Fish Giarha

Services

Orientation

When you come to fish on the Gairha beat we will arrange to meet you in person, provide you with the latest river reports and a detailed map of the beat showing the best pools in which to stalk your prey. We will also show you where to park your car and the location of the various access points to the river. We would be happy to advise you on what equipment to use for the best results, depending on the current state of the river at the time.

Equipment & First Time Instruction

We do not normally rent or hire rods and other equipment, as you are expected to provide your own. However we can usually arrange for a suitable set of equipment for a first time pupil taking instruction from one of our ghillies if they do not yet own their own, on the understanding that if you damage it you will be charged for the estimated cost of repair or replacement.

Ghillie Guided Fishing

A ghillie is available to help you make the most of your fishing at Gairha by accompanying you along the beat, showing you the best pools if you so require. Our ghillies are professional instructors and offer expert tuition in the art of fly casting, both to the complete beginner and also coaching to those who wish to improve their technique and knowledge. Please advise us at least 24 hours in advance if you would like to avail of one of our ghillies. Ghillie fees must be paid directly to the ghillie.

Rod & Ghillie Fees

NOTE - a 30% deposit is payable before any booking can be confirmed. The balance of the rod fees must be paid on the day to the proprieter or his agent. Provisional bookings must be confirmed within the agreed time, otherwise the dates will be re-let. A 50% discount is available for children under 16 years of age. Regrettably no allowance can be made for adverse weather or river conditions. Deposits can be refunded if seven days notice is given and another let can be secured. Please contact us to negotiate group rates. The Gairha beat will support a maximum of four rods per day. Larger groups are welcome but only four rods may fish the beat at any one time. These rates are subject to any additional, post budget government levies. Group bookings must be paid in advance.

Ghillie fees

• Daily ghillie fees are €120 / day for up to two rods and €10 for each additional rod. Please note - you should pay the ghillie fees directly to your ghillie on a day by day basis.
• Daily tuition fees for beginners are €100 / day - payable directly to your instructor.
• All children under eighteen fish for free, including learners!

Advice

Salmon Fishing on the Blackwater

February / March - Early spring fish averaging 8.5lbs. The water levels are generally high at this time of year and the temperature of the water is cold, so spinning is generally the preferred option, using spoons, large devon minnows or 'flying Cs.' Rods should be about 10' - 12' long. Fly fishing is possible with a 14' - 15' rod, floating line with a fast sinking tip (i.e. 6" / sec) with a 2-3" tube or cone fly. The use of worms, prawns and shrimps is not allowed. This is in an effort to conserve salmon stocks.

April / May - The main spring run where fish average 10lbs. Fly fishing should be in full swing by this time using 14' rods. Flies can be varied according to the prevailing water conditions - i.e. high water - large flies size 6-8, low water - small flies size 8-12. Spinning, again with a 10-12' rod using devon minnows or 'flying Cs.'

June/July/early August - Grilse of 2-5lbs weight normally run at this time. Some larger summer salmon may be caught. If good conditions prevail then fly fishing is the preferred method using a floating line with either a sink tip or intermediate tip, nylon casts of between 10-12lbs and flies about size 10-14. For high water, light spinning tackle may be used effectively.

Late August / September - Late summer salmon and grilse, and early autumn salmon. Fish from 3-20lbs weight. Tackle is governed by water levels. In low water 12-13' rods are adequite using a floating line with a slow or intermediate tip. If the water is high, a 14' rod is preferred using a sink tip with flies size 8-10. Spinning in low water using light equipment, lures and 'flying Cs', etc. Higher water levels, use heavier rods with larger lures and spoons.

Waders

Chest waders are advisable on the Gaihra beat, but easy wading is possible on account of the gravel river bed. Care must be taken not to wade too deeply as this could disturb the fish.

Fishing tackle is aviailable locally from Tite Lines in Cappoquin. Salmon licences are also available from these outlets.

The Salmon Life Cycle

The Marine Institute, Foras na Mara, have an excellent description of the life cycle of salmon. Click on the link to learn more.

Beat Map

• Note: This beat map shows the river from a fisherman's perspective on the north bank
  South is up!
  
  Right-click on the map and 'Save Image As' to save and print a copy of this map.
  
  
• Safety First!: Note that from our hut on the left (north) bank of the lower beat, downstream (~500m) to Walsh's Pool a life jacket is essential when wading in the river. The river level should be 0.22m or less as measured by the OPW river gague at Ballyduff Bridge.

Access to Leamy's Pool - Beat 2 - from the hut

Disclaimer

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information and guidance contained on this website is accurate, we will not accept responsibility for errors or innacuracies contained therein.

We cannot vouch for the safe state of the fishery at any time due to the changing weather and water conditions, and the possible presence of hidden and unknown dangers. Anglers are warned to exercise the utmost care for their own safety and that of others using the fishery. It is the responsibility of every angler to have suitable insurance. We do not accept any responsibility for the personal safety of anglers and will not entertain any claims in the event of injury or accident on the Gairha beat.

It goes without saying that fishing for salmon comes with no guarantees, and that the element of luck plays its part as much as the ability to cover the water and fish a pool effectively, however the more you fish, the luckier you become!