Off today at last

This is the view to my back garden this morning, cold wet and a little miserable! In less than twenty four hours I will begin day one of five days at a Tropical Saltwater Fly Fishing School with another 4 days of personal fishing to follow both inshore and offshore.

Its a unique opportunity for me and SEAi to develop and learn, meet more people and discuss strategies, techniques and methods with experts and experienced anglers alike- I intend to bring as much of this home as possible and incorporate it into SEAi for 2010.

Coming soon 2009 a review!

When I get back from my trip I will have compiled a summary of the season for A Year In Review 2009. With people visiting from Switzerland, Belgium, France, America and Norway it proved to be a truly international season. I met lots of very nice considerate anglers whom I placed a lot of trust in. As is usual in this business that trust is repaid in many ways.

For data and photos from previous years of Bass Guiding in Wexford please take a look at the links below. I also have the .pdfs for 2005, 2004 and 2003 - these are available on request only.

A year in review 2006

A year in review 2007

A year in review 2008

A Christmas present?

Thinking of a Christmas present then look no further than Out of the Blue - take a look HERE

photo of Chris courtesy of Matt Spence

"As I reeled up my line and shouldered my bag, I glimpsed a subtle swirl 50 yards in front of me. It was as if the water had been touched by a slowly meandering draught of air which faded almost as soon as I noticed it. After a few moments it re-stirred, advancing towards me, weaving left and right, trailing a row of shallow impressions on the surface, like a ghost's footprints."

T minus 7 and counting - destination Andros

The question of gear!!: I think I must have read and re-read so many books and journals and forums regarding what gear to bring to Andros with me that I eventually just stopped. This is what I have finally decided upon. click on the names to link to the products specs

Rods –
Two #7’s – Redington CPS saltwater
Two #9’s – Redington CPX saltwater
One #9 - Bloke XL50
One #10 - Bloke XL50

Reels -
Two Danielsson L5W 6nine with spare spools
Two Danielsson L5W 8twelve with spare spools
One Orvis battenkill LA Mach IV





Lines - Rio bonefish lines
Rio tropical intermediates
Rio tropical outbounds
Rio deep sea lines

T Minus 8 and counting - destination Andros

Preparing for a trip to the other side of the world in order to fish certainly makes you focus on making correct decisions regarding a number of items. Working as a fishing guide in my own environment I have every aspect covered, timings, gear, fly choice, line type, casting distance, in Andros I will be in the safe hands of Bruce Chard

Getting there : I started with my luggage requirements. I need to bring four rods as not only will I be fishing the flats but I will also have the opportunity to spend two days offshore. This immediately increased not only my luggage demands but also line and reel choices which I will look at later. Considering that my living is made from my fishing equipment I needed something to transport all this gear safely around the world whilst carrying, clothing, reels, flies and camera equipment. My choice was the Fishpond Rolling Rod and Gear Bag This unique, wheeled travel piece stores four 33” rod tubes in its bottom-moulded compartment. Top compartment stores vests, chest packs, clothing, waders, etc. I felt that the Chinook’s rugged construction and materials would ensure that my gear will arrive safely and in one piece. I got this tip from a guide - cover you luggage with a bag and tape down - it wont be targeted as a bunch of fishing tackle!

www.deneki.com

David Wolsoncroft Dodds in Northern Manitoba

Below is a small sequence of photographs from my friend Davids visit to Manitoba earlier this year! You can visit his website HERE .

Forecasting the weather

I came across a little book recently - Signpost to the weather by D&K Barlett. First published in 1949, I have extracted their forecasts for each month of the year. I hope you will enjoy their weather theories over the next few months -

The Month of November according to D&K Barlett.

There can be a good deal of changeable, rainy weather during this month.
However, short odd periods of calm weather can also occur, with sunshine, although nights are often chilly and frost, accompanied by fog near coasts and inland towns.

The sea still retains its warmth but the land surfaces are definitely cooler, and this helps towards the changeability of the weather.

The days are shorter so there is less sunshine, and the cool but often clear, nights are longer. Gales are possible particularly near the end of the first week and during the last week of November, but overall it can be a fairy calm month. The temperatures continue to fall faster than at any other time of year.

The weeks of November

1st to 7th – The latter part of this week is unsettled, with rain, but extremes of calm mild days and frosty nights can occur with some fog.
8th to 15th – The days continue to become colder. The first effects of the coming winter can now be felt with wind and rain increasing.
16th to 23rd – Usually a fair to changeable period followed by unsettled and rainy conditions.
24th to 31st - During this week the weather becomes more unsettled, rainy weather and strong winds at times but often milder.

Bass Fishing - Best month of the year for bigger fish on the fly if you can take the window of opportunity.

A fishing movie about a fishing movie!

"Hustle and Fish" Trailer V1 from Rollcast Productions on Vimeo.

T minus 19 and counting destination Andros

The books I have been reading for the past twelve months in preparation for Andros are as follows

Bone Fishing - Randall Kaufmann










Fly Fishing for Bonefish - Chico Fernandez










Innovative Flies - Bob Veverka










Not only are these books full of incredible photographs but they also contain information that takes time to digest, learn and apply. Incredibly I found myself using many strategies from these books in my bass fishing in Wexford this year. I highly recommend them to any saltwater flyfisherman.

T minus 20 and counting destination Andros

I guess at some time I had to really start thinking about it - for the first time in months its finally started to hit me. Location, location, location. No amount of preparation, equipment or planning can replace the natural bounty that I expect to experience at Andros South . It is, most definitely, the location for bonefish. In twenty days time that’s where I’ll be.

South Andros Island is widely known as the Bonefishing Capital of the World. With the island's endless, diverse flats, the opportunities for my fly fishing and photography are boundless.

I expect to find and to fish to schools of bonefish that average 2 to 4 pounds, with larger fish apparently swimming with the schools. I will also hope to make many shots at tailing and cruising bonefish ranging from 5 to 10 pounds plus. These opportunities will come while wading hard sand and marl flats or being poled along in one of the fully equipped flats skiffs.

One of the pieces of equipment that I used last year and this for my bass fishing will travel with me to Andros. The simms Dry creek flats pack is an indispensible piece of equipment. Holding my two fly boxes, tippet material, first aid, spare spools, pliers and camera its a great piece of comfortable gear. Long lasting and tough. I guess i'll just have to include insect repellent, lip balm, high grade sun factor and water on the list.....

Eric le Guyader in Wexford

Take a look here Orion Lures

Daiwa Day Breaker performs at Day break!

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Rolfe Deppe took several bass this morning - all on surface lure fishing techniques

Landing Gear

Rod - Daiwa Morethan Branzino 82 ll

Reel-Shimano Stella

Line - Powerpro

Leader - Seagaur fluorocarbon

Lure - Zipsea pop

Colins beautiful bass on the fly