly each week for all your fly fishing news and interviews. Keep up to date on https://medium.com/ireland-on-the-fly and on Instagram @IrelandontheFly. Ireland on the Fly is produced by LastCastMedia.

Dry Fly & Night Fishing Tactics for Sea Trout

A life spent fishing.....every day catching fish....on the water...and surrounded by some of Kerry's most scenic landscapes.....it seems like a job the few could resist..... However, the life of a Ghillie is a job of many factors and facets; from guiding clients to the upkeep of the fishery as well as protecting the future of Kerry's fishing environment, the Ghillie is rooted in the traditions of its past, the reality of the present, and the hopes and fears for the future.

This Ghillie's Life: a documentary on the ghillieing tradition in county Kerry

With restrictions starting to ease, many of us are making plans to get out onto local rivers or waters where possible and if you’re still not able to, well at least there’s fly tying, videos and podcasts like this one to keep you entertained… On this week’s episode I speak to Ronan Creane, a Roundstone, county Galway native who became so obsessed with the brown trout fishing in New Zealand that he finally made the jump and moved there full time where he is now a highly successful guide. Ronan speaks about his love of fly fishing in New Zealand as well as the sheer size of the brown trout and how to catch them.   It’s a fascinating insight into fly fishing that many of us can only dream about.... For more information and incredible pictures of trophy brown trout visit Ronan's website at RonansFlyFishingMissions.com Ireland on the Fly is the podcast about the people and places of fly fishing in Ireland. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you’ll never miss a show and join Ireland on the Fly each week for all your fly fishing news and interviews. Keep up to date on IrelandontheFly.com (http://irelandonthefly.com/) and on Instagram @IrelandontheFly. Ireland on the Fly is produced by LastCastMedia (https://www.lastcastmedia.com/) .

Fly Fishing New Zealand with Irish guide Ronan Creane

The latest news, reports and interviews from fly fishing in Ireland. Covering salmon, sea trout, brown trout and even pike and bass, the Ireland on the Fly podcast is about the future and tradition of the sport in Ireland. Contact the show: editor@irelandonthefly.com. Produced by LastCastMedia.com (https://www.LastCastMedia.com)