Flyfishing in the Boyne Valley. Salmon and trout fishing.
THE UPPER BOYNE LAKES
THE UPPER BOYNE LAKES are located near Collinstown and Fore, Co Westmeath and some of them provide sport for the game angler Lough Lene, Lough Bane, and the White Lough are the main game angling waters in this area and they contain stocks of wild brown trout. These lakes are also stocked on a regular basis.
LOUGH LENE is situated north of Collinstown and covers an area of 430 hectares with depths to 20m. The Lough Lene Angling Association controls fishing on this lake, which is noted for the purity and clarity of its water Lough Lene has regularly been awarded the blue flag for water quality by the E.E.C. This lake holds a good head of wild trout and this is complimented by regular stocking. Trout to 5lbs weight are not uncommon and in 1997 the largest recorded trout was a 6lbs. fish taken in March. Sedge fishing can produce results all year round and the Green Peter and Murrough are important in July and August. Boats for hire and day permits are available locally.
LOUGH BANE is located 4 miles east of Collinstown and covers an area of 150 hectares with depths to 20m. This deep clear lake has a stock of wild brown trout and is stocked regularly by the Lough Bane Angling Association, which controls the fishing. Trout in this lake have a good average size and fish of 4-5lbs. are not uncommon. Small sedges can produce good results on summer evenings. Boats are available locally for hire but they must be booked in advance.
WHITE LOUGH is located 4 miles east of the town of Castlepollard and covers an area of 26 hectares with depths to 30 meters. This fishery has been stocked with both brown and rainbow trout and fishing is controlled by the White Lake Angling Club.
This lough holds some big trout and fishes well all year round. Fish are sometimes taken on small brown sedges and the Green Peter and Murrough are successful in July and August. Boats for hire and permits are available locally.
Location: Counties, Meath and Westmeath. The main towns and villages in the vicinity of these lakes are Collinstown, Fore, Drumeree and Castlepollard.
Season: Fishing takes place on Lough Lene from 1st March to September 30th, on Lough Bane from 1st March to September 30th, on White Lough from 1st March to September 30th.
Fish Species: These lakes are primarily brown trout fisheries but a small number of rainbow trout have been stocked into Lough Bane and White Lough.
Methods: All fly fishing methods are allowed.
Best Flies: March Brown., Sooty Olive, Duckfly, Golden Olive, Bibio, Peter Ross, Black Pennell, Buzzers, Mallard and Claret, Green Peter, Murrough and Cock Robin.
Angling Club: Fishing on the above lakes is controlled by their respective Angling Association and all support a policy of catch and release.
Fishing Tip: Boat fishing produces the best results. Get advice locally.
Permits: Fishing permits and boat hire information for Lough Lene are available from
Tommy Fagan, lnisfree, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 00 353 44 9661359
Fishing permits and boat hire information for Lough Bane are available from
Mary Nolan, Lough Bane, Oldcastle, Co. Meath. Tel: 00 353 44 9666409
John Cooke, Glenidan, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 00 353 44 9666178
Fishing permits and boat hire information for the White Lough are available from,
Ita Halpin, The Seven Wonders, Fore, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 00 353 44 9661114.