Saltwater Fly Fishing in Ireland

Just standing on a deserted sandy beach with the blue sea stretching as far as the eye can see and the sun starting to show over the distant mountains would be heaven for many people. The mist covered mountains at your back with all their streams, rivers and lakes would be enough to satisfy many more...

For hundred of years the fly fisherman have concentrated on these beautiful fivers and lakes searching for salmon and sea trout and often with great rewards. The lakes and rivers of South West Kerry are world famous for their fishing, and justly so. Lough Currane is the jewel in the crown and is undoubtedly the best sea trout lake in western Europe.

Many of the rivers still have good runs of salmon and, if the drift nets leave us, they may soon be as good as they were 50 years ago...

But all this is well known. Many an angler has stood in Waterville and watched the waves rolling in as he waited for the guide to go afloat on Lough Currane for a day. Few if any ever considered trying their fly rod in the sea. Why should they? Nobody had done it before them.    

South West Kerry has arguably the best bass fishing in Europe. Thanks to the Irish conservation laws the bass is protected. Even the rod and line angler cannot sell his catch, and many anglers release almost all of these special fish that they catch. Because these and other fish are plentiful the fly rod does have its place in saltwater angling.  

So if that is you standing on that deserted beach looking out to sea at dawn with your fly rod in you hand, don’t turn aound and head for the hills and mountains. Go for the challenge of the sea and you may be rewarded more than you imagine.

Saltwater Fly Fishing in Ireland - In addition to the Inny strand and Waterville beach, Ballinskellig beach with it’s fort and Augustinian priory is only 4 miles away. This beach is sheltered and is usually awarded the EU blue flag.

Just along the scenic Skellig ring is St Finan’s cove with views of the rocky Skellig Islands. Further along the Ring of Kerry at Caherdaniel there are many secluded coves including Derrynane harbour with beautiful beaches and islands.

Saltwater Fly Fishing:

We are lucky to have a wide mixture of shore line all within a few minutes drive of our B&B. If you look at the map of Ballinskelligs Bay you will see that there always places to fly fish wherever the wind is coming from.

Bass are present on the Kerry coast all year and some vary. Good catches can be had even in January and Feuary. They do tend to move offshore when there is a long, cold spell in the winter, but these conditions rarely last long with the influence of the gulf stream.
While fly fishing is possible during the winter months, it’s not very pleasant. The most enjoyable fishing would be from May to the end of October.

Freshwater Fishing:

We offer our clients a complete package including both saltwater and freshwater fly fishing.

Lough Currane, famous for its sea-trout and salmon, is only 3 miles from our cottage.

You can spend a day or more in the company of a local ghillie and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in Ireland and if you’re lucky some spectacular fishing also.

River Inny: This spate river is about 15 miles long and has good fishing for about 10 miles of its length. It can have an excellent run of salmon and grilse from June to September and is ideal for fly fishing. It holds sea-trout from April onwards. Top quality private fishing is available to our guests.

Our Cottage has four guest rooms. One of our en-suite double rooms can accommodate additional guests or children. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in all rooms. There is a choice for breakfast, including home smoked salmon and vegetarian options. If you are staying for more than one night, we can provide packed lunches - useful if you are planning to spend the day fishing or taking the boat trip to the Skellig Islands.

May through October

*Please submit a booking request to confirm available dates.
* Bookings from Saturday to Saturday

Includes one week full board accommodation with 6 days guiding (6 half days with private guide or 6 full days with 2 people sharing guide)

* Prices available in both EUR € & GBP £