River Feale

River Feale Guide

The River Feale rises in the Mullaghareirk Mountains of North West Cork, and flows in a Westerly direction through Mountcollins, Abbeyfeale and Listowel, on its way into the sea just below the Shannon estuary. The last 6 miles of the Feale are actually known as the Cashen River. The surrounding landscape is amongst the most beautiful in Ireland, with a mixture of heather covered bogs, lush green valleys and rolling hills.

This is a fast flowing spate river, which can get really high during persistent rain. Always check ahead before travelling to fish this one as a seemingly small amount of rain can put the Feale out of order. A feature of the Feale is the number of deep holding pools all along its course.

Fishing the River Feale.

The water usually runs clear but can have a dark peat stained appearance in flood conditions. The bottom has a lot of gravelly beds and the banks can be quite overgrown and steep in places. In places like this you'll need wade, especially if you want to fish the flies.

Much of the wading requires Chest waders and can be reasonably difficult (except around Listowel). A wading staff can be a great addition to your equipment on the Feale. A rod of around 14 -15 foot will be required to cover the water.

The Pumphouse Flat pool at Listowel.

The spring Salmon fishing starts from the season open and continues through to about mid April. The Grilse run starts in mid June and extends through until the end of July, with the peak being the last two weeks in July, after the draft nets come off in the River Cashen. There is also a very good run of bigger autumn fish from mid August through until season end.

The rod fishing starts about two miles downstream of the Finuge Bridge (below Listowel) and the Salmon fishing is best from here right up to Abbeyfeale. The river is tidal to just below the Finuge Bridge. There is also good Salmon fishing Smearlagh River, which is a tributary of the Feale. The confluence is a couple of miles upstream of Listowel.

The Sea Trout fishing is also very good on the Feale from early May until the end of the season. The peak time for the White trout is from mid June into August. The average fish is just over the pound and they go right up to about 7lb. When Sea Trout fishing, downstream of Listowel is the hotspot for spinning, and up above Abbeyfeale is prime fly water (on the Mountcollins club water). The night time Sea Trout fishing here, is also well worth the effort, using medium sinking line.

The Feale from Finuge Bridge.

The fishing on the Feale is managed by five clubs, each of which offers day tickets for visiting anglers. There are stretches outside of the club waters (and on the tributaries), which are considered free, but make sure to check locally where these waters are situated on the Feale. The various club waters are well sign posted so you can't go too far wrong.

Killocrim & Finuge Angling Club

This club has 4 miles from just downstream of Listowel. The Salmon and Grilse fishing here is very good. The Sea Trout tend to run through to the top of the club water but the fishing can be good. There is a fly only stretch at the Finuge Bridge.

North Kerry Anglers Association

The Hotel pool on the Feale (in Listowel).

This club has about 9 miles of fishing around Listowel and on the Smearlagh River, which is a tributary of the Feale. The club has spent a lot of money developing 4 good looking Salmon pools in Listowel town. The Sea Trout fishing is also very good in this stretch.

The Hotel pool is close to the centre of Listowel town and accounts for up to 200 Salmon each season, during spring and summer. The Pump House Flat is situated above Listowel's main bridge. This is a bit flat expanse of water, which is very good when the water is high. Spinning is the most successful method.

The Bridge Stream is just West of Listowel town and is where the fly fisher should head first. There is plenty of nice fast flowing water in a couple of pools, and a good chance of a fish in medium to low water.

The Bridge Stream on the North Kerry Anglers water.

Tralee & District Anglers' Association

The club has just over 2 miles of fishing downstream of Kilmorna Bridge (about 3 miles downstream of Abbeyfeale). There are 15 named pools in this stretch and it holds plenty of Salmon.

Abbeyfeale Anglers Association

This club has about 5 miles of water downstream of Abbeyfeale. This is very good Salmon water, especially in the summer. The Sea Trout fishing is best near the town itself.

Brosna & Mountcollins Angling Club

This club has about 8 miles of double bank fishing, starting about ½ mile below the confluence with the Owveg River, and extending upstream about 1 mile past Mountcollins, to within ½ mile of the Ahane Bridge.

You can get some Grilse here but this is better known as an excellent Sea Trout fishery, starting from mid May and going through until the end of the season. Worming is not allowed when the water is clear, and maggots are not allowed at any time.

River Feale Tributaries

River Allaghaun
River Cashen
River Clydagh
River Deel
River Owveg
River Smearlagh

River Feale Neighbouring Rivers

River Brown Flesk
River Deel
River Maine

Fishing the River Feale

River Feale Season

Salmon - 1st March - 30th September
Sea Trout - 1st March - 30th September

River Feale Methods

Bubble Fly
Fly Fishing
Shrimp and Prawn
Spinning
Worming

River Feale Fishing Authority

To fish in Ireland you need a rod license from the appropriate fishing authority. You can find the details for the River Feale at:

Shannon Fisheries Management

River Feale Permits

As well as a rod license, you'll need a permit to fish the River Feale. You can get permits from any of the following distributors:

Arthur Drugan
114 St. Brendan's Park
Tralee
Tel: +353 (0)66 27618
TRALEE AND DISTRICT ANGLERS ASSOCIATION

Dan Shine
Tel: +353 (0)68 44251
BROSNA MOUNTCOLLINS ANGLING CLUB

David Morrissey
Killarney Road
Abbeyfeale
ABBEYFEALE ANGLERS ASSOCIATION

Denis Dennison
Abbeyfeale
Tel: +353 (0)68 31118
ABBEYFEALE ANGLERS ASSOCIATION

Jim Halpins Tackle Shop
Church Street
Listowel
Email: jhss@eircom.net
Tel: +353 (0)68 22392
NORTH KERRY ANGLERS

Joe O'Keeffe
Glenview
Kilmorna
Tel: +353 (0)68 45189
TRALEE AND DISTRICT ANGLERS ASSOCIATION

Matt Doody
Colbert's Terrace
Abbeyfeale
Tel: +353 (0)68 45189
TRALEE AND DISTRICT ANGLERS ASSOCIATION

Mr Dan Joy
Killocrim
Listowel
Tel: +353 (0)68 40310
KILLOCRIM FINUGE CLUB

Mr George Gaine
Greenville
Listowel
KILLOCRIM FINUGE CLUB

Mr Jim Horgan
Tel: +353 (0)68 23848
NORTH KERRY ANGLERS ASSOCIATION

Paddy Sullivan
Knocknasna Upper
Abbeyfeale
Tel: +353 (0)68 31453
ABBEYFEALE ANGLERS ASSOCIATION

Pat Danagher
Tel: +353 (0)68 44281
BROSNA MOUNTCOLLINS ANGLING CLUB

Thomas O'Connell
New St
Abbeyfeale
ABBEYFEALE ANGLERS ASSOCIATION

River Feale Clubs

Abbeyfeale Anglers Association - River Feale
Dennis Dennison
Email: denisdennison@gmail.com
Tel: +353 (0)68 31118

The club has about 5 miles of fishing downstream of Abbeyfeale.

Brosna Mountcollins Angling Club - River Feale
Pat Danagher
Tel: +353 (0)68 44281

The club has close to 8 miles of double¬bank fishing from a 1/4 of a mile below the confluence with the Owveg River, up past Mountcollins to within 1/2 mile of Ahane Bridge.

Killocrim Finuge Angling Club - River Feale
Dan Joy
Killocrim
Listowel
Tel: +353 (0)68 40310

The club has 3 miles of water just downstream of Listowel.

North Kerry Anglers Association - River Feale
Jim Horgan
Tel: +353 (0)68 23848

The club has about 9 miles of fishing around the Listowel area, including the Smearlagh, which is a tributary.

Tralee & District Anglers Association - River Feale
Joe O'Keeffe
Glenview
Kilmorna
Tel: +353 (0)68 45189

The club has about 2 miles of fishing just downstream of the Kilmorna Bridge (which is about 4 miles upstream of Abbeyfeale).

River Feale Ratings

River Feale Fishing Conditions

River Feale Status

Bag Limits

There is an angling bag limit of 10 salmon (any size) or sea trout (over 40 cm) on rivers where you may catch and retain salmon (see individual rivers for status). The bag limits are subject to any quota allocated to a river and its tributaries.

Subject to the maximum annual bag limit of ten fish, an angler may take:

- a season bag limit of 3 fish in the period 1 Jan to 11 May
- a daily bag limit of 3 fish from 12 May to 31 August
- and a daily bag limit of 1 fish from 1 September to the end of the season.
- anglers fishing with a one day licence have a bag limit of one fish (only one tag is issued)
- The Bye-law also provides for the use of single hooks and prohibits the use of worms as bait once the specified number of fish have been caught in the specified periods
- Please note that no sea trout of any size caught in the Western Region or the Clew Bay area of the North Western Region can be retained.

After the daily bag limit has been taken, anglers are permitted to fish catch and release, using single barbless hooks and there is a ban on the use of worms.

Local Restrictions

Some rivers impose their own local restrictions so when you are going to buy your permit for the River Feale, please check with the distributor.