Fly Fishing Report From An Irish Angler

Co. Wicklow, Ireland.


A fish of rumour and conjecture became reality to me when I met by accident Denis O'Toole outside the Woodenbridge Hotel, Co. Wicklow. A man approaches me, "Are you Ashley Hayden who writes the angling column in the Wicklow People". "Yes I am", I reply. "My name is Denis O'Toole". Before he could utter another word I said, "So you're the man who caught this mythical sea trout". "That I am", said Denis, and after that it was like we had known each other all our lives.

To cut to the chase, rumour had abounded as to the capture of a great fish but nobody had seen the evidence. Denis, a professional fly dresser was holding his powder because he did not want the river being overrun. The time however had come to filter out the story, and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. So in Denis's own words:

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

I and a fishing partner had been fishing on the Avoca one evening; we had caught several small sea trout and released them, the fish showed in the pool above where I was fishing, before it was fully dark, so I didn't try him straight away.

I fished some other pools while I was waiting for darkness to fall, at this point I did not know it was a sea trout.

I had fished down one of the pools when my fishing partner walked up to me and I asked did he want to go home or stay?? He said he would fish the pool that I had just been at as he had just changed his fly's.

Then I went down to the pool where I seen the fish move (Lucky Boy) I put on a 1 1/2 inch aluminium tube with a salar single (with the barb squeezed down) and started at the head of the pool, on my 4th cast while stripping the fly back he hit it with a BANG!! and all hell broke loose, all I could see was white foam on the water through the inky darkness, I thought I hooked FREE WILLY, the fish's 1st run tore off 20 or more yards of line downstream and he made 3 other big runs after this.

He was lying in only 3ft of water when he took, in total the fight lasted 20mins. He was then carefully weighed & measured and released back to spawn and produce more 16lb’ers.

I am a professional fly dresser and live locally, the tube fly he took was one of my own patterns called the Lava Tale, far too many big fish today end up in pictures with gill tags in them.


Tight Lines, Denis O' Toole.

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Joseph on the Marble Fork Of The Kaweah River, CA

Take Your Daughter Fly Fishing Part 2

Fly Fishing Report For Ste-Marguerite River, Quebec

Dry flies, sunshine and good Company!

The 2011 season on the Ste-Marguerite is rolling along nicely at break neck speed.93 salmon have been caught so far this season. I believe that 99% were also released!!

Excellent returns, perfect water levels and cold clear water is making for dry fly paradise on my home waters!

Photos: Joelle with her second salmon of the season (of her life!!)

What to do on a relaxing day off? ... Dry out the waders, clean the lines and string up some new rods to test of course!!!

Tight lines and screaming reels to you all!


Submitted by: Christopher Chin

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After the reports, photos, or videos are submitted through the Submission Page and are approved, they will be featured here on this blog.

By sharing our reports and experiences in fly fishing, we encourage other fly fishers to do the same and become a Virtual Fly Guide. Regardless of your skill level, or how many days you spend on the water each year, everyone can learn from everyone. Our vision is to create a network of fly fishers around the country, and around the world, who guide each other by sharing their personal fly fishing reports.

Freshwater Flyfishing Tips From the Pros

For all of you flyfishers looking for a new flyfishing app for your iPhone or iPad, downloading Freshwater Flyfishing Tips From The Pros is a must. Go to iTunes to purchase this outstanding app for only $2.99. The biggest names in flyfishing share their knowledge and can assist flyfishers of every skill level. Click on the following iTunes Preview link of Freshwater Flyfishing Tips From The Pros by Mark Williams and enjoy!

Tarpon Fly Fishing Report

 Tarpon Release

Tarpon Candy

Big Pine Key, Florida


Lately most of my anglers have been choosing big tarpon on fly.. Migratory tarpon are still marching the ocean side flats.. Not as many as in May , but still plenty to throw chicken feathers at.. What is nice is all the other skiffs are gone..


Submitted by: Capt. Scott Yetter

Ste-Marguerite River, Quebec Fly Fishing Report

The 2011 season is off with a BANG!

Salmon started coming in as usual in mid June and it just keeps getting better. Water levels are prefect. Light rain over the past few days has kept levels up and the river is running cool and clear!

Situated in the Saguenay region of Quebec, the Ste-Marguerite River is about 530 km from Montreal, 260 km from Quebec City or 108 km from Chicoutimi. Running 100km along the Ste-Marguerite river valley, it has it’s head waters in the Valin mountains and empties out into the Saguenay Fjord.

The Ste-Marguerite is an Atlantic salmon river (Salmo Salar) dating back before 1834. A viable sport fishery has been in place ever since 1860 when the river was “owned” by a private company. Say what one might about the old “fishing clubs”, today, now that the clubs have been disbanded by the government, these waters are some of the best in Canada, thanks in some aspects, to the conservation efforts that were initiated during the club era.

The river is an easy river to fish. 95% of anglers wade and a few drift in canoes. Not a large river for an Atlantic salmon run, most lies are easily fished with short to moderate casts (between 30-60 ft). As the river has a normal water level in a respectable range, sinking tips, lines and leaders are frowned upon by game wardens and guides alike. Also, as it is a salmon river, all lead, metal etc is illegal on the fly and/or line (such as Moser sinking leaders). Multiple fly rigs are also banned.
If you would like to know more about my home waters, drop me a note.

flyfish.quebecr@gmail.com

Tight Lines!


Submitted by: Christopher Chin

Ste-Marguerite River Quebec Fly Fishing Report

Lessons hard Won!

A nice day out yesterday. There are salmon scattered up and down the river. Most have only been in from the salt a few days (or hours!!!).

We had good takes in all zones but especially in the #4.

Lessons learned: Check your leader after it scrapes over some rocks and boulders!!! I know, I do check every few minutes for clients, ... but not always for my Girlfriend! After hooking up to a nice 16-18lb buck on a #6 Bomber, ... 10 minutes of good fight and POOF! The 14lb test fluoro tippet up and separates!!!

Such is life and Fly Fishing!!

If you,re in the area, drop in for coffe and a chat. Easy to find me, ... it's the Explorer with the VFG window sticker!

Tight Lines!


Submitted by: Christopher Chin

Ste-Marguerite River Quebec Fly Fishing Report

The 2011 season is off to a fantastic start. Actually, all the Quebec Atlantic salmon rivers are seeing good runs and excellent fishing.

On the Ste-Marguerite, in Central Quebec, the annual run starts in mid-June and our first captures started a week ago. There are currently salmon scattered up and down the the +70km of river. Water levels are excellent and are running clear and cool.

Back on the river tomorrow so more news to come.

Tight Lines!


Submitted by: Christopher Chin

Fly Fishing Report From An Irish Angler

Co. Wexford, Ireland.


Salmon Tails and Trouty Evenings.

The power of that salmon and the vision of its tail are burned into my memory for life. Working my way down a run last evening on the Slaney, a nibbling sensation coupled with an increase in weight similar to when your hook becomes weeded transferred up the line. Lifting my rod, to free as I envisaged the hook from underwater weed, in unison I was hit by an arm wrenching tug and the vision of a silver scaled, black spotted wrist and large forked tail of a very angry salmon, who proceeded to swim at a rate of knots across the river. My reel screamed and I instinctively palmed the reel to control the run.

On reaching the far bank salmo salar now doubled back and positively fizzed back to its lie while I winded like billyo in tandem with walking backwards against the current. The fish then decided to swim up the channel to my right and sulk a rod length from me. A slight rest then like greased lightening the salmon tore downstream, rounded the gravel bar that I was fishing off before proceeding to run the shallower channel to my left where again it sulked. Gathering my wits I scanned for a slack out of the main current to guide the fish towards, fully aware that my six pound sea trout cast would have to play this fish very carefully.

Without warning my now fishy companion turned and swam purposefully towards Enniscorthy before turning and swimming upstream to again sulk a rod length to my right. I could feel the tail working in the current manifesting as a throb throb in my heavily curved 9' 6" weight six rod. Applying pressure on what was a serious fish, that as yet other than the tail I had not seen, even though attached by six pound gut I was confident that there could be a positive out come. Then in a second, four minutes after our interaction commenced, it was over. A slight nod, a millisecond of slack line, and the fly, a size 10 butcher fell out.

Gutted, no. Disappointed, yes. Due to catch and release rules the salmon was going to be returned, however to have graced the bank, calculated its approximate weight, and taken a photo for posterity would have been great. The half pound brownies tempted during a spectacular rise of sedges being no compensation for the loss of that great fish. A special moment none the less, one for the long evenings over a wee drop....


anirishanglersworld@gmail.com

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Submit Your Fly Fishing Reports

Click on the link below to learn how to post your fly fishing photos and reports with the Virtual Fly Guides.

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or

Submit Photos on the Virtual Fly Guides Submission Page

After the reports, photos, or videos are posted on the VFG Bulletin Board or on the Submission Page, they will be featured here on this blog.

By sharing our reports and experiences in fly fishing, we encourage other fly fishers to do the same and become a Virtual Fly Guide. Regardless of your skill level, or how many days you spend on the water each year, everyone can learn from everyone. Our vision is to create a network of fly fishers around the country, and around the world, who guide each other by sharing their personal fly fishing reports.

Freshwater Flyfishing Tips From The Pros

For all of you flyfishers looking for a new flyfishing app for your iPhone or iPad, downloading Freshwater Flyfishing Tips From The Pros is a must. Go to iTunes to purchase this outstanding app for only $2.99. The biggest names in flyfishing share their knowledge and can assist flyfishers of every skill level. Click on the following iTunes Preview link of Freshwater Flyfishing Tips From The Pros by Mark Williams and enjoy!

VFG Nymph Special Offer!

**"Special Offer"**  We will cover the tax, shipping, and handling on orders for a limited time.

One of the hottest flies we've ever tied to the end of our leader is now available! This fly has enticed trout from Colorado to California and many places in between. Typically used as a dropper below a dry fly, the VFG Nymph has worked on Rainbows, Browns, Brookies, and Apache Trout.

The VFG Nymph is tied in amber, brown, and olive in sizes 14 and 16. We will add more colors and sizes in the near future. The VFG Nymph is available for $1.25/each.

You can make your purchase in the VFG Store and use PayPal to complete your order.

Order the VFG Nymph!

One of the hottest flies we've ever tied to the end of our leader is now available! This fly has enticed trout from Colorado to California and many places in between. Typically used as a dropper below a dry fly, the VFG Nymph has worked on Rainbows, Browns, Brookies, and Apache Trout.

The VFG Nymph is tied in amber, brown, and olive in sizes 14 and 16. We will add more colors and sizes in the near future. The VFG Nymph is available for $1.25/each.

As a "Special Offer" we will cover the tax, shipping, and handling for a limited time.

You can make your purchase in the VFG Store and use PayPal to complete your order.

Get Your Own VFG Sticker!

To get your own, click the the PayPal Buy Now button at the top of the blog page and we'll get you your sticker in 5 to 7 days. We'll see you on the water!

Fly Fishing Report from An Irish Angler

There is nothing better than to find a new stream, lake, or section of a familiar river that you have never visited and unlock its secrets. Co Wicklow has an abundance of little fished waters ready to surprise the intrepid fly fisher who is prepared to don the chesties, carry the few bits of necessary tackle, and prospect. Hill Loughs and the upper reaches of river catchments such as the Liffey, Avoca, and Slaney come to mind defined by images of moss covered rocks, sandy gravelly bottoms, deep tea coloured pools, rocky cascades, sedge banks, moorland, and forestry.

A trip to a new stream proved very interesting in terms of a few fish landed and the discovery of fresh water pearl mussels, an indicator of pristine water quality. Parking up at a bridge around 10.30am, I proceeded to walk the bank downstream and fish likely runs. Although March the river was running clear and at summer levels, the water was cold and with a stiff north east breeze there was no fly life. Putting up a team of spiders with a leaded hares ear on the point I proceeded to fish a gut below a small island where two channels met. Running into a large pool there was sure to be trout along the seams.

Fishing downstream with a long line and keeping low, as the flies swept around I set the hook into a spirited 30cm trout. A good start which was quickly followed by a slightly smaller colleague, both nicely spotted they scooted away upstream on release. Casting along another couple of runs which bordered a water meadow, I encountered five more fish of which two in the 25 -30cm bracket were landed. With a midday sun now heating newly blossoming gorse so filling the air with a coconut scent, I walked back to the car and drove half a mile upstream.

Here the channel meandered through fields hard won from the surrounding moorland, looking down into the valley I knew that come late spring with a fresh running this section would come into its own. Long flats, riffles, and tumbling cascades there had to be fish here. Slipping in above a riffle I looked down to see an oval shape resting on the sand. A pearl mussel at least six inches long, its foot slowly retreating into the shell upon my touch. Probably 50+ years old and a positive indicator of water quality, a real find.

Spotting a few fish but no takers I decided to end the session early. In a few weeks time when there are leaves on the trees and some insects are moving, this stream will come alive for certain. With a mile of varying water to choose from a fly fisher could spend a day here and not see it going. Likewise the evening fishing could be very good too. Definitely worth another visit.

RIO Announces Streamer Tip Line

03.01.2011– 2011 (Idaho Falls, ID) – RIO, manufacturer of fly fishing lines, leaders, tippets, and accessories, brings the new StreamerTip® line to market for 2011. For anglers who love stripping streamers, casting them just got easier thanks to this new line.

Throwing streamers is an essential tool in any fly fisherman’s arsenal, and RIO’s new StreamerTip line allows casting all sizes of streamers with ease. This new line is based on the Outbound Short profile, and has a front loaded weight and aggressive front taper to easily turn over even the heaviest flies. The 10 foot clear tip that sinks at a 1.5 to 2 inch per second rate is ideal for stripping streamers just under the surface. It is a perfect line for anglers fishing from a drift boat who need to make fast, one-shot casts to the bank getting the fly to where it is needed effortlessly. Each line is manufactured with a coldwater coating featuring XS Technology for extreme slickness. All lines also feature welded loops on both the front and back ends of the line for streamlined gear changes.

RIO’s new StreamerTip Line is available at retailers around the globe in four sizes each at a length of 90 feet; WF5F/I, WF6F/I, WF7F/I and WF8F/I at a suggested retail price of $74.95. These lines have a clear tip followed by a yellow body and pale green running line.

About RIO Products:

is a pioneer in developing fly lines, leaders and tippet material to enhance fly fishing experiences across the globe. Offering premium fly lines for both freshwater and saltwater fishing applications, RIO consistently utilizes field experience and scientific testing to create the best products on the market for anglers. Founded 20 years ago in the mountains of Idaho, RIO continues to develop innovative products, design revolutionary tapers and refine performance-driven fly line technologies. For more information about RIO Products, please visit www.rioproducts.com

Video from Chris Uhls