The mayfly is pretty much over on Corrib, with the hot, sunny weather bringing hatches to an end, and making daytime fishing more difficult. Early morning Caenis hatches, which can provide fishing up to 11am on some days, are just getting into full swing now, with early risers being rewarded with some of the best hatches, and fishing, of the season. Guide Padraig Fahy, from Birchall Lodge & Angling posted a couple of beautiful early morning photos from Caenis fishing this week, which has whetted our appetite!
Scanning for rising trout as the sun rises too.
Angling guide Larry MNcCarthy of Corrib View Lodge & Angling Services has a report of the last few week’s fishing on Corrib, a period that saw some tough conditions but some great fishing at times:
“I last posted news in April and since then lots of trout have been caught , missed and some have grown larger for the individuals involved. Buzzer fishing was busy on Corrib and honestly I haven’t seen as many boats on the Lough during late April and early May for quite a few years.
Reports were mixed with some anglers enjoying great success and other boats struggling.
Most days guests staying with us had success boating 4 to 5 fish, some of which were big trout but the general consensus of opinion at the lodge was that the actual buzzer hatches were quite sparse. A few areas around the lake like Lackafinna, the Cut and Clydagh Bay had big hatches but most of the reliable areas didn’t produce much fly. The Ballindiff/Annaghdown areas were packed most days and boat numbers were uncomfortable. Many of the trout we landed on buzzer nymphs regurgitated more olive nymphs than buzzer when we returned them to the water.
May fly was quite early with fly appearing first few days in May. Wet flies out fished drys on quite a few occasions and the best action our guides encountered was very close to shore lines and around the points of Islands.
88 years young and still fooling trout!
Catches were consistent for the first three weeks of May but big bags of fish were scarce.
Most clients caught and missed fish every day but the guides had to work hard covering lots of different areas to produce fish on a daily basis. The general opinions were that fishing was better than 2022.
A nice trout for Ben
On sunny days fly hatched and was off the water in an instant making things harder but with cloud and a little humidity fly was available and trout were caught.
A plump fish taken on a Ginger Wulff
Visiting anglers came from all over this mayfly season to experience the challenge and beauty Lough Corrib provides. We had anglers from the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, two parties from the USA and many Irish regulars all of whom enjoyed every minute of their adventures on Lough Corrib.
With the sunshine and heat, trolling during the daytime can be more productive. Ferox trout expert guide Tomi Kurman from Tomi Guided Fishing has been producing the goods for his clients again, with plenty of trout landed, although only a few made the grade as counting ferox in Tomi’s book!
Fantastic markings on this one
Jaspwer Mathews of Wild Atlantic Angling Experiences has also been trolling for ferox, with some success, although the best fish of the day eluded his client Arnulf. Still, a couple of good trout saw the net and a camera before being reeleased again.
Arnulf with a good trout
Go Fishing
Birchall Lodge & Angling
Padraig Fahy is an accomplished angler and guide who knows Corrib intimately, and can give you a day to remember. Accommodation also available in the luxury B&B overlooking Birchall Bay.
Jasper runs Wild Atlantic Angling Experiences, providing bespoke guided fishing for salmon, trout or saltwater species. To book a guiding trip with Jasper you can give him a call on 087 6031975, or check out the new website: wildatlanticangling.com
Tomi Guided Fishing
To book a trip with Tomi Kurman, give him a call on 085 7318541 or check out his Facebook page here: Tomi Guidedfishing
