Answers to some Frequently Asked Questions might help give an understanding of what to expect
What can I book?
It's usually a full day going from roughly 9:30am in the morning to about 5pm or 6pm in the evening, but we can make alterations to suit all requests. The normal day is 10am to 6pm. I like to meet
up at 9.30 to discuss our day and be on the water by 10.
Please note that for Caenis fishing on Lough Arrow, the time is 5am to 11am.
Please note that for Green Peter fishing on Lough Arrow, the time is 6pm until Dark.
How many people can you take on-board?
It's usually 1 or 2 people. For more than 2 people we can help with additional guides and boats.
Can I bring my own equipment?
Yes. Additional rods and tackle will always be available on the day. For example, if the plan for the day is wet fly fishing and conditions change to suit dry fly fishing, we can quickly switch to
lighter gear. In general, this is the recommended setup:
- I recommend 9ft 5wt rods for most dry fly fishing, and a soft to medium action.
- For wet fly fishing I recommend 10ft rods 6/7 with either a floating line, intermediate or a fast intermediate.
Please note that no studded wading boots are allowed on the boat.
I'm not familiar with Irish weather, what clothing should I wear?
It's best to plan ahead and adjust for the time of the season when you will be fishing. In general Ireland has a mild temperate climate so some layers and waterproofs
are a good starting point. At the beginning and end of the season it can be a bit colder so additional layers are always advised. There are cabinets on the boat to
store equipment and clothing. In addition:
- Hats or beanies are always good to bring along.
- We always advise bringing sun cream regardless of the conditions.
- We recommend that you wear polarized sun glasses for eye protection and it helps to see the fish.
- Life Jackets are essential and can be provided if needed.
Should I bring my own food?
We can supply tea and coffee and some food, in general guests bring their own food. Rest assured there will be plenty of coffee available in any event. Our days go from relaxed days out with plenty
of breaks, to eating on the boat during fishing to maximise the time on the lake.
How long is the fishing season and are there any licences required?
For Brown Trout on Lough Arrow the season runs from 1st April to September 30th. There is no Brown Trout license required.
If customers plan on fishing other lakes or fisheries, they should check the guidance on the Fishing Ireland site.
Are there particular times in the season to book?
Please refer to the pages for Lough Arrow, Melvin and the Where we Fish I fish to see the details for dates and the best times to go fishing.
Are there rules on barbed/barbless hooks, or catch and release?
More and more anglers these days are practicing catch and release and while it is not compulsory on the western lakes, we practise a catch and release policy when fishing. There are
rules on bag limits and minimum sizes and we can check this with you on the day.
For hooks, guests can use either barbed or barbless. If you are using some of my flies on the day, these are typically barbed but they can be crimped easily.
For guided fishing please use my contact page to get in touch. Now taking bookings for the 2025 season.
Tight lines,
Jackie Mahon