Lough Corrib - May 2012

After an uneventful drive and ferry crossing to Dublin we travelled to the West of Ireland’s famous Lough Corrib to fish for the fantastic brown trout that live in this huge expanse of water. In 2011 we were battered with gales and rain; we hoped the weather would be a bit better this year. We booked in at the Anglers Rest Hotel in Headford and made contact with our long time boatman Andrew Boyd, only to be informed that the Mayfly was all but finished. Oh well that’s life, we would have to use other methods. Overcast sky and a light breeze on day one but 11 trout to the boat for Dan and I (mainly Dan) up to 4lb plus, all released, not a bad start. Heat wave conditions for the next five days with blue skies, bright sun and little wind. Far from productive conditions. Never mind, on with the sun block, lip salve, hats and sunglasses. “Come on Andrew find us some fish!” He did, we contacted (mainly Dan again) with some superb trout. Up to 5lb plus, not quantity but fantastic quality (all released).Dry buzzer fishing at 11pm one night, we had some great excitement when the wind lanes showed up pods of fish taking surface buzzers. We came, we saw, but the fish conquered. We rose a few but landed none – still great fishing though. 2013 is now in the planning stage. Many thanks to Andrew Boyd (boatman and friend), Larry and Michelle McCarthy (Corrib View Angling) and the Anglers Rest Hotel for making our visit, as always a great one. J F Shaw Dan and Julian were using Sage One Fly Rods and RIO Light Touch lines to catch the fish and Cocoon Polar TX sunglasses and Simms Gore-Tex caps to protect from the sun.