Fishing
World-Class Fishing in the West of Ireland
Few places in the world rival the West of Ireland for wild trout and salmon fishing. Surrounded by unspoiled landscapes, limestone lakes, and legendary rivers, our lodge offers anglers access to some of the most celebrated fishing waters in Europe.
At the heart of it all lies Lough Corrib, internationally renowned for its abundant wild brown trout and unforgettable mayfly hatches. Just a short 15-minute drive away is Lough Mask, another magnificent wild trout lake famous for its crystal-clear waters and exceptional dry-fly fishing.
Nearby Lough Carra offers a truly unique angling experience. Its limestone shoreline and prolific insect life create perfect conditions for free-rising trout, making it a favourite among traditional fly anglers.
Beyond the lakes, the region is home to outstanding rivers including the River Clare and River Robe, where anglers can enjoy superb salmon fishing or peaceful evening dry-fly sport.
Expert Guides, Exceptional Experiences
Fishing with Larry and his team of professional guides ensures a truly memorable experience. Many of our guides have fished competitively for their country and possess an intimate knowledge of every bay, drift, and hidden corner of Corrib, Mask, and Carra.
Their passion, expertise, and dedication ensure that each day on the water is both rewarding and enjoyable—whether you are an experienced angler or discovering the magic of Irish trout fishing for the first time.
A Fishing Experience to Remember
From misty mornings on glass-calm lakes to golden evenings watching trout rise, every moment is part of the experience.
Great fishing, warm hospitality, spectacular scenery, and plenty of laughter await.
Come and discover why anglers from around the world return year after year to fish the legendary waters of the West of Ireland.
Fishing (Season Guide)
February – March
The fishing season opens on 15 February. Many anglers begin the season using a traditional method known as bricin fishing. Trolling lures is also popular during the first month of the season where water temperatures are low and fly life is sparce.
Most anglers prefer artificial fly fishing, focusing on shallow waters during the first month of the season.
By late March, the duck fly hatch (chironomids or buzzers) begins. This hatch signals the real start of the angling season. During this time, trout often rise in large numbers in specific areas around the lake. Anglers use buzzer patterns that imitate the natural insects rising through the water to hatch. During March anglers will experience the phenomenal spectacle of smoke like stacks of duck fly dancing over the Islands before they drop to the lake surface to lay their eggs.
April – May
These are without question the most popular months for fishing.
In April, the olive hatch (Cloeon simile) begins. These small but sturdy flies are excellent to fish with, either as wet flies or dry flies when trout are rising. Large numbers of these “sailboat-like” flies can be seen on the water throughout April and May. Anglers targeting olive feeders can use imitative dry flies, olive nymphs or a selection of small wet fly patterns.
May is the busiest month on the lake. This is when anglers use dapping, a traditional technique. A natural mayfly is attached to a hook and fished using a short leader connected to a blow line (similar to a strong length of wool).
Catches of 5–10 fish per rod per day are not uncommon. For many anglers, there is nothing more relaxing than targeting large wild trout with a small dry mayfly. Anglers travel from all over the world to fish Corrib in May, creating a spectacular scene every morning along the lake’s shores.
June – July
Although some anglers believe these months are difficult, they can offer exceptional fishing.
The Caenis hatch (sometimes called the “fisherman’s curse”) occurs every morning at daybreak, often starting around 4:30 am. During this hatch, anglers use very light lines and tiny dry flies to imitate the small insects. Good casting skills are essential to catch trout feeding on dense carpets of Caenis spinners.
In July, there is a second Mayfly hatch in certain areas of the lake. Fishing during this hatch can be even more enjoyable because the heavy May crowds have disappeared.
Caddis flies (Sedge) begin appearing in late June and continue hatching through the rest of the season.
August – September
During August, anglers mainly focus on sedge fishing, often using dry flies.
Occasionally, flying ants land on the water during warm, humid, overcast days. When this happens, trout can feed aggressively, creating extremely exciting fishing.
In August and September, daphnia (a plankton-like organism) appear in the lake. Many trout move into deeper water to feed on them. Anglers generally fish wet flies, pulling them through large shoals of trout, where catching two or three fish at once is not unusual.
The season ends in September with a final hatch of Lake Olives, smaller than the April hatch. Despite their size, trout rise eagerly to them, providing excellent end-of-season fishing.
