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Irish
Game Angling, Boyle, County Roscommon
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Introduction
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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 Irel6nd's loughs and rivers have preserved their
character in a landscape which has changed very little
over the centuries. |
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Ireland
Salmon Fishing
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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. |
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Ireland
Sea Trout Angling
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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.
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Salmon
Fishing in Irish Loughs
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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.
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Salmon
Fishing in Irish Rivers
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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. |
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Trout
Fishing in Irish Rivers
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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 |
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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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