Co. Clare & Co. Galway, Ireland
Wild Trout of Ireland's West
Guided fly fishing for wild brown trout, sea trout and Atlantic salmon across the crystal rivers and hidden lakes of The Burren and Connemara, led by lifelong local guide Alex Joyce with 4-star accommodation and all tackle provided.
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Trip Summary
Fly Fishing Holidays Ireland is a boutique guided operation run by Alex Joyce, who lives and guides in The Burren of Co. Clare and leads most trips himself with a trusted network of local guides in Clare and Connemara. You will walk and wade crystal-clear limestone rivers and secluded lakes for wild native brown trout in The Burren, then push west into Connemara for the famed sea trout and Atlantic salmon fisheries of Lough Inagh, Costelloe and Kylemore and the storied Moy system. Trips range from a half day of guided fishing to structured multi-day holidays based in 4-star comfort at the Clifden Station House Hotel, with rods, flies, waders and all tackle supplied, licences and day tickets handled, and non-fishing partners welcome. It is honest, hands-on, expert-led fishing in some of the most beautiful country in the west of Ireland.
Who's It For?
Lifelong Local Guide
Owner-guide Alex Joyce has fished these waters for 30 years and personally leads most trips.
Wild Native Brown Trout
Sight-fish crystal-clear Burren limestone rivers and hidden lakes for wild, hard-fighting browns.
Sea Trout & Salmon
Connemara adds the renowned sea trout and Atlantic salmon fisheries of Lough Inagh, Costelloe and Kylemore.
All Tackle Supplied
Rods, flies and waders are provided on every trip, along with permits, day tickets and the Irish State licence where needed.
Tenkara Specialist
Alex is a genuine Tenkara specialist for the small, creek-sized streams of The Burren.
4-Star Base
The multi-day Connemara holiday is anchored at the 4-star Clifden Station House Hotel with spa, pool and two restaurants.
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
WHY BOOK WITH TRIDENT
- No Credit Card Fees
- Same Price as Booking Direct
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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.
Full-day guided fly fishing (The Burren): EUR 290 per person / approx USD 315, includes guiding plus all tackle, rods, flies and waders
Half-day guided fly fishing (The Burren): EUR 190 per person / approx USD 206, includes guiding plus all tackle, rods, flies and waders
Sea trout State licence add-on: EUR 36 / approx USD 39 for a one-day licence where required
4-Day Connemara holiday (May-September 2026, twice monthly): 4 nights at 4-star Clifden Station House, guided fishing on Lough Inagh, Costelloe, Kylemore and the Moy, all tackle, licence and day tickets, breakfast and packed lunch daily, price on request (not published)
Flyfish & Glamping: full day of river fishing for 2 people plus a night in a luxury glamping tent, price on request (not published)
Gallery
Seasonal Fishing
Calendar
Early season opens on many trout waters; cold, quieter fishing
Hatches begin building on Burren and Connemara waters
Peak mayfly and prime dry-fly season; spring salmon possible
Excellent all-round fishing as mayfly tails off and sea trout arrive
Prime Connemara sea trout and grilse runs
Strong sea trout fishing and summer salmon on the lakes and rivers
Back-end salmon and sea trout; season winds down late month
Lodging & Accommodations
Accommodations
The multi-day Connemara holiday is based at the 4-star Clifden Station House Hotel in Clifden, Co. Galway, which offers family rooms and self-catering apartments, an indoor swimming pool, spa, cinema and two restaurants. Non-fishing partners can stay free when sharing. Day and half-day Burren trips are guided on a per-day basis and do not include lodging, though Alex can advise on local options. An adventurous Flyfish & Glamping package pairs a day on the river with an overnight in a luxury glamping tent.
Food
On multi-day Connemara holidays, breakfast and a packed lunch are provided daily, with dinner available at the Clifden Station House Hotel's two restaurants (kitchen led by chef Pascal Marino). Day trips in The Burren feature curated lunch options, including a 5-star a la carte lunch at Lough Cutra Castle when fishing that water, or packed and bakehouse lunches on the Doolin and Doonbeg river days.
Connectivity
The Burren (Co. Clare) and Connemara (Co. Galway) are rural western Ireland; the base hotel and towns such as Clifden and Lisdoonvarna have mobile coverage and Wi-Fi, but expect patchy to no signal on remote rivers and lakes during the fishing day. Not independently verified for each specific fishery.
Target Species
Atlantic Salmon
Sea Trout
4-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.
Arrive in the west of Ireland and settle in; begin with guided walk-and-wade river fishing and hidden-lake sessions for wild native brown trout across the crystal limestone waters of The Burren, with all tackle supplied.
Move onto the famed Connemara fisheries of Lough Inagh, Costelloe and Kylemore and the Moy system, chasing sea trout and Atlantic salmon by boat and on the bank, based from the 4-star Clifden Station House Hotel with breakfast and packed lunches each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
GET IN TOUCHWild native brown trout in The Burren's rivers and lakes, plus sea trout and Atlantic salmon on the Connemara fisheries of Lough Inagh, Costelloe, Kylemore and the Moy.
No. Rods, flies and waders and all tackle are provided on every trip, and permits, day tickets and the Irish State licence are arranged where needed.
Yes. Guide Alex Joyce enjoys teaching first-timers to fly fish as well as guiding experienced anglers, and is also a Tenkara specialist for the small Burren streams.
May and June for peak mayfly and dry-fly trout fishing, and July through September for prime Connemara sea trout and salmon runs.
A full day is EUR 290 per person (about USD 315) and a half day is EUR 190 per person (about USD 206), including guiding and all tackle.
The 4-day Connemara holiday is based at the 4-star Clifden Station House Hotel; non-fishing partners can share for free.
