Lough Arrow Angling Guide

Detailed and up-to-date map Angling information Tourist information FISHING ON LOUGH ARROW

THE DUCKFLY hatch begins in early May and ends in June. The rises of trout occur. The rise is characterised The Duckfly, a species of chironomid or buzzer, Hatch is prolific and it comes up all over the by tiny sipping noises which suggest small is the first fly species to hatch. The hatch usually lough. The trout respond well to wetfly tactics fish feeding, but make no mistake good trout begins in mid-April and lasts for about three for about a week and thereafter only on wet, will feed enthusiastically on these tiny flies. weeks. The most prolific hatches occur in the windy days. Useful patterns include the Lough However, they are extremely difficult to catch evenings from about 7.30p.m. but, occasionally, Arrow Mayfly, Goulden’s Favourite and various at this time and Grey Dusters and poly-wing if weather conditions are favorable, they will other Mayfly patterns, Golden Olive Bumble, Caenis imitations (size 18-20), fished on a very hatch during the day. Angling tactics during Green Peter, Yellow Gosling, Grey Gosling and fine leader, offer the best chance. the duckfly period depend on the prevailing Invicta. Sedge Fishing weather conditions. In windy weather, with a After the first week, the real quality, dry fly Lough Arrow offers excellent sedge fishing on wave on the water, wetfly tactics work best. fishing begins. Trout will still take the newly suitable evenings throughout the months of high The most favoured patterns are Claret Bumble, hatched duns during the day and favourite summer but the climax of this period occurs Fiery Brown, Sooty Olive, Connemara Black, patterns are the Yellow Wulff, Fan Wing Mayfly around the last two weeks of July when the Peter Ross, Silver Invicta, Red Arrow and and Mosely Mayfly. Butcher (sizes 10, 12). In calmer conditions, Green Peters emerge. This lough is one of the small pupae (size 12) are the preferred method. The Spent Gnat fishing occurs all over the lake, few Irish lakes which still offer quality ‘Peter’ These should be fished on a long leader with depending on the weather conditions, especially fishing. For the first few evenings, Peters begin fairly fine monofilament. wind direction. On a dull day, trout begin to emerge around 10.30p.m. but the hatch feeding from noon and on a bright day from starts earlier as the season progresses so that, The principal duckfly areas are Brickeen Bay, about 5.00p.m. The rise normally ends about by the end of July, fishing could begin as early Laundry Bay, Rinn Bán Bay, Bay, 9.00p.m. During the day, spent patterns are as 9 p.m. The principal areas are Ballantyne’s Andresna Bay, Lough Brick Bay, the back of often fished ‘on the blind’ but, on calm evenings, Bay, Ballinafad Bay, Laundry Bay, Rinn Bán Annaghloy, Ballindoon Bay and the mouth of the the really large trout will come up to feed and Bay, The Flags of Aughanagh, Andresna Bay, outflowing River Unshin. these are most often caught when stalked and Annaghloy Point, Lough Brick, Ballindoon Bay, When the fly is not hatching, anglers normally covered as they take the natural, spent fly. the Mouth of the River Unshin and the eastern fish these areas, if conditions are favorable, Many anglers regard this as the cream of trout side of Gildea’s Island. Dry fly tactics are mainly using some of the wetflies mentioned above. fishing in . Favourite Spent Gnat patterns practiced. include Grey Wulff, Red Humpy, Spent Gnat, In early August, with a good wind and a LAKE OLIVES Copydex Spent and all kinds of variations on the big wave, wetfly fishing can be productive, spent gnat theme. The lough has an enormous hatch of Lake particularly in the afternoons and evenings. Olives in the first two weeks of May. The Buzzer Fishing hatch occurs in ‘bog’ bays over weed and the Useful wetfly patterns include Magenta Bumble, notable areas are Kelly’s Angle, Ballantyne’s Coinciding with the Mayfly fishing is the evening Claret Bumble, various Murroughs and Green Bay, Ballindoon Bay, the Mouth of the River Buzzer (Chironomid spp.) fishing. It begins Peters, Fiery Brown, Silver Invicta, Connemara Unshin, Brickeen Bay, The Thumbs, Laundry about 10.00p.m. and goes on until well after Black, Watson’s Fancy and Peter Ross. Bay, Rinn Bán Bay, Drumboe Bay and Andresna midnight, except on very dark nights. It occurs Alternatively, ‘fishing the top’ with hoppers can Bay. The rise during the olive hatches can be in the same areas as mentioned for the Duckfly. produce a fish, in suitable conditions (low wind somewhat sporadic. The preferred tactic at this The same, small wet flies and pupa patterns are and small wave), up to the end of August. time is to fish a team of wetflies (Golden Olive used. Pupa patterns are the preferred choice. Bumble, Claret Bumble, Sooty Olive, Green The end of the buzzer hatch usually coincides Olive, Golden Olive, Magenta Bumble, Sooty with the end of the Mayfly. MID-AUGUST TO END OF SEASON Bumble, Fiery Brown, and Claret and There is a small hatch of Murrough at the end of Fishing tactics for this period revert back to Connemara Black). The usual tactic at this time May/beginning of June. Trout start feeding about conventional wetfly methods. Boats search the of year is to fish the water, starting the drift 11.00p.m. and continue until after midnight. water, drifting across the points from deep to about 200 meters off a point and drifting from Anglers fish a large dry Murrough in the areas shallow and into the deep again. Drifting along deep to shallow and into the deep again, 200 listed below for sedge fishing. the shores can also produce a trout and the meters beyond the point. following areas should be noted – Andresna Bay, The remainder of June and the first half of July Ballinafad Bay, Rinn Bán Bay, the Mouth of the MAYFLY TIME is a quiet period for angling on the lough. At this River Unshin, Ballindoon Bay and the area from time, the evening and the night time fishing offer It is during the Mayfly period that Lough Arrow Muck Island, past Annaghloy Point to Stoney the best chance for good trout. There is an has earned its reputation as one of Ireland’s top Island. Wetfly patterns are as listed for the enormous hatch of Caenis (anglers curse) from quality trout lakes. It offers a variety of fishing sedge fishing season above. at this time. The Mayfly (Ephemera danica) mid to late June and, on calm evenings huge Other Fisheries

Many other fisheries, in the vicinity of Lough Lough na Leibe the and Lisconny Bridge area. It is Arrow, offer good fishing for coarse fish, This is another spring fed mountain lake situated largely deep and slow flowing and is dependent stocked rainbow trout and brown trout. Also between and . It is on fly hatches to bring the trout up. It is fished in the Ballisodare River has good salmon fishing also stocked with rainbow trout and is set in a April and May but can become heavily weeded in but access is strictly limited – enquiries to the beautiful, tranquil location. A permit is necessary the warmer summer months. Ballisodare Fishery Office, downstream of to fish and can be purchased through Ballymote Lough Key Ballisodare village, Tel: +353 (0)71 9130513. and District Angling Club. Further information on Lough na Leibe can be found at This is a large mixed species fishery which is Lough Bo www.ballymoteangling.com Permits are located just south east of Lough Arrow. Part Lough Bo is a spring fed lake situated about 3km available at McDermott’s Bar and Restaurant, of the Shannon system, the lake is noted for its north of Lough Arrow. It is stocked annually Castlebaldwin Tel: +353 (0)71 9165132 and also pike, bream, roach and hybrids. There is also with brown trout, some of which overwinter Tighe’s Newsagents, Ballymote a good stock of wild brown trout in the lake successfully and offer excellent quality fishing in Tel: +353 (0)71 9189665 including fish up to 3lbs. Local anglers fish the subsequent years. A permit is necessary in order Mayfly from mid-May through to mid-June. to fish this lake and can be purchased from Ms. The Unshin River Lough Skean Mary Mc Donagh, at the Bo and Arrow Pub, The Unshin is a clear limestone river which flows Heapstown. northwards out of Lough Arrow and holds some This lake is situated 5km east of Lough Arrow Tel: +353 (0)71 9165126 excellent trout. The best of the fishing is around 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 DONEGAL BAY BALLYSHANNON A47 Skean. It holds a good stock of bream, roach, BUNDORAN hybrids and pike. This lake can be weedy but Mullaghmore 6 fishing is possible from fishing platforms near the Head Lough amenity areas two miles west of Keadue village. Melvin The lake is a noted pike fishery and was the MOUN TA IN S location for the record Irish pike for a number TR Y N15 DA R of years. Information on boat hire is available from Abbey Marine and Field Sports, Boyle, Co. BAY N16 Roscommon Tel: +353 (0)71 9663532 Mob: +353 (0)86 1262873 Manorhamilton Killala SLIGO (Cluainín) The Feorish River Bay 58 Lough Gill The Feorish also offers some good trout fishing N59 around the area. Trout average S L E I T R I M 0.5lbs but there are fish up to 2lbs in this river. I N A MAP S L T IGO N COVERAGE LOUGH Lough Augh, Black Lough and U N17 N4 O 34 ALLEN White Lough BALLINA M Ballymote 32 X Lough These small water bodies all hold stocks of N57 O 39 Arrow pike. Lough Augh is situated about 1.5km east E H TOBERCURRY of Lough Arrow, with Black Lough and White T Drumshanbo 11 32 Lough Key Lough a further 1km east.

29 Charlestown 15 Ballymote area 11 Lough CARRICK-ON- N58 N57 SHANNON 17 Gara BOYLE This area offers a good variety of coarse fishing Swinford on the Owenmore River, and on Ballinascarrow, 26 IRELAND WEST N4 Cloonacleigha and Templehouse Lakes. Quality Ballaghaderreen 28 AIRPORT - KNOCK N5 N61 pike angling can also be found at many of these 21 locations. Feenagh Lough holds a good number N83 34 28 of brown trout and is restocked annually. 24 R OSC O MMON Further details on fishing in this area can be found at www.ballymoteangling.com Angling Regulations

Open Season technique of spent gnat fishing with dry flies The Angling Season 1st April-30th September was pioneered in the early 1900’s. The wild The season opens on the 1st of April and the trout average 1.5lbs and fish up to 8lbs are a early season fishing is mainly with wetfly, using Size Limit possibility due to the rich feeding in this very sinking tip or intermediate lines, in shallow 12 inches/30cm productive limestone water. areas and close to the shore. Trolling is also The lough lies 24km south east of Sligo town, practiced at this time of year but this method Bag Limit 6.5km north west of Boyle, Co. Roscommon. of fishing is not generally encouraged – see Four trout Ballymote is 9.5km to the west and the village of regulations. Ballyfarnon lies 5km to the east. Trolling Fishing Tackle An angler may use only one rod while trolling. Access Fly rods are a matter of personal choice. Not more than two trolling rods may be used There is public access at Brick Pier on the Floating, intermediate and sinking tip lines from a boat. eastern shore, Ballinfad Pier on the southern may all be required at certain times. Clear shore and Rinn Bán Pier on the western shore. monofilament is preferred for making leaders Lough Arrow There are also various private access points (casts) and it should be fine and degreased for Lough Arrow is one of the outstanding brown some of which may be used with the owner’s fishing the dry fly and pupa. trout fisheries of Ireland. It is famous for the permission. quality of its trout and it was here that the

Information

Safety Mr. Ken Henry, Caddagh, Glebe, Dromahair, Acknowledgements The main body of Lough Arrow is relatively deep Co.Leitrim. Mob: +353 (0)86 8182723 Inland Fisheries Ireland would like to thank the and therefore safe for the use of an outboard. Louis Carthy, Post Office, Ballinafad, via Boyle, following who supplied photographs for use in Care should always be exercised in the bays, Co. Sligo Tel: +353 (0)71 9666001 Mob: +353 this guide: ArrowRock Hostel, Finian Dodd, John crossing the points of headlands, islands and (0)87 6672177 Hargadon, Dennis Moss, Larry McCarthy. Also close to the shores. There are particularly Inland Fisheries Ireland staff Jimmy Frazer, Ciaran extensive and dangerous shallows off Dodd’s Mr David Gray, Ballindoon, via Boyle, Co.Sligo Jennings, Simon Steel and Shane O’Reilly for their shore, Hargadon’s Point and south of Andresna Tel: +353 (0)71 9165491 contributions to this guide. Point at the entrance to Drumdoe Bay. In Mob: +353 (0)86 6815971 general, individual and small groups of rock are Web: www.lougharrowboats.ie marked by distinctive rock markers. A single Mr John Hargadon, Annaghloy Boat Hire, Lough marker may signify the presence of a number of Arrow, , Co.Sligo rocks in the vicinity. However, anglers should Tel: +353 (0)71 9666666, not assume that every rock, or every group of Mob: +353 (0)85 1740956 / +353 (0)87 2404387 Teach Árd na Rí rocks, is marked. Visiting anglers, in particular, Email: [email protected] Sráid na Mainistreach are strongly advised to exercise caution. Those Béal an Átha unfamiliar with the lake should avail of the Accommodation Co. Mhaigh Eo. services of local boatmen or angling guides. For details on local accommodation providers, All boat users are required by law to wear a Ardnaree House please contact the following: personal floatation device. Abbey Street Tourist Information Office, Failte Ireland North Ballina Boat Hire West, Temple Street, Sligo. Co. Mayo Enquiries about boats, outboard engines and Tel: +353 (0)71 91 61201 Tel: +353 (0)96 22788 boatmen/angling guides should be made to: Web: www.discoverireland.ie/northwest Fax: +353 (0)96 70543 Email: [email protected] Mr. Finian Dodd, Ballindoon, Riverstown, Email: [email protected] Co. Sligo. Tel: +353 (0)71 9165065 Sligo Tourism Tel: +353 (0)71 9171950 Web: www.fisheriesireland.ie Mob: +353 (0)86 3856790 Web: www.sligotourism.ie Web: www.fishinginireland.info Web: www.lougharrow.ie need a 1:25,000 scale printed map? Telephone +353 (0)96 22788 or Email [email protected]

1 Lough Bo N4 National Primary Route Third Class Roads

Doongelagh BBuggaghu gga g hOther Bog roads / Paths Carrowreagh 2.5 Loughbo Cross Roads Distances in kms Drumsinnagh Ballinphull Shallows/Deep Water 2 (< 3 metres/ 3 - 9 m/ > 9 metres) Lough Rannatruffaun Nasool Reed Beds Corlisheen Public Access Point HEAPSTOWN CAIRN Knockacap Doonsheheen Private Access Point Cornamucklagh Permission of the landlorowned r Killadoon required Cabraghr A r Knockacappul r o Woodlands w o Tully evergreen/deciduous r U n s Viewing Point h Annagh 3 i n Bullaun R Heapstown Archaeological Monument iv e CHURCH r CAIRN

Ecclesiastical Monument GEEV Killadoon CCHURCHHURCH Cross Rds. GGarokea r o k e m Strea ro m Defensive Site Cart AGH Heapstown P Parking DDrumbogrumbog Cross Rds. NNorthorth Lahardan Carrickglass Public Telephone 7.5km MEGALITHIC Sheerevagh Bellarush Bellarush TOMB Br. Cartronroe Post Office Barroe North CHURCH DerryBeg CROMLEACH LODGE CAIRN Public Toilets BALLINDOON Ballindoon 4 PUMPHOUSE Baile an Duin Cross Rds. Picnic Area

Kelly’s MOUNDS Caravan Park Seagull I. MEGALITHIC MEGALITHIC Angle TOMB TOMB Annaghcor Annaghcor DDrumbegNrumbeg Drumderry Bay CRANNÓG 3m Weestst Poll na

SLIGO 9m Perches B BALLINDOON a BALLINDOON Moytirra l HOUSE li n PRIARY West d o CASTLEBALDWIN o n Kingsborough Ballindoon Barroe S Béal Átha na gCarraigíní h Brickeen o Bay re Bay Swan I. MAP SCALE 1 : 25,000 EachEaa grid squareq representspre 1 sq. kilometre 5 Ballindoon GRID:G0 0.5 1 Km Pt. BALLINDOON MEGALITHIC CRANNÓG CASTLE (Ruin) TOMB BALDWIN ƒe ƒumbs SCHOOL CASTLE Moytirra EastE DDromorer o m o r e Annaghgowla Rock Errors or Inaccuracies. Island Cloonagh Shore While every effort has been made to ensure that the MEMEGALITHIinformationGALITHIC contained in this guide is accurate, no TOMB responsibility will be accepted by Inland Fisheries Ireland for (Lyttle’s Island) P any errors or inaccuracies therein. Ballantyne’s C as Brickeen Bay Published by Inland Fisheries Ireland, tle CASTLE B Rock Western River Basin District - Ballina. a HighwooHig h w o o d l Brochure design by Spear Design dw MOUND MOUND in Barroe CCHURCHHURCH R i Dodd’s Shor StSouth v e 6 Drumdoney r Inishmore Carrigeenblike Island Ballinlig PRIORY am Ballantyne’s (Gildea’s Island) re t Pt. e S k o o Laundry CHURCH r 3m B lack B Bay ly 9m il L ough L 21 Curraghmore Lillybrook Bay Lough Agh MEGALITHIC P TOMB 9m ARROW COTTAGE Lough DIAMOND 3m Annaminvrac HOUSE LAKE SURFACE 53m ABOVE SEA LEVEL P e Kilkere ARROW ROCK HOSTEL Derrylea Caol Brick White 7 Inishbeg Pier Lough Island H (Flynn’s Island) Hargadon’s Loughbrick N4 o HOLLYBROOK ll Pt. Bay Mullaghfarna yb 8.2km HOUSE r D o 24 e o Canal r Ballyhealy k r

Sh y KILMACTRANNY l or o e Gap e MEGALITHIC r a TOMB Hollbrook e HUT SITE Demesne R Lough Arrow i Annaghgown v Whitehill Annaghloy e r Duck Cuilnagleragh 7km Loch Arbhach Bay Annaghgowan Sho ARROW LODGE Kingston’s CAIRNS Bay 3m Drumsoghla Annaghloy CRANNÓG 9m 8 Doonaveeragh Rinn Bán re Bay CraneWood B Muck I . a c 27 Pt. k Muck o (Hollybrook Pt.) f Bay A n w la Strea Andresna hag o m 30 n g u a Bay A BRICKLIEVE Knockree P g h

Rinn Bán l

o CHURCH Pier y Andresna Pt. 9m Annaghloy Sho 9m 3m A 3m n d r 33 e s n Rock a Andresna S t re a MOUNTAIN S re Stony m Aughanagh Shore I . Drumdoe 9 Bay

Cuilsheeghary Pt. of Drumdoe Pt. 27 Annaghcloy MEGALITHIC MEGALITHIC TOMB Carricknahorna TOMB LAKE SURFACE 54m Cornacarta Flag of ABOVE SEA LEVEL Aughanagh Aghanagh 36 SLIGO

BORROW ROSCOMMON Cuilsheeghary IFI (INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND) BASE Beg MOATED Douris Point SITE Little Rock Lougharkedy Carricknahorna East MOUND Douris CASTLE Aughanagh Rosheen Pt. Front of Drumdoe CHURCH Aghacarra 10 Point e or h DRUMDOE S MOTTE Mountgaffery s Jack’s HOUSE ’ Loughangrania Ballinafad h Bay g Bay a CAIRN n o D c M Drumdoe FULACT FIA Ballinafad Pier Carrigennroe Ballymullanny

Maelahoo CILLÍN SCHOOL MEGALITHIC BALLINAFAD TOMB Beal an Átha Fada a m m B e a a tr e HUT SITE ll S r ina a d t CHURCH f CHURCH S n’s CASTLE Lecarrow g a a 11 n Derryvunny NUNNERY la Parkmore F Gortalough

R O S C O M M O N Bunnadoder Tin tagh

S L I G O

BALLYMOTE Corradoo East Cartron Derryvunny

N4 Corradoo West Long I. 12 Lough Key Tinarinnow CURLEW MOUNTAINS Point Ballaghboy

Based on Ordnance Survey by permission of the Goverment. Permit No 7270 © Goverment of Ireland BOYLE / CARRICK-ON-SHANNON