The Lakes Of Clare
From the town of Killaloe the angler may proceed to the lakes of the
County of Clare. You go west to the town of Broadford, eight miles
distant, where there are three or four lakes, the furthest off one,
Dromore; this town is eighteen miles off, and about eight from the
county town, Ennis, on the river Fergus. Twelve miles up this river is
Corrafin, a neat town, near which is the celebrated lake of "Inchiquin,"
famous
or its large trout and splendid views. Here the angler will find
boats and every accommodation.
The flies in my list for the season will kill exceedingly well in these
lakes, made two or three sizes larger, and in fine weather the size they
are.
They are fond of grouse hackle, wrens, browns, turf-coloured flies,
amber, black, grey, &c., &c., with brown grouse wings. The "yarn fly"[B]
is not used here.
Before the tourist angler leaves Killaloe, if he has time, he should by
all means see the antiquities of the place, Lough Derg and Holy Island,
where there are to be seen the ruins of seven churches, and a round
tower 70 feet high, the entrenchments of "Brian Boroimhe," King of
Munster, at Cancora, and his tomb near the Cathedral in the town.
This ancient town is seated on the western bank of the Shannon, in the
County of Clare, over which there is a bridge of nineteen arches; at a
short distance below it, this grand river rolls over tremendous ledges
of rocks, where there is an excellent fishery. It is a great pity that
this fine river should be prevented from being of the greatest benefit
to the country through which it runs, all owing to the "cruives," the
"stake nets," "bag nets," and every other destructive invention that
can be contrived for the wholesale slaughter of the splendid Salmon. Oh!
look to it, you that have the power.
From Limerick the angler may proceed to Athlone and Galway, but I should
advise him to proceed to the south first, and fish the Blackwater and
the lakes of Killarney; Mr. Jas. Butler has prohibited the fishing at
Waterville this spring, in consequence, as he says, "of the numbers
visiting, coupled with acts of poaching." I should say the lake is free,
as it always was and ever has been, knowing that Mr. Butler is most
polite to gentlemen.