Corrib View Farmhouse

Lough Corrib, Oughterard

Co. Galway, Ireland

Game Fishing in the west of Ireland

The essence of game angling is the pursuit of native fish in wild places; Ireland offers a unique opportunity to experience such fishing. Salmon and brown trout are native species with an honoured place in Irish culture. The angler on Lough Corrib, one of the great western limestone loughs, witnesses a timeless scene and magnificent beauty. 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 river and lough. 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 is increasingly rare. Lough Corrib with 44,000 acres of clear fishing water, producing wild brown trout averaging over 1lb. to 3lb. with many 10lb. to fly every season. Large trout from 10 - 20lbs. are caught by trolling the deep water or along the deep side of the shallows. Trolling can take place throughout the season, but it's the high quality fly fishing and dapping for which Lough Corrib is internationally renowned.

Corrib Diary

Opening on the 15th. of February, fly are scarce, so the preferred method of fishing is spinning/spoon or trolling. During March the 'duck fly' hatch and the trout rise freely. April can be excellent for all fly fishing. Successful and proven fly patterns include: Olive, Cock Olive and Black Pennel. Mayfly hatches appear around the 10th. of May. During the Mayfly hatches, trout feed eagerly on the surface taking the emerging nymph. Dapping the natural insect using a long rod and blow line is the popular method of fishing. Mayfly hatches fall back around the 10th. of June. By mid-August to the end of September wet fly fishing improves and continues to the end of the season.

Game Fishing Seasons:

Open Season:

The salmon season opens on the 1st. Of January in some fisheries. Most fisheries open at a later date (various dates up to the 20th. of March). Most brown trout fisheries open between the 15th. Of February and the 1st.of March.

Close Season:

Most fisheries close on the 30th of September with some exceptions which close on various dates between the 15th. of September and the 12th. Of October. Most brown trout fisheries close on the 30th. Of September, with some exceptions which close on various dates between the 15th. Of September and the 12th. of October.

Boats and engines available at Corrib View Farmhouse.

Go to our coarsefishing page.