Game Fishing

Lough Erne, which is only 200 metres from Dulrush Fishing Lodge, is Northern Ireland’s only large limestone water body. As such, it offers some of the finest game fishing Northern Ireland has to offer.

Trout

This type of unique and very productive Lough does, for example, offer some of the best trout angling in Europe. During the second or third week in May, Lough Erne has a prolific mayfly hatch. It is at this time that fly-fishing is most productive. At many of the most popular locations, fishing stands have been erected to aid access.

However trout fishing on the Lough is best carried out from a 17ft (5.1m) angling boat with at least a 5hp engine. Shallow areas around islands; shallow bays and drop offs into deep water provide the best fly fishing opportunities.

Mayfly hatches are good and excellent sport can be had using flies such as Gosling, Green Dabblers, Grey Wulff and other mayfly patterns. The usual wet fly patterns such as Fiery Brown, Green Peter and Bumbles will take fish from March-June and again in August/September. Olive hatchers occur in July and with the right conditions, trout fishing can be productive at this time.

Trolling is also a popular method of fishing and offers the best chance of a big trout. Large trout have been taken on lures such as Tasmanian Devils, Rapalas and Silver Spoons.

Brown Trout

Brown trout, naturally recruited, are the main quarry of the Lough. In addition an annual stocking of native young fish into the feeder streams is carried out. Anglers visiting this fishery can regularly capture trout up to 5 kg in weight, with the occasional trout between 5 and 9 kg. The average size of trout taken on the fly is between 0.5 kg and 2 kg.

Salmon

There are numerous salmon rivers only a short distance from the site and permits, ghillies and transfer to the river can all be organised as part of your stay. Some of the best of the nearby rivers for game fishing in Northern Ireland include the River Drowes and Drowes Estuary…

Being one of the few rivers opening on 1st of January, the River Drowes, is famous for regularly producing the first salmon of the year. Located approximately 15 kilometres from Dulrush Fishing Lodge, the Drowes rarely sees a year when a fish is not caught on opening day. Indeed, this is a very festive occasion, with some 250 anglers fishing, all striving to land the first salmon of the year.

This river flows for about 5 miles draining the 103 square mile catchment into the Atlantic. Fed by Lough Melvin, it generally keeps good water levels right through the season. There is a good run of spring salmon from the 1st January through to April/May, with some summer and autumn fish. The main grilse run starts around the end of May and peaks around June/July.

There are a variety of regulations that apply to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  Click this link for more information – http://www.fishinginireland.info/regulations.htm

If you have any questions regarding fishing regulations on our island, prior to or during your stay please do not hesitate to ask us.