River Sheen

River Sheen Guide

The River Sheen rises in Kerry's Caha Mountains, and flows in a Northerly direction for some 13 miles before entering the sea at Kenmare bay. The Sheen is very much a spate system and is subject to violent floods, which can disappear just as quickly as they arrived. It's quite a prolific little river, producing around 1000 fish every year.

Fishing for Salmon on the River Sheen.

The salmon fishing is mostly concentrated on the first 5 or 6 miles of the river up to Dromagorteen Bridge (just North of Bunane on the N71), with the first 4 miles up to Dromanassig, being the best of the fishing. The best pools are Sheen Pool, the Flat Pool, the Sand Pool and the Weir Pool, just above the Sheen Falls.

There are a few more pools worthy of attention, right up to Releagh Bridge (N71), but bear in mind that the water runs off really quickly on the upper river. There are also a few pools worth fishing on the Coomeelan River (also known as the Coomeelan Stream), which joins the Sheen from the East just above Dromagorteen Bridge.

Some of the falls on the Sheen River.

The Sheen gets a decent run of spring fish, which begin running from the start of the season, but it can be May before it's worth wetting a line. The impressive Grilse run starts at the end of May and continues right through until the end of August, with June and July being the peak season.

The river also gets a run of Sea Trout from May, but like many other rivers, their numbers have been in steady decline. The Brown Trout fishing can be good as well, with resident fish up to 3lb.

Flat calm on the River Sheen.

All legal methods are allowed on the river, with the shrimp being particularly effective in low water, and spinning / worming in a spate. Fly fishing is also very productive in medium water. The fishing on the entire river is controlled by the Sheen Falls Estate, from the Sheen Falls Lodge. You can only fish this river if you are a guest at the lodge.

The spectacular Sheen Falls Lodge.

River Sheen Tributaries

River Coomeelan

River Sheen Neighbouring Rivers

River Ardsheelane
River Bandon
River Dawros (Kenmare)
River Finnihy
River Flesk
River Roughty
River Sneem

Fishing the River Sheen

River Sheen Season

Salmon - 15th March - 30th September
Sea Trout - 15th March - 12th October
Brown Trout - 15th March - 12th October

River Sheen Methods

Bubble Fly
Fly Fishing
Shrimp and Prawn
Spinning
Worming

River Sheen Fishing Authority

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

South Western Fisheries Management

River Sheen Permits

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

Sheen Falls Lodge
Kenmare
Email: info@sheenfallslodge.ie
Tel: +353 (064) 66 41600
SHEEN RIVER

River Sheen Clubs

No River Sheen clubs listed.

River Sheen Ratings

River Sheen Fishing Conditions

River Sheen Status

Bag Limits

There is an angling bag limit of 10 salmon (any size) or sea trout (over 40 cm).

NOTE: The bag limits are subject to any quota allocated to a river and its tributaries. You should check locally when buying your permit.

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.
- A daily bag limit of 1 fish from 1 September to the end of the season.
- You must use single hooks and not use 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 Sheen, please check with the distributor.