ESTABLISHMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND - SEE PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 1st, 2010

OPEN SEASON: Salmon fishery is closed in  2010 - See conservation Bye Laws.

OPEN SEASON SALMON: Salmon fishery is closed in 2010.

TROUT OPEN SEASON- February 15th to September 30th

ANGLING CLUBS: There are three angling clubs on the River Deel i.e. Newcastle West, Rathkeale and Askeaton. There are two lakes in the catchment which require permission - A rate applies - see contact list right for contact details:

• Newcastle West Association: contact Mr Michael Dee, Westend Service Station, Killarney Road, Co Limerick Tel: 069 62318 OR Mr Mike Sheehy, Bridge St, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick. Tel: 069 62620/61291

• Askeaton/Deel Anglers: contact Joseph Mc Carthy PC, 8 Mussel Lane, Askeaton, Co Limerick Tel: 061 398196. From 2008 Askeaton Deel Club - all anglers who want to fish the Askeaton club section must buy a permit from the club secretary - rates below. or Email: omoran123@gmail.com  with your request.

• River Deel  Mr Joe Hurley, Chairman and waterkeeper at Tel Outside Ireland +353 69 61273  Inside Ireland 069 61273

• Bleach Lough contact Dave Buston, Chairman, Co Limerick Mob:087 9595610 - large pike, rainbow and brown trout average 1.5 to 4lbs Daily tickets applies. Further details logon to www.bleachloughanglers.ie 

FISHERY DESCRIPTION: The River Deel rises near Dromina in North Cork and flows north for about 60+ kms to enter the Shannon Estuary at Askeaton.

The Deel was once a good salmon and grilse fishery but now is mainly fished for brown trout averaging close from 1lb to 2lb+ with much larger fish taken every year. Salmon-fry have been introduced in the past 10 years in an attempt to restore the salmon stocks - 200,000 fry per annum. The river has recovered well from major drainage works which were undertaken in 1963. It is a wild fishery and relatively under fished in the upper reaches around Milford and down to Belville bridge, where good fishing can be experienced for wild brown-trout,  for the more adventurous angler. The river  then flows on to Castlemahon and nearby Newcastle West flowing parallel to the main Limerick-Killarney Road, to reach Rathkeale. The river around Rathkeale is somewhat larger and sometimes sluggish and muddy in these stretches,  but can offer good fly fishing possibilities both by day and by night. Not far away near Kildimo is another stocked (brown& rainbow) lake called Bleach Loch. Again further information can be obtained from the local angling club.

Having left Rathkeale the river Deel now crosses the new Killarney-Limerick road and heads for its confluence and Estuary at Askeaton. In between it is traversed by Kilcoole bridge and Newbridge. You can get good fishing for brown trout weighing up to about  2lbs and larger. This is good spinning and fly water.

These are good access points for fishing at the road bridges. Fishing can be very good particularly in the balmy summer evenings and on into the early night hours. Deel trout are not particularly choosy and a well presented dry-fly usually wins a rise. The best time to fish is from mid May to mid June but fishes well at other times during the summer months. The Blue Winged Olive and a range of river Olives and quills work well throughout the summer months during daytime hours. Late evening and night flies include Black Pennell, Black and Silver, and a range of sedges.  Fly life is consistent with typical limestone waters. It would be useful to get a book on Irish trout flies for limestone waters.

Please Observe Our Country Code and Fisheries Laws.

Anglers are requested to always observe our country code

• Seek permission from landowners before crossing private lands or property

• Do not park cars in fields except where permission is granted and it is safe to do so.

• Leave no litter

• Keep our countryside clean

Normal access is over footbridges and stiles or where public access is provided.

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