Freestone · Granite · East / Wicklow

River Liffey (Upper / Blessington)

No photos yet for this water.

The Liffey rises in the Wicklow Mountains above Blessington — fast, peaty, granite-sourced, and clear in a way that flatters its surroundings.

Species

A side-water session, not the main event

Low and clear — careful approach country. Long leader, small flies, slower casts.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Cool — slow
6°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature3528% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity3512% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
6.0°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
6°C
Wind
W 18 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1008 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
19.1 mm
Moderate rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Fair conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Prey activity is weakest (35).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

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

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Eastern Regional Fisheries District
  • Club-managed (Blessington and District AC)
  • Day tickets available
  • State rod licence required.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

The Liffey rises in the Wicklow Mountains above Blessington — fast, peaty, granite-sourced, and clear in a way that flatters its surroundings. Poulaphuca Reservoir (Blessington Lakes) interrupts the natural flow, and the fishing below the dam is the most consistent part of the upper river: regulated releases maintain a reasonable level through summer, and the tailwater carries good populations of wild brown trout on the dry fly from April. Above the reservoir, the headwater streams hold smaller fish but in spectacular moorland. The upper Liffey is primarily a dry-fly and nymph river for wild brownies averaging seven to ten inches, with occasional larger fish. Fishing is club-managed with day permits available. A good option for the Wicklow-based angler who prefers moving water to lough fishing.

  • Granite
Seasons & zones
  • Trout15 February → 30 September
Other water nearby · 5