Summer, despite being somewhat unsettled, has hung on for a long time. We have only recently experienced some chilly nights and cooler water temperatures. Whilst it means the start of the close season for wild trout, it’s the start of my busy time for fly fishing for pike.

Whilst the fishing hasn’t been especially sparkling, my clients and I have caught pike and the old estate lake has showed some promise. Over the last few years, I have noticed that November seems to have replaced October as the prime autumn fishing month (here in England that is). Apart from the pleasure of catching some pike, we have been treated to some beautiful displays as the trees change from green to gold, red and brown (though as I write this, green is still the dominant colour). The wildlife has also laid on some great entertainment. Hares, fallow deer and roe have been plentiful and a flock of teal has taken up residence.

Kingfishers have returned to the old estate lake. The last two harsh winters saw a dramatic crash in their numbers as they were unable to feed properly because of frozen lakes and river margins. It was ever thus but it’s a relief to see them back and thriving. A sparrow-hawk has been treating us to some exciting hunting displays. The wood pigeons seem to be the preferred quarry which may surprise some given the size comparison. I say sparrow-hawk but the number of decapitated, picked pigeon carcasses that are scattered on the bank leads me to suspect that it is more than one bird. I have always thought that sparrow-hawks are territorial. Could it perhaps be a family group? If any-one reading this is more knowledgeable, I would welcome some education.

I always get a special thrill from watching birds of prey whilst I am fishing. Because fly fishing is so tactile, I have the chance to use my eyeballs and feel part of the grand scheme of hunters and the hunted.

I am about to cross the sea to Ireland on board the good ship Stena Europe. I will be making my way to Portarra Lodge on the shore of Lough Corrib. My host, Michael Canney is a mine of useful information on the fantastic pike that inhabit the lough – he is also a huge help to anglers who come in search of Corrib’s beautiful wild brown trout and the legendary ferrox. I’m looking after clients old and new and will have the pleasure of fishing with Ad Swier, the Dutch fly fisher who did so much to open peoples’ minds to the thrill of catching pike with a fly rod. I’ll post a report when I get back to Blighty. Hopefully there will be tales to rival last year’s autumn exploits there.