Destinations 2023 Preview: Fishing the Emerald Isle

As trip hosts for Frontiers Travel, we are constantly looking for international destinations that not only offer great fishing but also touring and sightseeing opportunities for nonfishing partners. You wouldn’t want to take a non angler to our favorite lake in Argentina, Lake Strobel, aka Jurassic Lake. Yes, it has huge rainbow trout, but a grueling truck ride into the lodge is required, and when you get there you must deal with the wind, waves, and boulders the size of small cars. It’s barren, remote, and if you don’t fish, there isn’t a lot of anything else to do.

I remember a client who brought his new bride on a peacock bass trip to the Amazon. He talked up the beautiful swimming pool, the tropical location, and the exotic birds. Two days later, she was bored to death in the hot, sweltering jungle. She had 100 insect bites from swimming in the pool, and she wanted out. If your traveling companion doesn’t fish, it’s best to choose a destination that offers exciting experiences for both of you. Ireland is that place.

As with England and Scotland, Ireland has a rich history when it comes to trout and salmon fishing. Fly fishing in England started sometime in the 13th century, and its popularity soon spread throughout Ireland and Scotland. We have found that it’s Ireland—with green rolling hills and winding hedge-lined roads—that today is home to some of the best fly fishing in all of Europe.

To read the full story, pick up a copy of Fly Fisherman's special publication Destinations 2023 here!