Too often we fly fishermen/women are beckoned to “wild” destinations like Patagonia and New Zealand, which feature far more undeveloped, remote landscapes but are essentially manufactured fisheries possessing non-native fish. While I will readily admit that the jagged rock and trophy trout that inhabit these lands top my bucket list, in many respects the spectacular nature of these fisheries are far less impressive and wild than Ireland’s native fish that thrive in both urban areas and the bucolic countryside.
After living in Ireland for a year, I can resoundingly recommend that the next time you are looking to experience the wild with a fly rod in hand, book a flight to Dublin. Bring every rod in your
quiver from a small stream 2 weight to your streamer launching 9 weight to your 8 weight spey rod. You will need them all to handle what Ireland’s waters and native fish will throw at you.