| Mighty River. Wonderful Sport. Superb Lodge |
| The Cork Blackwater is Ireland’s second largest river next to the mighty Shannon. It rises in the mountains of East Kerry, flowing eastwards for 105 miles and entering the sea at Youghal in East Cork. It has a catchment area of more than 1,200 square miles. It’s also an extremely beautiful river and has well deserved the Although the river is well down South, it is readily accessible The best of the salmon fishing is to be found between the tidal | Proprietor Ian Powell with the first fish of the season on fly. A sea-liced 10 pounder on a Foxford Shrimp from the Grange Stream on Bridgetown Abbey – Lodge Beat 12 on May 6th, 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Below Fermoy, there is an excellent mixture of fly runs, glides and deeper pools. The fish can run unhindered through the lower river until they encounter the weir at Careysville. The Blackwater Lodge has seven beats downstream of the weir. The lower river – from the Careysville weir downstream to Lismore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In years when the early months are mild and wet, higher warmer water encourages the fish to run further – often as far as Ballyhooly and Castletownroche in the middle reaches, and even as far as Mallow. They are then more spread out through both the lower and middle reaches of the river, which can make them less easy to find. Springers are mainly fish in the 8 – 12 lb. class, but with a good share of fish to 18 – 20 lb. February can be a contrary month, but the river and the run are usually settling and more consistent by March. The best spring fishing is normally in March and early April. Under way in May The prolific grilse run gets under way in mid-May, though the The grilse fishing is excellent on the lower river in low water, | A bedraggled but happy proprietress Glenda Powell with her first fish of the season. A sea-liced 11 1/2 pounder on spinner from the Barrels on Bridgetown Abbey – Lodge Beat 12 on May 6th, 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Backend Sport There is a superb autumn run of larger fish, usually in late The run consists mainly of fish in the 8 – 12 lb. class, but with | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compared with most other Irish rivers (notably the Moy), the fishing pressure is very light. Nevertheless, it is estimated to yield an average of between 5,000 – 6,000 salmon to the rods each year. It was declared Ireland’s most prolific salmon river in 1998. Statistics issued by the Central & Southern Regional Fisheries Board confirm that the Cork Blackwater had the highest rod catch of salmon of all Irish rivers that year. The total was a staggering 8,063 – over 35% higher than the Moy. It was reputedly the third highest of all the rivers in the North Atlantic (Canada, Iceland, UK, Norway etc.) – beaten only by two rivers on the Kola Peninsula in Russia. Blackwater Lodge – a haven for salmon anglers. Unique – a word not to be used lightly, but one which is probably | “This could be You” Putting a fly down the Abbey Stream on Bridgetown Abbey – Lodge Beat 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lodge proprietor Ian Powell is married to Glenda (nee Meredith) who hails from Comber, County Down. Both are fanatical salmon anglers. Glenda is also unique – where else would you find a female fly casting instructor who can teach you right up to the most advanced forms of spey casting? Of excellent pedigree, she has fished for the Scottish Ladies Fly-Fishing Team & managed the Irish counterpart before settling with Ian at the Lodge & adding Staff Manageress to her credentials. Couple all this with a lodge dedicated to salmon fishing and you | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No need to worry about your catch when you return to the Lodge. Wrapping & freezing is a free service to all Lodge guests. For a small charge, you can have your fish steaked, filleted, marinated or smoked in the Lodge’ own smokery and vacuum packed. Yet another unique feature is the Lodge’s website. It is packed The Cork Blackwater’s consistent fishing is well demonstrated by
| “The Stumps Pool” Putting a fly down the Abbey Stream on Bridgetown Abbey – Lodge Beat 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consequently, the number of anglers fishing on the Blackwater Lodge fisheries was much lower than normal. There were only 65% of the rod days compared to the 2000 season. In that light, the total for the 2001 season of 773 salmon & grilse was an excellent catch. It compares favourably with the Five Year Average of 943 & the Ten Year Average of 922. Also, very low water kept the June, July and September catches lower | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Whilst the Cork Blackwater has the reputation of being an exclusive river, the Blackwater Lodge invariably has fishing permits readily available on its sixteen beats for residents and non-residents alike. For reservations or information, contact Ian Powell at the Lodge. Contact: Ian Powell (Proprietor) Blackwater Lodge Hotel Telephone: 058 60235 (00353) Fax: 058 60162 (00353) Email: [email protected] Website: www.blackwaterlodge.net | “Beat That then!” Colin Macduff-Duncan with his first ever salmon and gillie Glenda Meredith. Weight 15 lb. Taken on May 13th 2001 on the Island Stream – Lower Kilmurry. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
