The key to catching any fish prone to tidal and weather influences is finding them in the midst of those influences. Sometimes, just sometimes they’re simply not there in any numbers or indeed perhaps not at all. Exceptional fishing happens, good and bad, early and late, big and small, a common part of frequent normality in a wild environment.
Are you casting or are you fishing?
Having spent a few pleasant days working this week its noticeably cool but very nice out there. Winds have blown consistently from a Northerly direction since late March and after a little exceptional weather in the latter days of the month during which we caught some fish things are ‘Spring’ slow here in Wexford.
Water conditions are crystal clear with only a few indications of shrimp, sandeel and immature flounder showing but its still very early, with strong cold air running over cold water it never makes things easy.
I never expect too much at this time of year from a bass perspective, and its probably not until the next set of Springs that I would anticipate to catch some numbers of bass with confidence and even then its always touch and go. See indications here
But its great to be out and with a few customers who are willing to try for an early bass or even a possible seat trout or mullet I had a great week of trying some new gear and locations. I continue to experimental fly fish as much as possible and I am still modifying our seatrout bass and mullet range of flies. I had some interesting fishing on Sunday last watching fish track the fly inch by inch for maybe 10 feet but not eating – next week is the last of my semester so school’s out for Summer at last!
Interesting possibility on Monday……but in reality its still very difficult out there for your unit of effort.
If you would like a relaxed estuary fishing/workshop Spring day then please take a look here
Angling tourism can be developed through: provision and presentation of information using state of the art technology; increased public access to angling; development of a broader outdoor tourism portfolio; the clustering of businesses and co-operative competition; and community land ownership
Angling tourism needs to be developed sustainably, maintaining a balance between ‘development’ and environmental and social management factors.
From fishing for Answers the final report.
Fishing for Answers summarises the key findings from three years of research on the benefits angling delivers for people and their communities. It focuses on angling’s contribution to six key areas: sports participation; health and well-being; the natural environment; community development; tourism and rural communities; and young people.
Section 5: Angling tourism and Rural Areas
The entire Document can be found here to download
We asked anglers in our Assynt Anglers Survey in 2010 to identify the most important things about angling in Assynt. The results are presented in the bar chart below. Although the catch-related aspects of the angling experience – most notably the quality of fish stocks – perhaps inevitably received a large number of 1st place rankings, the remoteness, fishing mountain lochs, being able to fish without seeing others and the scenery in which people go fishing scored highest overall. These results suggest that anglers who visit Assynt value the social isolation and the quality of the landscape at least as much as they do the actual fishing.
In a cool North Easterly and bright conditions Jerome and I spent a pleasant afternoon getting a sense of the requirements. There are times when I’m reminded that its the most difficult and challenging way to catch fish, the casting the waves the water the basket the line the leader the retrieve the wind the fly the environment the you…
It takes time.
…Our wallets are therefore powerful weapons in the fight to create a more sustainable future. The IWT does not advocate an end to fishing. We believe that fish is an essential part of our diet, culture, society and economy. It is vital for the survival of coastal communities all around our island. However, the type of fish we eat, particularly by knowing where and how our fish has been caught, can send a strong signal to decision makers that change is urgently needed. Having said that, making choices at the fish counter is not easy and so much more needs to be done to inform the public about the impacts of these choices. The IWT is therefore delighted to publish Ireland’s first consumer’s guide to sustainable seafood. Because the information is not always clear cut we have developed a traffic light system. Green, Amber and Red.
AMBER – this may be OK to eat but we don’t know enough to be sure. Little is known about the state of the stock, the way it is fished causes damage to the marine ecosystem or there is enough evidence to suggests that stocks are declining.
Bass are currently classed in this system as Amber
Taken from the Irish Wildlife Trust – Article Sustainable Seas
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One of the many questions from the Environmental Pillar Submission made recently caught my attention. The entire .pdf can be located here
In Briefing Document II each marine sectors is presented in turn with no conceivable attempt at assessing synergistic or conflicting interests and needs. In order to achieve integration the plan will have to be discussed by all stakeholders in inclusive manner, while addressing environmental, resource
and financial restrictions. Such an approach would help to reduce duplication, improving efficiency across sectors, and planning.
I can agree with this provided each marine sector and all stakeholders are presented, yet there is scant mention of angling or angling related activities in the midst of any of this!
There’s something pleasant about being out on the water 
and when that opportunity is combined with fishing then its a real pleasure. The small boat has added another dimension to the angling for me and I’m happy to spend time simply exploring and mapping whilst I can.
Adding the boat does create launch and recovery time but then there’s the added dynamic of been able to go where and when I like. Combined with a picnic of homemade food a Kelly kettle a little sunshine and the sound of skylarks what more is needed for a complete day.
Fly casting for bass on a southern facing shoreline is always going to present problems to all but the most accomplished of casters. Orienting ourselves with the wind at our backs is now on option to take some of the difficulty out of the fishing from time to time.
So I look forward to a little more manoeuvrability and different options for my customers and their fishing during the summer and into the autumn. I’m reminded that I don’t ever have to go far to catch fish.
For an early season estuary foray please mail me at sportfishing@eircom.net or call at 086 3444557
Bendy rods for 2012 – Jim
THIRTYARDS 
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