Guiding Service
The Fishing: Lough Style
The type of fishing that is practiced here is primarily Lough-Style fly-fishing. This involves fly-fishing from a drifting boat and is the classic form of Irish Angling. The maximum number that can be accommodated is two people plus myself.
The Lakes
Lough Corrib
Lough Corrib
The biggest of the 3 at 44,000 acres. The season opens in mid February and while there can be some good fly-fishing it can be unpredictable. The first good fly fishing starts after mid-march with the first fly hatch, the duckfly (a chironomid), continuing onto April we start to get our first lake olives along with other chironomids. May sees the arrival of the mayfly and this can continue on to early-mid June. The fly-fishing generally lulls for Trout from then until mid August, however Ferox fishing continues right through the summer as can the Grilse fishing. From mid August until the end of the season, September 30th, fly-fishing improves once more.
Lough Mask
A fine Gillaroo trout of 3.5lb from Lough Mask
At 20,000 acres a formidable lake also, as a rule not as early as Corrib and it is usually mid April before the action kicks in. This lake can fish very well during the summer months and gets good sedge hatches during this time.
Lough Carra
Setting out on Corrib for the day
Worth fishing just to experience it. The white limestone marl bottom lends the lake a unique setting. This lake can fish very well during the summer months.
My job is to bring you amongst the fish. Primarily wild brown trout are our target. As I am situated on the shores of Lough Corrib most of my work is carried out on this lake, Lough Mask is only 5mls(8km) away The beautiful Lough Carra is a 40 min. drive.Dapping
Carra Trout of nearly 3lb
This is a style of fishing still widely practiced here. It involves the use of a long rod, 15ft(4.8m) or longer fished from a drifting boat. There is no casting, instead the fly is allowed to fish out ahead with the aid of the wind and a light mainline and it rests on the waters surface.
Salmon
While Salmon are not the main quarry there are times when it is worth going after them with the fly. Corrib gets a good run of Grilse (Salmon that have spent only 1winter at sea) 3-6lb, they enter the lake from the end of May onwards. With the right conditions, that generally includes a rolling wave, there is a good chance of connecting with them Lough Style.There are some lakes in Connemara which can be quite productive for Salmon (plus Sea-Trout) over the summer months and I guide on these also.
Other Lakes (Trout)
There are many other lakes in the area, ranging in size and in quality of fish, hill loughs etc. I have fished a large number of these, they make a nice change from the big lakes.
Pictures
As many anglers prefer to return their catch alive I can take a quick shot of them with a digital camera and e-mail it on so one can have a memoir of their catch, check the gallery for examples.