Flyfishing in the Boyne Valley. Salmon and trout fishing.
The Stoneyford River
CLOSED TO ANGLING FOR ALL SALMON AND FOR SEA TROUT OVER 40CM for 2008.
The Stoneyford River rises south of Oldcastle, at the base of Slieve na Caillaigh Co. Meath. It then flows in a south-easterly direction through counties Meath and Westmeath for (24 kms) 15 miles before entering the River Boyne half a mile downstream of Scarriff bridge. This river is spring fed in summer and has excellent hatches of flylife.
The Stoneyford has high banks post drainage but there is good access to the river in most areas. Some rehabilitation was carried in 1984 thus enabling trout stocks to recover and become re-established. This river is controlled by the Stoneyford Angling Association and holds extensive stocks of wild brown trout. The majority of these are small fish but these are complimented by a stock of larger fish, which all regularly oblige the waiting angler The largest trout recorded in 1997 was 3lbs l0ozs. In general it is possible to wade the river but chest waders are essential. Some areas are too deep even for chest waders. There is excellent fishing from South Hill Bridge to the confluence with the River Boyne, with the exception of the stretch at Woodtown West, which is located approximately mid-way between Lisclogher Bridge and Clockbrack Bridge. Parking and access are normally located close to the bridges. The Stoneyford can be described as an all day fishery with trout feeding avidly throughout the day. There are however some periods of inactivity, but these are usually short lived. The best of the fishing is from May to September. Anglers should note that the stretch of water below Stoneyford Bridge to its confluence withn the Boyne has been designated a fly fishing only and catch and release stretch.
Location: Co. Meath and Co. Westmeath. The main towns and villages along the river are Ballivor, Kildalkey, Athboy, Delvin and Clonmellon.
Season: Fishing takes place from March 1st September 30th.
Fish Species: The Stoneyford River is a wild brown trout fishery.
Methods: Fly fishing, dry fly, wet fly, and nymph fishing are all successful.
Best Flies:
Dry Flies: Grey Duster, Sedges, Olives, Black Gnat, Black Midge and Pheasant Tail.
Wet Flies: Wickhams Fancy, Black Pennell.
Nymphs: Assorted Nymphs.
Angling Club: This water is controlled by the Stoneyford Angling Association, which supports a policy of catch and release.
Fishing Tip: Take along a short rod and a good supply of small dry sedge patterns.
Entomoligical Information: The Stoneyford contains an abundance of fish food in the form of bugs, insects and flies. The most abundant and prolific of these include the following orders.
Order Ephemeroptera (upwing flies)BaetidaeEphemerellidaeEcdyonuridae Plecoptera (stoneflies)Leuctridae Trichoptera (sedges)HydropsychidaeLimnephilidaeRhyacophilidae Diptera (flatwing flies)ChironomidaeSimuliidaeTipulidae Amphipoda (crustations)GammaridaeAsselidaeALDER FLIES CAN BE IMPORTANT ON THE STONEYFORD
Permits: Permits for this river are available from:
Davis's Shop in Ballivor, Co. Meath.
The Marketing Angling Co-ordinator E.R.F.B,
Tel & Fax: Europe: 00 353 87 2746127 U.S.A. 011 353 87 2746127.
Guide Services: Pat Murphy, Hill of Ward, Athboy, Co. Meath.
Tel: (Europe) 00 353 46 9432343 (U.S.A.) 011 353 46 9432343
Accommodation:
Bed and Breakfast: Woodtown House, Woodtown, Athboy, Co.
Meath.
Tel: (Europe) 00 353 46 9435022 (U.S.A.) 011 353 46 9435022 email: woodtown@iol.ie
Self Catering:
Clonleason Gate Lodge, Fordstown, Navan, Co Meath, Ireland
Tel: (Europe) 00 35346 94 34111 (U.S.A.) 011 353 46 94 3411, Fax: (Europe)
00 353 46 94 34 134
(U.S.A.) 011 46 94 34 134 email: clonleason@iol.ie
Kiltale House and Cottage, Kiltale, Dunsany, Co. Meath.
Tel & Fax: (Europe) 00 353 46 9436679 (U.S.A.) 011 353 46 94 36679. email:
mmlydon@eircom.net
Beechwood Lodge, Holiday Homes, Trim, Co. Meath. Tel & Fax: (Europe) 00 353 46 94 36926 (U.S.A.) 011 353 46 94 36926. email: beechwoodlodge@esatclear.ie