I was first introduced to fishing by my father as a 5 or 6 year old, on the rivers and lakes of Co. Donegal for salmon, sea trout and brown trout. I was quickly hooked, and had my father tortured to take me fishing as often as he could!

At maybe 9 or 10 years of age I was given my first fly rod, and soon caught my first salmon on the fly. I haven’t looked back! I’ve been fly fishing for trout and salmon ever since.
Around the same age, I was given my first fly tying vice and so started a love affair with fly tying. I tie trout and salmon flies, but mainly salmon flies as salmon fishing is what sets my heart racing the most.

I love tying Irish shrimps and anything with a Mallard wing. I consider myself fortunate to come from the Northwest of Ireland; an area rich in shrimp fly tying history, with its many talented fly tiers, past and present. I’ve always had plenty of local inspiration. I now draw much of my inspiration from the many wonderful fly tying talents online.

I still try to make trips into the remote mountain lakes of wild Donegal in search of brown trout with my father, and the occasional dash to Mask, Corrib or Sheelin, but I can mainly be found fishing for Atlantic salmon on the River Finn in Co. Donegal, and on my home river, the beautiful Faughan.

This will be my first year tying at the British Fly Fair International. It’s a total honour to have been asked by Bridgette and Steve, and I’m really looking forward to it! It’ll be a amazing experience tying on the famous fly tyer’s row next to such wonderful fly tying talents, many of whom have inspired me greatly. Please stop by and say hello. See you all there!