Where to start with knowing where to go and what time?

irishsid wrote: »

Donegal town area here. Looking to start fishing. Not sure what time of the year is good? Any time? I have a regular rod and a fly rod. Probably just looking for trout and mackerel, but haven't a clue where or when to go. I've fished before years ago so i know how.
Rivers? Lakes? Piers? Thanks.

Also, do i need license?

Wouldn't know much about places to fish in Donegal but trout and salmon season is over now, opens March to September, but most lakes that stock rainbow trout would be open all year.

Hello

So - with regards times - if you want to get intricate, and I feel like getting Intricate!! We can look at the specific times a day fish will feed up!

This is to do with 4 points during the day - Sunrise / set and moonrise / set - Moon being the better of the 2! Why is the moon better? Solunar theory of course

Download solunar clock for your phone and this will be extremely simplified, (it'l tell you)

Next you want to look at pressure! Barometric pressure to be precise! Barometric pressure affects fish as fish have an air bladder, when the pressure is high, the deeper the fish are the more uncomfortable they feel so rise higher in the water, and, when the pressure is low (bad weather) they tend to go deeper. Low pressure is interesting - heres why....

When you have a period of fair or high pressure, with a low pressure front coming in, fish feel this, and tend to "feed up" in order ride out the storm - literally, they dont know how long it will last, so go on a big glutunous (sp) rampage! Watching for a storm, and following a fast dropping barometer can produce once in a lifetime fishing! Also - after a period of stormy weather, if fish have been in cover for a few days, as the weather clears they will fuel up to replenish spent resources!

Now - If you have a fast falling barometer coinciding with a moonrise at say high tide (be still, be still my heart) and by some godly grace you manage to recognize these patterns, you will become a raging lunatic! Show your wife this and tell her you need to go! Now! And you are not responsible for your actions if she disagrees!

After all that the best time to go fishing is when you want to and have some free time to get out into the fresh air and nature!

Learn to spin, learn to fly fish, learn to coarse fish, learn to boatfish, learn to surf fish.

I have no idea what donegal is like!!