A PACKED audience attended the recent launch of the DVD production Follow the Fly – A Mayfly Season in Ireland, in the Morgan Hotel, Temple Bar, Dublin.
The film is produced by Gary Finnegan and features well known anglers Richie Johnston and Charlie Stuart as they visit a selection of the finest trout lakes in Ireland during the mayfly season.
The team were delighted to have renowned drama and comedy actor Niall Tóibín involved, and his narration enhanced this fine production.
“It’s an adventure which starts and carries on and comes to a conclusion. You can hear the boys chatting and you’re in there with them. I was just commentating on the film and yet I became part of the company in the boat. I think that speaks for itself,” Tóibín says.
The hour-long film begins with a visit to Southside Angling to purchase flies and seek up-to-date advice. “The mayfly is up on Corrib and boats are arriving from every direction,” says Dave McBride.
On to Doorus and Tom “Doc” Sullivan’s house overlooking the peninsula. His suggestion to dap close to Inchagoill Island is quickly adopted. “Try this Hardy Marksman 15ft dapping rod. It’s our latest range,” he says.
Conditions are good and the mayfly hatch is prolific. Trout are gorging flies and soon Richie and Charlie account for several good-sized fish. All are released. Both anglers speak highly of the lightweight Marksman.
It’s May 20th and Sheelin is next port of call. With 40 years experience of the lake, John Murphy’s advice is well founded. “From 7pm, fish out from Stony Island shoreline and put up a Dry Mayfly and Spent Knat,” he says. Within the first minute, three fish are in the landing net at the same time! A call from Kieran Connolly, head-ghillie at Pontoon Bridge Hotel to herald the arrival of mayfly on Conn is sufficient motivation to lift spirits and follow the fly. “We get serious mayfly hatches in May and into June on Conn and Cullin and there’s always the bonus of a salmon,” John Geary says.
With mayfly blowing into the harbour there’s no need to travel too far. They head straight for Glass Island. The waves are good and hopes are high. “We’ll fish like lunatics,” Charlie says.
The morning session yields two fish to mayfly and daddy patterns and a close encounter with a salmon. Over lunch they meet Kieran Connolly and Stuart Lyon from Scotland.
Fishing in Bog Bay, Lyon had caught three good trout on large daddies. Following suit, the team complete a fantastic day’s fishing with more brown-spotted beauties.
Back at Pontoon Bridge overlooking Conn, the team reflect on their fishing extravaganza. “It’s like the south of France here,” Richie says. “Except there are no trout in the Mediterranean,” Charlie quips.
Follow the Flyis an excellent production and will make an ideal Christmas present. It is now available in most tackle shops retailing at €19.95. Also available soon at anglersview.tv or facebook.com/anglersview, Tóibín's narration defining the mayfly life-cycle is intriguing. "The mayfly starts its life as a larva in the mud on the lake bed. In early May as temperatures rise the nymph comes to the surface to hatch and emerges from its shuk or casing.
“With this magical act of nature the nymph transforms into the beautiful mayfly and must wait until its wings dry before it can be airborne. This is a crucial time for the mayfly. If this takes too long it will be eaten by feeding fish or birds.
“Once its wings are dry it quickly flies to the shelter of the bushes. Two days is a lifetime for a mayfly. During this short life-span it starts as an energetic green fly and as it ages its fragile wings and body darken.
“Leaving the cover of the bushes it begins the mating ritual where thousands gather in a dance-like fashion. This spectacle is known as the mayfly dance.
“The male has just to touch the female for fertilisation to take place. He can continue to mate with other females but she returns to the water to lay her eggs and die.”
angling@irishtimes.com