Early last week all looked in order for a good opening day on the Munster Blackwater. Unfortunately the rains that fell over the weekend were heavier and more sustained than expected and the River was high and brown in the end. Some fisheries advised clients not to bother but other hardier souls with a strong sense of tradition went to the water’s edge to mark this special day in the river’s calendar.

For some it’s a chance to catch up with old friends, others want to test drive new gear. Glenda Powell had one such group of anglers out – to catch up, test drive gear, get a casting lesson and defy the odds and try for a fish! There was one fish met but lost just as quickly on the fly and one fish seen. That was it for the day. But everyone was happy they made the effort to fish the opening day.

The Ballyduff Bridge Salmon Fishery has a great deal available to anglers just now – fish any day in February or March and get another day free later in the season.

Go fishing…
Blackwater Salmon Fishery
Blackwater Salmon Fishery has three beats downstream of the weir and two upstream of the weir. Blackwater Salmon Fishery offers fishing on approximately five miles of the river Blackwater. The fishing is spread throughout the middle section of the river to offer good sport throughout the fishing season. Due to the location of the beats, fishing can still usually be offered in low or high water.
Contact Glenda Powell: Lismore, Co Waterford,
Email: info@blackwatersalmonfishery.com
Mobile: +353 (0) 872351260 Telephone: +353 (0) 5853929
Web: www.blackwatersalmonfishery.com

Ballyduff Bridge Salmon Fishery
Ballyduff Bridge fisheries control a number of beats of the Munster Blackwater. The Ballyduff Bridge beat is almost a mile long offering a huge variety of water and is particularly suited to fly fishing. Upstream near the village of Ballyhooley (a few miles outside the town of Fermoy, Cork) we have two beats. The Ballincurrig Beat is one of the most beautiful locations along the river and has an excellent piece of fly water flowing into a deep pool. Just downstream on the opposite bank we have a short but productive beat, called Magners. This beat fishes also well in high water.
Contact Connie Corcoran:
Ballyduff, Co. Waterford.
Mobile: +353 (0)87 – 6918 230.
Web: www.blackwatersalmon.ie

By Myles Kelly
Source: www.fishinginireland.info