Cynthia, and I recently vacationed in County Clare, Ireland. Between hiking along sea cliffs, exploring medieval ruins, and enjoying the craic of the local pubs I managed to do some
fishing
Pub in Lisdoonvarna Castle in Carrigaholt
Before leaving I booked a trip with Fishing Adventures in Kilbaha on the Lady Gwen II. Captain Sean Maguire arranged a trip for us sharing the boat with a few other anglers. He even set us
up with a place to stay in Doonaha. This area on the north shore of the Shannon River estuary is referred to as the Loop Head Peninsular. It is quite rural and very beautiful. It was a great
place to relax and unwind at the start of our vacation.
 |
| Cliffs at Loop Head |
The fishing trip was very successful in both quality and quantity of fish. I even caught two
new species: European Ling and European Pollock. Large numbers of Atlantic Mackerel
and Atlantic Pollock (called Coalfish in the British Isles) rounded out the catch. We used
multi-hook rigs dressed with feathers or bucktail, often baited with bits of mackerel.
 |
| One Of My European Ling |
 |
Cynthia Holds up a European Pollock
 |
Irish Jigs
At the end of the trip Captain Maguire filleted my two Ling and a Pollock for us to take
back to the cottage. These fish provided us with two delicious meals.
 |
Top: Coalfish or what we call Pollock in New England. Bottom: European Pollock. Note
the the Coalfishhas a relatively straight light colored lateral line while the European
Pollock has a darker curved lateral line. The European Pollock also has much larger eyes.
After four nights in Doonaha we traveled north up the coast to Doolin. From here we explored the Cliffs of Mohr and the Aran Islands. In the evenings we went to the local
pubs for food, music, and drinks. We even joined in on a traditional session in
Lidoonvarna and played our fiddles for a bit.
We stayed at the Doolin Cottage B&B near the Aille River. The accomodations were very comfrtable and a Full Irish Breakfast (or lighter fare if desired) was served each morning.
Got up very early the first morning to check out the stream. On the first cast a small fish followed my yellow Panther Martin Spinner. On the next two casts I hooked up and caught two beautiful little Brown Trout. These wild native fish were as bright and colorful as the wild Brook Trout that I’m used to catching in New England.
Aille River in Doolin
Wild Native Brown Trout
For the last few days of our trip we stayed at the Ardulan Guest House in Ennis (More Full Irish Breakfasts!). The River Fergus flows through the back yard. It didn’t take too long for me to catch several Eurasian Perch using a small floating Yellow Perch Rapala.
The Back Yard of the Ardulan Guest House in Ennis
Eurasian Perch
Cynthia and I both agree that we need to go back to Ireland in the near future. I would like to spend more time saltwater fishing from shore in addition to a boat excursion. Also might try a guided freshwater excursion on a lake to target different species from a small boat.
|
|
|
