Stillwater · Old Red Sandstone · South West / Cork

Gougane Barra

Gougane Barra — Gougane Barra Reflection

A small, scenic mountain lake at the source of the River Lee in west Cork, ringed by the Shehy Mountains.

Fair · Trout
Gosling · 8-10
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
49% confidence
limited data

Gougane Barra is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSW 17 km/hGentle breeze
Today's fly
Gosling
Gosling8-10
High-confidence seasonal pick
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Gentle breeze
SW 17 km/h
N
SW
from the south-west
Wave20 cm ripple
Water temp—
Air temp20°C
CloudBroken
Pressure1021 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

Stale water· 0.5 mm in 48h

Little recent rain — fresh fish runs unlikely. Focus on resident fish and established lies.

How to fish it · for Trout
When
May–September; mayfly peak late May–June
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Bibio on the bob and Murrough on the point.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Bibio on the bob and Murrough on the point.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Green Peter should come on through the afternoon as the water warms.

Bank

Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 with Pro.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Trout fly box
Permits & access
Free state water
State rod licence required for trout / salmon as applicable.
  • Permit/ticket required; confirm operator dates.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
74%
Cloud100%
Wind65%
Temp60%

A good match for Gougane Barra — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.

Other water nearby · 5
River Sullane
8.0 km
34
Brown trout
River Sullane
8.0 km
Brown trout
Lough Allua
9.0 km
Pike · Brown trout
Lough Bofinne
18 km
Brown trout · Rainbow trout
Barfinnihy Lake
27 km
Rainbow trout
Gallery · 2
  1. Gougane Barra — Gougane Barra Reflection
    Gougane Barra Reflection
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

A small, scenic mountain lake at the source of the River Lee in west Cork, ringed by the Shehy Mountains. Holds small wild brown trout in acidic, soft water — modest fishing in a spectacular setting.

Hatches & food

No venue-specific hatch data yet; as an oligotrophic upland lough in this Cork/Kerry sandstone-freestone system, expect the typical acid-water stillwater character of light buzzer and sedge activity supplemented by wind-blown terrestrials — treat this as a general expectation, not an observed hatch.

  • Lough
  • Old red sandstone
Water quality (WFD)
  • Ecology: Unknown
  • Chemical: Unknown
Why this score
  • Cloud cover (cloud) suits the fishery well.
  • Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 17 March → 12 October
Related guides
Irish Loughs Playbooklough-style fishingThermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureConnemaraIrish fishing
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Permits & access