Tipperary author John Lalor was hooked on fishing from an early age
Clonmel man publishes book on his fishing experiences
John Lalor’s passion for fishing and all things related is eloquently expressed in his latest book, ‘Fish Scéalta’.
The book features his many game fishing experiences throughout his life, from trips to Alaska to Lapland, the United States and the Swedish Arctic. These experiences have been described in the foreword as “one adventure after another” by his fellow international angler Dave Donovan.
John’s lifelong interest in fly fishing was triggered at the age of just four when his late father Eoin taught him to fish on the River Nire.
From there, he graduated to fishing for briceens, or sticklebacks, at the Frenchman’s Stream in Clonmel, and fishing with worms for eels and trout in the River Suir along the Quays in Clonmel.
Originally from Richmond House (now the site of Mr Bumbles restaurant) in Clonmel and now living in Cahir, John was a member of the Irish fly fishing team that took part in the World Championships in Sweden in 2005. He was also on the Irish team at the first Five Nations Fishing Championships in Stirling, Scotland in 2014.
Last September he was on the Irish team that finished fifth in the world at the World Masters Fly Fishing Championships in the city of Kamloops in British Columbia, Canada.
A retired primary school principal, he says “Travel is one of the best educators. It broadens the mind with real life experiences. Travel also broadens the angler’s mind and sharpens his or her skill. You meet many anglers from different countries, with their own national culture and their own angling traditions”.
Covid provided the perfect opportunity for him to sit down and write ‘Fish Scéalta’, which is the follow-up to his 2008 publication ‘The River Suir - A Blue Riband River for Trout, Salmon Fishing’.
John says that ‘Fish Scéalta’ shows that “you don’t need a large wallet if you want to catch the fish of your dreams. You may be a student or worker, so take your opportunities when they come. Better to have tried, and caught nothing, than to never have fished at all!”
‘Fish Scéalta’ is available in softback and also as an ebook. It is available to purchase on Amazon and from Austin MacCauley Publishers.
The book is dedicated to the memory of his late brother Eoin Lalor, who died suddenly in October 2023, and all organ donors.