Flyfishing in the Boyne Valley. Salmon and trout fishing.
The Kells Blackwater
CLOSED TO ANGLING FOR ALL SALMON AND FOR SEA TROUT OVER 40CM for 2008.
THE KELLS BLACKWATER is the largest tributary of the River
Boyne and it is fed by Lough Ramor in County Cavan. It flows in a south-easterly
direction passing north of Kells, Co. Meath to its confluence with the Boyne
at Navan. This river has all the usual fly hatches associated with a limestone
river with sedges and olives being important. Presently the best of the brown
trout angling on this river is on the waters controlled by Kells Angling Club.
This includes the stretches from the Nine-Eyed Bridge at its source to Mabes
Bridge, which is located just north of Kells. This river holds good stocks
of wild brown trout up to two pounds and over and most of the stretches provide
good angling. In 2004 the Blackwater produced a new record brown trout for
the river which weighed in at over 9lbs 11ozs. In 2004 the Kells Blackwater
produced several wild brown trout that weighed 3lbs to 5lbs. This river can
fish well from March to September.
DROPPING WATER LEVELS ON THE KELLS CAN PRODUCE GOOD FISHING
Location: Co. Cavan and Co. Meath. The main towns and villages in the area are Kells and Carnaross.
Season: Fishing takes place from March 1st to September 30th.
Fish Species: The Kells Blackwater is a wild brown trout fishery.
Methods: Fly-fishing, dry fly, wet fly, and nymph fishing are all successful.
Best Flies: Dry Flies: Grey Flag, Grey Duster, Hares Ear,
Olive patterns including the Sherry Spinner.
Wet Flies: March Browns, Wickhams Fancy, Greenwells Glory, and Hares Ear
Nymphs: Assorted nymph patterns, including Goldheads, Hares Ear and Sawyers Nymph.
Angling Club: The Kells Angling Club which supports a policy of catch and release controls the fishing from The Nine Eyed Bridge to Mabes Bridge.
Fishing Tip: Evening time produces the best results but daytime fishing can also be productive if the angler uses the correct methods.
Entomoligical Information: The Kells Blackwater contains an abundance of fish food in the form of bugs, insects and flies. The most abundant and prolific of these include the following orders.
Order Ephemeroptera (upwing flies)Baetidae (olives)Ecdyonuridae Trichoptera (sedges)HydropychidaeLimnephilidae Diptera (flatwing flies)Chironomidae (midges) Amphipoda Gammaridae (freshwater shrimp) Coleoptera (beetles)Elminthidae (small brown beetle) Lympets (crustation)Ancylidae (tiny snail)
DON'T UNDER ESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS FLY "THE BUZZER"
Permits: Permits for this river are available from:
Pat McLaughlin, 64 Magdelene Court, Kells,
Co. Meath.
Tel: (Europe) 00 353 46 9241807, 00 353 86 1017415 (U.S.A.) 011 353 46 9241807
011 353 86 1017415. email: patandtrina@eircom.net
Guide Services: Pat Mc Loughlin, 64 Magdelene Court, Kells,
Co. Meath.
Tel: (Europe) 00 353 46 9241807, 00 353 86 1017415 (U.S.A.) 011 353 46 9241807
011 353 86 1017415. email: patandtrina@eircom.net
Accommodation:
Hotel:
The Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells, Co. Meath. Tel: (Europe) 00 353 46 9240063
(U.S.A.) 011 353 46 9240063 email: headfortarms@eircom.net
The Newgrange Hotel, Bridge Street, Navan, Co. Meath.
Tel: (Europe) 00 353 46 9074100 (U.S.A.) 011 353 46 9074100 email: info@newgrangehotel.ie
Guest House:
Brogans Guesthouse, High Street, Trim, Co. Meath. Tel: (Europe)
00 353 46 9431237.
(U.S.A.) 011 353 46 9431237 email: info@brogans.ie
Bed and Breakfast:
Teach Cuailgne, Carlanstown, Kells, Co. Meath. Tel: (Europe) 00 353 46 9246621 Fax:00 353 46 9246046 email: pegreilly@eircom.net
Crannmor B&B, Dunderry Road, Trim, Co. Meath.
Tel: (Europe) 00 353 46 9431635. (U.S.A) 011 353 46 9431635 email: cranmor@eircom.net
Highfield House B&B, Maudlins Road, Trim, Co. Meath.
Tel: (Europe) 00 353 46 9436386. (U.S.A) 011 353 46 9436386. email: highfieldhouseaccom@eircom.net
Self Catering:
Kiltale House and Cottage, Kiltale, Dunsany, Co. Meath.
Tel & Fax: (Europe) 00 353 46 9436679 (U.S.A.) 011 353 46 94 36679. email:
mmlydon@eircom.net
Beechwood Lodge, Holiday Homes, Trim, Co. Meath. Tel & Fax: (Europe) 00 353 46 94 36926 (U.S.A.) 011 353 46 94 36926. email: beechwoodlodge@esatclear.ie