Blackwater Fly Fishing
REFFIS SGAIC STANIC
Salmon Fly Fishing On
The Munster Blackwater
Doug has access to excellent mostly double bank fly fishing beats near Mallow and single bank beats below Fermoy
August 2007 Doug fished with his 16ft Bruce & Walker Parabolic Rod and caught sea liced salmon of 14.5lbs 11.0lbs & one of 10.5lbs that had been in circa a week using a Kilbarry Summer Shrimp Fly
The Munster Blackwater, which rises in Co. Kerry, is 120 kilometers long, flowing from West to East, through Co.Cork and Co. Waterford and joining the sea at Youghal. There are great fly fishing beats from Lismore to well above Mallow.
The Blackwater which used to be a spring fed river has, after drainage, changes in land use etc and extraction in the upper reaches, now become what can only be termed a spate system. It does however run warmer than traditional spate rivers. The river bottom is mainly of gravel and good to wade. I advise anglers to wear chest waders with studded soles. Neoprene Waders or Breathables with fleeces are best for Spring Fly Fishing and Breathable Waders for Summer & Autumn.
Many of the fly fishing beats have high banks, so Spey Casting with a mid action 12', 13',15' or 17' Double Handed Fly Rod (size according to water height) and Double Taper Line is recommended. A Sink Tip line or Sink Tip Add-on is a useful accessory.
Fresh run Salmon and Grilse will readily take a well presented, lightly dressed fly. Recommended patterns :- Kilbarry Stud, Kilbarry Silver Stud, Kilbarry Summer or Autumn Shrimp Flies, and Kilbarry Charlie's Charm.
I will be pleased to arrange your Salmon Fly Fishing Holiday for you. Salmon Fishing costs vary according to the location of the beat and the month of the year.
If the river is too high or coloured to fly fish, owing to a flood or peat stain, spinning with a Bait Rod and Fixed Spool Reel, using a Flying Condom or Toby bait, will provide sport, but please note, personally I am a fly fishing purist..
The fishing season starts 1st February and ends on 30th September. A Fisheries Board Rod & Line Licence which now comes with a log book and carcass tags is required and must be kept on the angler whilst fishing ~ Licence s are available from Doug Lock
Please e-mail
Doug for any further information you may
require.
Please Note:-
Other methods such as Worming & Shrimp Fishing and Low Water Spinning are permitted on some of the Blackwater Fisheries.
Doug does not use or approve of these methods and therefore can give no advice on these techniques.
Doug & Arthur Cove
TROUT FISHING
Trout fishing is available via local Angling Clubs on Tributaries of the Blackwater. (Chest Waders are not permitted on these rivers). Excellent Dry-Fly Fishing can be arranged on the River Suir (40 mins). Loch Style fishing is available at Lough Leane, Killarney (90 mins).
