There's something truly enchanting about gliding across the serene waters of Lough Key while the sky above transforms into a kaleidoscope of colors. This past week, during the 53rd Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships held from September 20th to 26th in Boyle, County Roscommon, I had the privilege of experiencing this magic firsthand.  Hosted at

As winter sets in and the waters begin to chill, my enthusiasm for fishing remains as high as ever. Armed with my trusty Westin drop-shot rod and my favorite soft bait, the Easy Shinner, I decided to venture out on the river in search of winter river perch. As I navigated the familiar fishing