Stillwater · Limestone · Midlands / Westmeath, IE

Lough Derravaragh

Lough Derravaragh in September 2009

A rich limestone lake on the River Inny north of Mullingar, holding wild brown trout averaging a pound and a half with fish to six pounds — wild only, never stocked, which counts for something.

Closed season · Trout
Perch Fry · 8–10 long shank
Closed season
Season reopens 1 March. Try elsewhere.
Closed — confidence not applicable today.

Lough Derravaragh is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindN 14 km/hGentle breeze
Today's fly
Perch Fry
Perch Fry8–10 long shank
Retrieve
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Gentle breeze
N 14 km/h
N
N
from the north
Wave20 cm ripple
Water temp11.2°C
Air temp7°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1010 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Stale water· No rain in 48h

Little recent rain — fresh fish runs unlikely. Focus on resident fish and established lies.

How to fish it · for Trout
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Perch Fry on the bob and Minkie on the point.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Perch Fry on the bob and Minkie on the point.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.

Boat — drift

A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · November highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Green PeterHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2
DuckflyHatch
2
2
Mayfly (Green Drake)Hatch
2
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Buzzer team todayfor the conditions now
Point
Black buzzer, orange thorax
Not in this water's box
#10
How to fish it
Intermediate line · let the breeze drift the team, then hang it 15–30 s

Fly recommendations

Point fly shown — supporters see the whole team, sizes and why.

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Ranked for today
Trout fly box
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
59%
Cloud50%
Wind65%
Temp60%

A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 5
Lough Lene
9.0 km
Brown trout
Lough Owel
10 km
Brown trout
White Lough (Upper Boyne Lakes)
11 km
Brown trout · Rainbow trout
Lough Bane
13 km
Brown trout · Rainbow trout
Lough Sheelin
18 km
Brown trout
Gallery · 2
  1. Lough Derravaragh in September 2009
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

The shallow northern end carries most of the trout fishing; the deep southern end is where the big ones come from. Duckfly and olives open the season, and a recovering mayfly drives the heart of it. Midland Fisheries Group permit, with a bag of two and a 36 cm minimum under Bye-law 949; catch-and-release is encouraged.

Hatches & food

A rich limestone Inny lake with full Midland fly life — duckfly and lake olive open the season, a recovering Mayfly (Ephemera danica) peaks late May, then caenis and a strong sedge/Green Peter season carry the wild trout.

  • Lough
  • Limestone
Water quality (WFD)
  • Ecology: Unknown
  • Chemical: Unknown
Why this score
  • winter conditions with overcast skies and breezy wind.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 March → 12 October
Related guides
Irish Loughs Playbooklough-style fishingThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureConnemaraIrish fishing
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
At a glance

Lough Derravaragh is a lough in Midlands / Westmeath, Ireland. The catchment geology is recorded as limestone, and the water sits at about 70 m above sea level. The species listed for this water is brown trout. The trout season is recorded as running from 1 March to 12 October. Core methods listed: loch-style drift with wet flies; dapping the mayfly; buzzer/duckfly fishing early season. Level and flow data for this water is linked from 1 gauge. Access is recorded as a water managed by an angling association or club. Boat fishing is recorded as available. Nearby waters in our listings include Lough Lene at 9.0 km, Lough Owel at 10 km and White Lough (Upper Boyne Lakes) at 11 km.