Fly fishing for rainbow trout

October 2008

Mount Falcon Rainbow Fishery

The weather for this event could only be seen as appalling. When originally planned this day was to be on the Clongee beat of the river Moy after salmon. A decision was made a week before the event that due to the high water conditions it would be safer to change venues. Mount Falcon hotel very kindly volunteered the use of their rainbow lake so that we did not have to cancel the day.

We did however expect that because of the change in venue and weather conditions the number of participants would drop – however the folks in that area of the world are made of sterner stuff - they all turned up!

Most of the participants were new to fly fishing and so had basic instruction in the morning. A small number had tried it before so were dealt with as an intermediate group by Declan Hughes.

Lunch was taken in one of the chalets overlooking the lake. It was a welcome relief from the deluge.

The afternoon and all were allowed to fish. staff wandering around encouraging and coaching individuals.

Though in not the most promising conditions, most of the students took fish. Rainbows up to 3lbs. Though we had been given permission to ‘take’ a few fish we tried to promote ‘catch and release’ – all but one fish was returned.

Though wet through, students had to be gently dragged from the water at the end of the day – oblivious to the weather.

Students were given a ‘goody bag’ by the NWRFB and were sent a certificate to remind them of their day the following week.

Staff – Mark Corps (CFB), Declan Hughes (NWRFB), Marcus Muller (NWRFB), Rory Sheehan (NWRFB).
Group – 9 students and 11 guardians