I'm not expecting a great response to this as Lough Ree is not well known for its trout but I thought it was worth asking just in case...

I was wondering whether anyone has ever fly fished the Lough? Despite the fact that it seems to get very little attention from fly fisherman it actually has quite a good head of trout and in previous trips I have caught the odd good size brownie on a spinner when fishing for Pike and Perch. I have also seen quite a few jump. I am going back there in June and was considering taking along a fly rod to have a go for them. Only problem is the Lough is enormous and I have no idea where to start! I would love to know if anyone else has ever fished it. N

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Fundamentally fishing is a philosophy. A philosophy of earth, and growth, and quiet places. In it there is a rule of life, a recognition of permanences. It makes you notice the little things of nature, wherever you may be. ~Bernard Venables

All i know is that it holds a good head of ferox and that there's stories of a Lough Ree Nessie! - be careful out there.!

can be great for mayfly and it can be dour but the fish average well over two,but they are not on the mayfly yet really so maybe during the week it should be good

Heres a previous thread on the subject

Lough Ree

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Fortis Sub Forte Fatiscet. The brave yield only to the brave.


www.rinnshannon.com

Member of the S.S.F.D 2010

Lough Ree used to be virtually a waste of time for trout but the zebra mussels changed all that and it is now one of the best loughs in the mayfly with fairly large trout (not ferox as far as I know BB but let's not start that argument again) coming to the fly on a regular basis.

If you subscribe to the Shannon Fisheries weekly newsletter it will help you judge when and where to go. Here's the most recent.

http://www.shannon-fishery-board.ie/...ng-reports.htm

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

I was on it last weds and the mayfly were really only arriving then, heard it still wasn't great at the weekend.

www.athlone.ie is a good place for updates, the local lads publish competition results under the sports news section.

Was a lady who had a 4.5 and a 6.25 on Ree Saturday just gone ....

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Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
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Cheers Danny

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

Wow, thanks for the great response. I'm am really amazed that the Lough regularly produces Brown Trout to such a large size! I have read all the links and previous posts that you have posted and the general theme is that the trout fishing is improving year on year which is fantastic. I think I need to change the nature of my question:

I am going to Lough Ree (staying at Barley Harbour)for a week on the 19th of June and DEFINITELY talking my fly rod! Hopefully there will be a late hatch of Mayfly but that is probably wishful thinking and in reality I expect I will have to be more diverse than just fishing with a dry. So, can anyone recommend where to start on the huge Lough. I have access to a boat but won't be able to stray miles from Barley Harbour so if anyone can suggest any good locations near Barley that would be great. Secondly, I have never fly fished a large Irish Lough and am uncertain as to what set-up to start with (assuming there's no mayfly hatch). Wetfly, nymphs, lures, I guess they might all work but any suggestions would be most appreciated. Many thanks, N

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Fundamentally fishing is a philosophy. A philosophy of earth, and growth, and quiet places. In it there is a rule of life, a recognition of permanences. It makes you notice the little things of nature, wherever you may be. ~Bernard Venables

Be careful out there as it is a rocky place from what I hear and it can blow up with a nasty wave also . Black rocks and black water is what someone on here said ...

Not sure if the mayfly will still be hatching , but I would think there will still be a hatch on as it goes on for what seems like forever on Sheelin . You should get some spent gnat fishing at the time you are going there ..

Good luck with it

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Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
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Cheers Danny

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

Hi Danny, I'm not familiar with spend Gnat fishing, I don't suppose you could describe what it actually is?

Has no one else who has fished the Lough have any suggestions about good locations near Barley Harbour?? N

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Fundamentally fishing is a philosophy. A philosophy of earth, and growth, and quiet places. In it there is a rule of life, a recognition of permanences. It makes you notice the little things of nature, wherever you may be. ~Bernard Venables