0:00:00 > 0:00:00- .
0:00:00 > 0:00:03- I'm on the Giant's Causeway - in Northern Ireland...
0:00:04 > 0:00:06- ..trying to catch - one or two giant fish.
0:00:07 > 0:00:08- Welcome to 'Sgota.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11- Subtitles
0:00:39 > 0:00:42- My coastal journey continues...
0:00:42 > 0:00:45- ..as Rhys and I travel to Belfast...
0:00:45 > 0:00:49- ..and on to Cushendall - in County Antrim.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54- The village of Cushendall - has retained its ancient charm...
0:00:54 > 0:00:58- ..and its numerous - Georgian buildings.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- This region is world-famous - for the Giant's Causeway...
0:01:02 > 0:01:06- ..which attracts - thousands of tourists every year.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- Our journey begins - on the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- Rhys, I'll aim for the sea - and you aim for the mountains.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17- Good luck.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19- Good luck.- - And the same to you.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25- To make the most of our Irish trip, - Rhys fishes a lake and a river...
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- ..for trout and salmon...
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- ..while I join Hamish Currie - aboard Predator II...
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- ..to fish for the blonde ray.
0:01:35 > 0:01:36- How are you doing?
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- How are you doing?- - It's all good.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- Thank you.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44- Here I am, on board the Predator.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59- While I went sea fishing...
0:01:59 > 0:02:04- ..Rhys met up with Joe Stitt - in the hills south of Clogher.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09- A very experienced angler, - Joe wanted to see Rhys catch trout.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- However, a strong wind - had picked up over the lake.
0:02:14 > 0:02:15- Tell us about the lake.
0:02:15 > 0:02:21- It's a mountain lake in the forest - above Clogher in County Tyrone.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27- It's very heavily stocked - with wild brown trout.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- It's rarely ever fished - because of its remoteness.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34- Hopefully, - we're going to catch some fish.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46- I'm fishing very close to the bank.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- I'm trying to mimic the insects - that are swept by the wind...
0:02:52 > 0:02:57- ..from the vegetation - that grows on the banks of the lake.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- I've had a few fish turning...
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- ..but haven't had - a definite bite yet.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- I don't know if something - has disturbed them.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- Perhaps I'm talking too much. - I'll be quiet.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- There are fish in these corners...
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- ..especially around the trees.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- They're feeding mainly - on terrestrials?
0:03:28 > 0:03:30- Terrestrials dropping off the trees.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- Spiders and beetles - and things like that.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- Up this high, - sometimes you get heather flies...
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- ..at a certain time of the year.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- ..at a certain time of the year.- - The Bibio.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42- Yes, the Bibio.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45- Oh, did you get him? Ah, small!
0:03:47 > 0:03:50- Well, first blood, anyway.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- It's a lovely little brown trout.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- It's covered in black spots - and the occasional red one.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- It can go back in.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02- Off he goes straight away.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- My first fish of this Irish trip.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07- I hope that's one of many.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09- I hope that's one of many.- - Yes.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- Hamish has anchored us at Red Bay.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18- You've anchored us at Red Bay. - There's quite a fierce tide.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- It'll be fierce to start with, - but it'll die away at lunchtime.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- The slack water will come. - You'll be able to drop a pound lead.
0:04:27 > 0:04:28- What do we expect to catch here?
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- What do we expect to catch here?- - We're looking for blonde ray...
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- ..turbot, cod, whiting, dogfish, - possibly spur-dog.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- As the tide slackens, - we'll drop a rod in for skate.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- Possibly a big skate. - You've had quite big ones here.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- I had three here last year - with Dutchmen.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46- They eat blonde rays and turbot.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- They eat blonde rays and turbot.- - They're eating blonde rays?
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- They're big fish then? - Well, touch wood!
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- We call these small mackerel joeys.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- They're known as joey mackerel.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- They make wonderful bait.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- You can attach them whole.
0:05:11 > 0:05:12- I'll rest my rod there.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16- Joey mackerel.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- It's excellent bait.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- As I catch joeys for the bait...
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- ..a fin popped out of the water.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- Was there a shark following us?
0:05:27 > 0:05:32- On closer inspection, it was - a sunfish rather than a great white.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- It's the heaviest bony fish - in the world.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- The sea fishing was going well.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43- But how was Rhys coping - with the wind in the mountains?
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- The wind is playing tricks on me.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50- It's blowing in my face one minute, - it's behind me the next.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- Every time I try to cast, - it blows the line back in my face.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- I got into a bit of a tangle there, - so I'll have to make a new line.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- I'm changing my fly this time too.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- This one is made from deer fur.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18- I hope it'll float and create a bit - of a stir on the water's surface.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20- In the middle, I'm using a fly...
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- ..tied by a friend of mine - called Edwin Lewis.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- It's an old quarryman's fly.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30- It's made from a partridge wing - and a dirty yellow body.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- On the point is a fly - tied by another friend.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39- Peter Thurnall from Llandeilo - tied this little beetle.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- If they're any good, - I'll be thanking them.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46- If not, I won't be - sending them any postcards!
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- I'm trying to get the fly - as close as I can to the bank.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- The beetle I'm using on the point...
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- ..could perhaps mimic an insect...
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- ..that's been blown from the heather - or one of the trees.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- Whoa, that was a good fish!
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- That was a good fish.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- There's no shortage of fish here.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- I've caught a fish. - That's a better one.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- It's a lovely fish. Look at that.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- Beautiful fish. That's more like it.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- That's more like it.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- With whose fly did I catch it?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- That's really a nice fish.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- That's what we came for.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- Fish like that.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- This is like The X Factor.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- For those of you at home who want - to know which fly caught it...
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- ..it was Edwin Lewis's fly!
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- Well done, Edwin.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- I've had a bite.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- There's a fish on the line - and it's tugging.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- The tide is so strong, - I can't tell how big it is yet.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- It was a definite bite.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- It's scrapping with me.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- Yes, indeed.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- Here it comes. A blonde ray.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- Excellent. Thank you, Hamish.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- My first Irish blonde.
0:08:43 > 0:08:49- A wonderful blonde ray, - with those beautiful speckles...
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- ..and that big mouth.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- They grow far bigger than this.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- They grow to around 40 pounds.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- This one's a baby.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07- I'm certain of one thing - - Rhys won't catch a ray in the lake.
0:09:11 > 0:09:12- Superb.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21- Rhys's luck was in as he caught - one fish after another...
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- ..despite the force of the wind.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- But I wonder which fly he's using?
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- Believe it or not...
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- ..the partridge - with the dirty yellow body...
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- ..has once again proved successful.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- Edwin Lewis - deserves a bottle of whiskey...
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- ..for his fly.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- I've enjoyed myself today.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48- This lake...
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- ..really is beautiful.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- I've had a bite.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- There's a fish - on the end of the line.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- It's another blonde ray.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- I think this one's bigger.
0:10:10 > 0:10:11- Yes, it is.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- They're growing. Excellent.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- Thank you, Hamish. There we go.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- Lovely. Thanks a lot.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- It hooked quite neatly...
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- ..in the corner of the mouth.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- Let me remove the hook.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- There we go. - That was simple enough.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- It's a little bigger - than the last one, I think...
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- ..and just as pretty.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- That big mouth...
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- ..ate the mackerel whole.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47- Back you go.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- I've now made my way - to the River Bush.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- It's a very famous river - for many reasons.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- Fine salmon swim in it...
0:11:11 > 0:11:16- ..and the water is used to make - the famous Bushmills whiskey.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21- I'm not drinking whiskey today, - but I hope to catch a salmon.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Here goes.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- I've tried for an hour - and haven't had a bite yet.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39- I'm going to change the fly.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- I've taken a fancy - to this yellow one.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- Perhaps the vibrant colour...
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- ..is enough to get a bite.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- Salmon fishing - isn't an exact science.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- It's down to a lot of luck - and chance.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- It can also happen by accident.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- But I hope the leaping Salmo salar - will like my choice of fly.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- There's been a lot of rain...
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- ..and there's been - a recent high tide.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- We're not far from the sea - - only a mile or two.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- We should be getting - a stream of fresh fish.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- One leapt out of a pool over there. - A pretty fish.
0:12:23 > 0:12:29- The angler behind me - proves that the fish can be caught!
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- He's already caught - a nice little salmon.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- I'd say it weighs - around eight pounds.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- Joe!
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- I've caught one, boys. - I've hooked a lovely salmon.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54- It's a good fish and it's trying - its best to run away from me.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- But I think I have it this time. - There it goes.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- Joe's net is too small.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- It's a big fish.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- Goodness me! We've caught one.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13- Well, well, well.
0:13:14 > 0:13:15- Well done, Rhys.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- Well done, Rhys.- - Put it there, Joe.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- Fantastic. Fantastic.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- Look at that.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28- A salmon from the River Bush - in Bushmills.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- Mission accomplished!
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- Hallelujah!
0:13:37 > 0:13:37- .
0:13:42 > 0:13:42- Subtitles
0:13:42 > 0:13:44- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- Welcome back.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- Rhys has joined me today - as we go sea fishing.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03- Welcome back, Rhys.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- Welcome back, Rhys.- - It's nice to be back, Julian.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Freshwater fishing - has made me a bit soft.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- I thought I'd come back - to show you how it's done!
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- Hamish is using a lot of rope...
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- ..because it's so deep...
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- ..and because the tide - is so ferocious.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- He has hauled a large cage - full of chum overboard.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- Those are the mackerel and coalies - that we caught earlier...
0:14:35 > 0:14:39- ..to try to attract - giant skates and spur-dogs.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- Because of the depth - and the strong tide...
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- ..a heavy lead weight is required.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- You could do bicep curls with this!
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- According to Hamish, - the tide runs at seven knots here.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00- If we do catch a giant skate, - it will be quite a workout.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06- The tide is incredibly powerful. - I've just reached the seabed.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11- I've never fished in water - this deep before.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- It's 400 feet deep.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- We have to use - a five-pound lead weight.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- As it happens, there has been - a very high tide this week.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30- I've reached the bottom, so I'm - gradually slackening the line...
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- ..to make sure the bait - and the weight are on the seabed.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- It's a constant battle - to keep in touch with the bottom.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- In another hour, - the tide will ease off a bit.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- The main thing - is that the chum is working for us.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- So the tide - is working in our favour?
0:15:56 > 0:15:58- Yes, but not the fishing.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- It took me five minutes - to reach the bottom.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- It'll take you another five - to get a fish up!
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- Hamish was right. - The tide did ease.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- The fish could find the bait now.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- I'm confident - it's not going to be a dogfish!
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- I've just had a bite.
0:16:19 > 0:16:25- Hamish told me to slacken - about two metres of line...
0:16:25 > 0:16:31- ..so that the fish - doesn't feel any resistance.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- Are you still getting bites?
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- We've slackened the line...
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- ..to allow the fish - to take the bait properly.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- I'm not sure. - I haven't seen anything since then.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46- Perhaps it's sitting - on the bait now.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- After five minutes, if you get - a bite, I'll need them off the deck.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- Just in case - it's been tampered with?
0:16:54 > 0:16:59- It could be a lobster, a brown crab, - a strap conger or a spur-dog.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- Then again, - it could be what you're looking for.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- As you can see, it's hard work - just reeling in the weight.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- I have around seven pounds of lead - on the bottom.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- I'm out of breath - just reeling that in.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- I won't relish catching a big fish.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- Spur-dogs.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- Spur-dogs. See here?
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- Chomp-chomp!
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- A spur-dog - has been chomping at this.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- He's had his breakfast. - Oops, hold on!
0:17:59 > 0:18:01- I'll need fresh bait now.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- There was no sign - of any giant fish today.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- Although the tide - had eased off for two hours...
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- ..its force and the water's depth...
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- ..had beaten Jones and Llywelyn - this time.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- That easterly wind - is starting to pick up now.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26- It's going to make things - more difficult for us anglers...
0:18:26 > 0:18:29- ..because the current - becomes stronger as a result.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- We've tried our best, - so we'll have to resort to plan B.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- We're going to head closer - to Rathlin Island...
0:18:37 > 0:18:42- ..and fish for pollack - and maybe cod.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47- But fishing in a depth of 400 feet - has been quite an experience.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- As we travelled along the coast...
0:19:02 > 0:19:07- ..we knew Hamish would find - an ideal spot for pollack fishing.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21- Hamish has brought us - into the shadow of Fair Head.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- It's incredible - the same rock - as Giant's Causeway.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- Yes, it has - the same hexagonal shape.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- I'm going to use - my trusty sidewinder.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37- In it goes.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- We were in the ideal location - to fish for pollack.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- Something's rising to the surface. - What is it?
0:19:50 > 0:19:53- Look at it swimming. - This water is so clear.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55- Oh, it's a pretty one too.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- Look at that.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- It's a whopper.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- It was caught - using the live eel bait.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- Usually, we'd use the rubber - or plastic versions.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- Sometimes, the live ones - get better results.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- That's a great pollack.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- Look at those big eyes.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- He wants to give me a kiss!
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- I've had a bite.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- It might not be a big fish, - but at least it's a fish.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- It's a pollack.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- It's almost the same size - as the bait.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- That's how greedy these fish are!
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- Let me unhook it carefully.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- It came out easily.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- Back you go.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- Whoosh, like a shot!
0:20:55 > 0:20:56- I have a great fish here.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04- I can feel this pollack tugging. - Or it may be a coalfish.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- You can see it swimming - in this clear water.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- It's a pretty one. Excellent.
0:21:17 > 0:21:18- The hunter.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- There it is - the perfect specimen.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- There are great fish here.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- This one's tugging.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Yes, indeed!
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- The reel is spinning.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37- The reel is spinning.- - That's a good one, Jules.
0:21:38 > 0:21:39- It's a pretty one.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- It's very dark.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- There we go.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- A whopper of a pollack.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- There it is. A pollack.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52- I wouldn't say it's a white one.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- It's more of a copper colour.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- It was hooked very cleanly - in the mouth.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- Whoa, this one's a big boy!
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- Now that's what you call a fish.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- I've caught a great pollack.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25- I used mackerel as bait.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- It's a pretty one.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30- Superb!
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- It bit so hard, - it was tugging at the line.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- What would you say this one weighs?
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- Around two pounds?!
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- Ask a silly question, eh?! - Back you go, boy.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- Rhys, despite the wind, we've had - a great time in Northern Ireland.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57- You caught a ten-pound salmon - and an eight-pound pollack...
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- ..and I caught a few Irish blondes.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02- It's been wonderful here.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- The views and the surroundings - are magical.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11- Join us next week - when we're in the Hebrides.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12- Bye for now.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- Bye for now.- - Ta-ta.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:32 > 0:23:32- .