The Fishery is privately owned and totals 1.2 miles. Kilcoleman is fly only at all times. The Bandon River flows through The Kilcoleman Park Estate which totals 240 acres of park and agricultural land.There are ten named salmon pools. There are also excellent stocks of wild brown trout which average 12ozs with over 1lbs not unusual.
Our fishery is preserved primarily for our 'weekly residential' guests.
Day tickets are issued providing the fishery isn't reserved by residents.
Salmon: Spring fish run from about March onwards although in recent years they have tended to run later and there are not many around until mid/late April. The grilse and summer run of salmon usually start in early May and continue through to the end of September at which date the season closes.
Trout: Our trout are indigenouas and completely wild. Best times are from mid March through to end of June. We have a bag limit of six per day and also encourage the use of barbless hooks.
Sea Bass: We are fortunate to be within 30 minutes of some of the best bass fishing in The British Isles. This is a great alternative to enjoy when the river is not in perfect condition for salmon such as drought or too sunny. Note that there is a closed season between the 15th of May and 15th of June. We can direct you to the locations although we strongly recommend a guide for the first day.A gillie (guide) is available on either a day or a half day basis.
Tackle : From the opening of the season up to about the 1st of June a double handed 13ft rod is recommended. Thereafter a single handed 10' to 11' is adequate. However the tendency in recent years has been to use a single handed rod throughout the season. Leader strength 10 to 12 lbs. Floating and intermediate lines are the most popular. Choice of fly pattern is purely ones own preference. We have had salmon caught on flies from all around the world and our conclusion is that it really doesn't matter. The most favored here seem to be the Irish shrimp patterns as well as stoats tail both black and silver. Size is far more critical and the Bandon tends to fish best with small patterns. Size 10 down to 14 are the norm. For trout a 9ft weight 5 to 6 is good with leader strength of 3lbs. Fly choice is more difficult as there is an over abundance of fly hatches on the river. Generally various Olives, Hawthorn, Black Gnat, various cadis nymphs, partridge and orange, and May Fly variants do the trick. A good pattern for nymph is GRHE with and without gold bead. We have a large selection of flies for sale here at Kilcoleman. Thigh waders are adequate. Gaffs are strictly forbidden and we advise our guests to bring a good landing net.