ANGLING NOTES:THE TEMPERATURE gauge in the car hovered between minus one and two degrees as I set out from Dublin in the early hours during the current cold snap. I was tempted to turn back. After all, fishing is really only a summer activity, isn't it? But I had spent two days preparing rods, tackle box, boots, loads of jumpers and an overnight bag. And I remembered Eddie McCarthy's words: "We're open 364 days of the year and the locals give out to us for not opening on Christmas Day".
I am travelling to fulfil a long standing invitation to Ballyhass Lakes in Mallow, Co Cork. As I turn off the Killarney Road, passing Longueville House (famous for its apple brandy), I soon enter the 38-acre world of Ballyhass Lakes.
What follows is almost too good to be true. I am bowled over by the sheer quality and variety of this angling gem.
I meet proprietor Eddie McCarthy in the pavilion office and shown the tackle shop, snack bar, meeting room and parking for at least 100 cars. The main fly-fishing lake covers 13 acres and is best fished by boat. In contrast, the upper lake can be fished from the bank with fly, spinner or worm. "Do you see how clear the water is," McCarthy says. It passes through limestone and never discolours. You can see down 25 feet, he says.
With fading light, I take a boat with Michael Shanks from Irish Angler magazine to sample the fishing. I opt for a fast-sinking line with goldhead Montana lure, but without much luck. Mike is quick to adopt to the "rises" and brings three good rainbows to the boat. Earlier, ace angler Campbell Baird from Trout Fisherman magazine caught 11 in one hour.
Also at Ballyhass are, three- and four-bedroom holiday homes overlook the main lake, which provide ideal accommodation for a fishing holiday.
Over a splendid dinner prepared by our host, we are joined by John Buckley of Emerger Tackle. The evening is rounded off with a visit to Bob's Bar in Kanturk for "craic agus ceol".
After breakfast I join Campbell Baird for a "tricks of the trade"demonstration on how to catch rainbow trout. Scrapping ice from boat seats we push out from the jetty. With his 11ft rod, DF7 line, 20-ft trace and home-made lures, within minutes I bring a 1.5kg hard-fighting rainbow to the boat. Amazing stuff.
A visit to nearby Longueville House is enlightening. Our host Aisling O'Callaghan brings us on a whistle-stop tour of this magnificent late Georgian mansion. The house was built in 1720 by the Longfield family and has 20 en-suite bedrooms.
Within the 500-acre estate, the O'Callaghan family retain rights to two kilometres of double-bank premier salmon fishing on the River Blackwater. The curved ironwork conservatory built in 1866 by Richard Turner, considered the greatest ironmaster of the Victorian era.
Back at Ballyhass things are hotting up as we join celebrations for the official launch of Emerger Tackle. The brainchild of John Buckley and Michael Drinan, the new company will market its own product and will design rods for individual anglers.
Launching Emerger Tackle, Denis Cronin, says: "The experience these two former Irish champions have gained has enabled them to produce a range of products to suit all anglers. They are an Irish company supplying Irish-designed fishing tackle," he says.
As he spoke, the Irish fly-fishing team gathered at Ballyhass to formulate plans for the CIPS-Mousse world championships at Monteith in Scotland. The competition will comprise five sessions over three days between June 5th to 12th.
Ireland's team is: C Baird (Carrickfergus); S Maher (Tipperary); J Russell, P. Hoare and T Murphy (all Cork); T Kelly (Louth). Coach: P Noonan (Tipperary).
Diversification is evident at Ballyhass. The location allows for a host of outdoor activities, including kayaking, rock-climbing, raft-building, abseiling, archery, low ropes course, aeroball, team-building and orienteering.
For further details, tel: 021-4772416 or e-mail: info@ballyhasslakes.ie.
angling@irish-times.ie