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Fly Fishing Trout On Lough Corrib In Ireland

The Second Half Of The Fishing Season After The Mayfly

Fly fishing trout on Lough Corrib is different during the second part of the season, when the frenzy of the mayfly is over.  The lake goes relatively quiet for a bit, probably because the trout are stuffed with mayflies. Another factor is the plentiful food supply of shoals of tiny perch, known as pin-head fry at this time.

Sunset on Lough Corrib, County Galway, Ireland, at Annaghdown

This is a difficult time for the fly angler, as the trout chase large shoals of these juvenile fish, scooping them up by the mouthful.  Best results at this time can be achieved by staying away from areas where the fry congregate. Your best bet at this time is to seek out fish shoaling on daphnia, or take a break from day time fishing and wait until late evening when you can catch trout feeding on buzzers.

Around mid-July day time fly fishing improves once again as the trout start to liven up. At this stage of the season, dapping a Daddy long legs or a live grasshopper can be a  productive and fun way to fish, and is another traditional way to fish on the Corrib. Localised areas of the lake also have good sedge fly fishing.

Dry sedge fly imitations.

Sedge flies are the adult stage of caddis larvae, which resemble small caterpillars, that live in tubular protective cases on the riverbed. They fashion these cases from stones and small bits of twigs. The adult flies look a little bit like small moths and there are many different types of sedge varying in colour and size.

The fly fisher can effectively imitate all stages of the sedges development, the most popular method being a dry fly such as a ‘Green Peter’ or a large ‘Murrough’, which are traditional local patterns. Dusk is an excellent time for sedge fishing, when you can watch with trembling hands the spectacle of big brown trout ‘hammering’ sedges, as you fumble in the fading light to tie on an artificial one.

A fine cock trout from Lough Corrib.

Fly fishing trout with wet patterns

Towards the end of the season as autumn approaches, the fly angler can enjoy action packed fishing once again. Wet patterns can be useful once again especially when fished along the shore and around the numerous islands. Good flies at this time include Sooty Olive, Raymond, Bibio, Murrough, Green Peter, Black Pennell, Claret Bumble and Watson’s Fancy.

Large trout are often caught at the end of the season, often near river mouths or in rocky shallows as they prepare to make the journey to the spawning streams. They can be very aggressive and territorial at this time and will snap at flies that cross their path.

Anglers fly fishing trout on Lough Corrib are truly spoilt for choice and can enjoy amazing fishing all season long. As I write this it is late January and my excitement is starting to build at the thought of heading out on the lake to do it all again this year!

Read More About Fishing In Ireland

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A brace of trout caught on Lough Corrib.

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