The essence of game angling is the pursuit of native fish in wild places; Ireland offers a unique opportunity to experience such fishing. Salmon, trout and sea trout are native species with an honoured place in Irish culture. And Ireland's loughs and rivers have preserved their character in a landscape which has changed very little over the centuries. The angler on Lough Mask, one of the great western limestone loughs, witnesses a timeless scene looking across the waves to mountain ranges which ripple into infinity on the skyline. This sense of place, which is one of the pleasures of fishing in Ireland, can be experienced in different ways on the many types of Irish rivers and loughs. Lough Mask is like an Inland Sea, but there are also countless small loughs where the lone angler can fish in sheltered solitude. Major rivers like the Munster Blackwater in the south offer sport with salmon and scenery on a grand scale, while a more intimate experience can be enjoyed on the minor limestone trout streams such as those which wind through the green pastures of County Meath. But while Irish game angling is a sport of varied landscapes and many seasons, it has one abiding virtue; it still offers an authentic angling experience in a world where this in increasingly rare.

THE SALMON

The Atlantic salmon has always been a prized Irish fish. Irish salmon fishing is both easily accessible and reasonably priced. The biggest fish run in the early months of the year and weigh on average about nine pounds. A spring fish from cold water, silver, muscular and graceful, is magnificent. To catch one, especially on the fly is a triumph and these days and angler will be satisfied with a brace of such fish in a week's fishing. They can be caught from January onwards in rivers such as the Drowes, which flows into Donegal Bay. As other rivers open, spring fish may be sought all over Ireland. They can also be caught in some loughs and Lough Beltra, near Newport in County Mayo can produce fine fish from March onwards.

Grilse are salmon, which have spent one winter at sea and are a most sporting game fish, swift, acrobatic and ready takers of a well-presented fly. They weigh from about three pounds upwards, and are widely distributed. The timing of the main runs varies between river systems but most begin in June; this is when a fishery like Delphi in County Mayo can provide spectacular sport in a glorious setting. Irish grilse runs are some of the heaviest in Western Europe and they offer the salmon fisherman his best chance of sport.

Generally salmon in river or lough take best which fresh in from the sea, but they can also be active after floods.

SALMON FISHING IN IRISH RIVERS

The single most important factor in salmon fishing is finding the fish; they have preferred lies in rivers, so the visiting salmon angler should seek the help of a ghillie for at least the first part of his or her holiday.

Salmon may be caught on bait or fly, although some fisheries restrict anglers to fly only, except in certain water conditions. Bait is often used for early spring fish, as rivers may then be high and coloured. The bait used may be natural or artificial depending on local regulations, and can be fished on twelve or fifteen pound test line and a ten or eleven foot spinning rod. Similar tackle can be used for bait fishing throughout the season, but with lighter lines for grilse fishing in low water.

To catch a spring salmon on the fly is one of the great experiences in angling. Usually fifteen foot rods and number ten or eleven sinking lines will be required in early Spring for Irish rivers such as the Slaney in County Wexford or the Laune in County Kerry, although shorter rods and lighter lines may be used on some rivers. Floating lines become necessary from late April when the water is warmer.

Fly fishing for grilse will require either a double-handed rod, or a ten foot single-handed rod carrying a number (A.F.T.M.) seven or eight floating or intermediate line. Leaders should be at least ten pounds test.

A range of flies has been developed for Irish salmon fishing, many of them specially adapted for local conditions. The advice of a ghillie will be invaluable for the patterns and sizes which best suit the water. The shrimp fly in a unique type of Irish salmon fly and is used on many Irish rivers, notably the Moy in County Mayo, in varying patterns throughout the season; sizes vary from number six to eight flies in late spring to fourteen or sixteen flies in summer.

SALMON FISHING IN IRISH LOUGHS

The services of a boatman is essential for the salmon angler on the loughs. Salmon will often be concentrated in known lies like the Black Rock on Lough Furnace at the Burrishoole fishery in County Mayo. They will rarely be evenly dispersed throughout a lough and anyone fishing elsewhere will have little sport. But the angler fishing these lies, who will usually be fly fishing, will also need to have the boat's direction closely controlled; it cannot be left to drift before the wind but must be manoeuvred so that the rods can address all the taking water. The angler will also need the boatman's help when a fish is hooked, for the boat must be rowed quickly to deeper water where the fish can be played out. A ten foot or slightly longer single handed rod such as would be used for grilse fishing, matched with an intermediate or sink-tip line, will serve well for lough fishing.

THE BROWN TROUT

Brown trout can be found in almost all river and lough systems. Although a single species, in Ireland it is a fish of infinite variety of colours and sizes, changing according to its environment. The brilliantly coloured fish of mountain streams are usually small, but the selective trout of limestone rivers like the Suir in County Tipperary may weigh three pounds or more, and great fish of over ten pounds are caught every year from the big limestone loughs, especially Lough Corrib in Galway and Lough Sheelin in County Cavan. Ireland is one of the few countries in Europe where the angler may cast a fly to wild brown trout. And whether is it to enjoy brisk sport with smaller fish, or to face the ultimate dry fly challenge of large fastidious trout in limestone streams and loughs, this is the cream of fly fishing for trout.

Irish trout fishing is largely fly-fishing and is governed by the rhythms of fly hatches. The deepest satisfactions of fishing for wild trout are derived from selection and deception; the selection of an artificial pattern, based on a naturally occurring fly hatches are prolific and allow the inventive angler and fly dresser wide scope. But Irish anglers themselves have over the decades created a unique range of artificials which will be of great interest to the visiting angler.

THE MAYFLY

The mayfly still hatches in abundance in Ireland's rivers and loughs, and where it appears it can provide supreme fishing with the dry fly. Trout can also be caught with wet flies or by the age-old Irish method of dapping the natural fly. The mayfly appears at different times on different waters; the first appear in early May, and the last big hatches go into June.

TROUT FISHING IN IRISH RIVERS

Fly fishing begins in April when the first fly, usually large dark olives followed by medium olives and iron blues appear. The fish are most active during mid-day. May sees a flourish of fly hatches, including mayfly in some rivers, but also sedge of various species, olives, black gnats, hawthorn flies and many more. The hatches start early and continue into the evening. This pattern is sustained into June when evening fishing can be superb during hatches of blue winged olive, a widespread Irish fly which is found on rivers are far apart as the Fergus in County Clare and the Boyne in County Meath. Daytime fishing becomes challenging in July and August but very good sport may be had during the evening rise. September can offer good fishing to nymph and wet fly, although hatches are diminishing at this time of year.

Trout tackle for river fishing is based on a standard eight or nine foot rod matched with a number four or five line. Leaders with a two to six pounds test point will be required.

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 truly at home.

At many of the major angling centres you will find tailor-made facilities to suit, including bait fridges and tackle/drying rooms.

TROUT FISHING IN IRISH LOUGHS

Early fishing on loughs is dominated by the chironomids (called Duckfly by Irish anglers), that hatch from March onwards. Duckfly hatches peak in late March or early April, when lake olives also begin to appear. May is one of the best months for the lough angler, dominated by the appearance of the mayfly on the midland and western limestone lough. Good fishing continues into June with evening hatches of sedge augmenting mayfly and other hatches, which persist into this month. By July daytime hatches begin to diminish and shoals of fry distract the trout. However, evening fishing with sedge patterns reaches a peak in this month and there is a tradition of fishing into the night on lough Owel in County Westmeath when a big sedge called the Green Peter hatches. Daytime activity increases after the middle of August and into September, in these months the traditional dapping of grasshoppers and crane flies brings up very big trout on the western loughs, especially loughs Corrib and Carra. Fishing on a number of loughs, for example Lough Ennel near Mullingar in the midlands continues into early October and although the hatches are sparse the fish can be very active.

Lough fishing for brown trout is as old as Irish angling, and a distinctive national style has developed over the decades. Irish loughs often have rocky or boggy shore lines which make parts of them inaccessible for bank fishing, so boat fishing has long been the most popular way of fishing them. The traditional style of wet-fly fishing from a boat for trout is deceptively simple but requires concentration and dexterity of a high order. Other methods, including dry fly, can also be used.

Whatever the method, local knowledge is the first requisite for success in lough fishing for trout. It is advisable for both beginner and experienced lough anglers to hire the services of a boatman for the first few days if the lough is very big. A good boatman will usually be a fisherman himself and will know the best flies, appropriate tackle, and local fishing lore. But more lasting than any technical advice is the companionship which grows between anglers and boatman and which often provides the most enduring memories of a day's fishing on a wild lough. There is also a comradeship amongst boat anglers. On the big loughs such as Lough Corrib in County Galway, at mayfly time boats will pull up for lunch in the lee of islands and their anglers will share stories of the morning's sport while driftwood fires, set in stones blackened by anglers' fires over the decades, boil water for tea.

Tackle for lough fishing is specialized in that a long rod of about ten or eleven feet is needed for traditional wet-fly fishing, as well as a range of wet-fly patterns. A number six or seven floating or intermediate line should be matched to the rod. Bear in mind the chance of meeting a big wild fish, especially if you are fishing a limestone lough, when choosing leader strength.

Irish loughs are sometimes rocky, and can be very hazardous when swept by the strong westerly winds. A boatman is the best guarantor of safety, but even so each angler in a boat should wear a lifejacket. Anglers who go afloat without the aid of a boatman should only do so with great care after taking local advise.

Some loughs have firm shorelines, which suit the bank fisherman. The adventurous angler who enjoys the challenge of walking over rough terrain can find sections of large loughs, or entire smaller loughs in the east of Ireland, where he or she may fish alone and enjoy the solitude of an ancient landscape on the rim of Europe.

SEA TROUT

Sea trout can be found in rivers and loughs around the Irish coast, with the populations' varying markedly between different areas. They are very closely related to brown trout, but run to sea as smolts, and feed in estuaries and coastal waters before returning, usually as mature adults. Then they are a wonderful sporting fish which can be caught by all methods in rivers and in loughs, but give particularly exciting sport to the fly fisher. They range in size from small fish of three quarters of a pound to specimens weighing over six pounds. Normal trout fishing tackle can be used when fishing for them.

LICENSES AND FISHING PERMITS

The angler is legally required to be in possession of a licence when fishing for salmon or sea trout. They can be bought from a number of sources, including fishing tackle shops and fishery offices. The price and the duration of a licence will vary.

A licence does not confer a right to fish; this requires a fishing permit which must be obtained separately.

Anglers fishing for brown trout in Northern and Upper Shannon Fisheries Regions are currently legally required to be in possession of a share certificate.

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

WEATHER FORECASTS

Weather forecasts are broadcast daily on RTE Radio and Television.

CONSERVATION

In Ireland, as elsewhere on this planet, conservation is necessary to protect the variety of fish in our waters. Trout and salmon 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 and salmon 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.

ANGLING SEASONS

Salmon and Sea Trout

The statutory opening date is the first of January, but only a small number of fisheries open on that date and sea trout fishing is not worthwhile until April on some fisheries and June on most. The statutory closing date is the end of September, with some exceptions.

Brown Trout

The statutory opening date is the fifteenth of February, but some waters do not open until March and others until April. Closing dates also vary, although many close at the end of September; some loughs stay open until the twelfth of October

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 refind 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 with single and double handed rods; wet fly, dry fly and nymph fishing, salmon fishing, fly tying etc…

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

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 salmon and 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 permit for local waters.

NOTES ON FISHING TACKLE FOR USE WHILE GAME FISHING IN IRELAND

For salmon fly fishing, double handed rods (13 ft - 15 ft) are the norm on big rivers and on spate rivers when in flood. Single handed rods (9.5 ft - 11 ft) are suitable for low water summer fishing and for lough fishing from a boat. At least two matching fly lines will be required, a floating line and an intermediate or sinking tip line.

Most anglers have their own preferences for rods and lines for river trout fishing. A 7.5ft - 9ft rod is usually adequate, matched to a floating line.

Longer rod (9.5ft - 11ft) are best for lough style fishing from a boat for brown trout, sea trout or salmon. At least two lines will be required - a floating line and an intermediate or sinking tip line.

Dapping natural insects is a popular Irish from of lough fishing from a boat. A long light rod (at least 14 ft) and a blow line are used and can usually be hired at angling centres.