Introduction
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.

Salmon
The Atlantic salmon has always been a prize 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 an 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.

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 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.

Open Season
The salmon and sea trout season opens on January 1st in some fisheries. Most fisheries open at a later date (various dates up to the March 20th). Most brown trout fisheries open between February 15th and March 1st.
Best Times to Fish
" Spring salmon: January to mid-June
" Grilse: Mid-May to late September
" Sea trout: Mid-April to late September
" River brown trout: April to late September
" Lake brown trout: Early March to Early October

Close Season
Most fisheries close on September 30th with some exceptions which close on various dates between September 15th and October 12th. Most brown trout fisheries close on September 30th with some exceptions which close on various dates between September 15th and October 12th.

Salmon Fishing in Irish Loughs
The services of a boatman are 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.

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 Slancy 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.

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 as 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.
Trout Fishing in Irish Loughs

Spring Salmon
Stocks of spring salmon are at an all time low across their North Atlantic range. conservation is more important now than ever. Catch and Release can ensure that more salmon survive to spawn.

Access
Irish waters are usually reached by passing through farmland and anglers are mostly allowed this access by courtesy of local farmers. They will give a warm welcome but please respect their property; leave no litter and close all gates.

Safety
Some Irish inland waters are very large and become dangerous in high winds; they may have reefs or rocky shoals which can be hazardous even on a calm day. It is essential to be familiar with such waters and their hazards before going afloat unaided; a ghillie or guide should be hired for the first few days of the trip. A lifejacket should be worn by each angler in the boat.

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