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Between 1914 and 1922, as the world convulsed in the turmoil of the Great War, another story was unfolding, one not of trenches or treaties but of trout and hatching fly, of whispers across still waters and friendships sealed in ink and cast line. These letters tell the stories of a remarkable group of anglers that fished Ireland’s western lakes, particularly Lough Arrow. Lord Kingston, John Henderson, Frank B. Hinchcliff, Leonard Brooks, and Martin E. Mosely, each a passionate sportsman, they formed a close-knit community bound by innovation, observation, and early conservation efforts.

 

Many honed their fly fishing skills on England’s chalk streams before bringing refined dry fly techniques to Ireland, adapting them to the challenges of Lough fishing with shifting winds, shallow bays, and large, elusive trout. Their experimentation, fly design, and meticulous record keeping helped establish Lough Arrow as a proving ground for modern lough dry fly fishing and as a result Lough Arrow can rightly be regarded as the home of Stillwater dry fly fishing.

 

The significance of their work was underscored when John Henderson Sr. contributed a chapter to Frederic M. Halford’s The Dry-Fly Man’s Handbook (1913), titled "Dry Fly on Lough Arrow", reinforcing Lough Arrow’s influence on the evolution of Stillwater angling. As Henderson observed:

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"The spent gnat is the great attraction on Lough Arrow, and a good imitation of it, properly fished, will often kill the heaviest fish. I know of no better water for large trout taking the dry-fly in the open."

 

The letters that follow, written from lodges, boats, and guest houses between the anglers, capture the spirit of this era. They document fly hatches, weather patterns, conservation concerns, and personal reflections, preserving an invaluable chapter in Irish angling history.

 

About the Authors

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Lord Kingston – Owner of Annacloy House, a lodge on Lough Arrow’s shore. An early patron of the Lough Arrow Fish Preservation Society, he kept detailed records of his outings and promoted conservation.

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John Henderson Sr. – A dry fly expert and fly tyer credited with developing specialized patterns for the lake. His insights in The Dry-Fly Man’s Handbook helped define Stillwater techniques.

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F.B. Hinchcliff – An English angler with a scientific approach, recording observations on fly life, trout feeding, and weather patterns.

 

Leonard Brooks – A dedicated English correspondent, contributing seasonal observations on fly hatches, fly-tying, and entomology.

 

Martin E. Mosely – A leading entomologist and fly fisher, known for his studies on aquatic insects. His book The Dry-Fly Fisherman’s Entomology (1921) became a key reference.

 

Lough Arrow & The Flyfishers’ Club London

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These men were deeply involved in both the Lough Arrow Club (founded in 1904) and the Fly fishers’ Club of London. Through their efforts, Lough Arrow gained recognition as a premier destination for skilled dry fly anglers. The lake became a testing ground for new techniques and fly patterns, including the famed Lough Arrow spent gnat. Their correspondence reflects the interplay between Irish lake fishing and British club angling, an exchange that shaped the future of the sport.

 

The Letters & Their Legacy

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This collection offers a rare, first hand account of fly-fishing during its golden age. The letters detail: catch reports, trout weights, locations, and successful fly patterns. Fly hatches, mayfly, olive, sedge, and other key species. Lake conditions, water levels, seasonal changes, and wind patterns. Trout behaviour, feeding habits, fly design experiments, and observations on perch fry. Personal anecdotes, wartime reflections, friendships, and humorous exchanges

 

Together, these writings form a vivid portrait of a place and a community devoted to the craft of fly fishing. Practical, poetic, and rich with insight, they capture not just what worked, but the experience of fishing Lough Arrow.

 

A Note to Readers

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Painstakingly transcribed from exact copies of original manuscripts, these letters preserve a vital piece of angling heritage. Some words and names were lost to time, due to fading and handwriting style, but every effort has been made to retain their meaning and tone. This collection stands as a lasting tribute to the anglers, the lake, and the legacy that cemented Lough Arrow’s place as a proving ground for modern dry fly tactics on Stillwaters.​​

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