Brown Trout Fishing

The warming effect of the Gulf Stream ensures a long season for the angler, from mid-February to the end of September. The area is renowned for the abundance and variety of brown trout fishing readily available to the visitor.  Almost every stream and lake has a resident stock of wild brown trout and supplemental stocking, of selected waters, is carefully controlled so as not to interfere with indigenous stock.

To describe the brown trout fishing of the Western region as a whole it is necessary to distinguish between fishing the large Western lakes (more commonly called 'loughs'), smaller brown trout lakes, mountain or brownie lakes and stocked fisheries.

THE GREAT WESTERN LAKES

The large western lakes comprise Loughs Corrib, Mask, Carra, Conn and Cullin. Lough Corrib is the largest at 44,000 acres. Fly-fishing from a drifting boat is the angling method favoured most. Shore angling on the large lakes is over short, specific shorelines, or from the banks of islands,  and expert advice is invaluable for the first-time visiting angler.

These lakes are predominantly rich limestone waters, producing wild brown trout averaging over 1lb. to 3lbs. with some to 10lbs. caught on fly every season. Large Ferox trout from 10-20lbs. are caught by trolling deep water or along the deep side of shallows. Trolling can take place throughout the season, but it's the high quality of fly fishing and dapping for which these lakes are renowned.

In the early weeks of the season fly are scarce on the water. However, trout are taken on the fly in areas of shallow water from opening day, providing modest success for the persistent angler. Spinning spoon/plug baits or trolling dead bait are successful methods of catching trout in early season. During March the 'duck fly' (a black chironomid) hatches and trout rise freely to pupa emerger, wet-fly and dry fly patterns.

Duckfly fishing in early April can be excellent for all fly fishing, a period that deserves more attention from anglers. The day catch per rod during April is equally as good, or better, than during the highly productive and publicised Mayfly period.

Duckfly fly patterns include: Black Pennell, Connemara Black, Blae & Black, Watson's Fancy, Bibio, Mallard & Claret, Duckfly, Sooty Olive, Cock Olive, Peter Ross, Fiery Brown, Claret Dabbler and Golden Dabbler, Hoglice patterns, Coch-y-Bondhu, Duckfly Pupa and Emergers. Sizes 10-14.

Mayfly hatches can appear as early as late April  in the shallower, warmer lakes and from May 10 elsewhere. With a warm winter and spring one can expect the fly a week earlier. During the Mayfly hatches, trout feed eagerly on the surface taking the emerging nymph, Green Drake and, later on, the Spent Gnat. While fly fishing gives best results, 'dapping' the natural insect using a long rod and blow line, is perhaps the most popular method employed. The Mayfly are picked by hand along the shoreline of the islands or from bushes and kept in special wooden boxes most of which are hand made and passed from one generation to the next.  As the hatch progresses, the spent fly, as it falls back on the water, becomes the choice food item particularly of the larger trout. Spent Gnat dry-fly fishing provides the best opportunity to record a specimen fish (10lbs. weight on the lakes).

Also from April onwards through to June, in the more sheltered areas of sediment and weed, extensive hatches of lake olives and chironomids provide unlimited variation and challenge. Late evening buzzer fishing, given the appropriate conditions, can be an unforgettable experience, larger trout coming more freely when the 'balling' buzzer appears.

Mayfly time fly patterns: Green Peter, Green Drake, French Partridge Mayfly, Fan Winged Mayfly, Golden Olive Bumble, Cock Robin, Green Dabbler, Olive Dabbler, Claret Dabbler, Invicta, Golden Olive, Spent Gnat and Buzzer patterns. Sizes 8-12.

When the Mayfly hatches end the trout concentrate on feeding on perch and roach fry. Fry patterns and lures are then effective around the shallows. In late June, large sedge fly appear in late evening and provide good fishing through to August and September. Locally these fly are called Murrough and Green Peter and artificial tyings of these fly produce great sport, fished either wet or dry to surface cruising large trout.  Anglers should not leave the water too early at this time of year but stay out late and wait for the feeding trout in calm, sheltered bays. Lough Carra is noted for the quality of its evening fishing in the summer months.

Towards the end of August, wet-fly fishing improves and continues to the end of the season and generally is not to any specific hatch of fly. Terrestrials of all descriptions are important as also are fry, sedge and shrimp. Dapping large terrestrials (Grasshoppers, Daddy Longlegs) tempts larger than average 3lbs. plus fish. Indeed 'dapping' during the last two months of the season should be practised more often as the method undoubtedly attracts the larger trout to the surface 

Extremely large trout may also be caught on fly during September. These are frequently found in shallow water accompanying grilse and salmon.

For the latter part of the season, suggested fly patterns include: Green Peter, Murrough, Brown Sedge, Invicta, Silver Invicta, Kate McLaren, Blue Bottle, Daddy Longlegs, Bibio, Claret Dabbler, Golden Olive Bumble, Claret Bumble, Connemara Black, Raymond. Sizes 8-12

TACKLE

A 10-11.5 ft. rod is suitable for lough style wet-fly angling, shorter perhaps for dry fly. Floating lines are widely used for wet as well as dry fly. However, an intermediate sinking line is also a must for certain conditions.

When fishing specifically for Ferox trout, deep water trolling is required. Ferox trout reach 20lbs, or more, so tackle must be suitable and of good quality as these are strong, hard fighting fish.

For dapping a 12-15 ft. rod is required with a centre-pin, or spinning reel, loaded with blow line/monofilament line and dapping floss. Hook sizes should range from 6-10.

For trolling or bait fishing for both salmon and trout, an 8-10ft spinning rod with fixed spool or multiplier reel is recommended. 100-200yds. of 10-16lb breaking strain monofilament line is necessary. Baits include dead bait, spoons, plugs, Mepps, Rapalas, Toby's and Tasmanian Devils, Silver, Gold and Yellow-bellied Devons, Lane Minnow and rubber tailed spinners.

METHODS

All legal legitimate methods (live baiting is not permitted).

LICENCE

No licence required for brown trout fishing.

SIZE LIMITS

Loughs Corrib, Mask and Carra 12" (30.5cm)
Loughs Conn and Cullin 10" (25.4cm)

SPECIMEN FISH

All specimen fish caught including salmon, trout, coarse and sea, should be reported to the Fisheries Board, from whose Head Office a claim form can be obtained.

SMALLER WATERS

Brown trout lakes varying in size from 50-1,000 acres include Lough Rea, Lough O'Flynn, Castlebar lakes, Callow Loughs, Bilberry Lough, Lough Muck, Luimnagh, Moher Lough and Kinlooey Lough. Some are limestone and consequently produce good-sized trout averaging over 1lb. Native brown trout stock is augmented by local clubs and Regional Fisheries Boards. Regulations vary from one water to another, most being fly-only with a bag limit.

Generally, trout are easier risen than in the large lakes. Consequently, anglers often turn to them during the low periods on the big lakes. Shore angling can often give good returns. Fly hatches are similar to those found on the big lakes and some produce the highest average rod catches in Ireland.

'BROWNIE LAKES'

There are hundreds of small lakes in the Western Region. Only a large scale map can show that there is almost a greater area of water than land. Usually these waters are acidic and do not have the abundance of fly life found on limestone lakes. Important flies are chironomids, small dark sedges and a variety of terrestrials including ants, moths and Daddy Longlegs.

The lakes are located in mainly mountainous districts of great scenic beauty, or in extensive areas of bog land which characterises large ares of Ireland West. Trout are small in the lakes, weighing 0.25-0.75lb. They are prolific, free-rising and give tremendous sport to wet and dry fly all season and are invaluable for the novice angler. These lakes vary greatly and there are some real gems amongst them with trout in excess of 1.25lb. Local advice is invaluable to ensure success. Dark flies are best: Black Pennell, Bibio, Connemara Black, Blae & Black, Mallard & Claret, Watson's Fancy, Sooty Olive, Butcher, Invicta, Silver Invicta, Green Peter, Dry Sedge and Daddy Longlegs. Sizes 12-14.

STOCKED FISHERIES

There are relatively few stocked "put and take" fisheries in the region. Ballinlough Lake, near Newport, Co. Mayo, contains a good stock of rainbow trout. Stocked as fingerlings they grow to 8lb in the rich limestone water.

STREAM/RIVER FISHING

Wild brown trout in the small rivers are plentiful and the angling season is from March to September 30. May to late September is peak time with late evening the best time for fly.

There are two distinct types of fishing: the acid streams of the west characterised by their relatively small trout (0.25-0.75lbs) and the limestone rivers of the east containing much larger fish. The western streams are generally headwaters of salmon and sea-trout fisheries which are normally privately owned. Fishing for brown trout in these systems if not normally permitted in order to preserve sea-trout stocks.

The eastern rivers drain into the large lakes and hold large trout, many between 3-6lbs Ideal waters for quality brown trout include the Clare and Robe rivers, the Cong Canal, the Keel river, the river Suck and some of its tributaries (such as the Shiven, Island and Killian rivers), the Castlegar and Bunowen rivers. Other excellent rivers include tributaries of the River Moy: the Clydagh, Castlebar and Manulla rivers, Gweestion River, Pollagh River, Glore River and Trimoge River, Sonnagh, Mullaghanoe and Owengarve rivers. The Boyle river is also good for fly fishing over much of the spring and summer.

Fly Tying

 

ROY'S TOP TEN FLY SELECTION FOR LOUGH CORRIB

 

 

 

 

 

 

DUCKFLY EMERGER (March-April)		BLAE & BLACK (March-April)
Hook: Tying silk: Tag: Rib: Body: Wings: Thorax: Hackle:	Size 10-14 Kamasan B160 Black Flat silver tinsel (tied round the bend) Silver wire Black silk Two white cock hackle tips Hot orange seal's fur Two turns of black hen	Hook: Tying silk: Rib: Body: Hackle: Wing:	Size 10-14 Partridge L2A Black Fine oval silver tinsel Black floss Black hen Starling
CONNEMARA BLACK (All season)		SOOTY OLIVE (March-May)
Hook: Tying silk: Tag: Rib: Tail: Body: Hackle: Wing:	Size 8-14 Partridge L2A Black Orange floss Fine oval silver tinsel Golden Pheasant topping Black seal's fur Black cock or hen with blue jay tied at throat Bronze mallard	Hook: Tying silk: Rib: Tail: Body: Hackle: Wing:	Size 8-14 Kamasan B175 Black or brown Fine oval gold tinsel Golden pheasant tippets Dark olive and brown olive seal's fur mixed in equal parts Natural black hen Bronze mallard
GOLDEN OLIVE (April-September)		CLARET DABBLER (All season)
Hook: Tying silk: Rib: Tail: Body: Hackle: Wing:	Size 8-12 Partridge L2A Golden olive or brown Fine oval gold tinsel Golden pheasant topping Golden olive seal's fur Golden olive or light ginger cock Bronze mallard	Hook: Tying silk: Rib: Tail: Body: Hackle: Wing:	Size 10 Kamasan B830 or Size 8 Partridge L2A Brown Fine oval gold tinsel 10 or 12 cock pheasant with tail fibres tied in equal to the length of the hook shank Claret floss silk or claret seal's fur A ginger cock palmered with a light claret cock hackle (three turns) at the shoulder Slips of good quality bronze mallard tied in all round to envelop the whole body and reaching almost to the point of the tail
FRENCH PARTRIDGE MAYFLY (May-July)		RAYMOND Guide to tying a Raymond [71 kB] (May-September)
Hook: Tying silk: Rib: Tail: Body: Body hackle: Hackle:	Size 10 Kamasan B830 or Size 8-10 Partridge L2A or Size 8-10 Kamasan B175 Brown Fine oval gold Four or five fibres of cock pheasant centre tail Natural raffia, moistened Short medium-olive cock hackle, palmered Medium-olive cock hackle rather long in fibre, with a French partridge hackle wound in front	Hook: Tying silk: Rib: Tail: Body: Hackle: Wing:	Size 8-12 Partridge L2A Brown Fine oval gold tinsel Golden pheasant tippets Pale golden olive seal's fur Scarlet cock palmered with blue jay at the throat Hen pheasant secondary, with slips or red, yellow and green swan between them
GREEN PETER Guide to tying The Basil [84 kB] (May-September)		MALLARD & CLARET (All season)
Hook: Tying silk: Rib: Body: Hackle: Wing: Head hackle:	Size 8-12 Partridge L2A Brown or black Fine oval gold tinsel Green olive seal's fur Red game palmered and clipped on the tope edge Four slips of hen pheasant secondary tied in flat on top of the body so as to partly envelop it-boat-wing Style Red game	Hook: Tying silk: Rib: Body: Hackle: Wing:	Size 8-14 Partridge L2A Black Fine oval gold tinsel Claret seal's fur Claret, black, red-brown or ginger cock, according to preference Bronze mallard

 

Essential Reading

Trout & Salmon Flies of Ireland
by Peter O'Reilly

Published by Merlin Unwin Books
ISBN 1873674198

 

Salmon and Sea-trout Fishing

The West of Ireland has some excellent salmon waters with sea-trout present in many loughs and rivers. Ireland's temperate climate produces a protracted season with opening dates as early as January 1 and generally closing on September 30.

Fishing during the early part of the season to mid-March can be slow and unpredictable and very dependent upon water levels. Only a selective few fisheries, such as Delphi, the Moy, Carrowmore and the Galway Salmon Fishery, produce fish at this time. Mid-March to mid-May sees the bulk of the Spring salmon catch. These fish average 12lbs., with some fish up to 25-30lbs, and are more widely dispersed throughout the region appearing in most rivers.

From mid-May, large numbers of grilse (one sea-winter salmon) appear in virtually all of the rivers and lakes with the exception of Loughs Mask and Carra. These fish range in size from 2-9lbs. averaging 5lbs. Towards the end of the season, in September, several systems receive runs of 'Harvest fish' which are in the 8-12lbs bracket, with the occasional fish of 15-20lbs. taken.

The most notable salmon waters, in order from North to South, are:
Easky, River Moy and Lough Conn, Carrowmore Lake, Owenmore, Owenduff, Burrishoole, Newport River and Lough Beltra, Bunowen and Carrowniskey, Delphi and Erriff, Dawros and Kylemore lakes, Ballynahinch and Lough Inagh, Screeb and Costello, the river Corrib at Galway and Lough Corrib and its tributaries.

A State salmon/sea-trout licence is required and can be purchased at any of the fisheries and other local outlets, e.g. tackle shops.  Most of the rivers, and some lakes, are privately owned and costs range from €40/rod/day.  Gillies (guides), where available cost from €100/day.  It is also customary to supply a lunch for the guide.  New regulations came in to force in 2007.

For details see http://www.cfb.ie/fishing_in_ireland/salmon2007.htm

FISHING METHODS

Whilst most anglers have their own preferences some tips on rods and equipment may be useful.

Fly Fishing

Most fly fishing is with a floating line and small flies (sizes 8-12). Very heavy tackle and rods are not considered to be a necessity. A 13'-15' double-handed rod is desirable as this enables Spey or roll casting where bank conditions are difficult. A double-handed rod is not an absolute necessity, particularly during low water conditions, a 10'-11' single-handed grilse/sea-trout rod would be perfectly adequate. Lines are normally 7-10 floating or intermediate, though a slow-medium sinking line is useful during spates, Spring fishing and late in September. All lines should have at least 75 yards of backing.
Flies for Spring and late September include small tubes, Waddingtons 1"-1.75", Shrimp flies and Hairwings (sizes 6-10). For Summer fishing, smaller Shrimp flies and Hairwings (sizes 8-12) are appropriate.

Popular Patterns
Munroe Killer (Dark and Light) Thunder and Lightning Blue Charm Hairy Mary	Dunkeld Moy Garry Goshawk Wye Bug	Willie Gunn Garry Dog Logie
Shrimp Flies
Curry's Red Orange and Gold Wilkinson	Foxford Claret	Ally's Yellow

Spinning Rods

Rods of 9'-11' are used with the larger rods being used for Spring fishing and the smaller rods for light Summer fishing. Lines should be of 10-15lbs. with a good capacity reel.

Lures
Spring	Summer	Back End
Flying "C" red, buff or black Heavy Copper and Sivler spoons Metal Devons Wooden Devons Blair Spoon Mepps 4 or 5	Tobys 10 or 12gm. Copper and Silver spoons Mepps 2-5 Flying "C" red, buff. Small Devons (wooden or metal) Rapalas - Floating 7-13cms. Sinking 7-9 cms.	Flying "C" black Rapalas (Perch, Black & Gold, Black & Silver) Devons and Mepps 4 and 5 Copper and Silver spoons Canadian Wigglers.

Worming/Prawning

An 11'-14' rod is desirable in order to give better line control for float fishing techniques. A rolling ledger or sliding float method is mostly used. The line should be of 10-12lbs. breaking strain with a heavier line for Spring fish and a spare spool of high visibility line is also useful.
Anglers should note that prawning is not permitted on certain waters and the times and locations where it may be used could be limited.
 

Tuition

TUITION at Grasshopper Cottage is designed to cater for novice anglers and those wishing to improve or specialise in any aspect of game angling. We emphasise the practical use of the skills taught including fishing on lake and river.

Tuition may include instruction in the following:

Casting Techniques

All methods including single-handed and double-handed fly rods, use of fixed spool and multiplying reels.

Fishing Techniques

All methods of fly, spinning and bait fishing for salmon, sea-trout and brown trout.

Tackle

The selection, assembly and use of the appropriate tackle for the techniques outlined above.

Fieldcraft

Study of factors affecting game fishing including weather conditions, geography and geology.

Fly Dressing

Demonstration of basic and advanced techniques.

Entomology/Biology of salmonids
Study of fly life in relation to angling. Life cycle of salmonids.

Tuition may take place on either of two levels. A basic course designed for the novice angler combined with an introduction to fishing. An advanced course with professional guides and casting instructors. This course is particularly beneficial to the angler wishing to improve casting and develop new casting techniques.

Please contact us for a quotation on all types of tuition.

West of Ireland Fishing Map

 Click on the map to view a larger version.