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    Waterville lakes and river system

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    Le Lough Currane dans le Kerry
    Season
    • Lough Currane/Watervillle/Cummeragh open for 2024 
    • River Inny Catch and Release for 2024

    Lough Currane

    • Season – Salmon from 17th January to 30th September.
    • Sea Trout – 17th January to 12th October. Sea trout fly only 1st – 12th October.

    All sea trout fishing is Catch and Release only in the Waterville area:

      • the River Inny (Knockmoyle) and its tributaries
      • the waters of the Waterville system, including the Waterville River, Lough Currane, the Cummeragh River and all their tributary rivers and lakes
      • the waters of Ballinskelligs Bay.

    The rivers and lakes in the Waterville area drain a large catchment and have been a favoured destination for game anglers for many years. The lake system is well developed, with access to boats and guides readily available to the tourist angler.

    Lough Currane

    Lough Currane

    Lough Currane is located east of the picturesque village of Waterville on the scenic ring of Kerry in the south west of Ireland. It can be accessed from the north and the south via the N70. Currane is the largest and best known of a series of lakes that are famous for their quality sea trout fishing. A series of smaller lakes which are located to the north east include Lough Namona, Cloonaghlin Lough, Iskanamacteery and Derriana Loughs and are all interconnected by the Cummeragh and Owengarriff Rivers. To the south of these lakes Capall Lough (Isknaghany Lough) which also lies to the east of Waterville is connected to Currane by a short river known as the Capall River. In addition to its sea trout run Currane also gets a run of salmon throughout the season with some fish being caught as early as January.

    Lough Currane

    Lough Currane covers an area of approximately 1,011 hectares (c 2,500 acres) and it drains directly into the sea at Ballinskelligs Bay on its western shore through a short private stretch of river known as the Waterville River on which the famous Butlers Pool is located.

    Lough Currane is one of Ireland’s premier sea trout fisheries and produces many sea trout to specimen size annually. Salmon and sea trout can pass through the Lough to access the catchments upper lakes of Capall, Lough Namona, Lough Derriana, Cloonlaghlin and Iasknamacnateery. Each season, Currane gets a good run of sea trout and moderate numbers of salmon but these runs are very dependent on the water levels on this spate river system. Water and weather conditions can impact greatly on the fishing.

    The sea trout caught on Lough Currane are renowned for their size and fighting ability. The best sea trout fishing is from April to September with many of the larger fish being taken between April and June. Some sea trout can also be taken as early as March. Trolling with shallow diving lures is effective in the early part of the season but many fish are taken on the fly all throughout the season. Sea trout can be taken all over the lake but some of the more popular fishing locations include Black Point, Church Island, Reenaskinna Rock and Rough Island. Boat fishing produces the best results but sea trout can also be taken from the shore. Sea trout to over 10 lbs. (4.5 Kilos) are recorded annually from this unique lake and the tables below show the top five fish that have been taken on Lough Currane in recent seasons. Many other specimens have also been recorded and further details can be found at www.irish-trophy-fish.com/

    Specimen Sea-Trout Taken at Lough Currane 2007-2015

    Irish Record Weight: 16 lbs 6 ozs (7.428 kg)
    Specimen Weight: 
    6lbs (2.721 kg)

    Specimen Sea-Trout Taken at Lough Currane 2013, 2014 & 2015

    Location

    Name of Captor

    Date of Capture

    Method

    Weight

    Lough Currane
    Liam Ellis
    April 2015
    Rapala
    11.80lbs
    Lough Currane
    Tim Van Der Laan NL
    April 2014
    Rapala
    11.54lbs
    Lough Currane
    David Hempsey
    Sept 2013
    Toby
    11.19lbs

    Specimen Sea-Trout Taken at Lough Currane 2010 & 2012

    Location

    Name of Captor

    Date of Capture

    Method

    Weight

    Lough Currane
    Sean Smith
    May 2010
    Fly
    13.31lbs
    Lough Currane
    Tommy Duffy
    Aug 2012
    Fly
    9.18lbs

    Specimen Sea-Trout Taken at Lough Currane 2009

    Location

    Name of Captor

    Date of Capture

    Method

    Weight

    Lough Currane
    Liam Ellis
    May 2009
    Lure
    12.85lbs
    Lough Currane
    Axel ZurBrugge
    April 2009
    Trolling
    11.52lbs
    Lough Currane
    Marcel Guillou
    June 2009
    Fly
    9.47lbs
    Lough Currane
    Markus Kruse
    May 2009
    Fly
    8.5lbs
    Lough Currane
    Bernd Rall
    April 2009
    Fly
    8.5lbs

    Specimen Sea-Trout Taken at Lough Currane 2008

    Location

    Name of Captor

    Date of Capture

    Method

    Weight

    Lough Currane
    Heinz Stratman
    May 2008
    Minney
    5.66kgs
    Lough Currane
    David Eccleston
    May 2008
    Fly
    4.63kgs
    Lough Currane
    Bob MacDonald
    May 2008
    Fly
    4.54kgs
    Lough Currane
    Martin Clancy
    April 2008
    Lure
    4.47kgs
    Lough Currane
    Kevin Brain
    June 2008
    Lure
    4.40kg

    Specimen Sea-Trout Taken at Lough Currane 2007

    Location

    Name of Captor

    Date of Capture

    Method

    Weight

    Lough Currane
    Gary Humphrey
    May 2007
    Fly
    4.804kgs
    Lough Currane
    John Andrew
    May 2007
    Fly
    4.72kgs
    Lough Currane
    Roy Williams
    May 2007
    Fly
    4.186kgs
    Lough Currane
    Martin Evans
    April 2007
    Fly
    4.16kgs
    Lough Currane
    Mark Maley
    June 2007
    Fly
    4.018kg

    When fishing on Currane a single handed 9.5ft to 10ft rod with a 6 to 8 weight line appropriate to the time of year will suffice but as with all fishing this will depend on the angler’s preference. A strong leader of 12lbs to 15lbs is advisable owing to the size of fish which may be caught here.

    Salmon fishing can be good early in May and June but the best of the fishing commences with the arrival of the grilse in July. As for the sea trout, a single handed 9.5 rod with an eight weight line appropriate to the time of year will suffice.

    Salmon fishing on the Waterville River and on Butlers Pool may be arranged by contacting the Waterville Fishery Manager at +353 66 9474244 or by email at [email protected]

    Popular fishing locations include the out flow of the Cummeragh River at Morgan’s Rock, Grassy Island, Grey Rock and Cummeragh Island. Drifts around Church Island and Capall Bay are also popular locations but anglers can connect with fish all over the lake.

    Currane

    The Currane lake system is well developed, with access to boats, guides and other ancillary angling services being readily available to the visiting angler. These providers will ensure that your stay in the Waterville area will provide you with the best angling experience possible. The well developed accommodation base has welcomed anglers from all over the world for decades including none other than the silent screen star and legend Charlie Chaplin.

    Lough Currane is a big water and it is recommended that visiting anglers avail of the services of the local guides and ghillies who know all of the lakes moods. Their experience and expertise will ensure your safety and provide you with the best opportunity to make that catch of a lifetime. This will enable you to maximise your fishing time and enhance your overall fishing experience during your visit. A full listing of guides, ghillies and instructors for Lough Currane is available at www.fishinginireland.info/guides/kerry.htm

    Methods

    All legal angling methods allowed subject to the Salmon and Sea Trout Angling Regulations. These are revised annually and the current regulations can be found at www.fishinginireland.info/salmon/salmontagging.htm

    Best Flies

    Salmon
    Hairy Mary
    Gary Dog
    Shrimp Flies
    Cascade
     
    Sea Trout
    Black Pennel
    Mallard&Claret
    Sooty Olive
    Claret & Blue
    Bibio

    Angling Tip

    Fishing in and around the river inlets can produce excellent results

    Angling Clubs

    Membership of the Waterville Fishery Development Group (Available at Waterville Angling Centre, see below) is recommended and encouraged www.loughcurrane.com

    Access

    Lough Currane can be accessed of the N70 via the turn at the Lodge hotel in the centre of the town. Keep right at the GAA club and continue to a spacious car park at the “bog”. The lake can also be accessed via Beenbane Rd to the north and Lake Road to the south.

    Angling Guides

    www.fishinginireland.info/guides/kerry.htm

    Permits

    No permit is required to fish on this free fishery but membership of the Waterville Fishery Development Group (Available at Waterville Angling Centre, see above) is recommended and encouraged. Membership brings additional benefits.

    Anglers must have a salmon licence when fishing for salmon and sea trout. Licences can be purchased online at www.salmonlicences.ie/Default.aspx?tabid=78&l=0&r=8

    Boat Hire

    www.fishinginireland.info/boathire/currane.htm

    Other Fisheries in the System
    Map of Lough Currane and the Waterville lakes and rivers

    Map of Waterville and Currane system

    Map of Lough Currane and waterville rivers and lakes Lough Currane Loughs Namona and Cloonlaghlin Lough Derriana Waterville River Cummeragh River

    Contacts – Waterville Fishery Development Group www.loughcurrane.com.