The brown trout is a native Irish species, and the most widely distributed freshwater fish in Ireland. It thrives in rivers of all types, from small mountain streams to broad limestone rivers such as the Boyne or the lower Liffey. Its main requirements are clean water and swift runs over gravel in which to spawn.

Ireland has for centuries offered ideal habitats for the brown trout. It is still predominantly an agricultural country with a low population, which is concentrated on the coastal margins. Ireland's landscape remains a patchwork of pastures and bog drained by innumerable rivers and streams. Its rivers, especially those in the midlands, have long been noted for the quality of their wild brown trout fishing. Viscount Grey of Falloden in his classic book Fly Fishing (1899) described angling on the best of the English chalk streams, but he found the 'wildest and most exciting dry fly fishing' he had experienced on the river Suir in County Tipperary; he said of it that 'in May or June it might be the finest dry fly fishing' in these islands. At a time when the habitat of the wild brown trout is contracting all over Europe, and when some fly fishing for trout has an artificial character, Ireland offers the essence of the sport - the pursuit of wild trout taking hatching fly in natural waters. Rivers like the Fergus in County Clare provide challenging sport with selective trout of high average size, and scenery on an impressive scale; a more intimate experience can be enjoyed on the minor limestone trout streams such as those which wind through the pastures of County Meath or County Mayo. Irish trout fly-fishing is a sport of varied landscapes and many seasons, but it has one abiding virtue; it offers an authentic angling experience in a world where this is increasingly rare.

IRISH RIVERS

Irish trout steams vary greatly in character and appearance. The gradient of a river, its mean depth and the geology of the countryside through which it flows determine to a large extent its productivity, including the stock of trout, and their average size.

Carboniferous sediments underlie almost half of the land area of Ireland; these occur mainly in the Midlands, and this limestone base nurtures a rich food chain in the rivers and streams, which flow over this part of the country. The peripheral regions, especially the mountainous areas, have older rocks and acidic streams; the trout, though numerous, are usually small.

Limestone rivers provide the cream of fly-fishing for Irish trout. They vary from powerful watercourses over fifty yards wide to little brooks. Most are surface fed, with a small portion of their water coming from springs. A few, such as the Tar in County Tipperary, are spring fed and these are jewels, especially in May and June when their crystalline streams reveal golden gravels and the fresh green of ranculus fronds. They offer many possibilities for the fisherman: fast bubbling runs; deep pools with crease lines of current where discriminating trout lie in line astern; technically challenging slick glides. These rivers can hold heavy stocks of beautifully coloured fish. The average size is probably about twelve inches but a surprising number hold trout to eighteen inches (3 lbs) and every year trout over 5 lbs are taken.

Ireland has many wet-fly streams. Their distinguishing feature is a combination of steep gradient and flow regime. Their streamy water is interspersed with shorter glides and pools. These waters tend to be moderately alkaline, or neutral, and therefore not as rich as limestone-based streams. However, what the trout lack in size they make up in numbers. The invertebrate fauna in such rivers can be significant and trout of at least 3 lbs are always possible.

Moorland rivers are often highly acidic. They are usually fast, boulder-strewn, and lack defined pools of good size. The trout are generally small, averaging seven or eight inches in length, but a deep pool at the base of a waterfall can hold good fish of 2 lbs or more.

The small stony rivers of the north-west, west and south-west offer fish of only five or six inches long and a half-pounder is rare.

The Angling season for Brown Trout is March - September

FEEDING PATTERNS

The feeding patterns of river trout vary according to the season and nature of the water. Limestone rivers produce heavy hatches of ephemoroptera, from the Large Dark Olive of early spring, to Medium Olives, Iron Blue Duns and the Blue Winged Olives in summer. Some have Mayfly hatches. They may also be enlivened by the seasonal appearance of land flies like the Hawthorn Fly. In addition such streams have large populations of crustaceans. Al this makes for well-fed selective trout, with defined feeding periods in both a seasonal and diurnal sense

The trout of rain-fed rivers like the Slaney in County Wexford which flows over less fertile sub-strata are more likely to be opportunistic feeders. Such rivers may well have hatches of some of the ephemeroptera, but land flies will be more important here, especially in upland or moorland rivers. The dry fly will catch fish in such streams but the wet-fly becomes more important, as is a selection of more general and less purely imitative flies.

In general, April is the earliest month when trout can be observed taking duns in any of these rivers, and then for only a short period from about noon to early afternoon. In May and the first half of June trout can be feeding at the surface for most of the day, although spasmodically at times. In late June, July and August, especially in limestone rivers the best rises occur in the evenings or early mornings. By September the fly hatches are often light but they can persist all day and provide fishing for much of that time.

THE EVENING RISE

The evening rise is particularly important for the dry-fly angler on limestone rivers from about the end of June. The daytime rises usually diminish during the summer months but there is compensation in the hours of intensive sport from early evening to eleven o'clock or beyond. The rise begins with trout moving to small fly such as Pale Wateries from about 6pm; then the Blue Winged Olive appears and can bring up heavy fish, which feed into dusk. Finally the sedge species hatch and the trout rise to these until after midnight on some rivers in July. Very good fish may be taken during this last phase of the evening rise.

FISHING METHODS

The three most common methods of fly fishing for Irish river trout are wet fly, dry fly and nymph fishing.

The use of a wet fly may be the only way to attract the attention of trout which spend much of their time near the river bed grubbing for caddis larvae, nymphs, snails, shrimp etc… The wet fly is also useful in early spring when trout feed near the surface in fast broken water. This technique is best employed in rough water, whether in fast runs or in pools rippled by strong winds. The traditional method is to fish downstream and diagonally across the current, with a sinking line or leader. There are variations which allow the flies to sink deeply and then lift as the line straightens. A method of wet fly fishing which puts a premium on delicacy of sight and touch is to fish upstream on a short line, striking when the line moves or a trout is seen.

The dry fly is productive on Irish rivers from about April, when the trout become more active and the first hatches of ephemeroptera begin. If fishing conditions are favourable - moderate temperatures, low light conditions and still or gentle airs - then the task for the angler is to select the appropriate pattern and present it enticingly to the fish. Late April to September is the best period for fishing the dry fly - weather conditions permitting. By the end of June instream vegetation can present problems on many rivers. There is virtually no weed cutting carried out on Irish rivers and the angler must learn to fish the clear water amongst the weed beds.

Upstream nymph fishing is challenging and exciting. It is often employed to tempt trout lying deep in streamy water. A nymph, sometimes incorporating additional weight in the dressing, is cast upstream and the angler watches the line for indications of a take.

The majority of Irish trout have undergone arterial drainage schemes in the past, and this has resulted in high banks in places. It is best to fish from the bank, but in places this is impossible and deep wading may be necessary, so chest or body waders are now an essential part of every river anglers equipment. A lifejacket should be worn when wading in rivers.

ANGLING AND FLY FISHING SCHOOLS AND COURSES

An angling holiday is not only a time to catch fish and learn about new waters, it is also an opportunity to learn new skills and refine existing ones. There are a number of fly fishing schools around Ireland where the beginner can learn the rudiments of the sport and the experienced angler can hone his or her skills. And even a practised fly-dresser will benefit from exposure to techniques required to produce traditional and modern Irish flies.

The following subjects are covered: tackle selection; the theory and practice of fly casting; wet fly, dry fly and nymph fishing, fly tying etc…

The schools are solely concerned with trout and salmon fishing. Most are attached to quality fisheries or have access to them, so participants can put their lessons into practice with a good change of catching fish.

THE MAYFLY

A number of Irish rivers, for example the Boyne, have hatches of Mayfly. The best of this fishing is associated with limestone rivers. The duns may hatch from mid-day into the evening. Fish often take the duns but sometimes ignore them, especially when there is spent fly on the water. Spent Mayfly usually fall in the evenings and this is the time when some of the biggest wild trout in limestone rivers will rise to a dry fly. Every year wild fish over 5 lbs are caught from Irish rivers by anglers fishing with spent Mayfly patterns.

LICENCES AND PERMITS

No licence is required to fish for brown trout. However in two particular regions - the Northern and Upper Shannon Fisheries regions - a Share Certificate is mandatory. They are available from tackle shops and other outlets.

The majority of waters are owned either privately or by the State. Many are leased to angling clubs or associations. A fishing permit issued by the owner or the lessee gives the possessor a right to fish for varying periods ranging from a day to a season. Some fisheries may not require permits.

TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT

Most Irish towns have fishing tackle shops where leaders and flies may be bought. The bigger towns and cities have good shops with a full range of rods, reels and clothing. Irish fly patterns for trout have long been famous and the visiting angler may wish to collect a selection to try in their traditional setting. Fishing tackle shops can be excellent centres for angling information, especially local information and will usually supply fishing permits for local waters.

CONSERVATION

In Ireland, as elsewhere on this planet, conservation is necessary to protect the variety of fish in our waters. Trout fishing is fishing for sport, the enjoyment being in the challenge and not necessarily in a full bag. It is fundamental to the survival of our trout fisheries that they be managed and used by anglers in a sustainable manner. Anglers are, therefore, urged to limit the number of wild fish that they kill and return all others to the water carefully and safely. In doing so, they will be showing their appreciation for the privilege of enjoying this unique resource while respecting fellow anglers and giving thought to tomorrow.

WHERE TO STAY

An enormous choice of approved accommodation awaits the visitor to Ireland, but you will always be sure of one thing; a warm welcome. Whether you choose to stay in one of Ireland's many hotels, guesthouses, town or country homes, self-catering accommodation or even grand old castles, you will be made to feel well and truly at home.