Angler fishing a Connemara spate river for sea trout in fading evening light

Ireland

Connemara & River Moy Catchment, Ireland

Overview

About This Destination

Ireland's reputation for Atlantic salmon and sea trout fishing is built on a long tradition of angling in the country's wild western rivers and loughs. Connemara's small spate rivers produce sea trout of exceptional quality, running silver and fresh from the Atlantic into loughs surrounded by bog and mountain. The River Moy in County Mayo is one of the most productive salmon rivers in Europe — thousands of salmon are recorded annually on Moy catchment waters.

Western Irish bogland, blanket peat moorland, Atlantic-facing rocky coastline, clear mountain loughs, small spate rivers dropping steeply to the sea, and the extraordinary soft light of the west of Ireland.

What to Expect

  • Fresh-run Atlantic salmon and sea trout from the North Atlantic
  • Traditional Irish ghillie fishing culture
  • Some of Europe's most productive salmon beats
  • Spectacular Connemara and Connacht landscape
  • Warm Irish hospitality and the incomparable craic

Destination Details

Target Species
  • Atlantic Salmon
  • Sea Trout
  • Brown Trout
Season
February – September (salmon); June – September (sea trout)
Skill Level
Intermediate
Travel Notes
Fly into Shannon (SNN) or Knock Ireland West (NOC). The Moy is in County Mayo, about 2 hours from Shannon. The traditional Irish ghillie system provides local expertise on each stretch of river — Blue River partners with established gillies.

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