Kilkenny — spring-fed day-ticket fly water in the south-east, close to the Waterford border.
- Fishery
- Limestone
Rules at a glance
- Day tickets
- Walk-up OK
- No wading
Head to
Wind driftN wind
Northern end
A northerly has held for 6 hours, running colder than the water (6°C air against 11°C water). The end it blows into is taking that chilled surface water, so try the sheltered northern end instead — off the back of the wind, where the undertow returns food along the bottom. That chill sits in the top of the water, though, and the bed is slower to feel it — on a bottom bait it is the undertow, not the temperature, that puts you at this end. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.
How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
Conditions are not ideal but fishable at Ardaire Springs. The ripple should help fish move and feed more confidently.
Where
Start with Perch Fry (8–10 long shank) — on the point. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.
The plan
Plan A
Start with Perch Fry (8–10 long shank) — on the point. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.
Plan B
Slow down everything. A booby on a fast-sinking line, left static, can pick up deep fish.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Bank
Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
Supporters see the full sub-surface read.
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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)
Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 4 as a supporter.
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Through the year
0–3 scale · November highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Buzzer team todayfor the conditions now
Point#10
Black buzzer, orange thorax
Not in this water's box
How to fish it
Intermediate line · let the breeze drift the team, then hang it 15–30 s
Fly recommendations
Point fly shown — supporters see the whole team, sizes and why.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Permit/ticket required; confirm operator dates.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
65%
Cloud70%
Wind65%
Temp60%
A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 1
Terrain map
About this water
Water quality (WFD)
- Ecology: Unknown
- Chemical: Unknown
Why this score
- winter conditions with mixed skies and breezy wind.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Rainbow trout 1 January → 31 December
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Permits & access
Ardaire Springs
A stocked rainbow- and brown-trout fishery of over four acres at Arderra, Mooncoin, Co.
Head to
Wind driftN wind
Northern end
A northerly has held for 6 hours, running colder than the water (6°C air against 11°C water). The end it blows into is taking that chilled surface water, so try the sheltered northern end instead — off the back of the wind, where the undertow returns food along the bottom. That chill sits in the top of the water, though, and the bed is slower to feel it — on a bottom bait it is the undertow, not the temperature, that puts you at this end. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.
How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
Conditions are not ideal but fishable at Ardaire Springs. The ripple should help fish move and feed more confidently.
Where
Start with Perch Fry (8–10 long shank) — on the point. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.
The plan
Plan A
Start with Perch Fry (8–10 long shank) — on the point. Rainbows respond to more active retrieves — try short strips between pauses. If that does not produce, switch depth or speed before changing the pattern entirely.
Plan B
Slow down everything. A booby on a fast-sinking line, left static, can pick up deep fish.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Bank
Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
Supporters see the full sub-surface read.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)
Hatch predictions
Top prey shown — see all 4 as a supporter.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Through the year
0–3 scale · November highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Buzzer team todayfor the conditions now
Point#10
Black buzzer, orange thorax
Not in this water's box
How to fish it
Intermediate line · let the breeze drift the team, then hang it 15–30 s
Fly recommendations
Point fly shown — supporters see the whole team, sizes and why.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Permit/ticket required; confirm operator dates.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
65%
Cloud70%
Wind65%
Temp60%
A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 1
Terrain map
About this water
Kilkenny — spring-fed day-ticket fly water in the south-east, close to the Waterford border.
- Fishery
- Limestone
Water quality (WFD)
- Ecology: Unknown
- Chemical: Unknown
Why this score
- winter conditions with mixed skies and breezy wind.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Rainbow trout 1 January → 31 December
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Permits & access
At a glance
Ardaire Springs is a stillwater fishery in South East / Kilkenny, Ireland. The catchment geology is recorded as limestone, and the water sits at about 70 m above sea level. Species listed for this water: rainbow trout and brown trout. The rainbow trout season is recorded as running from 1 January to 31 December. Best window recorded for anglers: morning and evening with a ripple. Core methods listed: buzzer fishing; lure for fresh stockies; washing-line. Access is recorded as membership required. Nearby waters in our listings include Knockaderry Reservoir at 12 km, Carrigavantry at 16 km and River Nire at 33 km.