I would be very grateful if i could pick the brains of the Irish lads on the forum.
I am in the very early process of planning a trip to Ireland for June 2012 for myself and my dad. It will be my 30th next year and his 65th so we are going a fishing holiday. We have both always fancied an Irish road trip.

We would like to (roughly) have....

2 days trout fishing on one (or two) of the loughs for browns. We thought guided one day and let loose on our own the next?? We are open to advice.

2 days Bass/seatrout fishing. Again one guided day and one on our ownsome.

2 days for Salmon. I think i have almost set my heart on the Cork Blackwater for this. Staying at the lodge with Glenda Powel. But i am open to suggestions.

I need help with recommended guides from you guys first and foremost. I am also open to suggestions on accomodation, travel etc.

Rough plan is to ferry it with the car from Stranraer then drive to Galway. Then head to South west for the SWFF and then onto Cork for the Salmon.

Budget is probably in the B+B/cheapish hotels range.

Tight lines
Paul

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I forgot to add that we also own a boat (orkney longliner 18') which could be towed with the car on the ferry. If this were to open up any unmissable fishing oportunities then i am again open to suggestions.

Cheers

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If you plan your trip for early june there would be a good possibility the mayfly would still be up on most lakes on your way over to the west.

If you are planning to boat your self then think carefully about the lake you choose to stop at. Corrib, Mask and the big loughs are very, very daunting first couple of times out. If it is a once in a lifetime trip enjoy it and take a guide for the two days on the same or 2 different loughs. The extra few quid you would save pulling the boat would go a fair bit to covering the cost.

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Co-Founder of the S.S.F.D 2010

Thanks for the reply mate. I think if we were to fish one of the big waters then we would take the guide for both days. I really would like it to coincide with mayfly time.

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If your going to try for bass, leave your trip untill the later half of June, the season opens on the 16th.

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http://www.danica.com/flytier/moloughlin/moloughlin.htm

A few recommendations.

Trout fishing on a lough.
Larry McCarthy Fishing – Lough Corrib View Angling Services – Trout Fishing West of Ireland -

Bass/Seatrout and Salmon
bass fishing and baits in Waterville co, Kerry Ireland

Bed and Breakfast accommodation at Lakelands Farm - a luxurious guesthouse located on the shores of Europe's finest salmon and seatrout lake in County Kerry, Ireland -

Hi mate,
Mayfly was very early on Corrib this year, so late may might well be better than mid june..... Can't help you regarding saltwater....

Cheers
JJ

If you are going to Cork for salmon i know of some excellent bass spots in Wexford which is in the south east and not very far away. Wexford harbour offers some great sport, also an area called the burrow which is the sandy area to the right as you are looking out to sea from Kilmore quay, the silver fox restaraunt is good for a spot of lunch, their seafood platter is enormous and great value, please feel free to PM me for my phone number and i will gladly furnish you with all i know. All the best, John.

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May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again may god hold you in the palm of his hand!

Thanks very much for the replies, PMs and advice so far.

I have learned a couple of important things already. I had no idea there was a season for Bass. We dont have that in Scotland. I also wasn't sure about the mayfly situation but it doesn't look like i will be able to get the prime time for both in the same week. I should have known it wasn't going to be easy.

The same name (Larry McCarthy) has now been suggested to me more than once as an excellent guide. This is good enough for me so i will be contacting him in the near future to see what we can sort.

Has anyone used any of the Bass/SWFF guides in SW Ireland? The outfit suggested above looks very good but more general bait sea fishing. I think we would prefer a fly fishing specialist.

Thanks again for the replies so far and keep em coming.

Tight lines
Paul

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if your looking to fish the Mayfly, then try Sheelin even today there was still mayfly on certain part of the lake. Crover House Hotel provides good value and can also provide a guide Special Offers