Angling Notes:Charlie Chaplin had a love affair with Waterville in Co Kerry. Megastar of the silent movies, the man with the cane and bowler hat regarded Waterville as his second home due to the fact that his mother came from the area.
Year after year he returned with family to the tranquillity of this pretty coastal village and found respite at the Butler Arms Hotel. Today, a statue in memory of the great performer is erected on the waterfront.
Waterville is famous for another reason, too. The fishing in the area is superb. Its many lakes, rivers and unchartered coastline offer the angler perhaps the most comprehensive variety of fishing in Ireland. Indeed, the Lough Currane sea trout is renowned throughout the world.
I was invited by Fáilte Ireland to sample the delights of this "piece of heaven" and to acquire an understanding of the magnificent work undertaken by the Waterville Fisheries Development Group. My three-day stay in the Chaplin wing of the Butler Arms Hotel was sublime.
On my first day I met with John Quinlan, a sea-angling guide specialising in fly-fishing for bass and mullet, who suggested we try fly-fishing for bass for an hour at the mouth of the river. With chest waders, wading stick and fly rod at the ready, we ventured into the fast-flowing water, casting a sand eel fly into the surf.
Within minutes Quinlan connected with a "school" bass of about 1.5kg (3.3lb), which he released immediately. In the afternoon we tried fly-fishing for mullet at two locations in Ballyskelligs Bay. From the cliff top we could see hundreds of fish feeding on sand hoppers from the seaweed on the beach. The mullet were only one metre from the waters edge. Creeping on "all fours" and casting from a sitting position into the shoaling mass, success was immediate.
Our cast was composed of yellow worm flies on size 16 hooks and 1.8kg (4lb) fluoro-carbon line. Great sport and, again, all released.
Quinlan and his partner Lynn run a successful guesthouse incorporating angling holidays with this new phenomenon of fly-fishing for a variety of sea species. Call 066-9474721 or visit www.thatchcottageireland.co.uk.
On day two I teamed with Neil O'Shea, regarded as one of the finest game-angling gillies in Waterville. For the morning session we fished the much-prized Butler's Pool. The "pool" is the only source of entry to Currane for salmon and sea trout.
However, some favourite flies, including Silver Stoat, Cascade, Hairy Mary, Black Doctor and Munroe Killer, failed to make an impression on the day, despite the fact we saw at least 12 good fish.
Before leaving I met manager Alan McGuirk in Waterville House. Three rods are allowed per day, he explained, and this season the pool has accounted for about 100 salmon. In contrast, the fish pass recorded an average 660 events upstream and 60 downstream per week.
"An 'event' is not necessarily a salmon or sea trout," he stressed. A camera on the fish pass relays all movements to his office and the information is downloaded for analysis by the fisheries board.
My next stop was Lough Derriana. This lough sits at the top of the Currane system and a "safe bet" for a good brown trout. "Put up a Bibio, Connemara Black and Black Pennell," O'Shea said as we headed out amidst stunning mountain scenery. Our two-hour stint failed to raise a fish, due in part to the flat-calm conditions that prevailed.
Like good wine, my last day was reserved for Lough Currane. Yes, I read the books and saw the photos, but to actually spend a day on this magnificent lough was fascinating. Currane is Ireland's "jewel in the crown" - last year it produced more than 2,000 sea trout. First up we trolled two rods with silver spoons in and out of the many bays. "This method usually yields a grilse or sea trout and is popular with first-time tourists," O'Shea said. Alas, no joy, although a 2.5kg (5.5lb) grilse was caught nearby.
After lunch on Church Island it was down to serious fly-fishing. I put up three dark flies including a Bibio (always a Bibio on Currane). We tested the Capal and Cummeragh river bays, Church Island and Coffey's Bay turning quite a few "silver bars" and missing several chances. Great sport.
Waterville is also renowned for its superb restaurants. Next time you visit the area check out Paddyfrogs gourmet restaurant, the Smugglers Inn and Sheilin seafood restaurant - you will not be disappointed.
My thanks are extended to Neil O'Shea for his friendliness and knowledge of the Waterville system. O'Shea is a professional gillie and can be contacted on 087-9942792 or at oshealough currane@eircom.net. For further information, contact Fáilte Ireland's travel website www.discoverireland.ie.
Next week's Angling Notes will include an interview with Waterville Fisheries Development Group chairman, Tadhg O'Sullivan, and an insight into the workings of the Waterville hatchery.