Fishing guides report that the mayfly hatch this year has been excellent. The hatch started in late April, indeed on the last day of April I was out and saw one of the best hatches I have seen on the lake.
Paul Heaney from Corrib Anglers Guiding Service says the hatch was very good, but more prolific on the wester side of the lake, while eastern bays still saw nice steady hatches on most days that kept fish feeding all day long. So on that side of the lake perhaps slightly less prolific than last year.  He reports that there were good hatches of olives and sedge in with the mayfly, and wet fly fishing with a Sooty Olive or Green Peter on the point instead of a mayfly pattern caught a lot of fish. Paul says a notable feature this year was the number and condition of small trout, testament to the habitat works supported by local clubs, and a good sign for thre future. Fish were fat and well-fed, and any fish spooned were stuffed with mayfly nymphs.
As of the first week of June, mayfly are still hatching, albeit in smaller numbers, and fish are still actively feeding on them.
Kevin Molloy of Baurisheen Bay Boat Hire & Guiding reckoned this year was the best mayfly hatch for many years in his area (Oughterard). The hatch started in early May there and has been going steady for 4 weeks, with barely a bad day for fly. He reports fish rising everywhere on drifts “like the old days” and anglers were very happy to see so much surface action. His guests reported plenty of fish in the 1-2lbs range, with a few to 3.5lbs. Wet fly, dry fly and dapping were all working well.
Reports from elsewhere on the lake suggest a similar story – great hatches, fish feeding well and hatches continuing into June. Last year mayfly hatches continued into mid-June, and picked up again in July and August. Hopefully we see a similar pattern again this year.
Go fishing…
