Fly Fishers / Fishermen N. Ireland

[paul87]

Guys just thought I would give you a heads up. Stumbled across this wee shop and thought it was a breath of fresh air to have something like this in Northern Ireland. The shop is in Newtownards and they are specialising in Fly fishing gear suitable for the rivers of Ireland, probably the best thing about the shop is they offer a try before you buy service.

 

I spoke to a young fella called Mike who was very knowlegable with all the latest equipment, he is trying to bring in the best of gear for all budgets. He was telling me how frustrating it was for him starting out and not being able to get hands on experience of a rod until it was at his doorstep (ordering online and lack of tackle shops having hyer end gear to hand) which resulted in him selling a lot of rods shortly after buying them and losing money doing so. Which was the main reason for him to start up.

 

He is just starting out but everyday he is getting more equipment delivered and will eventually cover all aspects of fishing with spinning and sea fishing gear ordered as he told me.

 

Have a look at the website www.amangling.com he is still updating and will happily order on request.

Sundays are the main testing day but as the days get longer he said he would be happy to accomodate evenings upon request, pricing is competitve too.

[billytheghillie]

TBH i think he will struggle a bit, i mean selling brands that are not well known. hope im wrong for his sake.

[paul87]

 

TBH i think he will struggle a bit, i mean selling brands that are not well known. hope im wrong for his sake.

Hope so as it's shops like this wee need this side of the pond but he seems to know what he's talking about.

[sharkeyes]

Need new line might pay him a visit

[vulpicide]

Tell him to pop along to the Moira game fair I'm on the SACS stand and I think we will be having a Fly dressing display a small discount for SACS members may benefit him and our members.

[paul87]

Just a wee update on this.

 

Had to go back to amangling as I broke my rod, not one I bought from them but was in need of a new one.

 

 

Well what can I say, what a service. I was in a hurry to buy something as a I had a trip planned in 2 days, didn't have time to try rods out but Mike was keen to see how I fished and sort me out with the most suitable combo. So to see me through the weekend he leant me a MacKenzie switch with Royal Wolff ambush line which I have to say I was very reluctant to take, I hate borrowing things in case I break them and would rather buy. Mike insisted on me not making a rush decision so I took the rod and it was lovely to use, done everything well and was nice to handle. It was a windy day, but the line pulled on through it well. I fished hard with it all day and was rewarded with a wee grilse about 4lb, again rod handled well during the fight. So got back home and rang Mike the next day to say I would be happy to take this setup, but again he talked me round and said he had a few other rods I could test and made arrangements to meet up.

 

 

So met up at a trout fishery which is ideal for testing as it has a number of bits that go out into points and allow you to Spey cast etc. Was walking over from the car and seen the van sitting so I walked round the side and was greeted with 7 or 8 different rods. He had brought a whole selection of double hand and switch rods from Mackenzie, Loop and Zpey who until then I hadn't heard of. He first of all asked me to show him what I was up to with the rod I had leant, so set it up and had a few casts. He was already aware of where I fished and what I needed of a rod so to keep it short we went through the range he had with him. He gave me pointers and tips with each rod on how to best handle them explaining the different actions. He even had the right line for each rod.

 

 

In the end I got on best with the Zpey range, I tried 2 switch rods and 2 double hand rods. The double hand rods were a dream to cast and made my not so great technique look good if that’s possible, tight loops and well presented line as Mike pointed out. The only problem I had was a lot of my fishing does not require a big rod and needs a lot of overhead casting. Although only 1-2 ft longer than the switch it would not be ideal in narrow spaces. Tried the Zpey inspire switch next, it took a bit of adjustment to get the hang of but with a few pointers from Mike I soon got the hang of it. This rod was a bit cheaper than the rod we left to last and I convinced myself this was the one I was taking. Surely there couldn't be much difference between the 2 and I was now casting this rod well. But Mike insisted I had a go to make sure, he said the next rod was a bit more powerful and for a more advanced caster. So quick switch with the reel off the inspire and on to the next rod we were ready to go again.

 

Slight re-adjustment again as he was not joking when he said this rod was more powerful and wow what a rod, I even surprised Mike with how I got on with this one. It was just such a joy and so effortless to use, it suited my style, if I have one, so much better.

 

 

So guys I am now the proud owner of a Zpey HM (Henrik Mortensen) Signature Switch rod and matching line.

 

Can’t thank Mike enough for going the extra mile to ensure I got the right rod and line at a very good price, with some lessons thrown in for free along the way.

 

 

Also it has to be said he has the shop looking well with full shelves, it is such a transformation since I was last with him in April. The website is not completely up to date but a visit to the shop is worthwhile. He has a small selection of gear to cover the other fishing methods too.

 

 

He said he is doing a demo day on the Lagan towards the end of the season and some of the Scottish members here that use the salmon fishing forum may have already met him over there when he done a demo day.

 

 

So just to re-iterate my original post its a breath of fresh air to have this type of service on our shores.

 

 

Thanks

 

Paul

Edited July 26, 2013 by paul87

[Lord Geordie]

Now that IS service!