Articles
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11
Jul
2016Fenit re-visited
Fenit re-visited Almost one month to the day, I had to have a return visit back down to Fenit. The venue and the fish species therein had worked their way under my skin and nothing would do until I had one more shot at glory for the year. Back home my brain had melted and the tranquillity of Tralee called out, and I soon found myself standing at the slipway I had left behind four weeks ago. I could neither afford the time or money spent to get here, but here I stood de...
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8
Jul
2016In search of a new species
In search of a new species It’s not that I have grown bored of targeting the usual Irish species throughout and around our country. On the contrary, I thoroughly enjoy it, but there are times when it feels right to venture further afield for a species I have never caught, or for that matter, even seen in the flesh! For many years I have thought about hunting down a Stingray, a new and exciting species box for me to tick. Although non-existent in the north (water...
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3
Jul
2016In search of large Perch 2016
In search of large Perch 2016 Some information on hunting down specimen Perch in Ireland. At the end of this article you will find a guide to tackle required and some links to deals. Perch waters (and I am talking about fish of 2-3lbs) can be extremely un-stable when it comes down to consistency in showing up on rod and line. They don’t appreciate being caught too often and soon become wise to an angler’s tactics. The old adage &ldquo...
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19
May
2016Pure Pike adrenaline
Pure Pike adrenaline Featuring the Shakespeare Agility XPS fly rod This is my last shot at Pike on the fly for the season, and to leave them in peace until late Autumn-Winter. Hopefully they will be successful and produce another healthy generation to target in three-five years’ time. It’s fair to say I don’t fish for Pike that much, just a few weeks at them until the temperatures rise sufficiently and I can get at the Roach and Tench....
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4
Apr
2016Pre-Baiting for Pike 2016
Pre-Baiting for Pike Does pre-baiting work for Pike? Well of course it does. There is nothing new about this concept but it does surprise me how few anglers actually practice it, yet it is so easy to do, costs nothing, and works so well! A Shark angler wouldn’t normally dream of targeting his quarry without laying down a trail of blood and oil, and when it comes down to the physiology, Pike aren’t that different from most Shark species. Both predato...
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8
Mar
2016St.Mullins, County Carlow
St.Mullins Back in 2010, I wrote this article for Irish Angler magazine, and reading through it, I feel it is still very much relevant now, six years later. Take a wee read and enjoy the magic that is the River Barrow. The Trip As I began my four and a half hour journey from Kircubbin, County Down to the quiet village of St.Mullins, County Carlow, I found myself wondering why an angler should go to all this effort, time and expense to target Twaite Shad, ...
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29
Feb
2016Specimen Three-Bearded Rockling
Specimen Three-Bearded Rockling What a start to 2016! Gale force winds and torrential downpours leaving many of our lakes and rivers un-fishable and little chance of hitting the deep offshore marks at sea. So what options are there for a specimen hunter? There are always options if you look hard enough. Locally, through these bleak months, there is one species I am able to dedicate some time to, the vividly coloured Three-Bearded Rockling. Shakesp...
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24
Feb
2016Specimen awards 2016
Specimen awards 2016 Just home from the 2016 Irish Specimen Awards, and it was another great wee show. Held this year in the Clayton Hotel, Dublin it ran as smooth as always with Dr Willie Roche at the helm and the sterling work of the committee, and in particular, Bridie Flemming, without whom I am certain the process would be in disarray! Ross Macklin recieves an award for achieving twenty different species over specimen weight Awards present...
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23
Feb
2016Back in the game
The Shakespeare Agility XPS After a few months off with tendonitis of the elbow, its great to be back in the game, chasing double-figure Pike on the fly After my product review of the XPS last season, I enjoyed using it so much at the time that I bought one for myself, but unfortunately had little opportunity to use it until now. As flood waters have started to ease, coupled with a drop in wind speed, I was finally able to take to the water, armed only w...
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2
Jan
2016A Specimen Hunters Year 2015
A Specimen Hunter’s Year 2015 Acknowledgement I wish to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors, the World’s Largest Tackle Company, Pure Fishing. All my adventures and captures over the past five years were under-taken using only tackle from the Pure Fishing stable. Well, we are at the passing of another year in the specimen hunter’s calendar. Over time I have fallen into the usual species hunting routine in Ireland, and there are many like me it ...
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