Limestone · West / Galway

River Clare

CLARE (GALWAY)_030 terrain map
Terrain map

The principal tributary of Lough Corrib, rising near Tuam and flowing south through the limestone plain of south Galway to enter the lough at Claregalway.

Species

Decent — worth a look

Low and clear — careful approach country. Low water tactics — small singles, riffling hitch in the smooth glides.

50% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
8°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature5930% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
8.2°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
7°C
Wind
W 17 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1008 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.2 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
17.6 mm
Moderate rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Fair conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Feeding time is weakest (10).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

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

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Western Regional Fisheries District
  • Corrib system
  • Local club beats — Tuam, Claregalway
  • State rod licence required
  • Salmon licence additional.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

The principal tributary of Lough Corrib, rising near Tuam and flowing south through the limestone plain of south Galway to enter the lough at Claregalway. A genuine limestone river in the classic midland tradition: alkaline, clear, and supporting good hatches of olives, mayfly, and sedge through the season. Brown trout fishing is the main attraction — both wild fish from the river and, in season, the mayfly-feeding trout of the Corrib system working up into the lower river. Some salmon from February. Local club beats with day permits along various stretches. A counterpart to the lough itself for anglers who prefer moving water.

  • Limestone
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 February → 30 September
  • Trout15 February → 30 September
Other water nearby · 5