Fly Fishing Ireland
Where to go Fly Fishing in Ireland
Ireland's landscape was shaped, or better put, carved from the remnants of massive glaciers during the last ice age. Today shallow rivers and creeks meander through low rolling hills leading to the deeper scars left by these glaciers that are now the scenic Loughs, Lochs, and Lakes found across the country. Outlets of these lakes often connect to one another or lead to the coastal estuaries where salmon and sea run brown trout make their annual runs. While rivers throughout the country, such as the Drowes River, Suir River, Moy River, and the famous River Boyne, are home to native brown trout. The many Loughs of the Western part of the country create the world renown fisheries that make Ireland a popular fly fishing destination for visitors from around the world. Lough Arrow, Lough Corrib, Lough Erne, Lough Mask, Lough Melvin, and Lough Sheelin are just a few of the fantastic trout fisheries known for excellent fly hatches and trophy class trout. Because many of Irelands best fisheries are found on the various lakes of the country, it has become a hotbed for the evolution of stillwater fly fishing tactics. These tactics are foreign to most fly anglers and considerably more difficult to pick up on. Local Fly Fishing Guides in Ireland such as Jackie Mahon, specialize in teaching these tactics to visiting anglers.
Fly Fishing the Rivers of Ireland​​
Native Brown Trout and Atlantic Salmon runs are the highlight of Irelands rivers and streams. Several of the most popular trout streams of the country are the Drowes River, Suir River, Moy River, and River Boyne as well as their tributaries. While each of these rivers are well known for their salmon runs during certain seasons of the year, they also possess healthy populations of resident brown trout. While the bigger rivers receive most of the attention from visiting anglers, the smaller unnamed tributaries and coastal streams often offer excellent fly fishing opportunities as well. Smaller creeks and streams along coastal estuaries often congregate trout during the incoming tide setting the scene for some unforgettable fishing. ​​
Fly Fishing the Drowes River
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A small river of Northwest Ireland found along the border of Northern Ireland, the River Drowes is home to one of the more unique fisheries of the country. Salmon can be found moving through the short run of river between the Atlantic and Lough Melvin nearly year round. Alongside the transient Atlantic Salmon, brown trout are found in the river from top to bottom. Feeding on large hatches of Caddis and Mayflies these browns are numerous but don't quite reach the size of their lake dwelling brethren. What truly makes the Drowes River special is the presence of the Gillaroo, Salmo stomachius, which is a relative of the brown trout. The Gillaroo is only found in the first half mile of the river below its outlet on Lough Melvin. While the Gillaroo will indulge in the fly hatches that sporadically arise throughout the day, they also take advantage of the many rock dwelling mollusks that are found in both the lake and river. ​
Fly Fishing the Moy River
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The River Moy forms both Lough Conn and Cullen as it flows westward to the Atlantic. The Moy is home to healthy runs of both Atlantic Salmon and Sea Run Brown trout. While smaller browns can be found throughout the Moy in fair numbers. Heavy rains bring more and more sea run trout and salmon through the river and into the various lakes on their way to spawning grounds. The river hosts excellent hatches of caddis throughout the warmer seasons and various mayflies for much of the year.
Fly Fishing the Suir River
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Flowing to the southeast corner of Ireland the Suir River is home to one of the best wild brown trout populations in the country. While not known for trout of tremendous size, the numbers of trout in the Suir and its tributaries such as the Tar River and Nire River are fantastic. Trout in these streams can be finicky and selective at time when mayfly and caddis hatches grab the attention of these fish creating an outstanding challenge for fly fishermen. These vegetation filled chalkstreams are incredibly productive when it comes to insects. Weaving a nymph rig can be difficult in many areas, especially in the fall when water levels drop. With the productivity of these streams it is rare that anglers can't find a trout willing to rise in the warmer months. Terrestrial insects also find their way onto the menu from the pastureland that runs adjacent to the river. Rains in the late winter and spring will see Atlantic Salmon file into the system on their way to spawning grounds further inland.
Fly Fishing the River Boyne
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The Boyne River has a rich history in Ireland. It also is home to some of the best fly fishing in the country in its lower sections where it is popular with anglers looking to swing for Atlantic Salmon and Sea Run Brown Trout. In the middle and upper sections of river wild brown trout can be found. Compared to other Brown Trout rivers in Ireland, the Boyne produces some of the largest individuals each year. Mayflies and sedges (caddis) are the most common food items on the Boyne. Small streamers are also productive throughout the fishing season. For the best opportunity at landing one of these larger trout, anglers must cover larger amounts of water. Slower "frog water" is some of the best habitat where these trophy class fish lurk.
Fly Fishing the Lakes and Loughs of Ireland​​
Lough Arrow, Lough Corrib, Lough Erne, Lough Mask, Lough Melvin, and Lough Sheelin are among the best trout fishing lakes in all of Ireland. While there is runover in fishing these lakes, methods can vary based of the different fish and insects found in each of them. Ireland is unquestionably the best destination in the world to learn all about loch style/stillwater fly fishing. From shallow, heavily vegetated lakes to deep tanic water loughs, the Irish lakes are home to the largest trout in the country.
Fly Fishing Lough Melvin
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Lough Melvin is one of the the most interesting lakes in the world. The Lake which lies on the Ireland and North Ireland border is home to at least 5 salmonid species. Arctic Char, Brown Trout, Sonaghan Trout, Gillaroo Trout, and Atlantic Salmon can be found in its depths. The Ferox Trout is also a notable fish that roams the lake. Some locals see the Ferox as its own species, while other see it as a name used for the massive brown trout that hide in the depths of the lake. Each of these other species occupy a different niche in the lake and its outlet of the Drowes River. The lake fishes best in May and June when overlapping hatches of Mayflies and Caddis pull just about every species in the lake to the surface to eat.
Fly Fishing Lough Arrow​
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Lough Arrow boasts an abundance of healthy Brown Trout that can be found shallow for much of the fishing season. An abundance of Mayfly, Caddis Fly, and other aquatic insects allow the native browns to patrol the shallows for food from early Spring through Fall. Using the breeze on Lough Arrow is important in order to achieve the best drifts that can fool hungry trout.
Lough Corrib​
Located just north of Galway, Ireland, Lough Corrib is one of the largest lakes in Ireland. The fishing season on Corrib opens in February giving anglers one of the earliest opportunities of the year to wet a line. While trollers target the Atlantic Salmon in route to their streams of origin, fly anglers drift the edges of tapered weedlines for brown trout. Deeper in these weedy flats large pike look for larger meals more opportunistically. Trout move consistently on Corrib to follow the hatches that are often concentrated due to prevailing winds on the lake. Understanding these patterns is critical for finding success.
Lough Mask​
Upstream of Corrib in Lough Mask. Another true natural limestone lake, it's waters are incredibly productive. Spring and Fall are the most popular times to go fly fishing on Lough Mask. Brown Trout and a handful of coarse fish are targeted by visiting anglers. A handful of mayfly species make up the bulk of hatches on Lough Mask.
Lough Erne
The second largest lake in Northern Ireland, Lough Erne lies just east of Ballyshannon. Like many of the other lakes in the area, Lough Erne sees Spring and Fall hatches of Mayflies hatches with caddis emerging in the summer months. The inlets/outlet of the lake tend to not hold the largest fish in the lake but are home to bigger numbers of trout.
Lough Sheelin
Lough Sheelin is small, but one of the more productive trout lakes in the country. Few other loughs in Ireland can compete with the average brown trout of the lake weighing in at three pounds. April and May are the hottest months on Sheelin with massive mayfly hatches bringing the largest fish to the surface for an easy meal. Early summer sees the larger mayflies disappear and smaller mayflies, such as the caenis to take center stage. Caddis will also begin to appear in the first days of summer and last for several months. In late summer through the colder months trout often drop deeper in the lake and feed on daphnia and other planktivorous critters. For adventurous anglers the late summer and fall months offer an excellent time to target big pike and perch roaming the shallows.