BANDON RIVER

THE ABOVE PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS THE CARRIG POOL JUST BELOW THE BEND FROM THE BRIDGE.

ABOVE SHOWS THE LONG POOL JUST BELOW THE CARRIG POOL HEADING DOWNSTREAM.

I have fished this river for over 30 years and have had some great fishing here.It is ideally located just twelve miles from Cork City.At the start of the season and again at the end of the season the larger estuary trout move up into the higher reaches of the river.During the months from April to September there is an excellent sea trout and salmon run.The best fishing is from May onwards and into the late evenings of July/August/September.With a good pair of chest waders one can cover the whole river from the bridge pool right down to Kilmacsimon quay.Starting from the bridge pool fishing down after the tide is the best way to meet fresh fish which have moved in on the tide.When fishing sea trout,the nocternel approach is definitely the best.

One should get into position just as darkness is coming,measure your cast distance so you won't be getting stuck in trees during the darkness.Preferrably fish a nice scour(fast water into a deep pool) as sea trout move into the shallow waters to feed after dark.The faster water makes it easier to take fish as the fly is moving fast and sea trout have to react faster than in slower water.Casting across and letting the fly go naturally with the current is one method, but sometimes a very slight retrieve can prove more succesful.When the rise goes off usually a few hours after dark the fish move back into deep pools.If one uses a sinking line and larger flies and fishes deep into the pools,one can usually pick up the bigger sea trout as they are still feeding even though there are no trout showing/rising.

ABOVE SHOWS THE POOL AT THE BACK OF BARRETS BAR WHICH IS A GREAT PLACE TO FISH!