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Fly Fishing in Wexford. Salmon and trout fishing.

Owenavorragh River

CLOSED TO ANGLING FOR ALL SALMON AND FOR SEA TROUT OVER 40CM for 2008. Catch and release for all other sea trout only.

The Owenavorragh River rises near Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford and flows for approximately 18 miles in a north-easterly direction, across flat pastureland before entering the Irish Sea at Courtown Harbour.The river banks are overgrown in many places but they are cleared occasionally by the local Angling Association.

Fishing is controlled by the Owenavorragh Angling Association, which has day permits available and riparian owners. The Association control fishing from Ballywater Bridge to Courtown Harbour. This river holds excellent stocks of small wild brown trout to 8ozs. This wild stock is complimented with stocked fish from 1lb. to 2 lbs. in weight,which are stocked by the Association each season.

The river gets a good run of sea-trout from June to September and small numbers of fish up to 6 lbs. are taken each year. However, the average size of sea-trout is 1lb. The river also gets a run of salmon and occasional fish can be taken from June onwards. However the main run of fish arrives from late August to the end of September. The best of the sea trout fishing is from mid June through to September. The best of the fishing is at night and for the fly fishermen dark fly's and standard sea trout patterns get the best results.

Location: Co. Wexford. The main towns in the area are Enniscorthy, Gorey and Courtown.

Season: Fishing takes place from March 15th to September 30th.

Fish Species: The Owenvorragh contains stocks of wild brown trout, sea-trout and salmon.

Methods: All legitimate methods are allowed but fishing must be consistent with the current rules and regulations of the Association.

Bye-law No. 824, 2007 prohibits the use of any fish hooks, other than single barbless hooks, and the use of worms as bait in angling for all species of fish in the Rivers Avoca, Owenavorragh and Slaney.

Best Flies: black pennell, teal,blue and silver, peter ross

Angling Club: This water is controlled by the Owenvorragh Angling Association, which supports a policy of catch and release.

Fishing Tip: Night time fishing and standard sea-trout patterns produce the best results for sea trout.

Permits: Permits for this river are available from "Whitmores" jewelers and gift shop, 37 Main Street, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Tel: 055 21351.
Contact Paschal or Bridie.
Owenvorragh Anglers Club Secretary: Brian Miller, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Tel: 086 2562790.

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The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board presents this web site as a definitive guide to salmon, trout, coarse and sea fishing in Monaghan, Meath, Louth, Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford.

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