Brown trout fishing in the West of Ireland is principally lough (lake) fishing and the large limestone lakes (Loughs Corrib, Mask, Carra and Conn) are at their best in the earlier part of the season, culminating with the Mayfly season (May/June). The fly fishing starts in earnest at the end of March/early April and this can be the best period for the traditional wet fly fisherman, fishing teams of 2, 3 or even 4 flies to the large hatches of duckfly (large chironomid). As April progresses the emergence of the lake olives begins and hatches continue in to May.  In recent years, hatches of mayfly have begun in late April/early May and, depending on weather conditions, hatches can continue in to early June at some locations. The most popular method of fishing at this time is dapping the natural fly but there is also plenty of sport for the dry fly, wet fly and nymph enthusiast. The fishing of the lakes tends to slow down during the summer months although evening fishing, with sedge and buzzer patterns, can be very successful in specific areas. Generally the fishing improves again in late August and in to September with trout feeding on daphnia and terrestrials, such as Daddy Longlegs. There is a limited amount of river/stream fishing for brown trout in the immediate area but there is the option of fishing some hill lakes for small brownies. 

The variety of sea-trout fishing is essentially stillwater fishing although certain rivers fish well including the Owenmore, Cashla and Newport. The sea-trout start to run towards the end of June but it is not until early July that the main runs are seen. In general, fishing is done from a drifting boat using a standard trout rod, a floating line and a team of 2 or 3 flies. Popular sea-trout patterns include Bibio, Zulu, Bumbles, Black Pennell, Connemara Black and Daddy. These fisheries are fly only, with dapping also permitted, and catch and release is mandatory.

The principal run of salmon in this area is the grilse run which begins at the end of May and continues throughout June and July. There is a small run of spring fish principally at the Galway Salmon Fishery, Beltra, Delphi and the Moy. The rivers offering grilse fishing include the Corrib, Erriff, Owenmore, Bundorragha, Cashla, Newport, Moy and such places as the Derryclare Butts and Screebe Pool. By comparison to U.K. and Scottish salmon rivers, most of our rivers are small and there is little necessity for two-handed rods; single-handed or even trout rods are the norm. There is an abundance of stillwater fishing for grilse including the lakes at Screebe, Kylemore, Inagh, Costello, Burrishoole, Beltra, Delphi and also Loughs Corrib and Conn. These fisheries are generally fly only with a few exceptions where spinning, trailing and worming are permitted.