Terry’s Travels Making an anchor box   I have owned my Red Bay Fast Fisher for well over twenty five years now, and have loved and continue to love just about everything about it. Fair enough, built in the 1980's, she hasn't the speed and sexy lines of a modern craft, but what she lacks in that department, she more than makes up for in sea-handling, sturdiness and reliability. As Tom from "Red Bay Boats" once said to me (the vessels creator), "don't ever be afraid of that boat in ..read more

A Lazy Weekend in West Cork Terry’s Travels A Lazy Weekend in West Cork   A last minute, "spur of the moment" plan late Summer, saw me heading south of the border to West Cork. The recently purchased Ventura Roof Tent has been a fabulous addition to my camping and fishing campaigns, making these short Irish excursions comfortable and great fun. This upcoming break would be another. Michele had never seen a Mullet, never mind caught one, so this would now become a Mullet adventure. I also threw in a float ..read more

A late in the year Bass Bash Terry’s Travels A late in the year Bass Bash   An invite for a crack at the Bass, how could I turn it down!         My old friend Ross Macklin heard I was in the Cork area, and extended an invite to join him and another great angling friend Ken Murphy for a few hours lure fishing. I first met Ross about thirty years ago (I can't believe I've just said that) on the banks of the mighty River Barrow. He walked up to me and told me who I was! "You're Terry Jack ..read more

Terry’s Travels   When once is not enough           After my recent and really enjoyable camping-fishing session down in St Mullins I couldn't shake that lingering feeling that, despite the large number of fish caught,  it had beaten me. It didn't sit well. It was a brilliant trip, teaching Michele how to cast a lure and catch her first fish, meeting up with old friends and simply relaxing amid serene surroundings. But I'm a specimen hunter, an ..read more

Terry’s Travels Paying back the debt   I promised an I.O.U to find a Skate for Arran, it was  time to pay up!       A couple of years ago, on a local venue whilst chasing specimen Tench, a young lad approached me for a chat. From by-gone days of writing for Irish Angler magazine, and my current website and blogs, he knew about my exploits in the match scene and my continuing specimen hunting adventures since.   Out on another adventure His name is ..read more

Terry’s Travels Shakespeare Salt Sea Rigs       Any excuse to spend a day on the sea!   Shakespeare Tackle Company threw a few sea rigs my way, to have a wee play and see how they perform. From the impressive array available, I chose five different patterns that would be appropriate for my local marks. The "Flat Jacks" are similar to the old "Hokais" which are well tried and tested, and require little introduction. Tied on 60lb mono and size 2/0 reasonably hea ..read more

Chasing Rainbows. Well, Browns actually!   Another season, and another crack at the Ferox Trout.         This has been one tough nut to crack for me. As a dedicated specimen hunter, I have managed to tick the box with somewhere between forty and fifty different Irish species. That is, to hook, land, and have verified a species of a nominated "fish of a lifetime" size. Some have came along easily, many have taken time and effort, but the Lake Trout of ten-pounds o ..read more

The River Barrow at St Mullins Terry’s Travels The River Barrow at St Mullins   I have written short stories regarding Shad on the River Barrow numerous times, here is another.         It's almost thirty years since I first sampled the delights of Shad angling on the mighty River Barrow, in the County of Carlow. Fortunately, I have been lucky enough to return to St. Mullins almost every year since, becoming somewhat of a tradition on my seasonal angling calendar. Annoyingly, I am well a ..read more

Terrys Travels Fintan's Northern Ireland Adventure Terry’s Travels Fintan's Northern Ireland Adventure Fintan Lawler is an angling buddy from way back. As a member of East Belfast Coarse Angling Club, I often met Fintan and the rest of the "Dubs" during angling matches throughout Ireland, typically on the tough Dublin Canals.     These were wonderful days that tend to evoke many fond memories, where I carved out whatever angling skills I now possess, against some of the finest "fish catchers" Ireland has produced. As I grow ..read more

Terry’s Travels Tench, An Old Favourite   From my earliest angling years, Tench have been a cherished freshwater species to target.  Each season, I promise myself at least a couple of determined efforts to tempt a decent fish or two.       I didn't manage this until April, and some might say that was soon enough, as June is traditionally looked upon as the month to seek Tench, particularly in the cooler climate of Northern Ireland. But I have found thro ..read more