Angling Methods and Techniques
Salmon
How an angler fishes and what with is a personal thing however we have listed some points below which may assist you in selecting your tackle and approach.
A single handed 8/9 weight rod with matching line is ideal for salmon fishing in the south west. In fact a double-handed rod in many cases becomes a little unwieldy though rivers such as the Lee and Bandon in county Cork and the Laune in Kerry lend themselves to the double hander. If though you are trying to keep your tackle down settle on a 8/9 wt single handed rod.
You can purchase flies locally however many anglers also enjoying trying their home patterns. Your leader should be around 16 lbs bs.
Regarding wading its always nice to have the option however you can usually access many areas from the bank.
On a spate river, as nearly all the Kerry rivers and a fair number of the Cork rivers are, the most productive time to fish is as the river level falls after rain and the water starts to clear (fine down). Dawn and dusk should definitely be fished, but you may catch fish during the day.
In order to get the fly down, in moving water a sink-tip fly line is almost essential.
A short spinning rod can also be productive and lures can be purchased locally.
- Green highlander
- Black doctor
- Lemon grey
- Stoats tail
- White Doctor
- Hairy mary
New Salmon Regulations for 2008
For details of the salmon angling regulations for 2008 including what rivers will be open, catch and release, restrictions on methods and more click here: Salmon Regulations 2008.