Bord Iascaigh Réigiúnach an Oirthir
Salmon and all Sea trout fishing is CATCH AND RELEASE only for 2008
The River Slaney rises on the western slopes of Lungnaquilla Mountain and flows in a southeasterly direction through Baltinglass,Tullow and Bunclody, before entering the estuary at Enniscorthy. The river the discharges into St. Georges Channell through Wexford Harbour. The Slaney has a number of tributaries including the Derreen, the Derry, the Bann, the Urrin, the Boro and the Sow.
The Slaney river holds good stocks of small wild brown trout to 8ozs. The river still gets a reasonable run of spring salmon but this varies from year to year. Fishing is controlled by Angling Associations and riparian owners, under the auspices of the Slaney Rod Fishers Association Ltd. There is free fishing downstream of Enniscorthy Bridge. The peak of the spring salmon fishing is from opening day to the end of March and there can also be fair fishing in April and early May. A small number of grilse are also taken annually.
The average weight of the salmon is 10 pounds and they range in size from 7lbs to 20lbs. Spinning is the most frequently used method early in the season - when the best of the fishing is up as far as Tullow.
The most commonly used baits are Yellow Belly, Brown-Gold-Blue and Silver Devon. Standard salmon fly patterns such as the Blue Charm and Thunder and Lightening also work well.
The Slaney also gets a run of sea-trout and the best of the fishing takes place from the end of June to the end of September. The Slaney and its tributaries are covered by a number of bye-laws which regulate fishing by method, location and time of year. Please check these out locally before fishing.
There is also good brown trout fishing on the Slaney although trout are generally small. However trout to 1lb are not uncommon. The Slaney gets hatches of olives, sedges and gnats. Fishing is by fly only.
Location: Counties Wicklow, Carlow and Wexford. The main towns in the area are Wexford, Enniscorthy, Baltinglass, Tullow and Bunclody.
Season: Generally fishing takes place from March 10th to September 15th, but seasons differ from location to location on the river. As a general guideline, fishing takes place downstream of Enniscorthy Bridge on the Slaney and its tributaries from 10th March to 15th September. Upstream of Enniscorthy Bridge fishing takes place from 10th March to 31st August, on the river Slaney and its tributaries.
Fish Species: The River Slaney contains stocks of wild brown trout, sea-trout and salmon.
Methods: Fishing must be consistent with bye laws for the time being in force as well as the current rules and regulations set out by the Associations and riparian owners. Some beats are fly only. Fishing is by FLY ONLY on the Slaney from Ahade Bridge (downstream of Tullow) to Ballycarney Bridge (upstream of Enniscorthy) from April 7th to 31st August. From Ballycarney Bridge downstream to Enniscorthy as well as upstream of Ahade Bridge and all tributaries with the exception of the strech of water on the Bann to the railway bridge upstream of the mouth, FLY FISHING only is permitted from 1st May until August 31st.
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: Sea-trout: black pennell, teal, blue and silver,
peter ross
Best Flies Salmon: Hairy Mary, Blue, Charm, Thunder and Lightening
Angling Club: This water is controlled by a number of Angling Associations, Tullow Anglers, Mount Leinster Anglers, Enniscorthy Anglers, Solsboro Anglers, Island Anglers and riparian owners.
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
Waters controlled by Mount Leinster Anglers are as follows: From Kildavin Bridge, the left bank looking downstream from Bunclody, for approximately 1 mile with the exception of the first field, which is controlled by the Enniscorthy Anglers. Waters controlled by Enniscorthy Anglers include the first field looking downstream on the left from Kildavin Bridge as well as all of the right bank downstream for approximately 1 mile. This Association also has 1/2 mile of fishing upstream of Kildavin on the right bank as well as another1/2 mile section upstream of Scarrawalsh Bridge. Solsboro and Island Anglers control two sections of water located between Scarrawalsh and Enniscorthy Bridges. Club Secretaries can suply mor accurate details on waters controlled. For permits on the Solsboro Fishing Association waters contact Pat Lacey at Tel: 054 35822.
Tullow Salmon and Trout Anglers Association control approximately
6 miles of fishing on the River Slaney. Brown trout fishing for trout to 1lb
is best in the Tullow area. Sea trout fishing is best up to Aghade Bridge.
Day permits for the Tulow Anglers Association waters can be obtained from
John Duffy, Old Chapel Lane, Tullow, Co. Carlow. Tel: 0503 52740
Accommodation
Ballin Temple Cottages and Fishery: Ardattin, Co. Carlow.
Tel: 00 353 59 9155037 Fax: 00 353 59 9155038 email: manager@ballintemple.com
The Cottages at Ballintemple a great base for fishing the River Slaney
Guide Services: Guide services at the Fishery are provided by Tony Sweeney.
Car Hire: For booking your car when visiting this area click on the link below.
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.