Coarse

This refers to the following common fish species;

The typical coarse fish water is likely to have reeds, sedges and water lilies.  The water itself will almost certainly be alkaline.  Such conditions result in great quantites of food being available to the fish; tubifex worms, blood worms, ascellus (fresh water louse), chironomid larvae, caddis, snail and fresh water shrimp.

One of the great attractions to Irish coarse fishing waters is the variety that they offer anglers – slow moving and fast rivers, big fish-filled lakes to small, friendly ponds which one can fish on calm days.

Canals and small rivers also produce great sport throughout the years.  There are also those waters which seldom, if ever, see an angler.

Bream abound in most coarse fishing waters and Roach are now be found in most, but not all, areas.  Great sport can be had with fighting Hybrids (a type of Bream), Rudd, Perch, Tench, Dace and Pike.  Just two or three loughs hold Carp in Ireland.

The coarse fishing waters are monitored by the various jurisdictional authorities on a regular basis.  Access to waters from roadside car parks is over stiles and footbridges.  In most cases, anglers fish on good, clean banks; but if the margins are reeded, fishing stands are provided.  The waters are usually well sign posted making coarse fishing in Ireland a highly attractive prospect.

Unlike some countries the coarse fishing season extends over the whole year which is a tremendous boon for both the tourism and travel industries. 

Bream fishing from March can extend up to the first light frost in November.  Summer temperatures can rise to 25°C and Irish waters are seldom frozen in the winter. 

Pike fishing also extends over the year; it is only the catching technique which changes from season to season.  Big Pike are common in large and deep loughs which is an extremely attractive proposition for the would be overseas fisherman.

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