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Ireland |
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Where to fish
Salmon are found in most Irish Rivers with a lesser number in the East coast, however certain river systems have exceptionally catches. The Moy river in County Mayo provided the largest number of salmon to the rod nationally in 2001 with an estimated catch of 7,285 fish. Other rivers producing large numbers of fish include the Blackwater in the Lismore district (2,281), Ballysadare river in the Sligo district 1,585, the Corrib river system,( Galway Weir) County Galway (1,142), and the river Lee, County Cork (1,045) and the Finn in Donegal has a high catch return. The East coast rivers account for less than 4% of the national rod catch. The Spring salmon run from January and the Grilse from June to Mid-September. |
| Richard with an 11lb salmon Cathedral beat |
4lb Grilse Galway Weir |
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The most productive river locations for salmon fishing, are found at specific hold ups, which in low water, prevent the salmon running up to the higher reaches of the river. There are many of these famous salmon spots in Ireland but they also come at a premium, and are highly sought after. Among these are the Ridge pool, and Cathedral beat on the Moy, The Falls at Cloghan Lodge on the Finn, Ballysdear falls in Sligo,The Salmon pool on the Screebe and certainly the most spectacular, Galway weir, opposite, where the salmon come in each tide half a mile below the weir, before entering Loch Corrib. |
As well as these famous rivers there are also countless smaller rivers,some free to fish, along the Southern and Western coast of Ireland. These are mainly spate rivers, which, most hold good runs of salmon, but require luck and timing to catch these after a flood.
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| Rob landing a salmon Cathedral beat |
Cathedral Beat |
Salmon are caught in Ireland, on the Prawn, worm, spinner and fly which to some extent is dependent on  the river conditions. After a spate when the rivers are coloured the Prawn, and worm perhaps fish best, as the rivers drop the 'Flying-C' ( the most effective spinner) can be used in the order yellow, red and black as the river clears. At this time the fly is the method of choice, and well fished can out-perform the other methods.
Fly patterns
Although there are dozens of different Salmon fly patterns for Ireland, two flies that would cover most situations, would be a either a Stoat's tail / Silver Stoat or one of the many Shrimp flies, that have evolved from the Alleys shrimp. Using these together with the Stoat on the dropper and the Shrimp on the point is a good combination. Fly size is the most important factor, the warmer the temperature the smaller the fly particularly in the lochs where a sized 12-14 is the norm. With fresh fish near the estuaries a size 10 is ideal. Although colour is debatable in salmon flies and the old adage 'bright flies on bright days and dull flies on dull days' often holds true. The body of the fly should have some elements of metallic lustre which is found in nearly all salmon flies. |
| Silver Stoat along with various patterns of shrimps flies |
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| Loch Fishing. Ireland has a wealth of lochs. Virtually all these hold trout and many in the Southwestern regions have runs of sea-trout, although these have been heavily depleted in recent years. Some lochs are also famous for their salmon fishing. Loch Beltra and Burrishole in County Mayo are good examples of this. The fishing is best in the early morning or evening, with a reasonable breeze, and high water. A technique using two flies. A large bushy fly, like a Greenpeter, on the dropper and a small shrimp fly on the point. Small casts are made, retrieving the fly so as to wake the surface with the dropper and induce a take with either fly. When a salmon takes, it rolls on the fly and it is important not to strike but just tighten the hook slowly. |
 Sea-trout fishing on the Moy Estuary. This is a  really good day out particularly when the grilse are out of town. Head down the Quay at Ballina and catch fresh Sea-trout in the Estuary. Judd Ruane, Ballina, Co. Mayo, (M) 00353 87 6736969
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