Learn to fly fish with one of the world’s top instructors while staying in one of Ireland’s most beautiful country houses.

Peter O’Reilly, FFF Master, THCI and APGAI – Ireland Instructor, has been running his very successful fly-fishing school at Delphi for over twenty years.

Peter, who is a best selling angling writer, has been fishing since he was seven and his residential courses at Delphi Lodge are designed to suit all requirements. The 2010 course dates are shown below.

"Most fly-fishers are self taught and cast mechanically without understanding the basics of the cast. Understanding what is going on and why, is what makes a good caster into an excellent one" Peter O’Reilly.

Fly-fishing for beginners - €750

These popular 3-day courses, normally run over weekends, focus on the development of good casting skills and good fly presentation. They are designed for beginners, keen to discover what fly-fishing is all about and those wishing to improve their fishing and eliminate troublesome casting faults. The courses introduce the participants to fly rods, fly lines and correct casting fundamentals.

The programme covers:

• How to fish safely

• Casting with single-handed rods

• Correct rod-arm mechanics

• Casting accuracy

• Coping with windy conditions

• Spey-casting and roll-casting

• Leader making and fishing knots

• Equipment appraisal; choosing tackle to suit your needs

• Water craft and how to read a river

• Demonstrations of wet-fly, dry-fly and upstream nymph fishing

• Fly-tying demonstration

• An opportunity to river fish for trout each day

• Guided boat fishing on one of Connemara’s premier fisheries

Each student will receive a complimentary set of Peter’s laminated helpful ‘prompt cards’ as an aide memoir of the course. The courses are limited to eight participants.

Spey Casting - €895

Spey casting and other techniques of fly-fishing with two-handed rods are increasingly popular on Irish salmon rivers. Being able to lift a long line and cast it effortlessly and gracefully is every salmon angler’s dream. In one weekend participants can discover all the secrets of two-handed casting, have great fun and add a whole new dimension to their salmon fishing.

These are 3-day courses, with a total emphasis on mastering two-handed-rod fly-casting, with a little bit of knot technique and leader-making thrown in. Rods and lines will be provided but, bring your own if you have one and have it assessed. Maximum six participants.

Advanced Salmon and Trout Fishing - €950 or €1950

These sought-after courses are run over either 3 days or 7 days. They assume basic casting competence and they represent a natural progression for those who have already done the beginners’ course and now want to get stuck in to some serious fishing. They also provide an opportunity to refresh and revise casting skills.

They involve full-time river and lake fishing for salmon and trout, both at Delphi and on other waters, with Peter and a team of expert guides all helping to raise your game. Up for a challenge? The record stands at 5 salmon taken by a novice angler in six days fishing. All tackle is provided but, by all means bring your own and have it assessed. The courses are limited to six participants.

All Courses

All the Delphi courses involve maximum individual care and attention from Peter himself. After a course with Peter, participants are equipped with all the knowledge and skills required for a long and successful fly-fishing life.

Peter is the ultimate professional and a consummate teacher, with a remarkable and rare ability to identify technical casting faults and to cure any problems with the minimum of fuss. A delightful man, he communicates well with all his students, which perhaps explains the popularity of his courses.

All courses are residential and include full-board accommodation in one of the most beautiful country houses in the West of Ireland, well known for its delicious food, fine wines, great atmosphere and glorious setting.

Participants should bring warm and proper waterproof clothing, wellies, a hat and sunglasses or other eye protection.

All fishing tackle is provided. Do not buy new tackle. But anglers may bring their own if they want to have it assessed by Peter as to its suitability. A selection of rods, lines and reels are available for sale from Peter O’Reilly.

COURSE DATES 2010

Notes

• A 50% deposit is payable on reservation.

• For details of Delphi’s cancellation policy, click on “Reservations”.

• Course dates are subject to change. Participants from abroad should await final confirmation of their course dates before booking flights.