THE RIVER BLACKWATER (Munster)
The Munster Blackwater finds its source in east Co. Kerry and meanders for over 100 miles in an easterly direction through counties Cork and Waterford 'till it greets the Irish Sea at Cappoquin. With a catchment area of over 1,200 square miles it dominates the southern province, draining an impressive five mountain ranges. Due to the peaty nature of the land, particularly in the upper reaches, the water in the main river has a rather dark colour…hence the name "Blackwater".
Over the years the river has enjoyed enormous runs of salmon while today, the seasonal runs are still quite impressive. While the Blackwater is not a Mecca for the specimen brown trout hunter or sea-trout fanatic, the salmon fishing can be spectacular. Another distinguishing feature of the Blackwater is the variety of other fish species one might encounter while fishing and it is only here that the coarse angler can fish successfully for dace.
The river is blessed with an abundance of large holding pools, streaming water, glides and in general, a consistent volume of cool mountain water.
The Careysville weir downstream of Fermoy controls the run of fish in low, cold-water conditions and so is quite a dominant feature on the river, as the salmon will only run the weir when the water level rises sufficiently.
* For a list of some of the best-known pools please check the section dedicated to the "Blackwater Lodge Hotel Fisheries" below.
FISHING METHODS:
The Blackwater is noted as a wonderful multi-method salmon river. While spinning and fly-fishing are allowed on all the fisheries, on some beats the use of worms and shrimp is not permitted. No one method is the most effective under all conditions and so the visiting angler would do well to experiment with all the legal methods until the most productive is discovered. However, the fly fisher has probably the greatest chance of success under the ever-changing water and weather conditions usually experienced on Irish rivers.
SALMON FLIES:
Flies for the Blackwater include various long tube flies and biggish shrimp patterns for spring fishing in heavy coloured water, while in summer, small flies - size 6-12 - are the most productive. These flies should be dressed with a touch of lemon or yellow as favourite patterns include, among others, the Lemon & Grey, Garry Dog, Munroe Killer, Blue Charm etc. Other flies that work well are the various Irish shrimp patterns like Curry's Red, Curry's Orange, Orange & Gold, and the Gold Bug.
TROUT FLIES:
Useful patterns for all trout water on the Blackwater include - Greenwell's Glory, Dark Olive Quill, Pheasant Tail, Blue Black, Partridge & Orange, Green Partridge, Wickham's Fancy, Snipe & Purple and Snipe & Yellow.
FLY TACKLE:
Since the Blackwater is a rather large river, the visiting angler would do well to fish with a rod that measure15ft & 16ft long as the extra length makes it easier to control the speed of the fly and also helps in casting larger flies into the teeth of a spring gale. During the summer shorter rods will suffice, but nevertheless, the longer the rod, the more control will be exercised over the fly especially if one is fishing a dropper in unison with the point fly (a very effective technique indeed).
For spring fishing, the fly reel should be large enough to accommodate a fly line in the #8 to #12 weight category along with 200yds of 20lb braided backing, while for summer excursions a smaller lighter model armed with a #6 to #8 weight and about 100yds of backing should more than suffice especially if one is using a single hand 9ft - 10ft rod.
THE FISHERIES:
Careysville Fishery;
The Duke of Devonshire's "Careysville Fishery" is probably the best known on the river Blackwater, consisting of nearly two miles of double-bank fishing. These well-defined pools are perfect for both fly-fishing and bait fishing, depending on the height and colour of the water. The fishery takes just four rods in February and March, three rods from April to July and two rods in August to September. Lunch is served at a comfortable fishing hut while accommodation is at Careysville House itself.
Spring salmon fishing here is highly regarded, with February being the most productive month while June is the optimum time for those chasing sporting grilse!!!
Bookings:
The Manager
Careysville Fishery
Fermoy
Co. Cork
Tel: 025 31094/31712
* Blackwater Lodge Hotel Fisheries:
Blackwater Lodge Hotel has numerous beats, spread from the lowest beat, a short distance above the tide, to Mallow, some 40 miles upstream. The hotel is located one mile west of the village of upper Ballyduff in Co. Waterford between Lismore and Fermoy. It caters especially for angling parties and its facilities include a tackle shop, a drying room, and smoking and freezing facilities. All legal fishing methods are allowed and a gillie service can be arranged.
There are self-catering cottages, as well as accommodation at the hotel itself.
Beat 7. Lower Kilmurry (Lug Pool, The Jole, Island Stream).
Beat 8. Upper Kilmurry (The Inches, Gillies Pool, Hut Pool, Sir Richard's, The Ladder, Green Bank).
Beat 12. (The Glass Flat, The Barrels, The Gap, Quarry Pool, Stumps Pool, Junction Pool).
Bookings:
Blackwater Lodge Hotel
Upper Ballyduff
Co. Waterford
Tel: 058 60235 / Fax 058 60162
Fox's Fishery, Killavullen
This very productive fishery is almost 1 mile long, left bank only, and is situated about a mile downstream of Killavullen Bridge - 10 miles west of Fermoy. It has a nice mix of streams and pools, including the famous Poul Caum, and is noted for both spring fish and grilse. By all accounts, this is an excellent stretch of water and is thought to have produced over 100 fish per season in recent times. A maximum of four rods is allowed. A gillie can be arranged and all legal fishing methods are allowed.
Bookings:
Mr. Dan O'Donovan
32 Woodlands
Kerry Pike
Co. Cork
Tel: 021 872322
Merrie Green Salmon Fishing:
Mrs Merrie Green of Ballyvolane House has access to nearly ten miles of fishing on some of the best-known beats on the Cork Blackwater. They include two beats at Ballyhooley; Grange and the Quarry above Ballyhooley; Fallon's at Killavullen; O'Neill's and Kilbarry downstream of Careysville and Gaihra at Ballyduff. Rods and waders can be hired, gillies can be hired and there is a small tackle shop.
Bookings:
Mrs. Merrie Green
Ballyvolane House
Castlelyons
Co. Cork.
Tel: 025 36349
Fax: 025 36781
* There are indeed other fisheries of note where anglers may fish for trout and salmon and a full list of these are noted in Peter O'Reilly's comprehensive book "Trout & Salmon Rivers of Ireland" published by MERLIN UNWIN BOOKS. All given information in this section of "Flytying Ireland" has been taken from Peter O'Reilly's same book. Many thanks, to Peter O'Reilly and Merlin Unwin for their kind permission to use this information.
The Munster Blackwater finds its source in east Co. Kerry and meanders for over 100 miles in an easterly direction through counties Cork and Waterford 'till it greets the Irish Sea at Cappoquin. With a catchment area of over 1,200 square miles it dominates the southern province, draining an impressive five mountain ranges. Due to the peaty nature of the land, particularly in the upper reaches, the water in the main river has a rather dark colour…hence the name "Blackwater".
Over the years the river has enjoyed enormous runs of salmon while today, the seasonal runs are still quite impressive. While the Blackwater is not a Mecca for the specimen brown trout hunter or sea-trout fanatic, the salmon fishing can be spectacular. Another distinguishing feature of the Blackwater is the variety of other fish species one might encounter while fishing and it is only here that the coarse angler can fish successfully for dace.
The river is blessed with an abundance of large holding pools, streaming water, glides and in general, a consistent volume of cool mountain water.
The Careysville weir downstream of Fermoy controls the run of fish in low, cold-water conditions and so is quite a dominant feature on the river, as the salmon will only run the weir when the water level rises sufficiently.
* For a list of some of the best-known pools please check the section dedicated to the "Blackwater Lodge Hotel Fisheries" below.
FISHING METHODS:
The Blackwater is noted as a wonderful multi-method salmon river. While spinning and fly-fishing are allowed on all the fisheries, on some beats the use of worms and shrimp is not permitted. No one method is the most effective under all conditions and so the visiting angler would do well to experiment with all the legal methods until the most productive is discovered. However, the fly fisher has probably the greatest chance of success under the ever-changing water and weather conditions usually experienced on Irish rivers.
SALMON FLIES:
Flies for the Blackwater include various long tube flies and biggish shrimp patterns for spring fishing in heavy coloured water, while in summer, small flies - size 6-12 - are the most productive. These flies should be dressed with a touch of lemon or yellow as favourite patterns include, among others, the Lemon & Grey, Garry Dog, Munroe Killer, Blue Charm etc. Other flies that work well are the various Irish shrimp patterns like Curry's Red, Curry's Orange, Orange & Gold, and the Gold Bug.
TROUT FLIES:
Useful patterns for all trout water on the Blackwater include - Greenwell's Glory, Dark Olive Quill, Pheasant Tail, Blue Black, Partridge & Orange, Green Partridge, Wickham's Fancy, Snipe & Purple and Snipe & Yellow.
FLY TACKLE:
Since the Blackwater is a rather large river, the visiting angler would do well to fish with a rod that measure15ft & 16ft long as the extra length makes it easier to control the speed of the fly and also helps in casting larger flies into the teeth of a spring gale. During the summer shorter rods will suffice, but nevertheless, the longer the rod, the more control will be exercised over the fly especially if one is fishing a dropper in unison with the point fly (a very effective technique indeed).
For spring fishing, the fly reel should be large enough to accommodate a fly line in the #8 to #12 weight category along with 200yds of 20lb braided backing, while for summer excursions a smaller lighter model armed with a #6 to #8 weight and about 100yds of backing should more than suffice especially if one is using a single hand 9ft - 10ft rod.
THE FISHERIES:
Careysville Fishery;
The Duke of Devonshire's "Careysville Fishery" is probably the best known on the river Blackwater, consisting of nearly two miles of double-bank fishing. These well-defined pools are perfect for both fly-fishing and bait fishing, depending on the height and colour of the water. The fishery takes just four rods in February and March, three rods from April to July and two rods in August to September. Lunch is served at a comfortable fishing hut while accommodation is at Careysville House itself.
Spring salmon fishing here is highly regarded, with February being the most productive month while June is the optimum time for those chasing sporting grilse!!!
Bookings:
The Manager
Careysville Fishery
Fermoy
Co. Cork
Tel: 025 31094/31712
* Blackwater Lodge Hotel Fisheries:
Blackwater Lodge Hotel has numerous beats, spread from the lowest beat, a short distance above the tide, to Mallow, some 40 miles upstream. The hotel is located one mile west of the village of upper Ballyduff in Co. Waterford between Lismore and Fermoy. It caters especially for angling parties and its facilities include a tackle shop, a drying room, and smoking and freezing facilities. All legal fishing methods are allowed and a gillie service can be arranged.
There are self-catering cottages, as well as accommodation at the hotel itself.
Beat 7. Lower Kilmurry (Lug Pool, The Jole, Island Stream).
Beat 8. Upper Kilmurry (The Inches, Gillies Pool, Hut Pool, Sir Richard's, The Ladder, Green Bank).
Beat 12. (The Glass Flat, The Barrels, The Gap, Quarry Pool, Stumps Pool, Junction Pool).
Bookings:
Blackwater Lodge Hotel
Upper Ballyduff
Co. Waterford
Tel: 058 60235 / Fax 058 60162
Fox's Fishery, Killavullen
This very productive fishery is almost 1 mile long, left bank only, and is situated about a mile downstream of Killavullen Bridge - 10 miles west of Fermoy. It has a nice mix of streams and pools, including the famous Poul Caum, and is noted for both spring fish and grilse. By all accounts, this is an excellent stretch of water and is thought to have produced over 100 fish per season in recent times. A maximum of four rods is allowed. A gillie can be arranged and all legal fishing methods are allowed.
Bookings:
Mr. Dan O'Donovan
32 Woodlands
Kerry Pike
Co. Cork
Tel: 021 872322
Merrie Green Salmon Fishing:
Mrs Merrie Green of Ballyvolane House has access to nearly ten miles of fishing on some of the best-known beats on the Cork Blackwater. They include two beats at Ballyhooley; Grange and the Quarry above Ballyhooley; Fallon's at Killavullen; O'Neill's and Kilbarry downstream of Careysville and Gaihra at Ballyduff. Rods and waders can be hired, gillies can be hired and there is a small tackle shop.
Bookings:
Mrs. Merrie Green
Ballyvolane House
Castlelyons
Co. Cork.
Tel: 025 36349
Fax: 025 36781
* There are indeed other fisheries of note where anglers may fish for trout and salmon and a full list of these are noted in Peter O'Reilly's comprehensive book "Trout & Salmon Rivers of Ireland" published by MERLIN UNWIN BOOKS. All given information in this section of "Flytying Ireland" has been taken from Peter O'Reilly's same book. Many thanks, to Peter O'Reilly and Merlin Unwin for their kind permission to use this information.