Lough Corrib opened on the 15th of February, with cold and fairly wet conditions prevailing for much of the first two weeks. Guide Jasper Matthews of Wild Atlantic Atlantic Experiences fished with Keith McDonnell from Impact Flyfishing on opening day, and no one will be surprised to learn that fishing streamers was the order of the day. Despite water temps of 5 degrees and changeable weather, the lads met a few fish on articulated streamers, and finished with one trout each to the boat.
Trolling has been the most successful method so far, with angling guide Kevin Molloy of Baurisheen Boat Hire reporting some good fishing on the troll. Kevin was out one day with daughter Katie and they had 8 fish to 3lbs, while another day Bernard McMahon was his guest and he boated 3 nice trout. A couple from Malta braved the weather and had 4 fish to the boat as well.
Flyfishing is starting to pick up, and Kevin reported 4 trout to the fly on Sunday the 8th, fishing with brother Eamon. Kevin reports a few duckfly starting to hatch off in the Oughterard area.
Guide Padraic Fahy from Birchall Bay B&B also reports reasonable early sport to the fly, with his anglers boating 1-2 fish per angler per day to wet fly. Fiery Brown and Silver Dabbler were the top flies, fished on intermediate lines. Padraic says there have been hatches of the smaller midge, but the bigger duckfly is patchy enough yet.
At the time of writing, the main duckfly hatch looks like starting the week of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, so the fishing should pick up then and we hope to have more reports in soon.
Go fishing…
