The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Just wondering if any of you have ever fished in Ireland? Or know of any good websites or people to contact.

My wife is from there and I go back once or twice a year but usually it's in winter or there's a major agenda like us getting married and I've only had one trip in the last 7 years when I've been able to fish. This year we are speding a few weeks in June and I am going to have a lot of time to fish. Told the wife this is my time to fish and relax and she's on board.

We are staying most of the time in Sligo Town, County Sligo. I will also be spending a good bit of time in County Mayo (the county immediately south) because there are a lot of good streams/rivers down there. I like to fish rivers more than lakes but would be up for any advice if anyone has any.

Never heard any discussions of Ireland on this board but figured I'd throw it out in case someone has some good info.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Josh (aka dryflychico)

Josh,

There was a fellah named Ronan Walsh from Ireland who posted here a couple of times, and then visited. I did not meet him but I think Charlie S may have taken him fishing. I don't recall where he was from, but Ireland's not much bigger than California. He might be some help.

I have another friend who fishes the Blackwater in the South, and I have stayed at a B&B in Watertown that is on a lough that allegedly has good fishing, but that's on the Kerry Peninsula.

My maternal grandmother's folks were from Sligo - name of Fee - came over in the 1840's - have we had this conversation before - I am getting forgetful.

It has been five or more years, so the old email may not be good anymore, but it was This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

WE exchanged a few emails.

Maybe whoever took him fishing will chime in. Hope so!

Slainte'

Ed,

Thanks for the response. I will e-mail Ronan at lunch today and see if I get a response. I wouldn't mind getting some info. on the Blackwater if it's readily available. My brother and sister in law live near Mallow in County Cork and the Blackwater runs within 10 minutes of their house. I got to fish there one night about 5 years ago. Great hatch at the end of the night and the fishing were boiling the surface but they were picky and I could not figure out the correct imitation. So I might make it down that way for a night or two so any info. about that river would be appreciated.

I think we briefly discussed your family connection to Sligo. It's actually where my wifes family has lived there whole lives. So did any of the family stay in Sligo when your great grandparents came over? If there is anyone still there I would guarantee my mother in law would know them. She literally knows every person in the entire town and I am not exaggerating. Let me know I’ll ask her if she knows anyone by that name.

Well regardless of whether I get info or not I’ll be fishing. So at the very least I’ll post some pictures of water, landscape, sheep and hopefully some feeshes.

Josh

Josh,

I am SURE some folks stayed behind, that was before the Famine. The Family name was Fee.

Had a great dinner in Mallow about 16 years ago at a little place called The Black Lamb [http://homepage.eircom.net/~blacklambinc/]. My sisters and I had brought my Mother to Ireland on a visit. You would have thought we were all wearing halos the way we were treated. The place we stayed was the Longueville House [http://www.longuevillehouse.ie/] Pretty nice.

It was not a fishing trip for me, but try a Google search on Blackwater River ireland - bet you find something - or ask in the local pub in Mallow.

Have a great time

Ed,

I'll ask my mother-in-law about the family name see if she knows anyone in the county.

Funny you mention the pub for info. Last time I fished the Blackwater I ended up going into a pub in Mallow and they set me up with some flys and license since it was the home pub for the fishing club that owned that stretch of water. Had a couple nice pints also. Ireland is a cool place and they actually like Americans a lot so you get treated very well and all of them want to talk your ear off about the one time they came to the "states" or there long lost uncle that lives in NY or New Jersey. Good stuff.

I'll throw a report out when I get back. Gathering some good info. from another site that put me in contact with one of their long time contributors that grew up over there.

Josh

Good on ya!

Have fun.

Slainte!

Hey Josh,

Since you are going to be in Sligo, could you pick me up some rags? Those Sligo rags are the BEST!


Buzz (My grandmother's family name is Marsh, from County Clare)

Buzz,

I got you covered, let me knoe what RAG or RAGS you want

Josh

We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags
We had two million barrels of stones
We had three million sides of old blind horses' hides
We had four million barrels of bones
We had five million hogs and six million dogs
And seven million barrels of porter
We had eight million bales of old nanny goats' tails
In the hold of the Irish Rover



Buzz