Jason O’Riordan of Game Fishing Ireland reports on an early February trip to Knockaderry Reservoir in County Waterford. Jason is by day permit angler Dave from Kilkenny. The fishery had not been stocked since autumn 2023 so any fish encountered will be overwintered trout. Conditions were good for the time of year with temperatures up around 12ºC with a south westerly wind which was forecast to be very strong at times during the day.
Jason and Dave set up with a lure and a nymphing/buzzer outfit each. The plan was to start off with the lures and later try some sheltered areas with buzzers and nymphs. The pair decided on the morning it was too early in the season for dry fly fishing.
On the lighter 6wt outfits they used floating lines, long leaders and imitative patterns to match what they expected the trout to be feeding on. On the 7wt outfits they fished 2 lure/wet fly patterns 6ft apart on sinking lines. The leader was made up of .20 fluorocarbon tippet for the lures and .18 for the nymphs.
Go fishing…
Notes
Mackenzie Pro Guide and an IFFF Qualified Fly Casting Instructor
Notes: Jason has a lifetime of experience in fishing and guiding on the rivers, lakes and coastline in the area. Jason has given talks on fishing techniques at the leading angling shows in Ireland. He organises a variety of fishing courses during the year for beginners and improvers. Game Fishing Ireland offers guided packages for salmon, river trout, lake trout and saltwater game species. Fishing packages can vary in price depending on the target species and time of year. A typical package can include permits, travel, guiding, and packed lunch. Tackle hire is also available.
Notes
Waterford City & County Trout Anglers manages two lakes in Waterford which are available for fly fishing by permit for rainbow trout all year round (brown trout season 17th March to 30th September)
Knockaderry is about 80 acres in size. Fishing on this lake is from boat only. The deepest part of the lake is 24 feet at the dam tower but the average depth is about 6ft and this results in good aquatic life providing food for the trout. Trout feed on caddis pupae, snails and fry and the lake gets hatches of olives, buzzers, sedges and damsels. There is a good population of wild browns which must be released if caught.
Day tickets are sold at the Centra shop in Kilmeaden Village which opens at 7am and closes at 9pm weekdays and 7pm Sundays.
