NB   Fly fishing experience  NB

Please let me know how much fly fishing you've done as this helps in planning locations for your day. Fly fishing a couple of days a year does not count as experienced and there's a huge difference between the basic entry-level flyfishing a wetfly or nymph across and downstream (Swinging flies) as against the more delicate and advanced upstream approach with dry-fly or nymph. Properly executed upstream fly-fishing is a massive step-up from downstream fly-fishing and is a skill perfected over time, it involves delivering a tight or straight line and leader with precision and delicacy, sometimes at distance and often into an oncoming wind, all this whilst deftly wading rocky streams with tight casting room in places. Being able to master this matters as it helps choose a location to suit your skill-level, we could lose an hour switching venues if you overstate your experience or skill. (See Links to some of my waters below)

   Having advanced skills for this upstream fly-fishing approach are very desirable from June 1st on. Summer levels mean low/clear/weeded rivers and ultra-shy native trout, this is why we must target them with upstream approach. Our rivers and riverbanks are wild so a good level of mobility/fitness with good wading skills are also desirable. The majority of my locations are wild/challenging and only for really experienced fly fishers, for beginners/novices/ improvers we use a user-friendly stretch at Adare, this is for health-safety reasons and non-negotiable, however, this stretch also requires basic mobility/fitness levels. Pic here.

Skill-level - Generally: 1- 20 FULL DAYS + INSTRUCTION = BEGINNER 20-50 FULL DAYS = IMPROVER/NOVICE, 50-100 FULL DAYS = INTERMEDIATE, 100+DAYS=EXPERIENCED

Speaking frankly from 50yrs fly-fishing+26 years guiding the vast majority of clients overestimate their skills/experience and underestimate wild Irish rivers.

So please be realistic about your skill level and  consider all this advice, particularly where young/elderly, novice or infirm participants are involved.

Our rivers are natural and brown trout native and wild so success is directly related to the fly-fisher's skill, experience and ability

Links to some of my waters-      R.Maigue, Cherrygrove         R.Deel                        R.Maigue at Adare (User-friendly)

What are the best Seasons - Time of year?

April-Sept would be busiest period as this is the open season for Trout, I operate from April 1st - Sept 30th, for March contact me. Brown Trout fishing more consistent as they are in the rivers all the time, given the choice I would plump for May or June, water levels are usually good, weeds not yet present, Mayfly is up etc. etc. Please be aware that from June on our rivers do get low and weeded and upstream fly fishing  with advanced skills desirable. Those lacking these skills should opt for a half rather than full day.

Our trout rivers are comparatively small but wild, early months (Mar/Apr) would see good water levels, little weed and cooler temperatures. Fly fishing really comes into it's own in April/May and can be good right through to end of season (September 30th).

For more up-to-date weather for Adare area of Ireland see      http://www.met.ie/forecasts/regional.asp?Prov=Munster

What might I expect to fish for?

(Subject to Seasonal factors/water levels etc.)

Due to  the closure of many salmon rivers plus declining salmon runs I now limit my guiding to fly-fishing for native Brown Trout.

Left to right - R. Maigue Brown Trout , R. Feale Atlantic Salmon , R. Allaughan Sea-Trout, Shannon Estuary Sea-Bass, Glasha Lake Rainbow Trout , R. Shannon Pike

                                                                                                                      (All fish taken on fly by Paddy)

What should I bring with me?

Just a rainproof  jacket. I supply Rods/Reels, 4-wh-drive transport,wet gear (incl waders), I also supply packed lunches, drinks, photos, Instruction, permits, licences etc.

My fly-rods are mainly fast action 9ft, 6wt rods by TFO of Dallas and our reels are top of the range by Ross Reels of Colorado.

I'm also a collector and have a large collection of Hardy Bros vintage/antique fly-reels and tackle.

We supply nylon/rubber chest/waist waders but bring breathable waders if you wish.

Can we go as a group?

Often an angler will encourage non-fisher or inexperienced members of his group to tag along and in such cases the group as a whole will be treated as beginners and as such we use the user-friendly stretch at Adare. For various reasons, not least of all health & safety I will not guide inexperienced people to wild locations. 4 anglers maximum to an outing to ensure Paddy can deliver personal attention.

25 years guiding experience tells me that the vast majority of my clients totally underestimate just how wild our locations are

so please take note and be realistic when considering this, particularly where novice, elderly or infirm anglers are concerned.

Lady Fly-fishers always welcome, more and more ladies are taking up fly-fishing, very chic and a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

Can I hire fly fishing equipment if I want to go it alone?

Yes, I offer a hire service, click 

The Fish?

As a tribute to those wild beauties that give us such sport we release 99% of our catch, keeping but an odd fish for the 'table'.

Safety/Insurance?

All my clients are covered by Public Liability Insurance PLUS  Courtesy Car Cover whilst fishing and Travelling with Celtic Angling.

Automatically inflating life-jackets provided when fishing for Sea-Bass or on request when river fishing.

Transport?

I collect/drop clients from/to Hotel/Guesthouse if in or near Adare, or rendezvous with clients in Car Park at rear of Heritage Centre/Tourist Office in centre of Adare village. Clients may follow in their own transport if they wish, indeed, this is sometimes necessary with larger groups. Most fishing locations I use are 15-20 mins from Adare.

NB - I don't collect from Limerick city anymore as it involves 2 roundtrips which can total 2hrs if in peak traffic times. 

When Emailing Me

Please include your cellphone , some of my email replies were not getting back to some clients recently (Inbox full or other) and they thought I was ignoring them, not so, for some reason their email provider was rejecting my return mail  unbeknownst to the client. I can send an SMS message to that effect if I have a cell number.

If you are using an Irish mobile phone then just text me on 087/6525687 or using a US Cellphone 011353876525687 (Especially if you suspect I've not received your email.

info@celticangling.com