Fish out of water: Into the wild

Into the wild


In the second of our series challenging our journalists to move out of their comfort zone, we sent Anton McNulty out in the wilds of Mayo to reconnect with nature - and to survive on what he could catch.

STANDING over a campfire on an island in the middle of Lough Mask while waiting for your lunch to slowly cook on a stick would not normally be my definition of fun but I was strangely enjoying myself even if I was starved and wishing I brought my sandwiches.
When people talk of “The Great Outdoors’ I usually ask, ‘what’s so great about it?’ Now don’t get me wrong I appreciate the beauty of our landscape but I never saw the interest some people have in spending their spare time at one with nature.
Maybe I’m just a lazy bugger but going for a weekend of camping or spending an afternoon by the side of a river fishing never appealed to me. I could not really understand the attraction of it.
So when I was challenged to ‘move outside my comfort zone’ , it was suggested I unleash my inner Bear Grylls and join Colm Mahon of Mac Tíre Bushcraft on a day of foraging, canoeing and survival in the wilds of Mayo.
Of course I objected and suggested something less taxing like Kitesurfing (don’t have much time for water either) but I was told I would enjoy it too much and I was on my way to the shores of Lough Mask.
There I met with Colm along with another outdoor enthusiast Michael Kingdon and his daughter Heather for a day of survival. We were informed we would be canoeing to an island on the lake before setting up camp and fishing for our dinner.
However, before we got out on the water I was made aware of what wild plants we could eat and other which would leave you curled up in pain, if the worse came to the worse, and we were left without food.
As Colm and Michael introduced me to plants, the names of which I have now forgotten, they reassured me they would keep me alive if I was lost without food. Very reassuring I thought even if the taste left a lot to be desired!
A half an hour of paddling later we arrived on the island and set up camp. Armed with a pocket saw and knife we set about gathering wood for the fire which included peeling off the bark of a birch tree to start the fire. I had visions of me spending hours trying to get a spark from knocking two stones together but luckily Colm had a fire blazing in seconds.
Next up on the agenda was getting food, which was to be got from the lake. Colm told us to get a long thin piece of hazel for our rod, which is easier said than done when you haven’t a clue what hazel looks like.
Luckily there was plenty of it around and I went about shaping my fishing rod, Huckleberry Finn style, and with a juicy worm on the hook I was determined to catch my dinner. I was told to throw it in and wait, and wait and wait and wait we did, but nothing was catching.
I decided to try another location and as I was walking along the shores edge, my left leg found a deep hole and the water gushed over the edge of my wellie. Well that was just great, bad enough being hungry but now I’m hungry and wet, and still the fish weren’t biting.
As by stomach grumbled, I had visions of me foraging through the trees looking for some wild berries to keep me going, but happily Colm had the foresight to bring some trout with him.
With leaves used as our preparation area, Colm showed us how to gut and remove the bones before skewering the fish with some hazel and placing it over the fire to cook. Somehow I managed to do it without losing a thump and place it over the fire. It might have taken a while to cook and the preparation methods may be unusual but as the old saying goes, ‘hunger is good sauce’ and I gulped it down.
With our food eaten, we gathered up our gear and made our way to the canoes and back to the mainland. My experience in the wild was an enjoyable one but I won’t be challenging Bear Grylls anytime soon.

Mac Tíre Bushcraft
Mac Tíre Bushcraft, which is run by Colm Mahon, is a Westport based bushcraft adventure course which offers groups opportunities to reconnect with nature and learn more about the natural environment.
The bushcraft courses are set in the inspiring landscapes of west Mayo and through its woodland, and its beautiful waterways, you will learn to experience first hand, many skills from the distant past.
This involves a large amount of learning by doing and include camping, collecting, carving, creating, cooking, craft, and above all cooperation. All participants are expected to camp out of doors in a small tent or basha for the duration of the course.
There are different types of bushcraft courses available depending on your expertise and more information is available from their website; www.mactirebushcraft.com.