25 Hour Bass
It’s been a mad few days. On Thursday I was up by 6am for last minute Ireland preparation before heading off to look after Hugh Caslake and Martin Baum. These guys are regulars and make an annual pilgrimage to the Exmoor area to indulge their growing addiction for fly fishing. It is awesome to see how they are improving with Hugh now making a move towards double handed Salmon fishing … he was popping some sweet loops. Meanwhile Martin got to grips with the finer points of hauling to improve casting accuracy while river fishing.
I left the guys fishing by 3.30pm and headed off for Bristol Airport and my evening flight to Dublin. The meet and greet parking was brilliant as usual, but I could have done without the £80 overweight baggage charge levied by Ryanair. Perhaps I should have taken the ferry? Too bad, the Irish Bass are worth it and I kind of forgave the airline company because the flight arrived 20 minutes early! There was to be no lonely trip down towards Dungarvan either because Florida fishing maestro Rodney Goodship was there to meet me for the journey. On a break from his Fish the Dream operation, he was about to sample something quite different, Irish Bass Fishing. The last time I met up with Rodney for a fishing trip was several years ago in Miami so the chatter was nonstop during our 2 ½ hour drive.
We arrived in the wee small hours of Friday morning and after catching up with the guys various members of the party including Henry Gilbey, Andy Bignell and Rodney quite sensibly retired to bed. That left Cian of Absolute Fishing and me. After trying to talk ourselves into getting some much needed shut eye we took the slightly insane decision to put our waders on instead. Cian had been up since 7am too and it was now 2am the following day. Rods were thrown into the car and we set off eager for a fish; we could sleep later. We fished hard but drew a blank, even though conditions seemed perfect. Some thanks for our effort! We had to be back to catch up with the other guys by 4.30am, at which point we did a U turn and set out for a favoured mark that produced fish during our last trip in July. But once again sport was slow and I have to admit that I was starting to feel the effects of 24 hours with no sleep.
The wonderful Wave Worm soft plastic - Bass love them!
Local Bass fishing junkie, Ger, came to the rescue. He had joined us for the morning session and managed a Bass of around 5lb using his favourite Feed Shallow lure. I fished my Wave Worm soft plastic with renewed anticipation, a method of lure fishing that shares many characteristics with the world of fly fishing. Rigged to swim weedless without any weight, I cast into some mouth watering gullies adding lots of tip flicks, pauses and other movements to simulate life. I got it right on one of the occasions and was hit hard by a Bass of 4lb. This was a fish to be savoured, not only because it was my first ever on a soft plastic but also because it looks like the next few days could be no good for anything except bait. Not to mention the fact that I had now been awake for over 25 hours!
The 25 Hour Bass!
The weather is now horrendous! At one point the barometer on my Casio Protek just crashed signalling the arrival of massive South to South West winds and driving rain, interspersed with periods of relevant calm, even sunshine. But the weather has taken its toll and many of our intended marks are now unfishable. Frustrating yes and the forecast doesn’t offer much comfort, but time spent in the company of like minded anglers is just as good and I am sure we will find some more fish in the days to come. Andy has been doing just that and I am constantly amazed at this guy’s ability to extract fish from about every location we go to such as this fish taken on Crab. Hopefully we will get some more fish for Henrys camera soon. Writing this blog late on a Sunday night I should probably do the sensible thing and get some sleep!
Andy seems to extract Bass everywhere we go - despite the weather!
Specimen River Frome Grayling
Day tickets for the Frome are available from John Aplin at Casterbridge Fisheries
What red blooded angler would?! Gin clear water, stunning scenery … specimen Grayling caught to over 4lbs! I had been counting down the days. Arriving early on Thursday morning I was greeted by a hot cup of coffee and when Henry turned up this was followed by a cooked breakfast, which was good because I had awoken so early that I had not bothered to eat. This is the kind of service you can expect from John and his wife Andrea who manage the fishery. Arriving on the water, we were not disappointed and yet John explained that we were seeing the Frome at its worst. The dry spring had taken its toll and we were fishing over very low water, which had rendered some very tasty runs unfishable. First stop was a deep pool although the low morning sun made it hard to spot fish.
We moved upstream and found a pool teeming with life. I had expected to see big Grayling but suddenly was faced with a 2lb Trout. This may not sound big by Trout standards but this is no stocked chalk stream. This was a Wild Trout, which was also very skittish, especially after my less than graceful leap over a barbed wire fence. 10’ #3 Greys Streamflex + at the ready I aimed a catapult cast in amongst a swathe of branches and hoped that the fish would return. It didn’t but a few decent Browns up to 1 ½ lbs did. In plopped a Quill Bead head and a Grayling of no more than half a pound appeared from nowhere and nailed it! Not the intended fish and certainly not the specimen Grayling we were after, but great fun all the same.
Next stop was a mouth watering pool. More Trout were spotted to over 2 ½ lb (John has seen them to over 3 ½!) and remember these are wild fish. I worked those fish over but they were just not on the feed. But what about the Grayling? Well they were there too and I reckon the best went 2 ½ lbs, big enough but not by Frome standards. In the hope of seeing the kind of fish this venue can produce John walked us to the top of the beat but in the low conditions the fish all spooked and shot off upstream. Even so my eyes were on stalks, the bow waves were enormous. I had to see one of these fish up close … pleeease!
At last I whinkled one out for the camera (photo - John Aplin)
We went back to our previous pool and I began working one of the Grayling hard, it didn’t really seem to be feeding but every now and again it cast various offerings a sideways glance. This is one of the things I love about the species, they will let you throw all sorts at them and basically ignore it and then all of a sudden … you are hooked up! At last something for Henrys camera and nearing 2lbs a superb fish, it was hard to believe that somewhere not far from us was a fish twice the size. As usual Henry could be heard cooing from behind the camera, the conditions were superb for pictures and Grayling are just so elegant.
Our morning was complete and lunch beckoned. Once again the full Aplin hospitality service was bestowed upon us as a lovely ploughman’s lunch was served up complete with particularly fine homemade chutney. These guys also have some very reasonably priced self catering accommodation and nearby there is a great deal of excellent sea fishing, including Bass. I had begun conjuring up trips!
John was desperate for us to have a crack at one of the Frome’s monster Grayling and so after lunch we were taken to a deep pool, covered by a canopy of branches. Do not expect manicured, that is not what this place is all about although Johns enormous experience spanning some 25 years managing rivers can be seen throughout. The venue is extremely fishable, but testing; just the way I like it. The deep pool did show up one fish that I would have put at around 3lbs, although in the shade it was difficult to say. It was also in the company of a few other fish and so in true Hart style I managed to extract the smallest, using the tip section of my rod! More pictures followed but time was running out.
We headed back to the original pool; the light conditions were better. But concentrated fishing takes its toll, especially after several back to back days of guiding and a very late night spent at the cinema … oh and not being able to sleep through being too excited! Why did the big fish appear now?! Sat under a low branch, right up against the opposite bank I could see a decent looking specimen which I bombarded with everything. That was when I actually landed a fly in the water because on several occasions I hit the branch, or snagged the opposite bank. Controlling 2 bugs at range on a long leader is not easy, especially when knackered!
Eventually even Henry decided it was time to throw in the towel and packed up his cameras. Yes we all know he is not famous for his patience but actually when out taking pictures I marvel at how long he will wait for the shots he needs. Sure I am a guide and watch people fishing every day, but I am very involved. Sitting behind a lens all day, waiting for a fish, that takes dedication. I could hear him still in conversation with John so in one last ditch attempt to fool this fish I waded out carefully to try and get a better look and enable control of my heavy weighted bugs.
I cannot publish the expletives that followed. Clearly unsettled by my presence the big Grayling … no let me rephrase that … massive Grayling took a little wander around the pool. “HENRY” I bellowed “you have to look at this”. Both John and Henry joined me to see what all the fuss was about. More expletives! I think Henry said “Herman” and “Holy Cow” a few times. Meanwhile I continued to fish like an idiot much to my companion’s amusement although if I am brutally honest and without trying to make excuses I was shaking like a leaf! I attempted to compose myself, shortened the leader a little and tied on a plain and simple Billy.
A few casts went in, I played tennis with either bank for a moment and at one point turned away to get out of the water and go home … beaten. No, just one last cast! The Billy sank; I lifted the rod and noticed the Grayling slightly alter its position. It seemed as if we were suspended in time for a moment as I struck and then the fish slowly turned on its side. It was hooked!!! Then there was chaos as Henry charged out of the river to unpack his cameras while John urged me to take care and not lose this fish now careering all around the pool. The hook held and suddenly our aim had been achieved, the biggest Grayling I have ever seen in my life was in the net. Measurements put this fish at around 3lb 12oz, it could have been smaller or possibly even bigger but the exact weight of a fish has never really bothered me.
One very big Grayling - One very happy angler! (photo - Henry Gilbey)
What more can I say … true elation, a massive angling high and even better you guys can do this for yourself without breaking the bank. Please go and take a look at Johns website, Casterbridge Fisheries here … you won’t be disappointed.
A Fish with Fight
I can’t believe that it has been a week since Henry and I arrived in the Beara Peninsula. Barley Lake was certainly an experience but when I head out to Ireland I can’t help but get excited by the prospect of Pollack. For serious arm aching fun … is there a better fish? For prolific sport … is there a better fish? One thing is for sure, the South West coast of the Emerald Isle has plentiful stocks of this dirty fighter.
Rocks, ledges and deep water. The Pollack are not far away.
My set up consisted of a Hardy Proaxis rod (you have to cast one of these things!) coupled with a Hardy Demon reel. Expensive kit to be thrashing around on the rocks but the Beara Peninsula (Kerry & Dingle) represents the chance to tangle with the fish of a lifetime. During our trip I met one devastated angler who had lost a fish that was well into the backing and then his cheap composite reel jammed. Unable to control the crash diving brute the backing was then sheared off by a submerged ledge. His fishing was over. A decent drag would have helped; carrying a spare line (or two) would have at least got him back up and running. I never go fishing for Pollack without spare lines.
30 seconds of mayhem!
There are various lines out there on the scene which are suitable, you could make up a shooting head for instance with a lead core. But personally I am into the Depthfinder 500 by Airflo for really deep work and I also took a T11 Rio with me. Next time I will also go with a T14. Various streamers, such as a Deceiver are staple saltwater patterns. White, silver and flashy patterns seem an obvious choice and do account for plenty of fish. In fact on a reasonably shallow reef mark, set just off a beach, these patterns were engulfed (and I mean engulfed!) on a regular basis. Awesome sport!
Not big, but huge fun on fly or lightweight lure tackle
This was not the case out on the deep water marks. We were on neap tides and even the lure struggled to regularly pull fish. That said in one session Henry landed 3 fish all over 6lbs, such is the quality of this fishing. All of these fish came to dark lures and unfortunately I had nothing in the fly department suitable at the time. The next day I returned with an old favourite Pike fly tied on a 4/0, jet Black Marabou and a bunch of crystal hair for the tail. That fly worked within 2 casts and I managed several fish to around the 4lb mark. Not huge, but Jesus how hard do those things pull? It’s all go for 30 seconds as a rather angry Pollack crash dives towards the sea bed, doing its best to stick your fly where the sun don’t shine.
Would you want to be a little fish?
This trip has made me think about this species in an entirely different way. To be honest I have always considered them easy, yet I did not hook a really big fish off the shore. The lure did. The fish were obviously there. If I had cast that dark silhouette pattern for more than one session, would I have connected? One thing is certain I will head back to the Beara with an open mind about Pollack, especially after Henry finished our last session off with an 8lb specimen, just look at the size if that eye, captured perfectly in Henrys photograph (see more here).
If you are heading out to Ireland this summer then you could do far worse than hook up with Paul & Anne Harris of Dromagowlane House. A great place to stay with a fine breakfast and Paul also offers to guide anglers to some of the best marks on the Beara. But be warned, bait, lure or fly … once infected by the magic of the Beara Peninsula you won’t want to leave!
A very Beara(ble) session
Dromagowlane is the perfect anglers retreat with ample space for tackle, drying areas for clothing and very comfortable beds. But the best bit is the food! Paul’s wife Anne was soon filling us with all manner of tasty cuisine (small portions are not an option!), prior to heading out for a quick bash at the Pollack. Henry managed a couple on his soft plastic lures but other than that it was a quiet session. After the amazing fishing we had experienced a few days previously (see more here) we could hardly complain and headed back to base tired but more than happy. After all the next morning was going to be perfect!
Waking to the sound of heavy rain falling from a dreary grey sky it would have been easy to begin moaning, but what good does that do? Fishing is about dealing with conditions and that sometimes means bad weather. One of Anne’s legendary breakfasts had us perked up as we planned a visit away from the salt in search of Trout on one of the Bearas relatively under fished Loughs. The road into our chosen venue, Barley Lake, should have us told that we were about to witness something very special. It reminded me of that famous opening scene from the Italian Job as we wound our way towards Trout heaven, just praying for a little sunshine along the way. Our prayers were not answered.
Bearas Barley Lake, no other word ... stunning!
Instead Henry asked me to teeter on the edge of a high rock in the howling wind for an opening shot, while I chuckled at his efforts to control an umbrella and a camera, various expletives echoing across the valley. I must admit all I wanted to do was run down the steep boggy track to a calm looking bay (well … calmish!) and the chance of an Irish Brown Trout. An hour of fruitless fishing later I did begin to question our sanity. At least I was fishing! Taking pity on Henry who was huddled under his umbrella, 2 eyes peering from a small opening in his jacket, I offered him my second rod so that at least he could have a cast or two. He did not need to be asked twice and was soon casting into a new bay that we had found, home to a cavernous drop off. Counting down for over a minute with a Di-5 40+ I did not touch the bottom … or a fish for that matter!
Heading into the wilderness - Barley Lake in the Beara Peninsula
And then humiliation … Henry was into a fish! Fair enough it was not much bigger than the fly he was using, but it was a fish none the less. Now I HAD to catch a fish or the piss taking would have been relentless. There was only one thing for it, a big Black Minkie pulled at break neck speed. Within 2 casts I heaved a sigh of relief as a half pounder savaged the fly. At least Henry now had a fish for the camera and despite the cold and wet I was feeling that lovely warm glow we anglers experience after being rewarded for our efforts. I managed a couple more takes in the same spot but the whole time my eye had been on a huge ridge jutting out into the lake, probably only 200 metres away as the crow flies, although it seemed more like 2 miles such was the gradient of climb to reach it!
- The drop off was staggering – but the ridge drop off in the background was even deeper!
Arriving at the edge my first thought was to chuck a big Deceiver at the water, this drop off here was even more incredible and looked more like the Atlantic home of a Pollack! Snapping back into reality I used the ample back cast space to throw a long line into the mysterious black depths. First chuck an angry Brown charged the Minkie all the way to the shore, grabbed at it and then I struck like a lunatic … pulling the fly straight out of its mouth. A shame because it was a good fish. Next cast another half pounder. And so it continued as frequently I experienced plucks, follows and takes to a high speed Minkie. There was no doubting the aggressive streak in these fish, obviously required in such harsh conditions.
A gorgeous Beara Barley Lake Brownie
On which note our session came to a halt as the weather worsened and Henry suffered a double sense of humour failure as the rain pounded relentlessly meaning the lens caps needed to stay put and the wind thrashed two of his leaders into oblivion … I promise I did not laugh! All that remained was the long walk back to the car. But do you know I don’t think we would have changed that session. It had been wonderful fun in spite of the conditions. In fact the weather added a moody edge to the scenery. The Trout were perfect. And it means we have an excuse to return when the sun is shining … I am already looking forward to it.
Picking & Choosing in Ireland
Since we began stocking a bit of lure tackle at the shop we have had mixed reviews. Opinions seem to range from “why have you got this in a fly shop” (the phrase “going over to the dark side” has been heard being quietly whispered in a corner) through to those who see lure fishing as a method with characteristics not too dissimilar to fly fishing … and are keen to give it a go.
If you fancy targeting Bass with light tackle, then it is the definite way forward. Take a look on the internet and you will find any amount of blogs, forums and general banter related to this exciting form of angling. And I think we fluff chuckers should be taking note. Make no mistake that during my current visit to Ireland I am longing to catch as many fish with the fly as possible. On some marks the fly has even out fished the lure. But there is a “But”. Had I decided to head out early this morning with just fly gear then I would have been in deep trouble.
Henry photographs James Barrys huge Bass caught on lightweight lure tackle
For sure looking out over the coast things looked just perfect, light winds, mixed clouds and sun, just the conditions which produced fish to the fly earlier this week. Arriving at a stunning looking set of ledges I reckon I could have spent around 10 minutes comfortably casting and not with a #8, no it would have required a #10. Soon afterwards I would have been sunk, that is unless I was carrying a lure rod.
Chucking a stunning bit of plastic known as a Feed Shallow with ultra fine braid and a super lightweight 7’ 6” Mazzera lure rod I would love to say that I went on to bag up as the wind steadily increased in strength whipping up a substantial surf. My efforts were rewarded with a follow early in the session but our conclusion was that the drop in pressure and temperature had taken effect, leading to slow fishing.
James Barry with 5 1/2 lbs of Irish Bass
But it’s not just about the fish. I had a thoroughly enjoyable session in the company of James Barry of Absolute Fishing, chatting tactics, weather conditions and hanging on to his every word regarding technique. These guys are just so willing to help. But this session was only possible because I was carrying a lure set up … now is that going to the dark side or plain practical? Fishing is very personal of course and some anglers just love casting flies so much that nothing else will do, but if you are struggling at times to cope with conditions while fly fishing for Bass I urge you … grab yourself a lure set up! I have some thoughts on this subject with regard to the similarity to fly fishing but that is for another blog.
If you are thinking about it, but are not quite convinced then I urge you to head over to Henry Gilbeys blog and check out a simply sublime session that we enjoyed yesterday, Bass maestro James Barry scoring a trio of stunning fish including a double.
