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.
- Lough
- Old red sandstone
Rules at a glance
- Free fishing
- Walk-up OK
- No wading
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 a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph 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
Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.
Boat — drift
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June 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
54%
Cloud70%
Wind65%
Temp25%
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
- Silverhorns & Longhorns are in their seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Trout17 March → 12 October
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
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.
Related guides
Booking & contacts
Gougane Barra
Google Places
A small, scenic mountain lake at the source of the River Lee in west Cork, ringed by the Shehy Mountains.
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 a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph 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
Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.
Boat — drift
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June 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
54%
Cloud70%
Wind65%
Temp25%
A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 1
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.
- Lough
- Old red sandstone
Water quality (WFD)
- Ecology: Unknown
- Chemical: Unknown
Why this score
- Silverhorns & Longhorns are in their seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Trout17 March → 12 October
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
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.
Related guides
Booking & contacts