Butterwell Farm is the premier destination in the Southwest for sea trout and salmon game fishing. Butterwell offers anglers a good chance of catching sea trout in excess of 5lb on night fly and large autumn salmon all the way to the season close on 15 December when nearly all other fisheries are closed. Our ten-year average catch is 39 Salmon and 90 Sea Trout per season. The fishing comprises of approximately half a mile of double bank water plus half a mile of single bank water with 18 holding pools. We have a maximum of 4 rods and the river is divided into equal beats daily depending on number of rods and conditions.
THE SEA TROUT SEASON runs from 1st May until 31st August which is typically night fly-fishing only. However if the water levels are high and other conditions permit, we can also allow daytime fly-fishing for Salmon and Sea Trout. Once the water is low and clear, and a reasonable number of sea trout have gathered in the pools, fishing reverts to night fly-fishing ONLY for sea trout. Guests booking this period should understand that conditions on the river will dictate the type of fishing permitted at short notice and at the owner’s discretion.
THE SALMON SEASON runs from 1st September until 15th December when we allow fly fishing, spinning and bait fishing by day. All Salmon are required to be released unharmed. There are restrictions on hook sizes to a maximum gape of 13mm on single hooks and 8mm double and treble hooks for all types of fishing. Treble hooks are not to be used from 30 September other than with a fly. All hooks are required to be barbless. Fully crimped barbs are acceptable. Bait fishing is restricted to shrimp and prawn using a single hook. At the owner’s discretion, we also encourage night fly-fishing for Sea Trout in September if we continue to experience a late run of fresh fish.