Home Uncategorized Vartry and Dargle Rivers

    Vartry and Dargle Rivers

    5161

    River Vartry

    Season

    Closed for 2024

    • Salmon and sea trout Feb 1st to October 12th.
    • It is prohibited to use any fish hooks, other than single or double barbless hooks
    • It is prohibited to use worms as bait in angling for all species of fish

    River Dargle

    Season

    Closed for 2023

    • Salmon and sea trout Feb 1st to October 12th.
    • It is prohibited to use any fish hooks, other than single or double barbless hooks
    • It is prohibited to use worms as bait in angling for all species of fish

    The Dargle rises in the Wicklow mountains and flows in a north-easterly direction for 12 miles; passing through the beautiful Dargle Glen in a series of rapids and waterfalls before entering the Irish Sea at Bray. It is one of Ireland’s prime sea trout rivers and regularly produces excellent fishing for large sea-trout. The best of the sea-trout fishing is from May to September. This river also gets a small run of grilse in the summer months. Most of the fishing on the Dargle is controlled by the local Angling Club and private individuals. Notwithstanding the restrictions in place for salmon (any size) and sea trout (over 40cm), further restrictions prohibiting the use of worms as bait in angling for all other fish species apply in certain closed and catch and release rivers. Anglers may only use single or double barbless hooks where these restrictions apply.

    Location
    Co. Wicklow. The main towns and villages in the area are Bray, Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow.

    Fish Species
    Sea Trout, Brown Trout and Salmon.

    Season
    Sea Trout: 1 February – 12 October
    Brown Trout: 1 March – 30 September

    Methods
    All legal methods are allowed subject to the salmon and sea trout angling regulations with but a strict fly fishing only rule is applied from Bray Bridge to Bray Harbour. Fly fishing only at Tinnahinch.

    Best Flies: Sea-trout: Sweeney Todd, Medicines, (red, silver and gold), Connemara Black, Zulu, Black Pennell and Teal, Blue and Silver.

    Angling Club Fishing rights to the lower reaches are controlled by the Dargle Anglers Association. These are:

    1.      The Dargle Glen from the bottom of the Tinnehinch Fishery to Kilcroney, near the junction of the N11, Dublin-Wexford and R117 Enniskerry roads.

    2.      In Bray town from the west end of the People’s Park (Lower Dargle Road) to the sea.

    Visiting anglers are welcome to join as associate members of the club. Day permits are available from Viking Tackle, Bray Sports Centre, Rory’s Tackle Shop, Dun Laoghaire Angling and Patrick Cleere & Sons. All legal methods are permitted subject to the salmon and sea trout angling regulations with a strict fly fishing only rule applied from Bray Bridge to Bray Harbour.

    You can contact the Secretary of the Dargle Anglers Association, Mr. Tony Grehan, 2 Whitechurch Crescent, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

    Tinnehinch Fishery
    This private fishery extends from Tinnehinch Bridge on the R760 road near Powerscourt Estate downstream for one mile to the top of the ‘Gorge’ in Dargle Glen. Fishing is strictly fly only with the best sea trout fishing at night using the recommended flies. Fly casting instruction is available as are evening tickets (dusk). For further information please contact Mr. Hugh Duff, Tinnehinch House, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. Telephone: 00 353 1 286 8652.

    Fishing Tip: Try fishing this river as the water level is dropping after a flood.

    Permits For the Dargle Anglers Association waters contact the Secretary or the tackle dealers listed above. For the Tinnahinch fishery contact Mr. Hugh Duff. (as above)

    Access to Fisheries: Access does not imply a right of way and anglers should ensure that, they have the necessary permission to enter or cross private lands. Where possible anglers should walk along the river bank or lake shore.

    Country Code: Anglers should ensure that gates are closed and that fences are not broken or damaged. Care should be taken with crops and livestock. Litter must not be discarded and no fires are allowed. Vehicles should be parked in designated areas and in such a manner that they do not cause obstruction.

    Errors and Inaccuracies: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this webpage is accurate, no responsibility will be accepted by Inland Fisheries Ireland for any errors or inaccuracies contained herein. Any errors brought to our attention will be corrected immediately.

    Further Information: For further information please contact:

    Inland Fisheries Ireland, ERBD, Citywest, D24
    Telephone: 00 353 1 8842693 Fax: 00 353 1 22787025
    Email: [email protected]