Stoneflies
Caddisflies
Chironomids
Gammarids
The largest lake in the Republic, and the second-largest on the island altogether — forty-four thousand acres of limestone water, and arguably the best wild brown trout fishing left in Western Europe. The narrows at Knockferry divide it in two, and the two halves keep their own character: Upper Corrib, west from Oughterard, comes in a week to ten days ahead of the Lower, its shallow island-studded bays giving duckfly from March and then the mayfly from the middle of May — dapped with the living fly, which remains, whatever else changes, the proper way to fish it. Lower Corrib takes its time and holds the bigger average trout, with olives, sedges, and a dapped daddy through summer earning their keep. Ferox to double figures come to the trollers most seasons. It's a big water with its own moods, and a boatman who knows where to look is worth engaging rather than doing without — this isn't a lough to learn by guesswork. Piers and boat hire are ready at Oughterard, Cong, Cornamona, Headford, Knockferry and Annaghdown, Oughterard remaining the best-known base. Trout season opens 15 February, salmon a fortnight earlier on 1 February; both close on 30 September, and a twelve-inch size limit applies throughout.
Named among the western limestone loughs for duckfly from around 17 March for about three weeks, followed by lake olives from late April to early May and a mayfly period running from after the first week of May into early June - regional guidance rather than a measured hatch on Corrib itself. The same source places Caenis at first light and sedges late in the evening through the summer months.
- Lough system
- Limestone