Watershed Fly Fishing opens this week in Offaly
The project was awarded €39,000 in funding through Fáilte Ireland
Watershed Fly Fishing, a nature-based tourism business deeply rooted in the heart of the Midlands, officially opens Thursday August 7.
The project was awarded €39,000 in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which is co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland under the EU Just Transition fund.
This project will help to enhance the visitor experience and drive tourism in the Offaly area.
Founded and operated by local experienced angling expert Johannes Bulfin, Watershed Fly Fishing offers guided immersive, low impact fly-fishing experiences for pike, trout, and perch.
With the addition of the newly funded custom-built, modern fishing boat, Johannes can give guests a tranquil experience of Ireland’s inland waterways.
Johannes, a qualified aquatic biologist, with a deep respect for the natural environment and decades of hands-on expertise, invites visitors to explore some of Ireland’s richest inland waterways — in a way that’s peaceful, personal, and powered by passion.
''This funding creates a fantastic opportunity to develop my business,'' says Johannes Bulfin.
''It allows me to offer immersive, safe, all year-round experiences for visitors, and to share what I’ve learned over a lifetime of exploring these rivers and lakes.''
Watershed Fly Fishing aligns closely with the goals of the EU Just Transition Fund — to create a greener, more inclusive tourism economy in Ireland’s Midlands. This initiative demonstrates how rural enterprises can thrive while protecting and celebrating the unique biodiversity and heritage of the region.
Whether it’s drifting silently across the Shannon in search of big pike, stalking wild brown trout in mountain-fed tributaries, or casting a line for specimen perch, Watershed Fly Fishing is committed to offering year-round options tailored to weather, water conditions, and visitor interest.
Services on Offer:
Fly Fishing for Trout
Walk-and-wade guided trips are available on scenic rivers such as the Little Brosna and Camcor, where natural pools, riffles and glides hold native brown trout. Best fished from May to September, these rivers are ideal for anglers who enjoy a more traditional, intimate fly- fishing experience.
Pike & Perch Fly Fishing
Using the newly acquired boat, Johannes guides anglers across the River Shannon, Lough Derg, and Lough Ree, targeting large pike and specimen perch. The area is quickly earning a reputation for these large predators on the fly. Pike fishing is excellent throughout the year, particularly October to May, while summer is a strong season for perch.
All-Year Guided Trips
No matter the season, Johannes offers flexible options based on conditions. Each full-day trip typically begins around 9:00am at a convenient location, includes 8–9 hours of guided fishing, and a relaxed break for lunch — either riverside or at one of the region’s many charming local eateries. All essential fly-fishing equipment is provided, and guests are encouraged to ask about Johannes’ hand-tied custom flies — refined through years of trial and success.
Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme aims to transform tourism across 8 counties in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East by diversifying the local economy and providing new employment opportunities for workers and communities that were heavily dependent on peat.
The scheme will develop the midlands into a leading regenerative tourism destination, creating more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit the Midlands while also sustaining jobs, businesses and local communities in the region. It will also support the transition of the Midlands to a carbon neutral destination through funding of sustainable tourism projects that are designed to have significant regenerative impacts on local communities and peatlands.