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Angling information

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Lough ArrowAngling Guide

THE DUCKFLY

The Duckfly, a species of chironomid or buzzer, is the first fly species to hatch. The hatch usually begins in mid-April and lasts for about three weeks. The most prolific hatches occur in the evenings from about 7.30p.m. but, occasionally, if weather conditions are favorable, they will hatch during the day. Angling tactics during the duckfly period depend on the prevailing weather conditions. In windy weather, with a wave on the water, wetfly tactics work best. The most favoured patterns are Claret Bumble, Fiery Brown, Sooty Olive, Connemara Black, Peter Ross, Silver Invicta, Red Arrow and Butcher (sizes 10, 12). In calmer conditions, small pupae (size 12) are the preferred method. These should be fished on a long leader with fairly fine monofilament.

The principal duckfly areas are Brickeen Bay, Laundry Bay, Rinn Bán Bay, Ballinafad Bay, Andresna Bay, Lough Brick Bay, the back of Annaghloy, Ballindoon Bay and the mouth of the outflowing River Unshin.

When the fly is not hatching, anglers normally fish these areas, if conditions are favorable, using some of the wetflies mentioned above.

LAKE OLIVES

The lough has an enormous hatch of Lake Olives in the first two weeks of May. The hatch occurs in ‘bog’ bays over weed and the notable areas are Kelly’s Angle, Ballantyne’s Bay, Ballindoon Bay, the Mouth of the River Unshin, Brickeen Bay, The Thumbs, Laundry Bay, Rinn Bán Bay, Drumboe Bay and Andresna Bay. The rise during the olive hatches can be somewhat sporadic. The preferred tactic at this time is to fish a team of wetflies (Golden Olive Bumble, Claret Bumble, Sooty Olive, Green Olive, Golden Olive, Magenta Bumble, Sooty Bumble, Fiery Brown, Mallard and Claret and Connemara Black). The usual tactic at this time of year is to fish the water, starting the drift about 200 meters off a point and drifting from deep to shallow and into the deep again, 200 meters beyond the point.

MAYFLY TIME

It is during the Mayfly period that Lough Arrow has earned its reputation as one of Ireland’s top quality trout lakes. It offers a variety of fishing at this time. The Mayfly (Ephemera danica)

hatch begins in early May and ends in June. The Hatch is prolific and it comes up all over the lough. The trout respond well to wetfly tactics for about a week and thereafter only on wet, windy days. Useful patterns include the Lough Arrow Mayfly, Goulden’s Favourite and various other Mayfly patterns, Golden Olive Bumble, Green Peter, Yellow Gosling, Grey Gosling and Invicta.

After the first week, the real quality, dry fly fishing begins. Trout will still take the newly hatched duns during the day and favourite patterns are the Yellow Wulff, Fan Wing Mayfly and Mosely Mayfly.

The Spent Gnat fishing occurs all over the lake, depending on the weather conditions, especially wind direction. On a dull day, trout begin feeding from noon and on a bright day from about 5.00p.m. The rise normally ends about 9.00p.m. During the day, spent patterns are often fished ‘on the blind’ but, on calm evenings, the really large trout will come up to feed and these are most often caught when stalked and covered as they take the natural, spent fly. Many anglers regard this as the cream of trout fishing in Ireland. Favourite Spent Gnat patterns include Grey Wulff, Red Humpy, Spent Gnat, Copydex Spent and all kinds of variations on the spent gnat theme.

BUzzEr FISHIng

Coinciding with the Mayfly fishing is the evening Buzzer (Chironomid spp.) fishing. It begins about 10.00p.m. and goes on until well after midnight, except on very dark nights. It occurs in the same areas as mentioned for the Duckfly. The same, small wet flies and pupa patterns are used. Pupa patterns are the preferred choice. The end of the buzzer hatch usually coincides with the end of the Mayfly.

There is a small hatch of Murrough at the end of May/beginning of June. Trout start feeding about 11.00p.m. and continue until after midnight. Anglers fish a large dry Murrough in the areas listed below for sedge fishing.

The remainder of June and the first half of July is a quiet period for angling on the lough. At this time, the evening and the night time fishing offer the best chance for good trout. There is an enormous hatch of Caenis (anglers curse) from mid to late June and, on calm evenings huge

rises of trout occur. The rise is characterised by tiny sipping noises which suggest small fish feeding, but make no mistake good trout will feed enthusiastically on these tiny flies. However, they are extremely difficult to catch at this time and Grey Dusters and poly-wing Caenis imitations (size 18-20), fished on a very fine leader, offer the best chance.

SEDgE FISHIng

Lough Arrow offers excellent sedge fishing on suitable evenings throughout the months of high summer but the climax of this period occurs around the last two weeks of July when the Green Peters emerge. This lough is one of the few Irish lakes which still offer quality ‘Peter’ fishing. For the first few evenings, Peters begin to emerge around 10.30p.m. but the hatch starts earlier as the season progresses so that, by the end of July, fishing could begin as early as 9 p.m. The principal areas are Ballantyne’s Bay, Ballinafad Bay, Laundry Bay, Rinn Bán Bay, The Flags of Aughanagh, Andresna Bay, Annaghloy Point, Lough Brick, Ballindoon Bay, the Mouth of the River Unshin and the eastern side of Gildea’s Island. Dry fly tactics are mainly practiced.

In early August, with a good wind and a big wave, wetfly fishing can be productive, particularly in the afternoons and evenings.

Useful wetfly patterns include Magenta Bumble, Claret Bumble, various Murroughs and Green Peters, Fiery Brown, Silver Invicta, Connemara Black, Watson’s Fancy and Peter Ross. Alternatively, ‘fishing the top’ with hoppers can produce a fish, in suitable conditions (low wind and small wave), up to the end of August.

MID-AUgUST TO EnD OF SEASOn

Fishing tactics for this period revert back to conventional wetfly methods. Boats search the water, drifting across the points from deep to shallow and into the deep again. Drifting along the shores can also produce a trout and the following areas should be noted – Andresna Bay, Ballinafad Bay, Rinn Bán Bay, the Mouth of the River Unshin, Ballindoon Bay and the area from Muck Island, past Annaghloy Point to Stoney Island. Wetfly patterns are as listed for the sedge fishing season above.

FISHING ON LOUGH ARROW

Many other fisheries, in the vicinity of Lough Arrow, offer good fishing for coarse fish, stocked rainbow trout and brown trout. Also the Ballisodare River has good salmon fishing but access is strictly limited – enquiries to the Ballisodare Fishery Office, downstream of Ballisodare village, Tel: +353 (0)71 9130513.

LOUgH BO

Lough Bo is a spring fed lake situated about 3km north of Lough Arrow. It is stocked annually with brown trout, some of which overwinter successfully and offer excellent quality fishing in subsequent years. A permit is necessary in order to fish this lake and can be purchased from Ms. Mary Mc Donagh, at the Bo and Arrow Pub, Heapstown. Tel: +353 (0)71 9165126

LOUgH nA LEIBE

This is another spring fed mountain lake situated between Ballymote and Castlebaldwin. It is also stocked with rainbow trout and is set in a beautiful, tranquil location. A permit is necessary to fish and can be purchased through Ballymote and District Angling Club. Further information on Lough na Leibe can be found at www.ballymoteangling.com Permits are available at McDermott’s Bar and Restaurant, Castlebaldwin Tel: +353 (0)71 9165132 and also Tighe’s Newsagents, Ballymote Tel: +353 (0)71 9189665

THE UnSHIn rIVEr

The Unshin is a clear limestone river which flows northwards out of Lough Arrow and holds some excellent trout. The best of the fishing is around

the Collooney and Lisconny Bridge area. It is largely deep and slow flowing and is dependent on fly hatches to bring the trout up. It is fished in April and May but can become heavily weeded in the warmer summer months.

LOUgH KEY

This is a large mixed species fishery which is located just south east of Lough Arrow. Part of the Shannon system, the lake is noted for its pike, bream, roach and hybrids. There is also a good stock of wild brown trout in the lake including fish up to 3lbs. Local anglers fish the Mayfly from mid-May through to mid-June.

LOUgH SKEAn

This lake is situated 5km east of Lough Arrow and has good stocks of bream, roach, hybrids and pike. The best area is from the shore, near the amenity area, where bags of roach and hybrids of up to 20kgs have been taken in May/June.

LOUgH MEELAgH

Meelagh is a short distance further east of Lough Skean. It holds a good stock of bream, roach, hybrids and pike. This lake can be weedy but fishing is possible from fishing platforms near the amenity areas two miles west of Keadue village. The lake is a noted pike fishery and was the location for the record Irish pike for a number of years. Information on boat hire is available from Abbey Marine and Field Sports, Boyle, Co. Roscommon Tel: +353 (0)71 9663532 Mob: +353 (0)86 1262873

THE FEOrISH rIVEr

The Feorish also offers some good trout fishing around the Ballyfarnon area. Trout average 0.5lbs but there are fish up to 2lbs in this river.

LOUgH AUgH, BLACK LOUgH AnD

WHITE LOUgH

These small water bodies all hold stocks of pike. Lough Augh is situated about 1.5km east of Lough Arrow, with Black Lough and White Lough a further 1km east.

BALLYMOTE ArEA

This area offers a good variety of coarse fishing on the Owenmore River, and on Ballinascarrow, Cloonacleigha and Templehouse Lakes. Quality pike angling can also be found at many of these locations. Feenagh Lough holds a good number of brown trout and is restocked annually. Further details on fishing in this area can be found at www.ballymoteangling.com

OtHeR FISHeRIeS

58

32

34

32

39

15

26

28

28

21

24

17

11

11

34

29

6

N16

N15

N59

N4N17

N5

N57N58

N57

N83

N61

N4

A47

Drumshanbo

Ballymote

Charlestown

Swinford

Manorhamilton(Cluainín)

Ballaghaderreen

BALLYSHANNON

TOBERCURRY

CARRICK-ON-SHANNON

BUNDORAN

BOYLE

BALLINA

SLIGO

Inishmurray

MullaghmoreHead

DA RTRYMOUNTA IN S

Lough Melvin

DONEGAL BAY

KillalaBay

THE

OX

M

OUNTA

I NS

LOUGH

ALLEN

LoughKey

LoughGara

LoughGill

SLIGO BAY

LoughArrow

R O S C O M M O N

S L I G O

L E I T R I M

NORTHERNIRELAND

IRELAND WESTAIRPORT - KNOCK

MAPCOVERAGE

OpEn SEASOn

1st April-30th September

SIzE LIMIT

12 inches/30cm

BAg LIMIT

Four trout

TrOLLIng

An angler may use only one rod while trolling. Not more than two trolling rods may be used from a boat.

LOUgH ArrOW

Lough Arrow is one of the outstanding brown trout fisheries of Ireland. It is famous for the quality of its trout and it was here that the

technique of spent gnat fishing with dry flies was pioneered in the early 1900’s. The wild trout average 1.5lbs and fish up to 8lbs are a possibility due to the rich feeding in this very productive limestone water.

The lough lies 24km south east of Sligo town, 6.5km north west of Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Ballymote is 9.5km to the west and the village of Ballyfarnon lies 5km to the east.

ACCESS

There is public access at Brick Pier on the eastern shore, Ballinfad Pier on the southern shore and Rinn Bán Pier on the western shore. There are also various private access points some of which may be used with the owner’s permission.

THE AngLIng SEASOn

The season opens on the 1st of April and the early season fishing is mainly with wetfly, using sinking tip or intermediate lines, in shallow areas and close to the shore. Trolling is also practiced at this time of year but this method of fishing is not generally encouraged – see regulations.

FISHIng TACKLE

Fly rods are a matter of personal choice. Floating, intermediate and sinking tip lines may all be required at certain times. Clear monofilament is preferred for making leaders (casts) and it should be fine and degreased for fishing the dry fly and pupa.

SAFETY

The main body of Lough Arrow is relatively deep and therefore safe for the use of an outboard. Care should always be exercised in the bays, crossing the points of headlands, islands and close to the shores. There are particularly extensive and dangerous shallows off Dodd’s shore, Hargadon’s Point and south of Andresna Point at the entrance to Drumdoe Bay. In general, individual and small groups of rock are marked by distinctive rock markers. A single marker may signify the presence of a number of rocks in the vicinity. However, anglers should not assume that every rock, or every group of rocks, is marked. Visiting anglers, in particular, are strongly advised to exercise caution. Those unfamiliar with the lake should avail of the services of local boatmen or angling guides. All boat users are required by law to wear a personal floatation device.

BOAT HIrE

Enquiries about boats, outboard engines and boatmen/angling guides should be made to:

Mr. Finian Dodd, Ballindoon, Riverstown, Co. Sligo. Tel: +353 (0)71 9165065 Mob: +353 (0)86 3856790 Web: www.lougharrow.ie

Mr. Ken Henry, Caddagh, Glebe, Dromahair, Co.Leitrim. Mob: +353 (0)86 8182723

Louis Carthy, Post Office, Ballinafad, via Boyle, Co. Sligo Tel: +353 (0)71 9666001 Mob: +353 (0)87 6672177

Mr David Gray, Ballindoon, via Boyle, Co.Sligo Tel: +353 (0)71 9165491 Mob: +353 (0)86 6815971 Web: www.lougharrowboats.ie

Mr John Hargadon, Annaghloy Boat Hire, Lough Arrow, Riverstown, Co.Sligo Tel: +353 (0)71 9666666, Mob: +353 (0)85 1740956 / +353 (0)87 2404387 Email: lougharrow@gmail.com

ACCOMMODATIOn

For details on local accommodation providers, please contact the following:

Tourist Information Office, Failte Ireland North West, Temple Street, Sligo. Tel: +353 (0)71 91 61201 Web: www.discoverireland.ie/northwest Email: northwestinfo@failteireland.ie

Sligo Tourism Tel: +353 (0)71 9171950 Web: www.sligotourism.ie

ACKnOWLEDgEMEnTS

Inland Fisheries Ireland would like to thank the following who supplied photographs for use in this guide: ArrowRock Hostel, Finian Dodd, John Hargadon, Dennis Moss, Larry McCarthy. Also Inland Fisheries Ireland staff Jimmy Frazer, Ciaran Jennings, Simon Steel and Shane O’Reilly for their contributions to this guide.

Teach Árd na Rí Sráid na Mainistreach Béal an Átha Co. Mhaigh Eo.

Ardnaree House Abbey Street Ballina Co. Mayo

Tel: +353 (0)96 22788 Fax: +353 (0)96 70543 Email: ballina@fisheriesireland.ie Web: www.fisheriesireland.ie Web: www.fishinginireland.info

INFORmAtION

ANGLING ReGULAtIONS

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

BallinafadBay

LoughbrickBay

Lough ArrowLoch Arbhach

Jack’sBay

Andresna Bay

LaundryBay

DuckBay

Rinn Bán Bay

MuckBay

Kingston’sBay

�eCaol

DrumdoeBay

Mc Don

agh’

s Sho

re

BackofAnnaghlo y

Lough Key

CurraghmoreBay

S L I G O

R O S C O M M O N

SLIG

ORO

SCO

MM

ON

BA

LLYM

OT

E

KILM

AC

TRA

NN

Y

BOYLE / CARRICK-ON-SHANNON

(Hollybrook Pt.)

Douris Point

CraneWoodPt.

Hargadon’sPt.

Pt. ofAnnaghcloy

AughanaghPoint

Rosheen Pt.

Rinn BánPier

BrickPier

BallinafadPier

Dodd’s Shore

Annaghgowan Shore

LittleDouris

Andresna Pt.

Aughanagh Shore

Front of Drumdoe

fo galFAghanagh

InishbegIsland

Muck I .

(Flynn’s Island)

StonyI .

�e Gap

TinarinnowPoint

Long I.

HollybrookShore

A n n a g h l o y

Canal

Ballantyne’sPt.

Annaghloy Shore

ARROW ROCK HOSTEL

ARROW COTTAGE

HOLLYBROOKHOUSE

DRUMDOEHOUSE

SCHOOL

ARROW LODGE

CASTLE

CASTLE

MEGALITHICTOMB

MOTTE

FULACT FIA

CILLÍN

CRANNÓG

CHURCH

BORROW

MOUND

MOATEDSITE

CHURCH

NUNNERY

HUT SITE

CAIRN

CHURCH

MEGALITHICTOMB

PRIORY

CHURCH

MEGALITHICTOMB

CAIRNS

MEGALITHICTOMB

HUT SITE

MEGALITHICTOMB

CHURCH

De r r y le aR

ive r

Drumdoe Pt.

nR

ive r

Lilly

Broo

kSt

ream

Ballinafa d Stream

Flan

ag an’s Stre

am

Aug h ag o w la Strea m

Andre s naStre am

Ballinlig

South

Ballynary

C a r r i g e e n b l i k e

Derrylea K i l k e r e

Drumdoney

Lillybrook

Mullaghfarna

Whitehill

Doonaveeragh

K n o c k r e e

C a r r i c k n a h o r n a

Carricknahorna East

Cuilsheeghary

Cuilsheeghary Beg

Mountgaffery

Aughanagh

Maelahoo

Corradoo West

Corradoo East

Bunnadoder

Ballaghboy

GortaloughParkmore

Cartron

Lecarrow

Ballymullanny

D r u m d o e

T i n t a g h

Derryvunny

Derryvunny

Aghacarra

Cornacarta

Andresna

Drumsoghla

Cuilnagleragh

Annaghgown

Ballyhealyor

HollbrookDemesne

Annaghloy

LoughAnnaminvrac

LoughAgh

B l a c kL o u g h

WhiteLough

Lougharkedy

Loughangrania

BALLINAFADBeal an Átha Fada

C a r r i g e n n r o e

P

P

P

4N

7km

8.2km

4N

Based on Ordnance Survey by permission of the Goverment. Permit No 7270 © Goverment of Ireland

B R I C K L I E V E

M O U N T A I N S

C U R L E W M O U N T A I N S

Rock

Rock

36

LAKE SURFACE 54mABOVE SEA LEVEL

27

30

33

27

24

21

LAKE SURFACE 53mABOVE SEA LEVEL

9m3m

9m3m

9m3m

9m

3m

9m

3m

IFI (INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND) BASE

DIAMONDHOUSE

Ar r ow o rU

ns h i nR

ive r

1

4

5

2

3

Ballindoon Bay

Kelly’sAngle

BrickeenBay

AnnaghcorBay

Ballantyne’sBay

�e �umbs

Lough Bo

LoughNasool

SLI

GO

GEEV

AG

H

BallindoonPt.

Cloonagh Shore

Poll naPerches

AnnaghgowlaIsland

(Lyttle’s Island)

Seagull I.

Swan I.

BallindoonShore

BALLINDOONHOUSE

SCHOOL

CROMLEACH LODGE

BALLINDOONCASTLE (Ruin)

CASTLE

CRANNÓG

CRANNÓG

MOUND

MEGALITHICTOMB

CHURCH

MEGALITHICTOMB

MOUNDSMEGALITHICTOMB

CAIRN

MEGALITHICTOMB

MEGALITHICTOMB

BALLINDOONPRIARY

CHURCHCAIRN

MOUND

CHURCH

BALDWINCASTLE

CHURCH

HEAPSTOWN CAIRN

BellarushBr.

Cas tleBa ldw in

Cartro m Stream

CASTLEBALDWINBéal Átha na gCarraigíní

Sheerevagh

Annagh

Bellarush

Annaghcor

Cartronroe

H e a p s t o w n

DerryBeg

Kingsborough

K i l l a d o o nCornamucklagh

Tully

Lahardan Carrickglass

Bullaun

Barroe North

Knockacappul

G a r o k e

Cabragh

DrumbogNorth

DrumbegWest

MoytirraWest

Moytirra East D r o m o r e

Barroe

BarroeS th

Drumderry

Brickeen

Corlisheen

Drumsinnagh

Carrowreagh

Doonsheheen

D o o n g e l a g h

LoughboCross Roads

Ballinphull

K n o c k a c a p

Rannatruffaun

B u g g a g h B o g

BALLINDOON Baile an Duin

H i g h w o o d

P

7.5km

PUMPHOUSE

HeapstownCross Rds.

KilladoonCross Rds.

BallindoonCross Rds.

Rock

Rock

9m

3m

GRID: Each grid square represents 1 sq. kilometre

MOUNDDD

MEGALITHICTOMBTOMB

CHURCH

CHURCHG a r o k e

Cabraghr

DrumbogNorth

DrumbegWest

Moytirra EastEEE D r o m o r e

n

B u g g a g h B o g

H i g hh w o o d

GRID:G Each grid square represents 1 sq. kilometrea q prepreEaEa

National Primary Route

Third Class Roads

Other roads / Paths

Distances in kms

Shallows/Deep Water

(< 3 metres/ 3 - 9 m/ > 9 metres)

Reed Beds

Public Access Point

Private Access PointPermission of the landlordrequired

Woodlandsevergreen/deciduous

Viewing Point

Archaeological Monument

Ecclesiastical Monument

Defensive Site

Parking

Public Telephone

Post Office

Public Toilets

Picnic Area

Caravan Park

P

MAP SCALE 1 : 25,000

0 0.5 1 Km

N

Errors or Inaccuracies.While every effort has been made to ensure that theinformation contained in this guide is accurate, no

responsibility will be accepted by Inland Fisheries Ireland for any errors or inaccuracies therein.

2.5

N4

owner

InishmoreIsland

(Gildea’s Island)

Published by Inland Fisheries Ireland, Western River Basin District - Ballina.

Brochure design by Spear Design

nEED A 1:25,000 SCALE prInTED MAp?

Telephone +353 (0)96 22788 or Email ballina@fisheriesireland.ie