Lough Mask is a large limestone lough of 22000 acres in area and is one of the best known brown trout fisheries in Ireland. The lough produces good catches of wetfly fishing from about mid-April onwards, and dapping the Mayfly, daddylonglegs or grasshopper can bring about excellent results. Lough Mask is famous for its large ferox trout and every season anglers take some of these fish which often weigh up to 18lbs. The best method of catching ferox trout is by trolling spoon baits, but these trout can also be caught on either wet flies of by dapping. The first hatch of Olives usually appears on the lough around the middle of the month of April. Ballinchalla Bay is renowned for the large hatches of big lake olives and it is one of the best areas of lough Mask for hatches of Golden Olives. The Mayfly fishing on lough Mask is best between the middle of May and the middle of June. During the Mayfly season dapping the natural mayfly is probably the most popular method of angling but both wetfly and dry fly fishing can be very productive at this time as well. Lough Mask has some good areas for chironomid hatches and fishing can be good in late evening using chironomid imitations. The lough has excellent hatches of large Sedges in many of its bays from June onwards. Dry fly fishing can be successful on Lough Mask from the month of May to the month of September There are boats for hire at several locations around lough Mask and boatmen are available at most boat stations around the shores of the lough. More details information on lough Mask will be provided on a special map to be produced by The Western Regional Fisheries Board. Angling on lough Mask is free.