Stillwater · Sandstone · South West / Kerry

Barfinnihy Lake

Panoramic view of Barfinnihy Lake with Boughil Mountain rising behind it in County Kerry, Ireland

A 35-acre mountain lough at Molls Gap, 6.

Fair · Rainbow
Buzzer · 10–14
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
45% confidence
limited data

Barfinnihy Lake is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSW 18 km/hGentle breeze
Today's fly
Buzzer
Buzzer10–14
Static or slow on a long leader — the staple stillwater chironomid.
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Gentle breeze
SW 18 km/h
N
SW
from the south-west
Wave40 cm chop
Water temp
Air temp20°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1021 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
April–August
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point. Keep a sedge-style dry or emerger on a short leader for the evening rise.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point. Keep a sedge-style dry or emerger on a short leader for the evening rise.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Watch for Sedge towards evening — this could be the best window of the day.

Bank

Bank-only venue. Fish from accessible margins, points, weed edges, and inflows.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds with Pro.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 with Pro.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · August highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
1
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Day tickets €15–20
  • Bank fishing only
  • Ideal for beginners.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
59%
Cloud50%
Wind65%
Temp60%

A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
  1. Panoramic view of Barfinnihy Lake with Boughil Mountain rising behind it in County Kerry, Ireland
    Barfinnihy Lough and Boughil Mountain, County Kerry
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

A 35-acre mountain lough at Molls Gap, 6.5 miles from Kenmare on the Kenmare-to-Killarney road. Stocked with triploid rainbow trout. The entire shoreline is overlooked from the road — easy access, visible water, often-rising fish reward shore-casting anglers willing to walk the perimeter. Bank fishing only.

  • Lough
  • Sandstone
Water quality (WFD)
  • EcologyUnknown
  • ChemicalUnknown
Why this score
  • Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 May30 September
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts