A chairde, I hope you're all keeping well!

I've recently taken up loch and river fishing, mostly fly fishing for trout on public angling estate waters. It's been great so far, but I'm running into a couple of issues and could really use some advice.

A few times now, I've arrived at a river only to find it's controlled by a local angling club—which I completely respect—but unfortunately it meant I had to pack up and head home without even wetting a line.

I did try a private fly fishery recently and had an amazing experience, but I'd love to find some more natural spots too.

Another issue I've run into is water quality. On more than one occasion, I've come across stretches of water with dead fish floating on the surface. I've reported these incidents to the emergency pollution unit, who thankfully sent out officers to investigate.

So my question is this: is there anywhere in Northern Ireland where I can enjoy fishing without running into territorial restrictions or serious pollution concerns? I’m not looking for anyone to give away their secret spots—just general guidance on cleaner, accessible waters would be hugely appreciated.

Go raibh maith agaibh in advance!

by MoveOdd4488

4 comments

  1. Very few of our waterways aren’t filled with agricultural runoff, pollutants, sewage etc … no enforcement of environmental legislation!

  2. Check deara website and you’ll find all the info you’re after. Plenty of rivers for fly fishing but most youll need a day ticket from the clubs that mange it. I fish myself but not fly at the minute. Plenty of places to fish without day tickets as well just need the licence from deara. With stocking of the PAE’s started again you will have a bit more luck. Google stocking figures NI and you’ll find every currently stocked and with how many fish. Currently I’ll fish anywhere and the list is long lol weather hasn’t been great for this season as the heat isn’t good for trout but have a few caught so far. Drop me a message if I can help I will.

  3. There are some stretches of the river Quoile in Downpatrick and also Lough Money is close to it as well.
    There are also stretches of the river close to the international airport you can fish, just can’t remember name of river there. Might be the same river which runs through Templepatrick. There’s also the Lagan up round by Shaws Bridge you can fish. Killylane lough out towards Larne direction is also a good spot.

  4. I was in a club when I was younger and the only place they took us I’d still fish would be the private spot they stocked.  It was 20yrs ago and they showed us spots from the river that they fished but were having pollution issues with and places they’d reported and were fighting farm dumping and those places are now worse and are areas of water ill not let the dog near even. (Lagan)

    Not fly fishing and not sure if it’s still as good but best days fishing I had was off Ardglass when mackerel was in season, you could just drop right into big fuckin school of them 

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