Suir River
The river Suir is a paradise for both the trout and the angler.
- Season
- 17 March - 30 September
The River Suir is renowned for its trout fishing, holding both salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta). It is recognised as one of the best trout streams in Europe – with
incredible stocks of beautiful brown trout. The season runs from 17th March to 30th September inclusive. The River Suir Catchment drains an area in the southeast of the country of approximately 3546 km2 This represents about 4% of the land area of Ireland. The Suir main channel and its tributaries flow mainly through counties Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford, though very small pockets of the catchment are within Limerick and Cork.
The River Suir rises in the Devils Bit Mountains near Moneygall (North of Templemore) and flows in a southerly direction until meeting the Knockmealdown Mountain range where the river changes its course northwards. Further downstream its course is again altered, where, at Knocklofty, the river turns east passing north of the Comeragh Mountains and continues to flow on through Waterford City until it enters the sea at Waterford Harbour. The river is tidal to a point upstream of Carrick-on-Suir.
The river is a paradise for both the trout and the angler. Unlike
most rivers, it cannot easily be divided into distinct ecological zones. Almost its entire channel from Templemore down to the estuary at Carrick-on-Suir is a continuous series of shallow and deep (< 2.0m) glides interrupted occasionally by shallow riffles. It simply increases in width as one proceeds downstream, remaining relatively shallow and maintaining its very good trout carrying capacity over practically its entire length.
It has many tributaries, which drain large areas of limestone and these give to the river as a whole, most of the best characteristics of a chalk stream.
Fish Size
The fish average size is from 20 to 40 cm
(8 to 16) inches, larger fish are also caught. With many slow glides and pools the fi sh are very selective, so long fine leaders are the
norm with flies ranging from size 12 to 22. The River Suir produces some very large trout also which are mainly caught during the summer evenings or during the day
on streamers. It is a pleasure to fish and Clonanav has access to several private beats along its length offering a good variety of fishing. All of our beats are guided only.
Tricky Trout
Although the trout stocks are abundant, remember that this does not make them easy to catch!
Although the trout stocks are abundant, remember that this does not make them easy to catch. They are extremely selective, so fine leaders and small flies are the norm. This is not due to over fishing,it just appears that these have always been very smart fish. The River Suir was deemed to surpass the celebrated chalk streams the Test and
Itchen by Lord Grey of Fallodon. In his book “Fly Fishing” first published in 1899,
he wrote of the River Suir when he fished it in 1880 “in May and in June it might be the finest dry fly fishing in the United Kingdom”. However, the fishing on Irish rivers
is challenging. The rivers have abundant fly life therefore making the trout very selective and they often refuse a fly. Lord Grey also wrote “There were trout visibly and audibly rising, which had never seen an artificial dry fly…. They defeated me utterly. I walked and knelt and waded and laboured and perspired under August sun without success.”
Clonanav Fly Fishiing
Equipment.
Fly Fishing in Ireland is a joy and rich in history and culture. You will be walk and wade fishing on the rivers, there are no drift boats due to fishing rights. All the rivers are pri- vate and either owned by private owners or fishing clubs.
On the Rivers Suir and Nire the rivers have only native brown trout and salmon. There are very few other species except for an occasional pike.
Clothing
The flies we use are a mix of dries, nymphs and streamers. During the year the flies do not vary hugely and there are always some essentials to have in your box. For other patterns we sell all the local delicacies in our store
Dries – Klinkhammers, Comparaduns, Stacked Hackle BWO, CDC Duns, Elk Hair Caddis Nymphs – PTN Flashback, Hares Ear, tungsten beaded nymphs, riffle nymph, perdigons Streamers – Woolly buggers in var colours, Zonker and skulpin patterns
Rods & Lines
Dry Fly Fishing – 8.5 to 9ft # 3 wt rods
Dry & Dropper Fishing – 9ft # 4wt rods
Euro Nymphing – 10ft # 2/3 wt rods are ideal. Tippet sizes are fine, in the early part of the year we use 5X but as we go through the season we move to 6X and 7X as the water is clear and the fish are very selective.
Flies
The flies we use are a mix of dries, nymphs and streamers. During the year the flies do not vary hugely and there are always some essentials to have in your box. For other patterns we sell all the local delicacies in our store
Dries – Klinkhammers, Comparaduns, Stacked Hackle BWO, CDC Duns, Elk Hair Caddis Nymphs – PTN Flashback, Hares Ear, tungsten beaded nymphs, riffle nymph, perdigons Streamers – Woolly buggers in var colours, Zonker and skulpin patterns
We can also fully kit you out with the lastest gear from top brands including Hardy, Sage, Guideline etc
- Clonanav Fly Fishing