Ireland
Fly Fishing Holidays Ireland
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Trip Summary
Fly Fishing Holidays Ireland offers a fully customizable four-night, four-day guided adventure through Connemara’s legendary fisheries. Hosted by Alex Joyce, each itinerary is tailored to current conditions and the angler’s goals, with opportunities to pursue wild Brown Trout, Sea Trout, and Atlantic Salmon. Possible fishing locations include the historic fisheries of Lough Inagh, Costelloe, and Kylemore, as well as the rivers and lakes of County Mayo. Guests experience traditional Irish lough fishing, historic fishing houses, expert local ghillies, and lightly pressured waters, with comfortable four-star accommodations in Clifden and Westport. For those seeking an additional challenge, The Burren in County Clare can be incorporated for technical small-stream fishing for wild Brown Trout. The fishing can be demanding, but the reward is an authentic Irish cultural experience, breathtaking landscapes, and the chance to land a truly memorable wild fish.
Who's It For?
Customizable Connemara Fishing Program
Each itinerary is built around current conditions and the angler’s goals, with possible days on Lough Inagh, Costelloe, Kylemore, the rivers and lakes of County Mayo, and the wild trout waters of The Burren.
Authentic Irish Fly Fishing Experience
Fish historic loughs, rivers, and private fisheries using time-honored methods alongside knowledgeable local ghillies. Boat fishing, walk-and-wade days, and classic fishing houses all contribute to an experience rooted in Irish angling culture.
Wild Trout, Sea Trout & Salmon
The program offers opportunities for wild Brown Trout, Sea Trout, and Atlantic Salmon across a diverse range of waters. Fishing is often technical, but a single quality Sea Trout or Salmon can become the defining moment of the trip.
Immersive West of Ireland Adventure
Comfortable four-star accommodations in Clifden and Westport provide easy access to lively towns, excellent local restaurants, traditional Irish music, and dramatic coastal scenery. Connemara and County Mayo have attracted anglers for more than 200 years, drawn by their celebrated sea trout and Atlantic salmon fisheries. The experience combines traditional Irish fly fishing with the warm hospitality, history, and natural beauty of the West of Ireland.
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
WHY BOOK WITH TRIDENT
- No Credit Card Fees
- Same Price as Booking Direct
- Earn Trident Rewards
Trident Travel's expert planning service is free of charge. The rates below are the same as you would pay by booking directly with the operator. Rates and inclusions are subject to change at any time. Contact us for the most current pricing.
2026
Double Occupancy / Shared Guide (Per Person)
4 Nights / 4 Days =
€3,200 EUR
Single Occupancy / Private Guide
4 Nights / 4 Days = €4,000 EUR
What’s Included:
- Four nights of accommodations
- Four days of guided fishing
- Services of Alex Joyce and local ghillies
- Simple breakfast provisions when staying in a self-catering apartment at the Clifden Station House
- Lunch and snacks on fishing days
- Rods, reels, fly lines, and flies
- Irish fisheries license
- Fishery permits and day-ticket access
What’s Not Included:
- International airfare
- Rental car, fuel, and rental-car insurance
- Airport transfers
- Waders and wading boots
- Full sit-down breakfasts and breakfasts outside the self-catering Clifden apartment arrangement
- Evening meals
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
Pricing is based on the standard four-night Connemara program. Customized itineraries, including time in The Burren or changes to the accommodation and fishing schedule, may affect the final package price.
Gallery
Seasonal Fishing
Calendar
May marks the beginning of the sea trout and grilse runs while offering some of the season’s best brown trout fishing. Mayfly hatches and other emerging insects can produce dry-fly opportunities, particularly on warmer, calmer days and during the evening. Fresh sea trout are exceptionally strong, and although migratory fish numbers are still building, conditions can align for memorable early-season fishing.
Sea trout and grilse numbers build throughout June, creating increasingly consistent opportunities across the Connemara fisheries. Traditional wet-fly teams are especially effective on the loughs, while brown trout continue to respond to hatches and terrestrial insects. Fishing remains highly dependent on rainfall, wind, and water levels, allowing Alex to select the most promising water each day.
July typically brings the strongest summer runs of sea trout and grilse, along with productive sedge activity for brown trout. Traditional wet flies remain the primary approach, although dry-fly opportunities develop when insects are emerging. August can be less predictable, but rainfall and fresh water can quickly improve the fishing, with the latter part of the month often strengthening as fall approaches.
Cooling water and the approach of fall can make September one of the most rewarding periods of the season. Brown trout feed on larger terrestrials such as daddy longlegs and ants, while sea trout and grilse remain available through the close of the season.
Lodging & Accommodations
Accommodations
Most itineraries are based in the self-catering apartments at the Clifden Station House, providing comfortable bedrooms, a kitchen, laundry facilities, and an excellent location near the restaurants and pubs of Clifden. Traditional hotel rooms can also be arranged. When the River Moy is included, guests will typically spend the preceding night at the Knockranny House Hotel in Westport to shorten the following morning’s drive.
Food
Lunch and snacks are included on guided fishing days, either packed for the water or served at one of the traditional fishing houses. Breakfasts and dinners are at the guest’s leisure and expense. Alex may stock the Clifden apartment with simple breakfast provisions, while full breakfasts and evening meals are available at the hotels and throughout town.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi and reliable mobile service are generally available at the accommodations and in towns such as Clifden and Westport. Coverage can become limited or unavailable while fishing remote rivers and loughs, so guests should not expect consistent connectivity throughout the fishing day.
Target Species
Atlantic Salmon
Sea Trout
Brown Trout
6-Day Itinerary
Each day is carefully planned to maximize your fishing success while experiencing the best of what this destination has to offer. Itineraries are flexible based on conditions and guest preferences.
Fly into Shannon Airport, collect your luggage, and pick up your rental vehicle, which is required for the program. From Shannon, the drive to Clifden takes approximately 2.5 hours through the countryside of western Ireland. After checking into the Clifden Station House, you can settle in, explore town, and connect with Alex Joyce to review the fishing plan for the following morning.
Each morning, you’ll meet Alex and travel by rental car to the fishery selected for that day. The itinerary remains flexible, with possible fishing on Lough Inagh, Costelloe, Kylemore, the River Moy, or other nearby waters based on conditions, availability, and your goals. Days may include traditional boat fishing with a local ghillie, walk-and-wade river fishing, or time at a historic fishing house. Lunch and snacks are included, and evenings are free to enjoy the restaurants, pubs, and traditional music of Clifden. When fishing the Moy, the itinerary will typically include an overnight at the Knockranny House Hotel in Westport.
Check out of your accommodations and begin the drive back to Shannon Airport. Allow approximately 2.5 hours from Clifden, plus additional time to refuel and return your rental car before checking in for your flight. Guests incorporating Westport or additional travel in Ireland may have different departure logistics based on their customized itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
GET IN TOUCHThe primary species are wild brown trout, sea trout, and Atlantic salmon. Opportunities vary by season, rainfall, water levels, and the fisheries selected for your itinerary. Brown trout are found throughout the region, while sea trout and salmon enter Connemara’s rivers and lough systems during their seasonal migrations.
The primary fishing season runs from May through September. May offers excellent brown trout fishing and the beginning of the sea trout and grilse runs. Migratory fish numbers generally build through June and peak during the summer, while September brings cooler conditions, terrestrial insect activity, and excellent late-season opportunities. The best timing depends on your preferred species and fishing style.
These are wild, condition-dependent fisheries where success is earned. Anglers should not expect the high catch rates sometimes associated with western American trout destinations. A few opportunities can represent a successful day, and one quality sea trout or Atlantic salmon may become the defining fish of the entire trip.
Fishing methods vary by water and conditions. Guests may fish traditional teams of wet flies from a boat on the loughs, swing flies for salmon and sea trout, or walk and wade smaller rivers for wild brown trout. Dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers may also be used when conditions favor those techniques.
Possible fisheries include Lough Inagh, Costelloe, Kylemore, and selected beats on the River Moy system. Alex Joyce chooses each day’s location according to weather, water conditions, fish movements, access, and the angler’s goals. Fishery permits and day-ticket access are arranged in advance.
Yes. The standard four-night program focuses on Connemara, but the itinerary can be customized to include The Burren in County Clare. The Burren offers technical fishing for smaller wild brown trout in intimate limestone streams and secluded lakes, with beautiful scenery and very little angling pressure.
The program can accommodate a range of angling abilities, and Alex can provide instruction throughout the trip. Guests should be comfortable walking over uneven ground and, on some days, wading slippery rivers or rocky shorelines. Good balance, rubber-soled wading boots with studs, and a wading staff are recommended.
Yes. A rental vehicle is required for the program. Guests typically fly into Shannon Airport and drive approximately 2.5 hours to Clifden. During the fishing days, guests use their rental vehicle to follow Alex to the selected fisheries. Full rental-car insurance is strongly recommended, and visitors should remember that driving is on the left side of the road in Ireland.
Rods, reels, fly lines, flies, and other essential tackle are available as part of the package. Guests are welcome to bring their preferred equipment, and many experienced anglers choose to do so. Waders and wading boots are not included and should be brought from home.
Most guests stay in self-catering apartments at the Clifden Station House, although traditional hotel rooms can also be arranged. A night at the Knockranny House Hotel in Westport is typically incorporated when fishing the River Moy. Lunch and snacks are included on fishing days. Breakfasts and dinners are at the guest’s leisure and expense, although simple breakfast provisions may be stocked in the Clifden apartment.
Yes. Non-angling companions are welcome, and the program can be customized around couples with different interests. Clifden and Westport offer restaurants, shops, traditional music, scenic drives, and access to many of western Ireland’s cultural and natural attractions. Pricing and lodging arrangements will depend on the customized itinerary.
Medical emergencies and evacuations can happen in remote destinations, which is why we strongly recommend enrolling with Global Rescue before your trip. Global Rescue provides industry-leading medical and security evacuation services, and they also offer comprehensive travel insurance plans serviced through IMG. This all-in-one solution allows anglers to secure both emergency evacuation coverage and travel insurance through a single provider, helping ensure you’re protected if something unexpected occurs before or during your trip.
