Paddy Gargan’s is a name which cropped up many times since I first experienced sea trout fishing in Connemara in the mid to late 1980s. He has a reputation and a pedigree which uniquely qualifies him to attract us when he writes about Connemara, its sea trout fishing and its fisheries.

After university, Paddy ended up working in a variety of roles in angling across Connemara, including fishery management, work as a bailiff, and as a highly respected fishery scientist. Besides that, he has maintained his devotion to fishing.

The book is therefore worthy of attention on those grounds alone. However, Paddy also demonstrates skill with his words and his understanding of fishing practice in the area, along with a clear empathy for the people and the place. All these combine with Paddy’s humour to produce a really readable book.

The book offers in-depth descriptions of 19 fisheries with some detail on particular aspects of each. The details set out invaluable information about the main loughs and streams; tactics; geography; and history.

Each chapter is accompanied by sumptuous photography. (though many of the pictures suggest that Connemara can be a lot sunnier than I remember it!).

A lot of information is directly quoted from local anglers. Their advice on how to tackle the fishing looks invaluable. Some interesting quotes from ghillies are also captured throughout the book.

In a world where the internet and current literature, suggests that traditional flies and tactics have to be discarded in favour of the new, Paddy’s advice is clear that the traditional tactics and fly patterns are still most effective. However, there are some modern flies from well-known dressers such as Frankie McPhillips, Basil Shields and Colin Folan. Their offerings have been tested over significant periods of use. The flies are well photographed.