May 2013 Mobile by Anthony Curran

MOST READ ONLINE SHOOTING AND FISHING MAGAZINE

I Shoot and Fish magazine May 2013

A collection of stories from around the web

Requiem For An Angler Page 8

Hunting Ibex In Spain Page 31

Wild Boar ‘ Need Culling’ Page 11

Cleerre’s Angling Centre 10% Discount for CAI Members Page 16

Countdown To Moira Game Fair Page 18 Seasonal Triggers Page 13

Down The Line Page 26

State Agencies In Talks To Resolve Dispute Over Galway Bay Fish Farms Page 34

An Arctic Easter At Lough Sheelin Page 35

Team Wild TV Page 37 Some Classic Trout Fly Immortals Page 19 Canada Geese Page 14

Off The Fence Page 47

Galway Angler Wins Boat At ITFFA Youths Qualifier Page 52

12th World Youth Fly Fishing Championsips Page 53 Donegal Down Syndrome page 22

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Jerry Siem Discuss The Sage Circa Fly Rod Page 42

Lions & Banning Hunting One Step At A Time Page 48

Country Pursuits TV Page 54 Water Levels Suit The Fly At Galway Weir Page 60

Hywel Morgan Page 62

Davie Mc Phail Page 64

Fields Sports Channel TV Page 66 Taffs Terror Page 57

Ian Gordan Page 71

Yin And Yang Page 73

Big Winds On Corrib Page 82

Catch of The Week Page 85

Hunter Vermin Page 88

Boxall & Edmiston ‘Yardley Model’ Page 79

Purdley 20 Bore Shotgun With Margaret Thatcher Engraving Page 91 I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

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I Shoot and Fish is a digital magazine from I Shoot and Fish.ie. All rights reserved. I Shoot and Fish its agents, officers and employees accept no responsibility for injuries or damages that may result from information, or interpretation of such, in articles or advertisements herein. Articles and advertisements may not specifically include all relevant and established safe practices, which always should be followed. Consult a particular gunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manual or a qualified gunsmith before shooting any gun or ammunition.

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Editors Notes What a hectic few weeks. Moved house, moved office and now it’s back to the grind stone. Moving everything is stress full. Thankfully we got a fantastic company in Galway called pro-link to help us which did help with the stress levels! Bought a new run for my dogs which is also great I’ll include pictures and details of it next month. So far Mullingar is a lovely wee town. I must admit I was a little dubious at first but now that I have been here for a few weeks and got a feel for the place I like it. My reputation for a glass or two of wine must have surpassed me as the first night we moved in the neighbours came over with a bottle. My kind of neighbours! Got the most important things sorted first. First made contact with Lakelands Shooting ground and second found a lovely wee walk down by the Royal Canal for the dogs. As you can see for the picture it looks lovely at 6am. The dogs also love chasing the ducks and Rosie had come quite close to getting one the other morning. Well it’s May and hopefully with a little warmer weather coming in we might get a good catch of Mayfly on our Loughs. As usual there will be 100s maybe 1000s making their way to Lough Mask and Corrib but I’ll be making my way to Lough Sheelin along with Lawrence Finney and Eoin Coote. Eoin and Lawrence have been busy tying Mayflies for the outing so let’s hope we have a good day. Though let’s be honest any way when I am not stuck in the office and am fishing is a good day. Catch wise or not. May see’s the start of Country Game Fairs. With the first on 25th May at Moira County Down. I was at Moira a couple of years ago and it was fantastic. Unfortunately I missed last years but according to reports it was a great day out with brilliant weather. Let’s hope this year is the same. I won’t have a stand at this year’s show but will pop up for the day and see a few old faces and maybe meet a couple of new ones. Read more about the Moira Game and Country Fair on page 18. Special mention for the great work Donegal Down Syndrome are doing. In an effort to raise funds they have taken some brilliant pictures that can be framed and mounted have a look at their fantastic work on page 22.

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I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Requiem for an angler by anthony baggot I suppose we have all had the experience of setting off for a day’s fishing or shooting feeling a little under the weather and hoping that we will improve in the course of the day. I have had some memorable experiences; including jamming a syringe of antibiotic into my buttock one Halloween night, hoping that it would clear my ropy chest and bring down a raging fever. It actually did the trick and I shot the next day as good as any opening day: the following day I relapsed. Don’t try this at home!! However I recall one particular day with great sadness. It happened many years ago, it wouldn’t happen now, I wouldn’t let it. I met my partner in an angling competition, and shook hands with him as rain and winds battered us on the shores of the lake. Because of the heavy raingear I didn’t take much notice of him, just registering the fact that he was middle-aged at least. Most boatmen, in fact all bar this guy I was with on this occasion, are the salt of the earth, great guys, who will literally burst themselves to make your day a good one. Sadly this wasn’t one of them. I hopped in the boat leaving the seat in the prow for my partner, as I normally do. I had learned to fish over either shoulder and indeed with either arm, an old rugby injury made this a necessity so I could rest my gammy arm. I had learned not to presume that everybody who fished in a competition is a comfortable caster and giving them the prow seat at least gave them a bit of leeway. However, as the boat smashed into rolling white horses as we left shelter, I glanced at my companion, hanging on for dear life, and I knew from experience the battering he was getting. I turned to the boatman and was about to say something, when he turned away studiously avoiding my eyes. For ten minutes we beat against the waves ,and finally reached the sheltered bay the boatman had decided would be our fishing destination for the morning. The competitive side of me took over and I took to fishing hard, ignoring the boatman who offering rather too much advice for my liking. Sometimes you cotton to guys, sometimes you don’t and this was one of the latter occasions. It was some minutes before I looked at my fellow angler and I immediately

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

knew there was something wrong, he sat bowed his rod held silently with white knuckles. The boatman was on his case, throwing a comment about wasting his entry fee if he didn’t start fishing soon, followed by a guffaw. It was now my turn to stop fishing and I caught my partners eyes and mouthed silently: are you all right. He nodded ,but his lips were pinched and that curious pallor was evident and I noticed his casting was ragged and irregular as we fished drift after unproductive drift in a squally uncomfortable breeze. He hooked the boatman’s jacket with an errant cast which led to an uncomfortable and ungracious few minutes as the boatman made a song and dance of freeing himself, muttering and shaking his head. At one o clock I laid down my rod and nodded at the boatman. He looked askance at me, God lads, ye haven’t a fish in the boat and ye are going for a lunch break? Precisely, I said and he bad humouredly pulled the starter cord and headed for a sheltered island. The boatman went off on his own, pointedly sitting on a rock with his back turned to us as a heavy down pour grew even heavier. We sheltered under dripping undergrowth and I got the first real chance to weigh up my partner. The first thing I noted was that the pallor I had seen was actually a form of jaundice, and although he was plentifully attired, his face was thin and sunken .I put two and two together, and when I saw him take a small bottle of thick liquid from his lunch pack, I recognised the opium pain killer and the story was all too easy to read. You are not too well I whispered, and he swigged a capful of the liquid and smiled wanly, “You could say that, I suppose “.He shook the bottle and took another sip. ”I was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. I entered this competition a few weeks ago, I was feeling better then, but I knew pretty well it will be my last time.” He paused, and looked into the middle distance …“it seemed a good idea at the time.” I unscrewed the cap off my flask, poured a cup of tea and offered it to him, he shook his head, taking a high energy drink supplement from his bag and we sat, in the rain and stared in silence out at the grey lake. I was young and not very experienced in the ways of the world and I honestly didn’t know what to say, but when we were finished I put a hand on his shoulder and said “ we will quit ,I have no interest in fishing any more ,I am drenched and fed up” . ”Nice try “, he said,”but no. I would like to catch a fish on my last outing; I will feel better now I have taken the medication. “Any way “he nodded towards the grumpy boatman “; we would have to swim home.” And that is how we fished a dreary afternoon out, in silence, in rain, and with a feeling of intense gloom pervading. At 5 o’clock, neither of us having raised a fish, nor with the rain still beating down, I finally picked up courage and turned to the boatman. “Bring us in “, I said and held his gaze steadily till he looked away. Not a word was spoken as we drove through the waves, and reached the deserted pier. I helped my partner take his gear to his car, and asked him had he far to travel. “A long way, but I'm staying in town tonight and heading home tomorrow. Thanks for being considerate; I’m sorry I spoiled your day.” “You didn’t spoil my day at all, “I said . ,Here's my name and address, its nearly the end for this year ,but give me a ring next Spring ,you will be in better form, and I will bring you out ,and you will get that trout you didn’t get today.”

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

H e grasped my hand tightly and I felt the bones in his thin fingers. .”You know, I might just do that he said, I have a feeling we would get along just fine.” He sat into his car ,taking a sharp breath as he bent. I turned and walked away, thoughts turning round in my young headland for the first time I didn’t regret my early finish and unproductive day, a feeling that wasn’t typical to a hard fishing competitive young fellow. As I was walking back to my car the boatman walked past me carrying his gear. I turned and called him .He stopped and slowly ,somewhat fearfully turned around . I said “there are more important things in life than catching fish, you should know that”. He blinked and resumed his walk. Life goes on and we soon forget things in the hurly burly of life. It was a couple of days before Christmas and I was doing my annual struggle with non functioning fairy lights and in a foul mood when my wife walked in with the post .Going through the cards ,she wrinkled her brow and handed me a note. “Who is that from?” I looked at the hand written note ,which simply said .”My Dad fished with you last August, he said to tell you he enjoyed your company, He died last week, and I thought you might like to know.” I sat , looking at the string of lights I had losing my temper over ,and shook my head .I cast them aside . “Let's go for a walk, it’s a lovely evening and life’s too short for messing with this small stuff. In fact it’s all small stuff…..”

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

FORESTRY COMMISSION SURVEY SAYS WILD BOAR "NEED CULLING"

Wild boar shooting: A survey by the Forestry Commission has concluded that the damage caused by rising boar numbers justifies a cull. The numbers of wild boar in the Forest of Dean are doubling every year, according to the Forestry Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (FC) latest surveys. A recent estimate shows there to be approximately 600 wild boar in the area, and they are causing considerable damage in search of food. The FC is putting up a 4ft barrier around the Beechenhurst Lodge picnic area after it was churned up by the animals. The fence will be 2,000m long and barbed to prevent the boar from burrowing under it. According to the FC, the severe winter and the lack of nuts made the problem of damage from wild boar in the area worse. Shooting Times spoke to Kevin Stannard, deputy surveyor for the FC, who explained that the local community was split in its opinion on whether the wild boar

HTTP://WWW.SHOOTINGUK.CO.UK

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

should be culled: “Half complains of the damage caused, particularly to local grasslands, such as football pitches, parks, commons and front gardens, however, an equal part believes that the wild boar should not be culled and that we should learn to live with them, and accept that as part of living in such a beautiful area.” According to Mr Stannard, local farmers who have the correct firearms certificate are controlling them as part of limiting the damage they do to crops. The FC sets cull targets every August, and FC staff then perform the cull between September and January. While there is no close season on wild boar, the FC doesn’t cull during the rest of the year, as the autumn/winter season is more convenient. Last year’s cull numbered 100, but Mr Stannard believes this year’s target should be higher: “Sows can have two litters every year, and the numbers are already high,” he said. The cull in 2011/12 was 150, but after no consensus could be reached on the 2012/13 cull targets, an arbitrary decision was made. Of the 100 culled, 22 were killed in road accidents, with the rest being shot.

Read more about Wild boar shooting in the UK. HTTP://WWW.SHOOTINGUK.CO.UK

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

SEASONAL TRIGGERS BY ED BETTERIDGE

The Great British weather never ceases to amaze me. As I sit here on the bank tapping away on my keyboard in my ‘green office’ it’s the last week of March and the temperature has barely risen above zero for the session, in fact the entire week! The weather app on my phone states that this bitter north easterly is creating a wind chill factor of around -5°C and I certainly wouldn’t disagree – it feels Baltic! This time last year it was positively tropical in comparison, with temperature around 21-22°C – it was shorts and t-shirt weather! I was fishing on a syndicate lake on the banks of the river Nene, watching the Carp cruise around just under the surface and creating the odd bow wave. I went on to catch my first fish of the year from the venue on that session, which was a really deep bodied, stocky common that weighed in at 34lb. This was also the fish that christened my prototype AirCurves that I was testing at the time, which lends some parity to the session I am on now, exactly one year later, where I have just received the finished production versions of the AirCurves. I don’t think I will be christening these this session though, I’m sure they will have to wait a week or two until the water temperature rises slightly. Although after saying that, is it solely the temperature that brings the Carp (and indeed nature) to life after their semi dormant state in the colder months?

http://fly.hardyfishing.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

There is an argument to say that fish are cold blooded so therefore the temperature dictates their activity and metabolism. But do fish have a built in sense that tells them they are at the beginning of spring regardless of temperature? We have pasted the Vernal Equinox, that signifies the start of spring and is the day on which we have equal hours of day light and darkness. So as the days wear on there lighter minutes in the 24 hours than dark ones, so do the fish know this and start to prepare for the spring rituals? I think they do, much in the same way that Snowdrops and Bluebells push through the snowy / icy ground. I think if this bitter weather were to carry on through April and the water temperature were to stay cold then the fish would have to start feeding at some point in order to build up their body weights to produce the eggs (in the females) and to help them cope with the exertions of spawning. However, not nearly as many fish would get caught, for a couple of reasons. Firstly because I think they would only eat the minimum amount to get them through, but more to the point there would be nowhere near as many anglers on the bank! No matter how many people state that they fish all year round, you can guarantee that if the weather is inclement there will always be a lot less people on the bank. I bet the Easter bank holiday on all waters around the country was a fair bit quieter than it was last year! However, I certainly donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that the lengthening daylight hours are the sole factor. I believe the temperature plays a large part too. I dare say that if weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d had a warmer March from start to finish then the fish would be a lot more active than they seem to be at the minute and a lot more would have seen the inside of a landing

http://fly.hardyfishing.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

net. So for me it’s not solely about temperature or light levels, it’s very much a combination of both, therefore no matter what the weather throws at us, I’m sure waters will start to wake up around the country and a lot of fish will start getting caught. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the above as to whether light levels or temperature play the biggest part in fish captures. And I’d also be interested to hear whether your local lakes have ‘woken up’ yet and whether they are producing spring hits of fish? So please feel free to leave your comments below. Ed Betteridge

http://fly.hardyfishing.com

SALMON TO 15LB ON THE BANDON David Forde was out last night on the Bandon. He went out at 7 pm after work and hooked this fish on his first angling trip of the season when trying out a new rod with a copper tube fly on a sink tip line. The salmon put up a 20 minute fight before submitting to landing. David saw another big fish – all in Bandon. He reports that it was a very pleasant evening as temperatures rose to about 10 C. The river Bandon is starting to fish after the very prolonged cold snap. A 12lb springer was taken last weekend on spinner and another angler lost 2 fish. A 4.5 lb sea trout was taken at Desert Bridge last weekend on spinner and there is some good brown trout fishing on the system at the moment.

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

10% Discount for CAI Members Cleere's Angling Centre in Clane, Co. Kildare is offering CAI members a 10% discount on all clothing and fishing tackle. Cleere's is a family run business with a wealth of experience. They specialise in fly fishing and game shooting equipment and are stockists in Ireland for Lyalvale Express cartridges and Caledonian cartridges. The shop is open Tuesday - Friday 9.30am - 6.00pm and Saturday 9.30 - 5.00pm. For more information, or to view their extensive product range, visit Cleere's website This offer does not apply to items already discounted. Sporting Art Valuation Day Bonham’s Auctioneers and Valuers are holding a valuation day for sporting art in their Dublin office on Wednesday 8th May 2013. Bonham’s sporting art specialist, Henry Baggott, will be available between 10am and 4pm to provide complimentary valuations. The Dublin office is located at 31 Molesworth Street, Dublin. For more information, please phone +353 (0) 16020990

Save Save Save Mortgage Protection-Life Cover– Serious Illness Cover Simply log onto www.lowcostlifecover.ie and get a quote today. Curragrove Financial Services T/A Low Cost Life Cover is regulated by the Central Bank. I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Countdown to Moira Game Fair Now on the countdown to the 18th Annual National Countrysports Fair in Moira Demesne, the event organisers are billing this as their biggest and best game fair to date. The venue at Moira in Co. Down has proved to be the perfect location for the two-day event which this year will be held on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May. Moira is a picturesque County Down village located at exit 9 on the M1 Motorway and close to the City of Lisburn. The parkland of the Demesne, which is right in the centre of the village, is the ideal venue for an event of this size and quality which is reason enough for both Lisburn City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to support the fair which is estimated to bring around £1 million in revenue to the region. Birds of prey will be flown in the show's main ring each day.

Last year the National Countrysports Fair attracted two new festivals to the venue offering visitors not only the opportunity to attend what many regard as the country’s biggest and best game and country fair but also two fun events. the Finn McCool Strongman Festival featuring the Ulster Strongman Challenge and the Back to our Roots Festival which is a celebration of Northern Ireland’s country heritage and rural life. Promoted as the Northern Ireland Countryside Festival it’s simply a great family occasion with something for everyone in one location and for one entry price! Clay Shooters Flock to Fair With car parking close to the clay pigeon layouts it’s hardly surprising that shooters from all disciplines enjoy the convenience of competing at the National Countrysports Fair before or after a walk around the some 300 trade stands and exhibitions that attend this two-day event. It has come to be an annual pilgrimage for shooters and for the Burnside Clay Pigeon Club who are once again running the clay pigeon events at Moira. Each Clays are a big draw at Moira day the 50 target sporting shoot will be running along with a pool trap. Cartridges will be on sale at the event but shooters are reminded that they do require their FAC to purchase these. Sponsored by Foymore Lodge Shooting Ground, the shoots will start at 10:00 with the last cards issued at 16:00 on both days. With have-a-go in mind, BASC Shooting Instructors will man the BASC Coaching Clinic at the event. Once again this year BASC is hoping to introduce new people to clay shooting, a sport that is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland. The instructors hope to break the record set last year for the highest number of novice

http://www.gamefairireland.com/

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

lessons ever carried out at a fair in Northern Ireland. A shotgun shooting lesson will cost £15 however any person aged under 21 years who joins BASC at the fair will receive a voucher for a free coaching lesson. Vouchers must be used during the two day event and this offer is only available to persons aged at least 18 years who have not yet reached 21 years. Lessons will usually last for around 40 minutes; shotguns and cartridges will be provided, as will eye and ear protection. Coaches will cover eye dominance, stance, safety, gun fit and techniques for breaking the target. London Auctioneers Give Free Valuations at Country Sports Fair One of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art, antiques and sporting guns, Bonhams of London, will be at this year’s National Countrysports Fair. The Bonhams name is recognised worldwide throughout all sectors of the fine art, antiques and collectors market, with several of its departments established world leaders within their specialist category. Patrick Hawes, Head of Department, Modern Sporting Guns at Bonhams will be the guest in the Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI) marquee at the National Countrysports Fair. He will be in attendance both days and available to provide valuations on sporting guns free of charge. Patrick is currently the head of the Modern Sporting Gun Department at Bonhams. He joined the company in 2006 after a number of years running the sporting gun department at another leading international auction house. Since then he has been responsible for the successful sale of a number of well-known collections including; Emil Rosner, Geoffrey Boothroyd and Russel B. Aitken. There is no need to book a viewing with Bonhams at the National Countrysports Fair. It’s just a case of going along to the Countryside Alliance Ireland marquee to make an appointment time to have guns valued. Perhaps grandfather’s old, handme-down shotgun really is a treasure awaiting discovery at the show! Gundog Events Confirmed for Moira Fair Two days of top gundog events are awaiting competitors to this year’s game fair at Moira, organised by the Craigavon Gundog Club, the Ulster Gundog League and BASC. This is on top of the gundog handling demonstrations, pick-up and scurry and the Young Handlers Challenge. The retriever events at Moira kick off on Saturday 25th May at 11:00 with the Open retriever working test. Hosted by Craigavon Gundog Club and judged by “A” Panel Judges the top handler will receive £100 with £75 for second and £50 for third place. The Ulster Gundog League will run the Novice and Open Spaniel working tests on the spaniel course also on Saturday 25th May with prizes from first to fourth place in each test. The Novice event starts at 10:00 and the Open at 14:00. The Retriever Un-classified and Novice retriever working tests are scheduled for Sunday 26th May at 10:00 and 14:00 respectively.

http://www.gamefairireland.com/

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Prizes here will be from first to fifth place. The Young Handler Challenge will run from 13:00 until 14:00 on the retriever course at the fair site. Each young handler will receive a commemorative rosette for entering. All the spaniel and retriever events can be entered on the day of competition. As BASC were unable to run their annual Inter Club Gundog Working Test due to adverse weather conditions affecting parts of the country at the end of March, this event will now be held at the National Countrysports Fair on Sunday 26th May. One of the best supported gundog events in the spring calendar, this BASC gundog event brings together teams of handlers from clubs and associations throughout the province. With suburb prizes on offer for teams and individual handlers, it is right up there with the best events in Ireland.

The three-man team and the individual handler events will start at Retrievers will be on both days 10:00 on Sunday 26th May at Moira Demesne. In addition to the of the game fair team and individual classes this year will see the BASC North versus South Gundog Challenge between Northern Ireland’s top gundog team and a team representing the Republic of Ireland. This will commence at 14:00 and run through until 17:00. Teams and Individuals can enter on the day or entries can be registered in advance by calling 028 9260 5050 or e-mailing nire@basc.org.uk. Teams must consist of three dogs and three handlers. Visitor Experience at the Game Fair With some 300 exhibitors and demonstrators expect at this year’s event there will be lots of opportunities for the sportsman to pick up things he or she needs for the coming season. Trade stands from Northern Ireland, the Republic and GB have already booked including gun dealers, dog training equipment and kennels, dog transport systems, country clothing, pigeon shooting and ferreting equipment, game rearing equipment, angling and archery requisites, walking sticks, off road vehicles and quads. For female visitors the antiques fair and the food festival will be a big attraction as will the crafts fair and the live music and dance in the family area. The Strongman Festival is running on both days of the show and will feature Irish Giant, Glenn Ross and his team of international competitors vying for the Finn McCool Trophy on Saturday and the Ulster Strongman Title on Sunday. With car lifts, caber tossing, bail throwing, barrel lifts and other feats of strength this is family entertainment not to be missed. The strongman will be an additional feature at the fair If it’s a walk into Ireland’s past you are looking for

then the Back to Our Roots Festival at Moira is also

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I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

running both days at the fair. Ferguson tractors, aircraft built in Ireland, Irish farming equipment, the ejector seat (invented by a Co. Down man James Martin), rural crafts, Irish country cooking and interactive activities for children will all feature here as will traditional music and dance and even Irish story telling sessions. Terriers & Lurchers at Moira Traditionally one of the biggest crowd drawers at this events are the lurcher, whippet and terrier competitions which attract some 700 entries each year making this event one of if not the biggest ground and running dog events in Ireland. All the usual terrier, lurcher and whippet competitions will be staged this year at the National Countrysports Fairs along with a few new events to keep competitors and visitors alike entertained. Complementing the terriers and lurchers is the Scruffs Dog Competition which literally is an “anything goes” event and definitely not to be taken too seriously. It is a big hit with younger people as well as those not so young! Free to enter for children, each child will receive a souvenir rosette just for taking part. The hounds from several Irish packs will be based on the Countryside Alliance Ireland stand from where the will parade twice each day in the show’s main arena. The CAI stand will also host deer exhibitions, valuations and a membership area. Fair on the Web With most of us having internet access these days a visit to the fair’s website at www.gamefairireland.com will reveal more information about the National Countrysports Fair at Moira and the National Country Fair at Borris House, with which it is twinned. Travel and accommodations details are listed there along with discounted tickets which are available in advance online. Organisers are offering 25% discount for online ticket sales. With Facebook and Twitter sites up and running and e-newsletters Politicians from N.I. and the Irish Republic are regular visitors to the two Irish Country Fairs.

being sent out the National Countrysports Fair is at the cutting edge of modern technology as well as being a great day out!

Large crowds expected again for this years Moira National Country Sports Fair

http://www.gamefairireland.com/

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

I SHOOT AND FISH MAGAZINE PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE WORK OF DONEGAL DOWN SYNDROME

To help mark and promote world down syndrome day (21st March) The Donegal Down Syndrome branch had the opportunity to visit Buncranaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Swan Park and along with the help of the Buncrana camera club they were able to take some amazing pictures. The photographs were all taken by the children from the DDS, its all their own work and I think they did an amazing job. The photos are now on sale and prices are as follows : 12 x 8 15 euro Print only 25 euro mounted, 18 x 12 25 euro print only , 45 euro mounted. we use paypal and there is an added 5 euro to prices if posting is required. To view all the photographs or to order some prints please visit our facebook account Donegal Down Syndrome Shop or email me Jacci at jmurpy@msn.com Proceeds from the sale of the photographs go to the Donegal Down Syndrome Branch. We hope to have another day out over the summer with the Buncrana camera club and take some more fantastic photos to share with you. Our budding photographers are Michelle Murphy, Stephen Callaghan, Peter Doherty, Sarah Brophy, Leanne Kelly, Ciaran McDonald.

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

DOWN THE LINE BY MATT EATON There are a great many Carp anglers, myself included, that believe nothing puts Carp on edge more than lines in a swim. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seeing something alien in their environment or, completely the opposite, feeling something that they cannot see and is unexpected, that unnerves fish is open to debate. Either way minimising this effect, by making our lines as unobtrusive as possible, should help us to catch more Carp. At the very least, by doing my utmost to conceal my mainline it increases my confidence, which in turn makes me fish better. No matter where I am fishing, one of my major concerns will be my line lay and trying to keep them down. Depending on the direction Carp are moving from, a badly set line on one rod could be completely cutting off the other, when fishing a bay for instance. In order to fish confidently I need to know that I have done all I can to minimise the effect of my lineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence in the swim. There are several different techniques and tools that are available to aid with this. Not all of these are suitable for every situation though. There are occasions, such as fishing open water with a flat topography where we have a choice and may be able to employ more than one tactic. Conversely it is not uncommon to be in a specific situation that restricts our ability to conceal the lines. I think most of us pay attention to the concealment of our end tackle but fewer anglers put as much thought into doing the same with their mainline. So what items and tactics are we able to employ and when can they be used to best effect?

Back Leads

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I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

These are one of the best ways to ensure that your line is on the deck. They are best used in areas that are free of weed. If possible I try to slide them out so that they settle at the bottom of the shelf where they are most effective at keeping the line out of the way. They are particularly useful in scenarios where a slack line may be detrimental to your bite indication. A prime example of this would be fishing at range where a reasonably tight line is required. I tend to use a small, light back lead, that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bounce excessively whilst playing a fish. Flying Back Leads These come into play when trying to sink the line over an area that is not flat. An example of this would be when casting to a spot on top of a bar. Without one your line could be suspended high up in the water and very obvious to any Carp in the area. Utilising a flying back lead, which settles mid way between you and the rig gets the line down and out of the way.

Fluorocarbon Mainline

These are fantastic for making your line get down to the bottom of the lake and also have very low visibility. Being non absorbent they last much longer than monofilament which goes some way to offset their higher price. Fluorocarbon is significantly heavier than mono and braid ensuring that it sinks to the lake bed. There are a few downsides to their use though. Firstly owing to the nature of their makeup fluorocarbon lines are comparatively stiff making them more difficult to cast and therefore ruling them out for long range work. In addition their low visibility only comes into play if kept clean. Algae and suspended solids tend to collect on them making them very visible indeed.

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I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Whilst they will sink well in situations where a back lead is inadvisable, such as in heavy weed, they can make landing fish more difficult. So good are their sinking qualities that there is a tendency for them to sink into the weed leading to difficulties in playing fish. Personally I can’t get on with fluorocarbon as a mainline but I do like some of its properties which leads nicely onto the next section… Fluorocarbon Leaders I prefer the smooth casting that a monofilament provides but utilise fluorocarbon as a leader to keep the last fifteen to twenty feet, leading up to the rig, out of the way of the carp. The best knot that I have found, for joining the leader to the mainline is known as the Mahin Knot. This knot has a tapered shape and, once tied leaves both tag ends exiting in the same direction (facing the reel). Although not the easiest to tie both of these features help with smooth casting so it is well worth learning how to tie it. As with any leader it will need to checked regularly for strength and damage paying particular attention to knots to preserve the integrity of your set up.

Slack Lines

My favourite way of ensuring things are unobtrusive is to fish with slack lines. They are effective over all sorts of bottom topography and require me to use no extra bits of tackle. When I say slack lines I don’t just mean peeling two or three feet off the spool. I’m talking about having it hanging vertically off the rod tips. In my opinion there is little point in tightening up and then paying off line as it will remain taught across high points in the weed. Having made the cast, I prefer to let the line sink

http://the-session.info

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

under its own weight settling down to follow the contours as much as possible. Of course this may not always be possible such as in windy conditions but even then I endeavour to keep the tension minimal. Sometimes I will even wait until evening, when the wind generally calms down before recasting just to give me a better chance of my main line being less obtrusive. Although I fish with slack lines for the vast majority of my carp fishing I do, from time to time, find myself in situations where they should not be used. Snag fishing is a prime example as are scenarios where a fish is likely to run towards you i.e. far bank or island margins. Snag fishing in particular is an area where slack lines are inadvisable. Whilst I find that they give very good bite indication the downside is that the fish just have too much room for manoeuvre, allowing them to reach the sanctuary of the underwater obstruction. As well as leading to losses this will also jeopardise the wellbeing of the fish. For the aforementioned situations and when fishing at long range, where tight lines are required I still try to minimise their presence. Having the rods pointing down with the tips as far as possible under the water reduces the angle at which the line sits. This keeps more of it on the deck or at least lower down in the Tight Lines water column. This becomes more apparent in deeper water. Tight lines may, on occasion be better than semi tight. The tighter line is the more it will cut into and push down the weed and I know a number of anglers that do well fishing with bow strings all the time. In conclusion line in your swim is unavoidable and will have some influence on the Carp that come across it. Tight, slack or somewhere in between you will most certainly get more chances if you think about what effect it may have and do all you can to make it as unobtrusive as you can. Matt Eaton

http://the-session.info

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

I Shoot and Fish Magazine March 2013

Hunting Ibex in Spain By Bob Zaiglin

I crossed the Atlantic for the second time in 2013 to pursue one of the four unique species of ibex in Spain. I had always wanted to hunt ibex, but it was not until I met Vicente Gil, owner of Caza Hispanica, at the 2012 SCI convention that it became reality. The flight over the Atlantic on March 8 was uneventful until we landed in Paris when thanks to an inept ticket agent we missed a flight and endured a 12-hour layover before they allowed my permitted rifle to be imported into Spain. At midnight my wife Jan and I landed in Valencia, but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let that slow us down as we spent the entire next day touring the sparkling city on the Mediterranean.

On Monday morning Alberto Costas, our interpreter, picked us up at our hotel for the hour-and-one-half scenic drive north to the rocky, pine-tree-laden Beceite mountains and our new residence in the four hundred-year-old Los Leones Hotel located in the quaint little town of Rubielos de Mora. Shortly after getting settled in, we caught up with our guide Oscar Greg Ghet and shortly afterwards, we were on a rocky mountain road overlooking a deep canyon where we caught up with Vicente who spotted a huge-horned ibex on the opposing side of the canyon.

http://www.huntingnet.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

I was visually salivating over what I had travelled so far to see, but one of its horns was broken off. A smaller ram was bedded below in the shade of tall pines and holly oak which I came to find out is a preferred food source of the Beceite ibex. We saw several other goats before dark, but nothing that satisfied my guideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s criteria to shoot. As a snowstorm developed, we made our way back to our hotel where we enjoyed fine wine and an exquisite dinner before turning in. A light trace of snow and winds in excess of 50 mph failed to discourage us the second morning. We stalked a herd of seven rams with several shooters in it, but the strong, erratic winds relinquished our presence and they descended the rocky, upper canyon, disappearing into the heavily vegetated canyon floor. The afternoon was slow, but we enjoyed a visit to a village named Estrella located in a deep valley surrounded by steep, mountainsides littered with the ubiquitous rock walls built hundreds of years ago. Privileged to meet the villageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only occupants, an elderly husband and wife, we were allowed to enter a 300year-old Catholic Church used only twice a year. It was truly one of the highlights of our trip! Wednesday I hunted with Vicente, and we spotted a good ram early on in the morning hunt, but lost it as a result of a snowstorm that dramatically reduced our visibility. Stalking from above, we walked unknowingly to within 50 yards of a bedded herd of 15 rams, remaining only long enough for us to see several fine rams disappear over the canyon wall.

http://www.huntingnet.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

The entire afternoon was spent attempting to glass the canyon where we first spotted the large ram, but excessive wind combined with snow prevented us from relocating the animal. By dark we drove slowly back to Rubielos de Mora in four-wheeldrive as the mountain roads turned dangerously icy. Upon our late arrival, we enjoyed a welcoming fire along with exquisite wine and another exceptional dinner. My fourth and last day was challenging. With temperatures below freezing and a 60+-mph wind that cut like a knife, optimism or at least the realization that I may leave Spain without an ibex began to surface. With ice-packed roads leading to the area we had been hunting, we hunted another area, but only until the roads became passable. By noon without seeing a ram, we ventured back to where we hunted the last couple of days. We were met by Sevino and Oscar who informed us of a fine ram they had located. Shortly afterwards, we located the ram, now bedded down with four other rams, and made a stalk on the group. At 253 yards across the canyon, I took a little too long to get a comfortable rest, and by the time I did, they got up and walked off into a maze of holly oak trees. Disappointed, we made the long trek back to our vehicle, but continued to hunt. For the first time in three days, it was sunny, but still windy, and I couldn’t help but think that my opportunity to take that ibex may be my last. A little over an hour later, we were slowly negotiating our way along the sunny side of a steep mountainside as ibex fed on the same slope. Careful not to disturb the animals in case a mature ram was amongst them took considerable time as we intensively scrutinized every bush just in case a mature ram was amongst the herd. Oscar, in the meantime, remained above us and spotted a huge ram bedded down, but we could not see it from our position. So as the young rams and ewes dropped down into the canyon, we worked our way up to Oscar, and it wasn’t long before I was granted another opportunity. With my rifle firmly laid over Oscar’s backpack, I realized another exceptional outdoor memory— a gold medal Beceite ibex.

http://www.huntingnet.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

STATE AGENCIES IN TALKS TO RESOLVE DISPUTE OVER GALWAY BAY FISH FARM Galway debate hears call to locate proposed €60m project onshore

Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Inland Fisheries Ireland have differed over scientific interpretations of the possible impact on wild salmon stocks of a proposed €60 million fish farm for Galway Bay. Photograph: Getty

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) says it is in negotiations with Inland Fisheries Ireland over differences relating to the proposed €60 million fish farm for Galway Bay. The two State agencies have been at odds over the project for a 15,000-tonne organic salmon farm, which BIM is seeking licensing approval for from Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney. Both agencies have differed over scientific interpretations of the possible impact on wild salmon stocks and they were due to debate the issue at the Galway Food Festival over the weekend. However, the food fair organisers were informed at a late stage that neither agency was sending a representative. BIM told The Irish Times it did not feel it would be appropriate to debate in a public forum when negotiations were in train, while IFI was not available for comment. Food fair debate At the food fair debate, Séamus Sheridan of Sheridan’s Cheesemongers and the Green Party called for BIM to reconsider an onshore alternative for the project which would carry fewer disease risks. He cited as examples two onshore organic fish farms planned for Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre and Canada. Mr Sheridan also expressed concern about the sustain ability of sourcing adequate feed for the proposed farm. A conventional fish farm requires 3kg of wild fish for meal to feed a kilogramme of farmed salmon, he said, and much of this was sourced from South America, he added. An Aran islander, Bertie Faherty, who is a fish buyer in Rossaveal, Co Galway, said that he was personally in favour of the project as it would create much-needed employment. http://www.irishtimes.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

AN ARCTIC EASTER AT LOUGH SHEELIN BUT TROUT TO 4.5LB TAKEN ON WETS

The Arctic weather continued on during this week stretching disappointingly right into the Easter weekend as anglers watched on apprehensively trying to find a gap to take to the water. Why is it so persistently and unseasonably cold? Well the villain of the piece is a big blob of high pressure air sitting perched above northern Scandinavia which has refused to budge since early March and which is blocking off the normal westerlies and the mild Atlantic air that we usually get at this time of the year and instead is channelling bitterly cold easterlies in our direction. Because of the extent of the high pressure the source of air is from the very far east in Siberia and until the blockage moves we are stuck in this weather trap and remain shivering. It was the North East wind that put a nail in it for even the ‘die hards’ on Lough Sheelin and the waiting game continued all through the week. The lake, however seemed unperturbed and stretched out in front of its anglers covered in white horses and churned up water oblivious to the frustration building up on its shoreline in the form of fishermen donned in their gear accompanied by an array of flies, rods and the essential flask, only to have to turn away once more. The Easter weekend is traditionally busy on the lake but this year only a smattering of anglers went out and without sounding like a broken record the only reason for this was the bitter cold.

Paul Lunny’s trout March 31st 2013

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Some anglers despite everything and through sheer perseverance did catch fish and one in particular Paul Lunny from Ballyconnell in Cavan had a real battle on his hands on Easter Sunday when he caught a trout in Chambers Bay. This trout did not come easy as the fish rose to the top dropper and was hooked in the dorsal fin by the middle dropper. This left it very hard to control and in the ensuing battle, Paul got his net tangled in the engine while trying to reverse towards the fish. The engine stalled, the net was destroyed, and poor Paul had to beach the boat on Chamber’s shoreline in order to land the fish. The trout measured 19.5 inches and weighed around the 4 ½ lb mark and after all that showing true conservationist spirit, Paul carefully released his hard to catch prize back to fight another day. Paul also lost a fish in Ross Bay on the same day but has caught a number of trout since the beginning of the season, this is a young angler who shows true promise for the future. Easter Sunday March 31st – an angler battles his way across Dry fly fishing as yet doesn’t feature on the towards the shelter of Church Island lake so for now it’s all ‘dragging the wet flies’.

Flies used this week were a selection of Dabblers, the March Brown, the Silver Invicta, the Glister Ollie, the Hare’s Ear and the Cock Robin and still as in previous weeks the lures used were predominantly the black or fan coloured Minkies. Anglers advisably kept to the shorelines and sheltered bays and

Peter Boyle’s beautiful wild 4 lb Sheelin trout caught using a Cock Robin March 2013

could be found in various alcoves and behind islands, the choice of location solely dependent on wind direction and of course on some days shelter from the showers of sleet and hail…

A warm up was essential before going out on Sheelin for this month. Tadhg (7) and Oisin Sheridan (9) at Finea bridge March 24th after taking 1st and 2nd place in GAA 5km fun run around the Sheelin Catchement to raise much needed funds for the local clubs – and then it was fishing.

http://fishinginireland.info

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

REDNECK ROAD TRIP: FUNKY ROLLING DEATH MACHINE! Kicking off Team Wild's Redneck Road trip, Ian and the team bring you into their home for the epic five week trip across the Southern States! Taking in eight states and a multitude of critters, creatures and adventures, Ian will be hunting with some of the wildest characters in the Deep South. Stay tuned cos it's going to be one wild ride!

http://youtu.be/JQFVmilvGfo

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

OSCEOLA TURKEY HUNTING IN FLORIDA

Team Wild's Redneck Roadtrip: Day 2. After travelling thousands of miles through air, land and, well more land, we're finally out hunting! We're at the world famous Ross Hammock Ranch near Inglis in Florida and we're after the most highly sought after prize in turkey hunting - the Osceola Turkey. Only found in parts of Florida, the Osceola Turkey is for many the last piece of their North American Grand Slam. However, for us it's the first of a long spring season of hunting...

http://youtu.be/8HXPQ_3WS7A

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

FLORIDA OSCEOLA TURKEY HUNTING - MONSTER LONG BEARDS! Team Wild's Redneck Roadtrip: Day 3. Patience is a virtue so the saying goes and this no doubt the case when hunting Osceola Turkey in Florida. After a first successful days turkey hunting, Ian's spirits are high and he's confident of success, but will his dreadful, raspy turkey calls bring in that elusive gobbler or will it be another wasted journey?

http://youtu.be/D5yfR-8SZOA

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

HUNTING OSCEOLA TURKEY - MONSTER GOBBLER!

Team Wild's Redneck Road Trip: Day 4. It's been hard hunting here at the world famous Ross Hammock Ranch near Inglis, Florida. We've already put in plenty of time on these birds, but as yet they've proved pretty elusive. It's our final day of turkey hunting and we're pulling out all the stops to bag our prized Florida Osceola Turkey - and we're not leaving empty handed!

http://youtu.be/zhBLqj0MlBU

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

I Shoot and Fish Magazine March 2013

JERRY SIEM DISCUSSES THE SAGE CIRCA FLY ROD BY ROBERT MORSELLI

Jerry Siem in the jungle.

Every year, one or two fly fishing implements capture the lion’s share of the media spotlight—items that create sustained consumer and industry buzz. Abel’s nippers were a stellar example of this in 2011. 2012 saw a handful of fly fishing products take center stage, but none generated the anticipatory buzz that the CIRCA fly rod did. Drop in on any on-line chat/thread and you can enjoy what seems to be unlimited chatter on this one rather unique product—which has already garnered some awards. For those new to the product, the CIRCA is a Sage rod that is currently available in a 2- through 5-weight. Jerry Siem was tasked with developing the fly rod from its inception to final packaging. I recently asked Jerry a few questions about the rod and its origins. RM: Why did you decide to release the CIRCA product last year? JS: It was time, from a technology perspective. For several years, anglers have been asking when are we going to introduce a softer or slower-action rod. Our thought was, if we http://midcurrent.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

are going to do it, let’s make it dramatic. With the introduction of Konnetic technology the time was right to develop the CIRCA. It allowed us to deliver a rod with a softer more relaxed feel and casting action. Although it has a deflection similar to that of a glass rod, it also has a very crisp recovery. Konnetic technology also allowed us to build the rod with many of the benefits of the ONE rod (smaller diameter, lightweight blank with tremendous line feel and high accuracy). It’s our go-to rod for matching the hatch. RM: Briefly explain Konnetic technology. Also, there’s been a touch of confusion on the following point: is Konnetic technology the same as, or a subset of, Generation 5 technology? JS: We learn from every generation of rod building technology that we develop. With each generation, we learn more about materials, construction methods and manufacturing processes. Even when we aren’t building new rods, we are constantly exploring, researching and testing. In the world of fly rods, technology is often equated to just the material makeup of a blank. Our technologies are a combination of materials, methods and processes. Generation 5 (G5) still uses exclusive materials and unique construction methods and was a breakthrough upon its debut. I would submit that it is still more advanced than many other technologies currently being used in industry. Konnetic technology (KT) is a whole new recipe or cohesive system that is unique and separate from G5. In other words, you couldn’t take the same materials, ratios, alignment processes and use the new construction methods of KT and have it work the same. The components of the two technologies are not interchangeable. It’s a new breed of technology, and a giant leap forward on several fronts. It’s a whole new composite made from a very specific and optimal ratio of exclusive high modulus carbon fiber and our proprietary resin system. We are using more carbon fiber in a smaller package. This combined with an Advanced Modulus Positioning System allowed us to specifically place and align carbon fibers even more precisely and accurately for a more fluid energy transfer throughout the blank. The last piece of the Konnetic equation (which is not an element of G5), are some proprietary construction methods that result in a noticeably smaller diameter blank that has a greater density. This is one of the keys to minimizing the torsional movement of the blank. In short, KT works as a whole new system and an entirely different system than G5. RM: Technology sometimes comes at a price. Were there any sacrifices or concessions that you had to make on the CIRCA because of the technologies used to design and produce it? JS: Not at all. The foundation is the same as the ONE rod, but the design, taper and modulus positioning is a unique recipe for the CIRCA. We didn’t cut any corners in developing this rod, and its unique action, feel and performance is proof of this.

http://midcurrent.com

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RM: You had a very specific fly rod in mind when you decided to create the CIRCA. What were the most challenging aspects of taking that idea and making it a reality? Design challenges? Materials sourcing/selection? Prototyping? Manufacturing? JS: There were no difficulties in designing or producing the little collection of CIRCA fly rods whatsoever. In the early 70s, when I began guiding on the Henry’s Fork for Outfitter Will Godfrey, the first fine fly rods I was exposed to were the wonderful fiberglass rods of that era. Fiberglass as a material was being pushed into some wonderful lightweight and fluid designs and I am very grateful the population of anglers I was fishing with were outfitted with the various Winston’s and Russ Peak rods as well as Jimmy Green’s Fenwicks and Harry Wilson’s first Scott rods. The only reason I refused Harry’s offer to join him was I was a country kid from Southern Minnesota, and San Francisco terrified me! There were a lot more great glass and cane rods being used that I handled gingerly for a minute or two. You have to understand that this was taking place a year or two after Swisher/Richards Selective Trout hit the bookshelves. Will was buying flies and stocking his bins with flies tied by René Harrop and Mike Lawson themselves. This was an era unto itself in fly fishing history in the West. Fast forward to today: while my casting style may outwardly appear to function with a more efficient movement consistent with the powerful fly rods we currently develop, fishing and casting softer fly rods, using a single fly, no bead heads, no indicators, etc., encoded a reverence and appreciation as well as an understanding as to what this was all supposed to feel like.

It is wonderful to see the tradition of fiberglass being carried forward. Personally, I find graphite a material that is astonishing to craft a fly rod with and excels in strength-to-weight ratio and versatility.

http://midcurrent.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

The design of the CIRCA collection could have taken on several forms in terms of taper design, but I chose to exaggerate the diameter to create a level of product differentiation not only in comparing a fiberglass side by side, but also compared to many graphite rods, and which would highlight Sage’s Konnetic Technology versatility. Without KT, I am certain I could craft a nice slow fly rod, but I would not be able to draw down the profile such that we did with the CIRCA. A fly rod taper utilizes diameter and wall thickness as well as modulus of material, belying what the appearance of the OD of the rod might suggest. The CIRCA collection was a labor of love at every step along its path of development. RM: Why the snub-nose, half-wells handle? JS: The choice of rod handle allows for ease of handling and reduces hand fatigue. Arguably, those fly anglers using an extended index finger grip on their rod might prefer a cigar style, or at least until they try this grip design. Overall feedback has been overwhelmingly in favor of the snub-nosed half-wells. It really does allow you to hold the rod with a more relaxed hand and forearm. RM: Who is buying the CIRCA? JS: It’s not so much about a demographic profile as it is angler preference, style and fishing situation. Fly fishing and the tools we use have become faster over the years. There are many of us out there who want a specific tool for the specific fishing situation. The CIRCA rod is meant to take you back to the essence of dry fly fishing for trout. Slowing down, reading the water, matching the hatch and taking in the whole experience. That said, the angler who buys this rod is likely a fan of traditional casting actions like that of bamboo or glass. However, because the CIRCA rod is fast to recover and is highly accurate, we still call it a high performance rod. It’s becoming a fast favorite for those fast and moderate anglers who have been missing this type of action—but didn’t know it until they cast this rod. Robert Morselli is the research director for the internationally syndicated television show "How It's Made." A compilation of Robert’s fly fishing articles can be found at http:// http://midcurrent.com flyfishinginsider.blogspot.ca/. He can be reached at: 3weight@gmail.com.

Thanks to Paul Gilliam for posting this fantastic fly he tied on our face book page. Want to see your pictures in I Shoot and Fish Magazine? Then get posting our face book page. https://www.facebook.com/ishootand.fishezine

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http://www.nosalmonfarmsatsea.com/how-you-can-help/petition/ I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

OFF THE FENCE Opposition to the proposed Galway Bay salmon farm mounted this week as the country’s two main opposition parties took a stance against the €60 million project.

Conor Harrington

Opposition to the proposed Galway Bay salmon farm is mounting this week, as the country’s two main opposition parties have taken a stance against the €60 million project. In a policy document agreed upon this weekend, Sinn Féin states that the 15,000 tonne per annum fish farm “should not be allowed to proceed” due to staunch opposition from local communities and stakeholders. The document was adopted by the party’s Ard Comhairle on Saturday following the referral of a motion from the party’s Ard Fheis last month. The motion was proposed by the Athenry Murt Qualter Cumann. The party had been previously criticised by Mayor of County Galway, Cllr Tom Welby, for “sitting on the fence” in relation to the salmon farm.

Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh Photo: Brian Harding

While recognising “the necessity to develop the maritime industries around Irish coasts” and “the need to create employment in sustainable aquaculture”, Sinn Féin says it “recognises the valid concerns of the communities around the Aran islands and Galway bay” in relation to the proposed fish farm. “Sinn Féin believes that the minister should put a halt to the project at this stage, as to continue would almost certainly lead to prolonged legal challenges, which could involve two or more State agencies and industry stakeholders which could cost the taxpayer a lot of money,” the document states. Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh said that Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which is applying for a licence from the Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food for the project, now needed to “go back to the drawing board”. “Precaution should be the key word in the Minister’s mind when he’s assessing this. He should err on the side of caution if there’s a potential danger to the environment and of job losses in other industries,” said Senator Ó Clochartaigh. The Connemara Senator said his position on the salmon farm was “copper-fastened” following a public debate on the issue held last Thursday in the Westwood Hotel, which BIM did not attend. BIM pulled out of the meeting at the eleventh hour, stating that “recent irresponsible statements from some angling groups” had rendered it impossible for the body to engage in public debate on the issue. “Some organisations continue to publicly declare their outright opposition to, not only the Galway Bay project but all sea based salmon farms, which currently support some 1,200 Irish jobs. In that regard, it is difficult to see what value another debate can bring to the process,” said BIM. In a further blow to the project’s hopes, the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis carried a motion at the weekend opposing the proposed organic fish farm, which would be located off Inis Oírr. The motion, proposed by Ardnaree Cumann, Mayo, states “that this Ard Fheis rejects Minister Coveney’s Ten Fish Farm Plans as it will decimate stocks of wild salmon and sea trout and will have a detrimental impact on angling tourism”. http://galwayindependent.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

LIONS & BANNING HUNTING ONE STEP AT A TIME BY STEVE SCOTT

The fate of the African lion will be decided in Washington, D.C. Responding to a petition by numerous anti-hunting groups, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is considering extending endangered species designation to the African lion. Listing the lion as endangered will not ban its hunting in Africa, but it will prohibit Americans from importing lion trophies into the United States, which will virtually have the same effect. Though most U.S. sportsmen and women will never set foot in Africa, much less hunt lion, the outcome of this issue will have serious implications for the hunting community, both in Africa and here in the United States. When one realizes groups like the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, Fund for Animals, and others conspire to effectively ban hunting in foreign countries via U.S. regulatory fiat, it is not hard to see that the antis are attacking us from other angles as well. Don't believe it? Then could: (1) closing access to/hunting on large tracts of federal land; (2) using the courts to ban the hunting of wolves, bears, mountain lions, and doves, as well as hunting with dogs or on Sundays; or (3) banning lead in ammunition or serializing every bullet, affect your hunting and/or pocketbook? This move to list the lion under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is simply a high-profile example of the factual gerrymandering liberals are now using to chip away at the rights and heritage we sportsmen hold dear, and the ESA is one way they are doing it.

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Are Lions Endangered? There is no doubt African lion numbers are significantly lower than historic levels, even lower than they were a mere thirty years ago. Though numbers vary depending on the source, the estimated population of African lions has fallen from 75,000 in 1980 to between 30,000-39,000 today, with lions occupying about 20 percent of their original range. The primary factor in the decline has been loss of habitat due to human encroachment and the inevitable human-wildlife conflict, although bushmeat snaring, inflated hunting quotas, and improper trophy harvest by tourist hunters have contributed as well to the drop in lion numbers. As hunters, we must devise better methods and controls for sustainable lion harvest which we will address shortly. But in reality, those who are predicting the imminent demise of the lion are either uninformed or lying. Based upon the best available scientific and commercial data, the African lion is not in danger of extinction. Numerous surveys and studies have been done, and the fact is too many lion populations are secure in too large a part of lion range to consider them on the verge of extinction, as the anti-hunters would lead us to believe. Though the lion may be threatened with endangerment in the foreseeable future in a significant part of its Western and Central African range, it is definitely not threatened in its Southern and Eastern African range where the vast majority of lions are hunted. But then again anti-hunters have never let facts get in the way of an emotional fundraising plea.

"Bootstrapping" the Facts In a blog entitled, "Should Trophy Hunting of Lions be Banned?" on Smithsonian.com, Alastair Bland wrote: "In Kenya, the situation is dire: In 2009, wildlife officials guessed they were losing about 100 lions per year in a national population of just 2,000 and that they might be extinct within 20 years. The causes are multiple but related; loss of habitat and decline of prey species are huge factors which, in turn, mean increased lion conflicts with livestock herdersĂŠ and, often, dead lions; and as numbers drop, the gene pool is dwindling, causing inbreeding and weakened immune systems. Disease outbreaks have also had devastating impacts." He concludes with, "... societal benefits of hunting in most of Africa are so minimal that the activity, in effect, creates little or no impetus to preserve land for the activity, maintain populations of target animals or stop poaching." Strong words by Mr. Bland; authoritative and impassioned...the kind of statement that might motivate someone to donate $20 to a "save the lions" fund or send a strongly-worded e-mail to the USFWS. But there is one salient fact the author neglected to convey about hunting and the demise of the lion: Hunting has been banned in Kenya since 1977. Except for that one tiny fib, Kenya might be a great example of the plight of African wildlife. In Kenya, wildlife has virtually no monetary value; certainly not in the remote areas where most hunting would occur. To the average rural Kenyan, wildlife is

HTTP://WWW.AFRICAHUNTING.COM

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

competition, competing for resources, sustenance, and survival. Of course poaching is rampant in Kenya. Killing wildlife fills cooking pots and saves crops and cattle of the indigenous. Kenya's wildlife policies are fatally flawed, and to claim Kenya's result occurs in the hunting countries of Africa flies in the face of the facts. The Value of a Lion Tourist hunting creates an economic value in wildlife that results in a myriad of benefits for both animals and man, and no species exemplifies this better than the lion. Lion hunting is expensive. In areas that are generally not frequented by "ecotourists," daily rates for a minimum 21-day safari can exceed $2,500 per day. This is in addition to daily concession fees paid to both local wildlife departments and indigenous communities just to hunt a lion, regardless of the ultimate outcome. And if a hunter is successful, an additional trophy fee is assessed, pushing the cost of some lion hunts in excess of $100,000. From an economic perspective, the high costs associated with the hunt makes the lion far more important to wildlife department operating budgets and community revenues than the number of lions taken each year would suggest. And because lion hunts often conclude without harvesting an animal, the ratio of lions actually taken to the amount of conservation revenue the hunts generate is significant. Minimum day requirements and high daily rates and trophy fees infuse significant economic benefits to habitat, indigenous communities, and importantly, the lion itself. Tourist hunting creates economic value, ergo, the financial incentive for Africans to preserve the lion. The benefits of sustainable-use sport hunting for lion conservation cannot be overstated. Yet hunting is a part of the problem.

Hunting Reforms Required When properly managed, tourist hunting provides important benefits to conservation. However, some current lion hunting practices are detrimental to the species. Lion populations are adversely affected by the excessive removal of pride males, which accelerates the rate of infanticide, an occurrence in which a new pride male kills pre-existing lion cubs to stimulate the breeding response in the females. To avoid this circumstance, a "six-year rule" is being implemented in Tanzania and Zambia (though most of Zambia is temporarily closed to hunting) to eliminate the occurrence of infanticide by limiting the harvest to males that are six years and older. By age six, most males have been deposed from the pride and are no longer breeding, thus no cubs are endangered by the older male's harvest. And while taking only older males benefits lion conservation, changes in governmental policy such as setting population-appropriate quotas based on accurate game surveys, elimination of "pre-paid" or fixed quotas which lead to overutilization, and eliminating the harvest of females will all have a positive impact on lion populations when implemented continent-wide.

HTTP://WWW.AFRICAHUNTING.COM

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Should America Dictate African Policy? The anti-hunters' attempt to use the USFWS to circumvent sound science, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species treaty (CITIES), and the sovereignty of foreign governments is reprehensible, but not surprising. Listing the lion as an endangered species will, like the cheetah, begin the long downward spiral of another big cat towards the abyss of extinction. Without the significant revenues infused by tourist hunters into wildlife departments, research, and on-the-ground conservation, the lion will be reduced to token populations in national parks, and as display animals in zoos and circuses. The lion in the wild will be gone. Relegated to nuisance status, the king of the beasts will be exterminated by poachers and subsistence cattlemen eking out a living in the hard African bush-all because of an administrative ruling in Washington, D.C. Hunters are the most important source of revenue for conservation worldwide. Considering the lack of funds available to manage and protect African wilderness, it is beyond my level of comprehension to understand why anti-hunters would so willingly dismiss the critical infusion of dollars provided by hunters for conservation. At first glance, it would appear both hunters and anti-hunters have the same goal: to save the African lion. But upon further examination, the difference becomes clear: Hunters strive to conserve the lion and are willing to pay for its preservation; the goal of the anti-hunters is to stop hunting, consequences to the lion be damned. Why Lions Matter to You As stated before, most of us will never hunt lions. Neither will all of us hunt doves in Iowa, or bears in New Jersey or Nevada, or coyotes in New Mexico. And though we may never pursue these species in their various locations, they represent areas in which the radical, litigious, anti-hunting lobby is currently attacking our privilege to hunt. Under the guise of "protecting" animals, these extremists' primary agenda is to regulate hunting and hunters into oblivion. Most groups are smart, well-funded, and patient, quite willing to win a small victory here and there until, eventually, the sport of hunting dies a death of 1,000 cuts. We are in a fight to maintain the rights and heritage our ancestors viewed as selfevident, and divide and conquer is the enemy's strategy. Be it lion and elephant or deer and turkey, hunters must stand united against our foe. In this fight to preserve our sporting heritage, an attack on one is an attack upon us all. Steve Scott is the host of America's first all-African television series, Safari Hunter's Journal, which airs on Sportsman Channel. HTTP://WWW.AFRICAHUNTING.COM

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

GALWAY ANGLER WINS BOAT AT ITFFA YOUTHS QUALIFIER Joe Kenna, PRO for ITFFA writes that congratulations go to renowned Galway angler Robert Reilly on winning a 19â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sheelin boat in the Irish Trout Fly fishing Associationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (ITFFA) youths fundraising competition, which was held at Lough Owel on 7th April 2013. Robert, who is from Loughrea, is no stranger to the fly angling scene having represented Ireland at international level on numerous occasions. Robert who also coached the 2012 Irish team that won gold at the international match on Lough Sheelin was partnered with his son Ciaran who will represent the Irish Youths Team in 2013. With a boat for 1st Prize and a Climb8 wetsuit for the heaviest fish this competition was certain to be a success from the outset. Conditions were extremely tough with a bitter cold easterly wind; however despite the poor conditions eighty four anglers turned out to support this event. Lough Owel lived up to her reputation as a premier brown trout fishery with 104 fish being presented for weighing and scores more fish being returned to the water alive. Lough Owel is an excellent brown trout venue and is well worth a visit. Anglers could try fishing a silver or claret dabbler in the shallow water and with the Boat winner Robert Reilly is pictured with his son Ciaran Reilly weather set to warm up over the coming week there should be little action to be had on duckfly patterns also. Other Results were as follows:1st Robert Reilly 3.450 kg 2nd Gary Binley 3.110 kg 3rd Gearoid Kirwin 2.870 kg 4th Eddie Harte 2.780 kg 5th Larry Gibb 2.740 kg 6th Dylan Ennis (Juvenile Angler) 2.565kg 7th Ciaran Reilly (Juvenile Angler) 2.545kg 8th Greg Long 2.51kg 9th Mel Campbell 2.485kg 10th Peter Byrne 2.475 kg Heaviest Fish 1.970kg Jackie Coyne Secret Weight (1.346kg) Danny Cole. The ITFFA Youths Committee would like to extend their gratitude all who supported this event including Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the participants and those who sponsored prizes; all funds raised will be used to support juvenile anglers.

http://fishinginireland.info

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

The Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland (TAFI) is to host the FIPS Mouche 12th World Youth Fly Fishing Championship from the 21st to 26th of July 2013. TAFI organises angling qualifiers every year across Ireland with the winners representing Ireland at the Four Nations still water Championships (Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales), European, Commonwealth and World Fly Fishing Championships. This year sees the Youth Championship coming to Ireland and is being jointly organized by the Ulster and Leinster councils and run on a cross border basis between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The opening ceremony takes place in Dundalk, County Louth on 21st July with the Carrickdale Hotel situated on the border as the championship headquarters. The marvellous setting of Hillsborough Castle, County Down hosts the official closing ceremony, the awarding of medals and a Conservation Symposium on 26th July. Teams will consist of five anglers and one reserve and will be accompanied by their Manager and Captain. They will be fly fishing for Brown and Rainbow Trout and official practice will be held on Monday 22nd followed by three days of competitive fishing. The venues are spread over the five Counties of Antrim, Louth, Monaghan, Meath and Tyrone and include two rivers and three lakes. The hosting of this event is the result of many years of dedicated voluntary work by TAFI members, both promoting youth angling within Ireland and in the training of the Irish Youth Team to fish in all the World Championships since they began in 1998. Fips Mouche (International Sport Fly Fishing Federation) are the regularity body who run the World Championships with Ireland been one of the founding member countries. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the main sponsor of the event and we are also part of the Gathering which is taking place here in Ireland in 2013. TAFI wishes all the teams travelling to Ireland a Céad Míle Fáilte (a hundred thousand welcomes) and all the young anglers fishing in this Championship the best of luck. For more information visit our website at www.wyffc.com Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ wyffc.ireland

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

KELMARSH REPORT, SHOOTING THE STARSHOT AND AND THE UK'S ONLY MOBILE LIVE SHOOTING RANGE

In this video we take a look around the 2013 countrymans fairs show at Kelmarsh, Shoot the Starshot challenge and talk to Alan the owner of the UK's only live mobile shooting range.

http://youtu.be/IJt01yIiiac

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

MEGA AIRGUN RAT HUNT - 250-300 RATS IN ONE NIGHT!

In this video Lisa and I visit our friends Ken, Paul and Stuart (KPS Hunters) at their ratting permission. Si Pittaway and Davy T from Vermin Hunters TV were also invited up for the evening. I will place some links below to KPS hunters and VHTV's videos also filmed on this evening.

http://youtu.be/tzrMKDWM9OQ

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

TAFFS TERROR by Lawerence Finnery It was a few weeks ago while on a fishing forum that i met up with an old fishing acquaintance Paul Slaney, now Paul is a keen fly dresser and fly fisherman who has travelled widely across eastern Europe fishing for Grayling, Marble Trout and wild Rainbows. Over the weeks we caught up on exchanging fishing stories and fly patterns developed over the years. I explained to Paul that i was in the process of going through my photographs of old patterns i had done and i noticed a pattern he had put on the forum which caught my eye. The pattern was very similar to one that was featured many years ago by the great Hugh Faulkas a variation of a medicine. I had tied this pattern and used it on rivers for sea trout and also Dollaghan with great success. But my best results were in Dundrum bay on county Down just outside Newcastle and also at Greencastle where i caught quite a few sea trout and of all things a beautiful 2lb bass which were all safely released. But the best was to come; a day spent on Strangford lough saw me fishing around Abbess church a little known area where there is a tidal lake. I had been going to this area over the year catching small sea trout, and one summers evening when i arrived i noticed bait fish jumping out of the water and soon realised that the Mackerel were in feeding. Without further ado i have tackled up and decided to put Taffy's terror on. First cast and a nice Mackerel was on, any one who has fly fished for Mackerel will know the fight these little devils put up. With each cast i had a fish on and the craic playing these was delightful, and during the course of the day i must have had at least thirty to the shore. With half a dozen of them kept to one side they were cooked at the shore line and devoured with slices of brown bread, freshly barbequed mackerel is out of this world. Well being it was a Saturday i decided that i would pay another visit tomorrow as the sport was out of this world. Another hours fishing and eight more fish in the bag were taken home to be savoured at a later date. www.finneysflies.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

The next day I arrived as the tide was coming in and sure enough there out off shore about fifty metres were shoals of Mackerel making their way feeding, and then i noticed small dark patches in the sea. This was white bait shoaling, when suddenly there was a commotion the surface of the sea erupted with bait fish leaping every where, now was the time to cast my fly for another days fishing. Sure enough another three hours were spent connecting with Mackerel until I decided to have a break. With the tide now fully in I decided to head into Portaferry to get some refreshment and check out the marina to see if any sea trout were present. Sure enough about five foot under the water around the boats in the marina were small sea trout, but alas no fishing was allowed in that area and a few dirty looks from the boat owners was enough for me to retreat back to the car. by this time it was getting late around 9.30 in the evening and I thought I would head back inland to see if there was any action available along the shore. With darkness approaching i thought it would be a good opportunity to cast out to see if it was possible to tempt any sea trout cruising around. With the car parked and me tackled up i made my way to the shore line towards the rocks. Cautiously clambering over the rocks the light was just fading and a calm offshore breeze enabled a nice ripple on the surface of the water; hopefully this would prevent any fish seeing me. As i climbed between two boulders to get into the water a god almighty roar and squeal erupted to my right hand side, I don't know who was scared the most. A big bull seal had been resting on a rock and obviously not heard me making my way to the shore and my sudden appearance had not only startled him but had also put the fear of god into me. Not knowing if any others were about and imagining myself being attacked I quickly made my way back to the pathway cursing the dam thing. Looking around to make sure no one had observed my reaction of scrambling around the rocks like a mad man i made my way back to the car and decided today was enough. In the following weeks I did return several times but making sure with each step over the rocks there was not an unsuspecting seal dozing. Now to the pattern itself, the fly is fairly easy to tie and usually represents a fish pattern and i also tie the pattern with a god body and red hackle for when i fish for Rainbows and it has worked well.

www.finneysflies.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Here is the list for creating this little beauty. HOOK- deep water nymph hook size 4 or 6 THREAD- florescent red BODY- silver tinsel RIB-silver utc wire WING- natural or black squirrel HACKLE- teal blue henny cock I like to finish the head with the florescent thread to create a trigger point but you can also use black thread and paint eyes on the head. So why not give this one a go you could end up having a great days fishing with it. A quick note this has been fished in Argentina and has caught some big fish there.

http://youtu.be/YiKUicuwVmQ

www.finneysflies.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

WATER LEVELS SUIT THE FLY AT GALWAY WEIR, SALMON TO 13.5LB LANDED Kevin Crowley reports on the salmon angling at the The Galway Salmon Weir Fishery… Water levels have been at one gate for the last week, but have risen again following heavy rain, despite the lake remaining at summer level, and the OPW have opened another gate on the weir. With conditions so good for flyfishing, it was no surprise that most fish taken over the last 2 weeks were taken on fly. Liam Dunne took a nice 9lbs fish on fly, as did Seamus Nee. Padraic Doherty fished over 2 days and landed 2 springers of 8 and 9lbs on shrimp, while Leo casey landed a fine 13.5lbs fish on fly. Sean O’Toole landed a 10.5lbs fish on shrimp, and Jim Barry took a 9lbs fish on fly. John Connolly rounded off the catch with a fine 13.5lbs salmon taken on fly. Salmon are moving upriver on every tide at the moment, and while catches have been moderate, anglers have met plenty of fish. Unless levels rise substantially, conditions look very good for the coming weeks as the spring run begins in earnest. Kevin Crowley IFI Galway Applications for rod bookings should be made before the start of the season on February 1st by mail, fax or e-mail to: The Manager, Galway Fishery, Nun’s Island, Galway. Tel. +353-91-562388 Fax +353-91-562930 E-mail: shartgalfish@eircom.net For information: The Galway Salmon Weir Fishery

www.finneysflies.com I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

HYWEL MORGAN'S 4 SEASONS RIVER FISHING In a continuation to the series, professional fisherman Hywel Morgan invites you to join him for another year as he tackles the ever changing waters in this extensive guide to River Fishing. Filmed on numerous waters across England and Wales, the programme is packed full of hints and tips to help you catch fish whatever month you choose to cast a line. As the seasons change so do the techniques, and Hywel explains each versatile method in detail, while demonstrating how to use them effectively in the varying seasonal conditions. With Hywel tying flies appropriate for each method, along with clear, animated graphics, this is one programme that will not only improve your river fishing, but also develop your skills for successful fishing all year round.

http://youtu.be/B_9dQwGzM8A

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

TYING THE MOUSE CADDIS BY DAVIE MCPHAIL

Materials Used; Hook, Size 14 Grub Thread, Black Uni 8/0 Body, Natural Black Mink Wing, Elk Hair Horns, Summer Duck Fibres Thorax Natural Black Mink

http://youtu.be/j642lBW_gHg

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

TYING THE CATGUT CADDIS PUPA WITH DAVIE MCPHAIL

Materials Used; Hook, Grub Bead, Tungsten Threads, Yellow UTC 70, Brown Uni-8/0 and Gossamer Yellow Silk Underbody, Lead Body, Natural Catgut Thorax, Brown or Black Dubbing Legs, Brown or Grey Partridge Fibres Horns, Hen Pheasant Tail

http://youtu.be/0LaNwsEXf5A

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

It's a question we're asked a lot: "How do I get some ground to shoot/hunt over?". Mark Gilchrist has the answer. In this week's Fieldsports Britain, he shows how to approach landowners, what to say and, more importantly, what not to say. Meanwhile, Roy Lupton is out saving twin and triplet baby lambs from horrid Mr Fox (with a rifle). and there are regulars including Skinners gundog expert Howard Kirby of Mullenscote Gundogs with his top dog-training tip of the week, News Stump, Hallo Charlie and Hunting YouTube. It's a lot better than what's on the old fashioned telly.

HOW TO GET HUNTING/SHOOTING GROUND

http://youtu.be/ArKysv593r0

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

We're hunting rabbits with ferrets and, for the first time, we have given the little animals movie cameras to record all the underground action. The rabbits are damaging crops and hedgerows, so the farmer wants them removed. Ferrets are the best option, and Shooting Times columnist Simon Whitehead is the UK's best-known ferreter. He is bolting the rabbits to shotguns. Meanwhile, Roy Lupton is getting kitted up for the start of our news series on airgunning, Pellet Power & Performance, and Mark Gilchrist ends his two-parter on how to get permission to go shooting. There are the regulars: News Stump features American gun control, dead cats and fighting deer, Hunting YouTube has everything from roebuck to carp to bobcat, and Hallo Charlie leads on pigeons shooters. What else could you possibly want to watch on telly?

FERRETCAM - AMAZING RABBIT-HUNTING FOOTAGE

http://youtu.be/aqaD8wkHPi4

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

He's hunting stags but it's a mercy killing as Sporting Shooter editor Dom Holtam takes out two unhealthy red hinds from the Cumbrian herd in this week's show. He also takes time to test the new Subaru Forester.. has the farmer's friend gone soft? Andy Crow's rat problem comes to an end thanks to a JCB, a pack of terriers, a lurcher and a bunch of men with sticks. He moves his bales in his barn to create the ratting equivalent of five-a-side football. Then there are the regulars. Howard Kirby of Mullenscote Gundogs is showing how to train your dog with a tennis racket and ball, in the latest of the Skinners Petfoods-sponsored training tips films. News Stump features antis in the UK, USA and Malta, a gamekeeper's daughter in Wales and a shark attack in Hawaii. Kit Special is looking at the Ruger Ranch Rifle, the Steyr Scout and Hammerli airguns.

STALKING RED DEER & HIGH-OCTANE RATTING WITH TERRIERS

http://youtu.be/GzyoTM39ddg

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

We're hunting ibex, shooting crows, restocking (and catching) trout, and ferreting rabbits in a packed show this week. * Max Hunt is in Spain after Europe's most stately game animal, the Spanish or beceite ibex. It turns into a week-long hunt and the animals are keeping him fit. * Roy Lupton has his work cut out trying to fool crows into coming near him. But he has a few tricks up his sleeve to defeat corvid cunning. * Bewl Water in Kent is getting new rainbow and brown trout from Bulldog Fish Farm. We find out about stocking a water with fish. * And the world axeman champion, Dave Sands, likes nothing more than to go ferreting with his family. We join him. * News Stump features a highwire act by a raccoon And we've got Hallo Charlie and Hunting YouTube. Keep it Fieldsports Britain!

HUNTING IBEX, CROW CONTROL, TROUT AND FERRETING

http://youtu.be/CdOHDiTmpGk

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

World Champion Speycaster, STANIC, AAPGAI, Advanced Double Handed Fly Casting Instructor, Ian Gordon is also known by many as being an authority on Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing in Scotland. His Company – Spey online, provides a complete resource for all connected with Salmon Fishing home and abroad as well as Double Handed Spey Rods in General.

WHEN SCIENCE MEETS POLITICS

Whether it be – The destruction of our rain forests, the pending extinction of the white rhino, global warming, or the erection of wind-farms; the “conflicting interests” of “experts” charged with the protection of all of the above, always leads to one place - Polarized debate and the creating two camps of opinion and the good old “more research needed” stalemate! Wild Salmon and Salmon Farming are a perfect example of this but interestingly, in Canada, the "conflicting interests” of “science with a passion”, finally, has met the one we are more used to - “science linked to politics”. They say if you more too much to the right, eventually you will bump into those on the left! Mmmm, where have I seen this recently! Over the years I have looked at those people hiding behind the mask of “Science” here in Scotland and been totally dismayed with what they have, or have not, done for the welfare of our Scottish salmon. I’m so glad to see this beginning to change. As I always say, a good, “passionate”Scientist is worth his/her weight in gold, just a real shame those others [As we see in the link below] are hell bent on halting progress, purely for their own, or the gain of their political paymasters. Both Scotland and Norway have classic examples “experts” who have polarized the fish farming debate, just like in the film, all scientists, but with different agendas and paymasters. Please watch this documentary and make up your own mind before it’s banned. In it, you can feel the passion of biologist – Alexandra Morton, but also the lies and deception of those others with conflicting interests. Just like those with the same agenda’s here in Scotland, they stick out like a sore thumb !!! Enjoy - http://www.salmonconfidential.ca/

http://blog.speyonline.com/

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

YIN AND YANG BY RORYJAYOUNG

I lay there, immobilized with fear, as the dentist approached me, instruments of pain and suffering in her hands and a look of the utmost contempt on her face. I tried to speak and failed horribly. The clamps, pads and other foreign objects stuffed into my mouth prevented anything but an incoherent gurgle. Desperately, I tried to gesture to wait and ended up banging the tray of instruments that hovered over me, earning a sharp rebuke from the enormous Zimbabwean nurse, together with a vice-like grip on my wrist. I was close to panic, I could only imagine what this gargantuan helper would do to me if she felt she needed to or in fact she wanted to. Then I noticed the voice in the background. It was ACDC's Brian Johnson singing "highway to hell". No doubt about it now, I was in a living nightmare. My shoulders slumped as I realized the terrifying reality of my horrifying situation. There was only one option left. I began to scream shamelessly A short time earlier, my pretty little dentist had been smiling, Cliff Richard had been singing "Summer Holiday" in the background and the nurse had been half the size. It had been like a little sanctuary of peace in a timeless paradise. Then, the stunning reason for my wanting my teeth checked out said, with her sexy Polish accent, "you not from here, why you in town: special to see me?" (The last said with a look that could drive men mad). "Sort of", I replied innocently giving her my best smile in return. I had been brushing my teeth 12 times a day to prepare for this. "I have been in the bush for so long and unable to get back to see you; but I had to pass through town so thought I'd seize the opportunity". Then I made my fatal mistake. "I have to shoot a buffalo not too far from here tomorrow" I said, naively wondering to myself when I should ask her out for dinner.

http://www.thehuntinglife.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

She passed out of sight and I assumed the silence was due to concentration as she picked up the mouth thingies. As her gorgeous face reappeared over me and she began to insert the hardware into my mouth, I began to notice that her previously sweet, sparkling eyes had changed from those of an angel to those of a hound from hell. Then a now demonicsounding Slavic voice emanated from her, saying, "you kill nice animals. I not like people who kill nice animals". I wanted to tell her that it was a wounded animal that was suffering and needed to be put out of its misery and how ethical hunting was a natural thing to do that help support the Parks, and so on and so forth, but it was too late! Then I heard a clunk as the hypodermic containing the anaesthetic I was pinning my fading hopes on was dropped into the bin. I was doomed, doomed, doomed... Seriously now; this may come as a surprise but I have a great respect for vegetarians. I'm a bit nervous of militant former Soviet-bloc vegans, but all in all I appreciate the fact that vegetarians are people who practise what they preach. To be frank, what I really find intriguing is the position of people who do eat meat... and are against hunting. When asked what they feel about hunting most people in the Western world will come out in opposition to it. Yet, strangely the vast majority of these same people will happily sit down and eat a steak. Pretty weird some would day, or even hypocritical... It is quite obvious that the vegetarians would be against it, but meat-eaters? Is it really hypocrisy? Could it be ignorance maybe? Or even something else entirely, such as hunters behaving badly? How about a combination these? Well it's easy enough to find out. Next time you are sitting with a group of nonhunters, ask them. I do it all the time and invariably receive the very similar answers. The first thing point to come up will usually be the perception that hunting is destructive to the environment and in particular certain species, especially endangered ones. This sometimes comes as a shock to responsible hunters. However, perhaps they are just ignorant rather than deliberately hypocritical, so let's be open-minded. Put yourself in the shoes of these non-hunters for a second. Assuming, that you are just an average person who lives in an urban area and doesn't actively seek out very controversial subjects. what would you pick up in the media to lead you to form such an opinion? Picture this scene. A television journalist, shaking with outrage, tears streaming down her cheeks, points to piles of migratory birds of prey littering the ground on the small Mediterranean island she is investigating. Next a series of loud reports interrupts her choked words and the camera turns to a small cinder block bunker-like construction from which shotgun barrels protrude. Then, more shots are heard. This time, accompanying recoils and fumes from the shotguns are clearly seen. We jump forward in time. Now our heroine is bravely confronting the "hunters". She is insulted, threatened and the camera-man is assaulted. It all ends with the accused racing off in a battered sedan, rude gestures showing clearly out the windows and leaving their kills to rot. Mostly endangered or threatened species of course... http://www.thehuntinglife.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Never mind the average non-hunting, European town-dweller; I too was outraged by this barbarity. In fact I was shaking with anger and ranting and raving about how these maniacs should be hunted down themselves. They weren't hunters of course. They were poachers, the lowest of the low as far as I am concerned. Sadly the same behaviour continues in many countries quite legally, thereby making them not poachers but legal "hunters". Quite obviously what these morons were doing is bad for the environment and that is unethical and therefore unacceptable. Personally, I believe that only ethical hunters should be called hunters, full stop. The rest should be referred to as poachers, regardless of whether what they are doing is legal or not. Poaching should refer to both illegal AND unethical hunting. Let's get back to our non-hunter question and answer sessions. The second thing that usually comes up is cruelty or suffering caused to animals hunted. Now the deliberate wounding of or cruelty to animals is usually covered by the law. Well it is in civilized countries anyway. I think any hunter with a normal upbringing, living in a normal community and not currently institutionalized will agree that anyone who is deliberately cruel to animals should get help before they move on to mass murder or serial killing. However, the non-hunters see hunting as often cruel and the cause of suffering. On this point, aside from the bad behaviour of medical hunters, I believe the television and film industries are partly responsible for perpetuating the myth that wild animals in the wild live an idyllic existence without any pain or suffering. Obviously that's nonsense and only the ignorant and out of touch with reality wander around believing that. Unfortunately though, there are plenty of people who really are that ignorant and out of touch with reality wandering around! At this stage I usually ask the non-hunters if they prefer "free-range" meat or battery -farmed" meat. Of course the answer is always "free-range" (even if they secretly buy the cheaper stuff). Why? Because it's a nicer more natural environment for the animals to live in and invariably the meat will be healthier to eat too. For some reason our non-hunters don't usually notice the obvious; that wild animals are the most "free-range" animals under the sun. This point usually makes a big impression when pointed and is often accompanied by remarks such as "'I never thought of it that way" and "wow" (accompanied by distant look). After a while they will usually return to the point about suffering in this vein, "but farm animals die a more peaceful death than animals that are hunted." After explaining that an animal that is shot correctly by hunter using the correct calibre endures a lot less suffering than one that endures the small and sounds of an abattoir or one that dies a more natural death by predator, disease or old age. That also makes an impact but very often the response is only too true, "that's all very well as long as the hunters do actually use the right weapon for the quarry and kill cleanly". Yes, back to ethics. Again we are embarrassed by those fools who can't behave or who don't educate themselves. Someone who is not competent simply shouldn't go near game or firearms.

http://www.thehuntinglife.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Let's move on to the third point that comes up. The story of those fools slaughtering migratory birds over the Med also falls into this category: Waste. Many people feel hunters are only interested in hunting only so that they can mount a trophy on the wall. Well it's true in some cases in many places and in many cases in some places. Furthermore, although some countries have laws that require a hunter to remove the entire carcass from the hunting area, I have yet to come across a law that says that nothing if possible, should be wasted. It may not be a law but it should certainly be standard good conduct for all hunters anyway. Surely the animal deserves to be honoured and respected by all hunters? The last point that usually arises is image, or the perceived psychology of the hunter may be a better way of putting it. People who have never hunted often view the killing of an animal as a necessary evil and therefore the thought of enjoying it is somehow very wrong. I believe most Europeans fall into this category. This I believe is a result of a total disconnecting with their natural environment whereby they do not have any experience of the entirely natural thrill of hunting that is a built-in part of us. I am sure you will agree that the combination of challenge, outdoors, thrill, danger, objective and more is impossible to describe to someone who has absolutely no experience of anything like it. This is the toughest of all to change. How does one convince someone that a hunter has more right to hunt than a non-hunter has to eat meat? How do you explain to them that they have lost the innate understanding that all men once had; that life is about struggle and death as much as it is about beauty and peace - Ying and Yang? I guess the conclusion to these musings is that hunters need to think about what they do and how they do it and make sure they do what is right. At the same time non-hunters need to be educated and a few, who really are hypocrites, like the bad hunters, should be exposed for what they are. I do however strongly feel that these dishonest people are, for the most part, a minority. The real problem is ignorance. As for me, I need to brush my teeth at least twice a day and keep my mouth firmly shut around vegetarians. Rory J. A Young http://thejodea.com/

http://www.thehuntinglife.com

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

About Mike and POSITIVE SHOOTING Hi and welcome to www.POSITIVESHOOTING.com. I'm Mike Yardley and I've been shooting and studying it for over 40 years - ouch! I love the sport be it with shotguns, rifles, pistols, or airguns. I'm delighted you've found this website and I really hope you find it useful. The goal is to get as many people into the sport as possible and to get them shooting as well as possible - maximising all their potential. Thank you for your support. Safe shooting. Michael Yardley was born in Denmark and educated in England, Switzerland and the US. He has a psychology degree from London University, conducted post-graduate research into direct action and terrorism at the LSE, and is also a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

Mike Yardley Michael is well known as a sporting journalist, shooting instructor, and hunter and has written and broadcast extensively on all aspects of guns and their use. His articles (2000+) have appeared in many journals as well as in the national press. He has appeared as an expert witness in cases which relate to firearms and firearms safety. He is a founding fellow of the Association of Professional Shooting Instructors, and has formal instructing qualifications from a variety of other bodies including the British CPSA, BFSS, NRA and NSRA. Michael began competitive shooting with 11th County of London HG Btn. Rifle Club. He won ‘Colours’ for shooting as a member of the shotgun and pistol teams of the Royal Military Academy Sandhust (being a member of the winning GB IMAGE match team in 1980). He has been a special advisor to the Police Federation, and others, civil and military. He has shot for sport for more than 40 years and hunted birds and larger game on four continents (making more than twenty safaris to Africa hunting both dangerous and plains game). He is a multiple county clay pigeon shooting champion, British Side by Side Champion 2004, and, has won hundreds of ‘High Guns’ in open competition with his faithful Beretta 303 semi-automatic and Lyalvale (Express) cartridges. He is listed one of The Field’s ‘Top Shots.’ He retired from the press competition at the CLA Game Fair after winning it three times. As well as his shooting activities he has written books on other subjects including an account of the independent Polish trade union Solidarity, a biography of T.E.Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), and a history of the Royal Military Academy Sanhurst itself. He is a contributing author and ‘Special Researcher’ to the Oxford History of the British Army (in which he wrote the concluding chapter and essays on the army in Northern Ireland and the SAS). He is also a frequent broadcaster and has made and presented documentaries for the BBC on ‘The Media and the Monarchy,’ ‘Kill one: frighten Ten Thousand (a History of Terrorism),’ and philosophical doubt. He has also been involved as a specialist ballistic consultant, and presenter, in many productions for various TV companies including the Discovery and History Channels. He has re-enacted on location worldwide the death of the Red Baron, the Trojan Horse incident from ancient history, and some of the most infamous assassinations, including those of JFK, RFK and Abe Lincoln. Michael has worked a photojournalist and war reporter in Syria, Lebanon, Albania/Kosovo, Africa, and Afghanistan. He was seized off the street in Beirut in 1982 (before Terry Waite and John McCarthy) but released shortly afterwards having befriended one of his captors. In 1986 he made 3 clandestine crossings into Afghanistan with the Mujahedin putting his cameras aside and working as a medic on one mission with a group called NIIFA. In the late 1990s, he ran aid convoys to Kosovan Refugees in Albania and on the Albanian/Kosovo border. The charity he co-founded, ‘Just Help,’ was honoured for this work which took 300 tons of relief to desperately needy people. I Shoot and Fish Magazine March 2013

BOXALL & EDMISTON 'YARDLEY MODEL' OVER AND UNDER REVIEW BY MIKE YARDLEY

It is not often that I get the chance to write a gun test about a gun that I have played a major part in bringing to the sporting market, but that is the case with the Boxall & Edmiston over and under. It is presented here in its 'Yardley Model' form, so any attempt at objectivity would be absolutely futile! The hands are held well up. You might say this disqualifies me from testing it. Normally, I would agree, but this is more than a conventional gun test this month. I want to tell you the story of the gun. I have no intention of hiding anything from you and I am certainly qualified to tell you about how it came about and some of the issues that B&E now face as it goes into production. It's an interesting tale too – a new English over and under at a price that, though not cheap – from just under 11k – is not necessarily a lottery job either. Where to start? Once at a Game Fair a while back, I wandered onto the Boxall and Edmiston stand. I admired the side by side boxlocks that they were cleverly making using new technology. They were not only manufactured using the latest thing in 5 axis CNC but they were beautifully engraved too. The standards of workmanship and design were truly first class as, indeed, one might expect of a partnership between Peter Boxall, late of Holland & Holland and Jaguar, and James Edmiston the former owner of Sterling Armament (most famous, of course, for their sub machine gun).

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I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Anyway, the conversation went something like this: “Hi boys, these are really nice guns, I like a nice side by side, but have you ever thought about making an over and under”. “Well, we have, it was what part of the business plan but we have not got round to it yet.” We seemed to hit it off, meantime. So after, a preliminary meeting or two, it was agreed that I might supply B&E with some ideas. My basic suggestion was for a Boss-bolted gun with bifurcated lumps and trunnion hinging with a mechanism powered by v springs but without any detachable trigger lock (as seen in some Perazzis and most Kemens). I wanted simplicity, strength through the grip and great trigger pulls. I also suggested a rounded action bar because it looks elegant and cuts down on weight potentially. I sent Pete a couple of old guns for discussion, one a simplified Spanish copy of a Perazzi, the other an Italian prototype that was never made as far as I am aware. It had much English influence in it (as do most Italian OUs). As soon as he got these, he was off! He burned midnight oil at his computer screen and quickly had a design for discussion. It is a credit to him, that there was very little wrong with it, essentially, it is the gun you now see in the pictures. But, I should add that this is not the final production form of the B&E over and under, though close to it. I suggested a change to the trigger plate, and Peter added a cover to cocking limbs in the middle of the action bar (so all you see now is smooth metal when you look down – not the cocking mechanism itself). Peter designed an inertia trigger too (though a mechanical one is now being developed) and a clever ejector system set high that could operate efficiently in round bar action.

http://www.positiveshooting.com/

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

On the stocking front, I got to work with my friend Manuel Ricardo making the first prototype (hence the plain wood in the pictures) in Portugal where I took one of the barrelled actions for development because Manuel is a fantastic craftsman who works at speeds that no one else in the world can match. Let me emphasise, though, that this is an entirely English made gun, I only went out to Porto because we were working to a time table and I knew that Manuel would get the job done in time. I had a very clear idea of what I wanted, a classic comb shape with good taper, just a little fuller than the average side-by-side (something more like a pigeon gun) with a semi-pistol grip of ideal proportion and radius and a Boss style rounded forend. Pete himself worked on another barrelled action with master stocker Peter Roland in the UK. When the two were eventually compared, remarkably, the stocks were almost identical though this was one aspect of design we had not discussed much. The gun looked beautiful and handled extremely well. I am not going to say that there were not some teething troubles, that is all part of R&D. The devil, in any new design, is in the detail. Pete had to get the trigger and ejector function spot on and issues like gape just right. The barrels are monobloc, but almost invisibly jointed. They are fixed choke (but Teagues are an option). The prototype shown has no conventional rib (something seen on some Boss and early Browning guns) my own preference, however, is for a 'solid' taper (which will be the standard offering and is by far the best pattern for a field gun). The gun weighs something just over 7 pounds depending on barrel length and wood. 7- 7 1/2lbs. Is an ideal range for an overand-under that might be used on game or clays. The standards of finish are excellent. There is much more hand work here, B&E have a policy of using traditional British craftsmen as much as possible both with regard to barrel making and as far as finishing the gun is concerned. This not just a machine made gun. Much traditional bench work goes into it as well. And, interestingly, the laser engraving itself is a two week job of itself. What does it shoot like? Very well, but we have not finished tweeking it yet. Ask the question again once 10,000 cartridges have gone through it and details of balance, weight distribution, and boring have been finalised. Pete meanwhile is a perfectionist with regard to anything mechanical. With his experience of the Holland & Holland sporter, and as maker of many parts for the British gun trade out of the B&E workshop, he wants the new gun exactly right in all departments, and he will get is so. There is no second best at Boxall & Edmiston. Tech Specs Make: Boxall & Edmiston Model: 'Yardley' Bore: 12 (20 bore in development) Barrels: 30” (28-32” options) Chamber: 2 3/4” (70mm) Rib: ribless (solid taper rib as no cost option) Weight: just over 7 lbs RRP: £12,900 for basic colour hardened gun and £14,200 for fully engraved www.positiveshooting.com Michael Yardly

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

BIG WINDS ON CORRIB RESTRICT ANGLING BUT GOOD TROUT FISHING AT TIMES

Kevin Crowley reports on Lough Corribâ&#x20AC;Ś Reports from Corrib have been slow to come in so far, but stormy conditions have restricted angling somewhat, and the Oughterard Development 50 competition was curtailed to one day, with conditions on Sunday proving unsafe. First prize on Saturday went to Mike Coyne and Tommy Carroll, with 5 trout for 4.335kgs. The second team was 14 lb brown trout caught by Sean Reynolds at Ashford Bay, Lough Kevin Molloy and Mike Faherty, with 3 trout for 3.775kgs, and third were Jim Corrib on Tuesday the 9th of April and safely returned. Glynn and Willie Molloy, with 3 trout for 3.635kgs. Pat Feerick landed the heaviest trout, a nice fish of 1.755kgs. Overall 30 anglers fished, recording 36 trout over the limit for a total weight of 31.655kgs. The previous week, the Garda West club held a competition, with Seamus Kelly taking top honours with 2 trout for 7lbs. Peter McGovern was second, with a fine trout of 4lbs, and Paddy Tierney was third, with a trout of 3.5lbs. This week, very few rods have been out in the stormy conditions, but with the stormy conditions has come much milder temperatures, and once the wind drops I would expect to hear of many more anglers venturing out. Kevin Crowley IFI Galway

http://fishinginireland.info

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

EU Public Consultation on Firearms The European Commission has launched a European-wide consultation entitled "A common approach to reducing the harm caused by criminal use of firearms in the EU". The consultation involves completing an online questionnaire with multiple choice questions by 17th June. Most of the questions/answers are biased and the results could be used to gain legitimacy from 'public opinion' in order to further restrict the legal acquisition and possession of civilian firearms. There is no link between the legal ownership of firearms and the illicit trafficking of firearms. CAI encourages shooters and supporters to complete this online European-wide firearms questionnaire. Please answer all the questions by clicking on option "1". For some questions, it may feel like answering option 1 is a bit extreme but it should be borne in mind that virtually all the other options given to answer questions are biased and result in your agreement that some EU action is needed. You do not need to answer the optional questions that request additional comments (questions B.4, C.11, D.5 and E.6). Taking part will only take a few minutes of your time. Click here to complete the online questionnaire

Student Seeking Sightings and Information on Hares in NI Anthony Hallam, a PhD student at Queens University Belfast is requesting public participation in his three-year project which will investigate the present distribution and status of the European hare in Northern Ireland. If you spot any hares, please submit your sighting via email to the PhD researcher, Anthony Hallam, citing date, location and species. For help with identification of Irish and European hares please click here. For more information on the project, and for Anthony's contact details, click here

Sheelin Classic Trout Competition The popular Sheelin Classic trout competition now in its 9th year will be run on Lough Sheelin on Sunday June 9th 2013 – 11am to 6pm. This is a heaviest fish competition with a 15” size limit and only 2 fish per competitor. This is a competition well worth marking in your diary and because of the popularity of the Sheelin Classic and to avoid disappointment, it is advisable to secure your entry sooner rather than later by contacting Noel McLoughlin at 087 2179460 for further information There will be numerous prizes which include: 1st 19ft Sheelin boat & trailer & crystal & the coveted Davey O’Connor perpetual cup 2nd 5 hp 4 stroke outboard engine & crystal A catch & release policy is actively encouraged on the lake at all times Please remember anglers that the size limit on this lake is 30 cm (11.8 inches) – we need our small fish alive…….

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Catch of the week 29/03/13 12LB TROUT FROM RAMOR A FIRST FOR THE LAKE AND DUBLIN ANGLING INITIATIVE A new record has been set by the Dublin Angling Initiative with Eric Cahill, 16 years old catching a fish of a lifetime â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a 12lb specimen trout from Lough Ramor, Virginia, Co. Cavan. This is the biggest fish ever caught by a youngster out fishing with the Dublin Angling Initiative. A fishing trip for a group of 10 youngsters was organised for Mulhuddart Foroige Fishing club (Dublin 15) to Lough Ramor, Virginia by Des Chew, Dublin Angling Initiative in March. Following an introduction by Des on the setting up of rods, rigs and bait presentation the youngsters were soon fishing for roach, hybrids and perch with others choosing to fish for pike. Great fun was being had by the group who were catching and releasing lots of coarse fish. Meanwhile, Eric patiently waited for a pike to take his smelt deadbait. He signaled for assistance when his rod tip nodded indicating a take. Under the guidance of Des Chew and Chris McGregor he was instructed to knock his bale arm over so this cagey fish would feel no resistance. Suddenly there was a short run and Eric struck. It was obvious he had a big fish on. When the fish drew close the golden spotted body revealed that Eric was now playing a fish of a lifetime and maybe the first specimen caught by a Dublin Angling Initiative youngster. The fish was landed amidst great excitement by the youngsters, the youth workers and a crowd of local anglers who all looked on in amazement! This was clearly the fish of a lifetime for Eric. The fish was weighed on certified scales, laid out and measured on an Inland Fisheries Ireland measuring mat. It reached a length of over 80cm and weighed in at over 12lbs. There was jubilation among Eric and his peers. Des announced that Eric had just caught his first specimen that had been recorded from over 10,000 teenagers who have participated in Dublin Angling Initiative courses over the last 15 years. If this fish is ratified by the Specimen Fish Committee it will also be the first specimen recorded from Lough Ramor. Josie Mahon photographed the fish with its proud captor Eric Cahill beside his mentor, Des Chew and the fish was safely released. Eric Cahill is 16 years old and has been a member of Mulhuddart Foroige Fishing in Dublin 15 club since he has been 10 years of age. During that time he has always shown unique ability to listen and learn angling skills from his DAI tutors. He has attended numerous fishing courses in game, coarse and sea fishing run by the Dublin Angling Initiative with his Foroige youth officers, Bernie Moloney and Siobhan Hennessy. This was truly a very proud moment for Eric and Dublin Angling Initiative who now have a new record to beat! http://www.fishinginireland.info

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Catch of the week 11/04/13 SKATE TO OVER 100LB FOR SMALL BOAT ANGLERS AT THE MAIDENS Peter, Mark and Scarb from www.boat-angling-ireland.com made a quick run to the Maidens in what started off as a beautiful day but became unbearably cold. They managed a couple of fish before returning to land. Given that the first one took nearly two hours to bring to the boat it was not a bad result… We went out to the hole for the last hour or so of the ebb, then hopefully fish the whole flood tide up to 8pm. We all stuck down a skate bait and it wasn’t long before my rod nearly got pulled from the holder. The fish just took off, never had one run so quickly from the off. The fish was giving a very good account of itself, and the longer the fight went on the wind started to pick up from the SE making it very cold. After nearly Nearly 2 hours later 2 hours it finally appeared at the side of the boat and was safely gaffed and brought aboard measured and tagged it turned out to be a 115lb male . By this time the wind had got quite strong blowing from the SE,against the tide which prevented the boat from getting round the anchor. It was getting very cold and we thought Nice male skate 115lb - this fish wins Peter Catch of the Week about liftMark's first fish of 2013 ing but Mark was determined to break his duck for 2013 and tried a doggy trace for a few mins and managed his first fish since Nov 2012 and what a cracker it was. It was a fairly rough trip back in but it wasn’t long till we were safely tucked up in the golf club.

http://www.fishinginireland.info

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Catch of the week 16/04/13 LOUGH CURRANE FISHING WELL WITH 9 LB. SPECIMEN SEA TROUT TAKEN ON THE TROLL.

Again it was a wild day on Lough Currane and come 2pm all the boats on the north side were blown off the lake, but the same couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be said on the south side, where Mr. Tim Van Der laan, of Holland, fishing with his gillie Mr. Terence Wharton, caught the first specimen Sea Trout of the 2013 season, on the troll, weighing in at 9lbs. Wind SW strong and overcast with heavy rain and just for the record, there is a good flood coming down the Commeragh.

Dutch Angler Mr. Tim Van Der Laan with his 9 lb. sea trout which wins him Catch of the Week

Vincent Appleby Eureka Lodge Caherdaniel West, Co. Kerry. Telephone: +353 (0)66 9475248 E-mail: salmonandseatrout@eircom.net Web: www.salmonandseatrout.com

http://www.fishinginireland.info

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

AIR RIFLE HUNTING, SPRING POWERED FARMYARD VERMIN CONTROL 4 A Very Big Thank You to all my fans and subscribers as this is my 100th Video upload. I was asked if i would show a little more spring powered vermin control so i took my HW97 out for a morning at the farm to see if i could get any more crows or magpies feeding at the cattle troughs. Rifle, Weihrauch HW97k Scope, old Simmons 4-12x40 AO Pellets, .177 Bisley Magnums

http://youtu.be/kgBFfPHA4cM

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

PREPARING AND COOKING A WOOD PIGEON, PART 2 Well you've all been asking for part 2 of my Preparing And Cooking A Wood Pigeon (OK some of you have) so here it is and this time i added some green vegetables.

http://youtu.be/RKOHaFg92BE

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Get your copy of Hunters Vermin ‘Air Rifle Control in Northern Ireland’ today. A perfect gift for any air rifle shooter. Call Blaze Publishing on 0044 (0) 1926339808 Cost £14.99. Or on line at http://www.virtualnewsagent.com/corvid-chaos/

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

PURDEY 20-BORE SHOTGUN WITH MARGARET THATCHER ENGRAVING ON SALE

On 20 June, Holtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will be auctioning a 20-bore over-under shotgun, made by Purdey, which is engraved with a portrait of the late Baroness Thatcher in a circular cartouche. The gun was commissioned in 1988 by the vendor, a former coal miner who had to leave work at Linton Colliery due to bronchitis. The keen shooting man built up a successful business during the time that Baroness Thatcher was Prime Minister.

HTTP://WWW.SHOOTINGUK.CO.UK

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

He was the first importer of Le Chameau footwear to Great Britain and, as James Purdey & Sons was a major stockist of Le Chameau, the vendor built up a relationship with the firm and aspired to own one of its shotguns.

The single-trigger sidelock ejector is also engraved with “Margaret Thatcher Prime Minister 1990” in recognition of the economic climate that had enabled the vendor’s business to flourish. Ironically, he received the finished gun on the day that Baroness Thatcher resigned. The estimate for the gun is £30,000 to £50,000. For more information, visit www.holtsauctioneers.com Read more at http:// www.shootinguk.co.uk/ news/537984/ Purdey_20bore_shotgun_with_Margaret_Thatcher_engraving_on_sale.html#jXiCHIYXLdpGg8Ef.99 HTTP://WWW.SHOOTINGUK.CO.UK

I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

www.burrenretreats.com Corofin, County Clare Enjoy a personalised mini-break in exceptional accommodation, overlooking The Burren National Park & the picturesque fishing village of Corofin with access to Lough Inchiquin, Ballycullinan Lake & Atedaun Lake

Explore the Burren with on one of our guided walking tours, then soak in our outdoor hot-tub & Spa with views of the magnificent Mullagh Mor. Prices start from â&#x201A;Ź35 pp Bed & Breakfast

www.burrenretreats.com Call Burren Retreats today +353 (65) 6827749 I Shoot and Fish Magazine May 2013

Want to see your story and pictures in our e-zine email to info@ishootandfish.ie or call Anthony on 087-6690796

IRELAND'S PREMIER SALMON FISHING LODGE STAY IN A SPECIALISED FISHING LODGE DEDICATED TO SALMON ANGLING. FISH FOR WILD ATLANTIC SALMON IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH OF IRELAND ON EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE BEATS ON THE WORLD-RENOWNED CORK BLACKWATER, IRELAND'S MOST PROLIFIC SALMON RIVER.

http://www.ireland-salmon-fishing.net