Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Spent Gnat on the bob and Shipman's Buzzer on the point.
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.
Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Large Shannon lake with wild brown trout and pike — a lough that demands respect. Mayfly hatches on the shallower western shore are excellent when the water and wind align. Trout fishing from Lecarrow and Lanesborough areas. Very exposed and large, which means careful boat handling and respect for the weather. Not a lake for the timid.
WFD updated 2026-06-18: ecological status Moderate → Good (EEA WISE 2022, 3rd RBMP) and code normalized IE_SH_26_750a → IESH_26_750A (EPA national format → WISE euSurfaceWaterBodyCode; same water body). Source: EEA WISE SWB_SurfaceWaterBody (discodata.eea.europa.eu). | Prior note: EPA WFD 2019-2024 (lake layer) — Lough Ree: Moderate ecological status. Re-tagged 2026-06-18 from IESH_26S021660 (a river/stream water body, not the lough) to the lough's own EPA lake water body. Source: EPA Ireland WFD 2019-2024 classification (catchments.ie / EDEN).
EPA (Ireland) · IESH_26_750A
Large Shannon lake with wild brown trout and pike — a lough that demands respect.
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Spent Gnat on the bob and Shipman's Buzzer on the point.
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.
Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Large Shannon lake with wild brown trout and pike — a lough that demands respect. Mayfly hatches on the shallower western shore are excellent when the water and wind align. Trout fishing from Lecarrow and Lanesborough areas. Very exposed and large, which means careful boat handling and respect for the weather. Not a lake for the timid.
WFD updated 2026-06-18: ecological status Moderate → Good (EEA WISE 2022, 3rd RBMP) and code normalized IE_SH_26_750a → IESH_26_750A (EPA national format → WISE euSurfaceWaterBodyCode; same water body). Source: EEA WISE SWB_SurfaceWaterBody (discodata.eea.europa.eu). | Prior note: EPA WFD 2019-2024 (lake layer) — Lough Ree: Moderate ecological status. Re-tagged 2026-06-18 from IESH_26S021660 (a river/stream water body, not the lough) to the lough's own EPA lake water body. Source: EPA Ireland WFD 2019-2024 classification (catchments.ie / EDEN).
EPA (Ireland) · IESH_26_750A
