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SEA FISHING EXPERIENCE.
Used with kind permission of Vic Thomas and the
Sunday Life, 28th June 2009.
The historic Londonderry Arms Hotel, built by Lady
Londonderry and owned by her Great Grandson Sir Winston Churchill
in the 1920's is situated in the village of Carnlough on the
beautiful Antrim Coast at the foot of Glencloy.
Now this, would seem the perfect setting in which to have a
relaxing break in comfortable surroundings where the cares of the
day seem to drop from your shoulders as you cross the threshold
but some people prefer a little more action and that is why the
Hotel has got together with Master Skipper Hamish Currie to launch
a new "Sea Fishing Experience".
Hamish, skipper of Ireland's fastest charter boat, Predator
II will take groups of up to six beginners or eight more
experienced anglers on either a four hour fishing trip or a six
hour deep sea fishing experience at the end of which you bring
your "OWN" catch home for dinner!
Back on dry land at the Londonderry Arms, have a long hot
bath and relax as I did with a perfect pint of Guinness in the
Churchill Lounge while your catch is prepared by the Londonderry's
award winning Chefs and served up in spectacular fashion for
dinner that very evening - YOU CAN'T GET FRESHER THAN THAT!!!
It's a mouth-watering prospect for the food at the Hotel is
renowned for its quality and flavour, holding the Taste of Ulster
Award and AA Rosette and being listed in Georgina Campbell Ireland
2009 - The Guide.
So there it was, an exciting new enterprise and that's how
it seemed to me an angling geek when I was asked to stay in The
Londonderry Arms and go on a fishing trip aboard the impressive
Predator II.
Of course they didn't tell me at that time that I would have
to run a picture slide show and make a speech in front of Lords,
Ladies and local dignatories during the dinner that night - oh no,
they kept that bit quiet until just before I stepped on board!!!
Talking about stepping on board, what a terrific fishing
platform, even in the choppy conditions we experienced up near
Torr Head, the Predator II was solid as a rock with none of the
usual bouncing about trying to keep one's balance that I have
experienced on past sea fishing trips!
Not only is she steady but super fast as well and it was
with some disbelief that I heard the Skipper say we had covered
over forty miles up and down the Antrim coastline that day!!!
On board with me was my regular Skipper, Mr Billy Graham, a
former Consultant Surgeon at Craigavon hospital and in this
particular case, more importantly, a life long fishing enthusiast
whether it be on fresh or salt water. Billy had in fact enjoyed
several years living just down the Coast in Glenarm, having been
evacuated there during the Second World War and he regaled us with
stories of fishing local rivers and sea, of growing vegetables for
the War effort and of trapping rabbits on the coastal cliffs early
in the morning - apparently, the best time - before heading off to
School.
Also on board was Shaun O'Neill, Deputy Sports Editor of the
Ballymena Guardian; Aubrey Irwin of Tourism Ireland and on her
first ever fishing trip Lisa Robinson of Causeway Coast and Glens
Tourism Partnership.
Fishing on the day was hard and the weather unkind with
blinding rain and strong winds. The wind caused the most problem
for it was blowing directly against the tide making it extremely
difficult for the Skipper to set us on a decent drift!
Nevertheless we caught fish, with mackerel, pollack,
coalfish, red gurnard, whiting and dogfish all being boated. Shaun
caught the biggest fish of the day a pollack, around 3lbs but,
this is small fry when compared with the size of fish that anglers
on board Hamish's boat regularly catch. Irish specimen after Irish
specimen has been boated and Predator II currently holds three
Irish records for herring, spurdog and black mouthed dogfish!!!
The first fish, a trio of coalies was boated by Aubrey but
once again the only lady on board and, the most inexperienced
angler - Lisa - showed the men how to do it, landing the most fish
by a long way throughout the trip!
Of course my excuse was that I was too busy interviewing
Hamish and taking pictures - so much for a so called angling
expert - is there such a thing???
Back on dry land and a swift taxi journey back to the
Londonderry Arms where we handed over our catch, had a quick
shower, and imbibed a modicum of refreshing liquid - another
Guinness - while waiting to partake of the fruits of our labour,
lovingly prepared by award winning Chefs.
And so it was that along with my intrepid sea-faring friends
I sat down to chill out and let my taste buds enjoy the
"freshest sea food" they had ever encountered.
The combination of the Londonderry Arms and Predator II is
definitely a winner, for Angling, in all its guises, is still
growing on this island. According to Government figures released,
just last year, it is currently worth £22.5 million to the
Northern Ireland economy and is, "the fastest growing participant
Sport in Northern Ireland".
So there is a big market out there to be tapped into and
having thoroughly enjoyed my stay, I wish The Londonderry Arms and
Predator II good fortune and as we anglers say "Tight Lines", in
their new and exciting venture!
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