A celebration of the resurgence of Waterville as a destination, not only for its magnificent seatrout fishing, but also for the beauty of its rich and ancient coastal landscape, its sparkling lakes and streams, its culture, history and folklore.
10.00 am – 2.00pm at the Butler Pool
Spey Casting with Glenda Powell
Spey Casting has become increasingly popular in the last few years, particularly with
the availablity of truly lightweight dedicated spey casting rods from the major
manufacturers. Glenda will be demonstrating the essential skills required for both
single and double handed casting. ( session €10 )
11.00am – 2.00pm TechAmergin and the Cill Rialaig Centre
Fish Cookery with Ivor O’Connor
Participants will learn about the proper preparation of fish, filleting, home curing and
smoking and inovative and delicious ways to prepare your catch. How to choose the
most suitable wines to go with your dish. ( session €10 )
10.00am – 1.00pm Tech Amergin
Flytying for Seatrout
This three hour session will introduce participants to the essential patterns used in
Lake Fishing for Seatrout. ( seesion €10 )
2.00pm – 4.00pm Tech Amergin
Flytying for Salmon
An introduction to the distictive tying of Irish Salmon Flies.
7.00pm Foyer Tech Amergin
Official Opening of the Festival and Exhibition
Dr Ed Fahy will formally open the Festival and an Exhibition of Paintings and
Photographs by some of Ireland’s top Artists. and describe the Unique nature of the
Seatrout in the Waterville System.
8.30pm The Auditorium Tech Amergin ( admission €15 / €10 )
Concert
An evening of song, poetry and readings with poet Paddy Bushe, well-known local
traditional musicians, Ardú and nationally acclaimed musicians, Garry Walsh, Christy
Leahy and Donncha Moynihan.
Sunday 19th July 2009
Workshops
10.00 – 12.00 Assembling Tech Amergin then on to Lough Currane
Boat Fishing for Seatrout with Neil O’Shea
An introduction to boat fishing on Lough Currane, with tuition on safety afloat, basic
boat handling and essential fly fishing methods from a drifting boat. (session €10 )
10-00 am – 12.00am Assembling Tech Amergin then to the Butler Pool
Single Handed Fly Casting with Glenda Powell
Glenda will be talking about the importance of selecting the correct fly rods and
lines and then will demonstrate and tutor the casting techniques which enable longer
casts with heavier flies ( session €10 )
12.00- 12.45
Illustrated Talk by Dr Edward Fahy
Edward Fahy is a biologist who worked with An Foras Forbartha and various local
authorities on environmental matters and on the management of freshwater and
marine fisheries for government departments and latterly, the Marine Institute.
Currently, he is a journalist writing on biological and resources issues. He will be talking
about his research into:
‘The European Seabass’
1.00pm – 1-30pm
Illustrated Talk by Dr Paddy Gargan
Paddy Gargan has been working as a biologist with the Central Fisheries Board for the
past 20 years, having previously managed the Gowla and Inver Sea Trout Fisheries in
Connemara and latterly the Galway salmon fishery. He is now the Senior Research
Officer for the Central Fisheries Board and a member of the Standing Scientific
Committee of the Salmon Commission. He is also a keen salmon and trout angler.
Paddy will introduce:
‘ The Celtic Sea Trout Project’
1;30 – 2:00
Illustrated Talk by John Murphy
John Murphy has been the manager of the Waterville Fisheries Development Group
for the last seven years -----
‘The Management of the Waterville Fisheries- A view from the front line’
2.30 – 3.30pm
A visit to the Hatchery guided by John Murphy
(Contributions toward the upkeep of this wonderful asset will be welcomed)
3.30
A guided walk around the upper lakes
Events:
There will be a wide range of events for the enjoyment of all including non-fishermen. The festival will be held in and around Tech Amergin, our adult education and arts centre in Waterville.
Exhibition:
Throughout the weekend there will be an exhibition of Art and Photography, illustrating the richness of fishing, the fishery, and our unique landscape in the foyer of Tech Amergin.
Illustrated Talks:
An illustrated talk will be given on the unique trout, which inhabit this system of lakes and streams, by one of Ireland’s best-known fishery scientists, Ed Fahy.
Ed Fahy will also talk about his research into the seabass, perhaps Waterville’s most underrated sport fish.
Paddy Gargan, of the central Fisheries Board, will give a talk on the science behind the redevelopment of our seatrout and salmon fishery.
John Murphy, Manager of Waterville Fisheries Development Group, will give an illustrated insight into the past and ongoing work of the fishery.
Paddy Bushe, well-known poet and local historian, will talk about the origins of Waterville through its folklore, myths and legends.
Glenda Powell, Ireland’s best known professional game angling instructor, will share her knowledge of fly lines from her experience in working with many of the well-known manufacturers.
Workshops & Demonstrations:
Workshops will run throughout the weekend and will include:
- Casting demonstrations and workshops by Glenda Powell. Glenda will be covering single and double-handed Spey casting, casting from a boat and saltwater fly-casting in various locations around Waterville. We are hoping that our younger fishermen and women will take advantage of her expertise.
- Flytying demonstrations and tuition throughout the weekend by expert Irish flydressers.
- Ivor O’Connor, top Dublin chef, will be demonstrating the secrets of fish cookery and conducting workshops on how to cook your seatrout and salmon.
- Popular local gillie, Neil O’Shea, will head up a team of local gillies on the shores of Lough Currane demonstrating the essentials of safety afloat and secrets of successful boat fishing on the Waterville lakes.
Entertainment:
There will be an evening of song, poetry and readings in the auditorium of Tech Amergin on the Saturday evening 18th June at 8.30 pm, with poet Paddy Bushe, well-known local traditional musicians, Ardú and nationally acclaimed musicians, Garry Walsh, Christy Leahy and Donncha Moynihan.
Guided Visits & Walks:
Throughout the weekend there will be guided visits around the fishery, including the refurbished hatchery complex, to see the scope of the ongoing development project.
There will also be guided walking tours of the lakes and Ballinskelligs bay to see first hand where historic and mythical events occurred (and where the seatrout are caught).
For further information contact:
Tech Amergin on 066 9478956 / techamergin@eircom.net / www.techamergin.com
