Salmon and sea trout fishing in Donegal

  1. Duff
  2. Drowes
  3. Melvin
  4. Erne Estuary
  5. Eske
  6. Eany
  7. Glen
  8. Owenea
  9. Gweebarra
  10. Rosses
  11. Clady and Crolly
  12. Tullaghobegley and Ray
  13. Lackagh
  14. Crana and Fullerton

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Home » Salmon and Sea trout fishing » Donegal »

Tullaghobegley & Ray Rivers

Catch and Release for 2012

The Tullaghobegley River (also known as the Bawaan River) flows for some 9 miles, emptying into Ballyness Bay and thence to the sea. The source of the river is Lough Altan at the base of Mount Errigal in Glenveagh National Park (worth a visit in itself).

The Tullaghobegley, though small, is a productive salmon and sea trout fishery recording around 300 salmon per season. The river fishes from June onwards. By far the most popular spot is the Baawan Pool, since fish can run in with the tide, regardless of water levels. It can be very busy though, with anglers standing shoulder to shoulder. However, during spates there are some nice pools above the Main Road Bridge, above the old Railway Bridge and at Meendarragh. Popular flies are small shrimp flies, black Pennell and a Donegal Blue.

The Ray (pronounced rye) runs for 8 miles out of the Agla Beg and Muckish mountains before reaching the sea. It is a spate river and as such fishes best when dropping down from a flood. It gets a small run of spring fish in May. The period between mid-June and the end of the season has the biggest runs of fish. A high percentage of salmon caught in the Ray are in the 10 – 12lb range. The most popular pools are at the Tractor Bridge, The Pots and a couple of pools upstream of the bridge. These areas are heavily fished during a spate but there is fishable water for a few miles upstream of this during a good flood.
Sea trout start to run the river in mid-July. The best results are achieved at night, with the most favourable locations being downstream of the Tractor Bridge and in the estuary. Productive flies for the salmon include shrimp flies, especially Curry’s Red Shrimp. Sea trout favourites include Silver Spider, Peter Ross and a Butcher.

The stretch of the Right Bank of the river in Moyra Glebe is in Private ownership. This is the Muckish Mountain fishery. Permits are available for this section of the river (see below).

N.B. Prawn and Shrimp are prohibited on the Ray.

Season

The salmon season runs from February 2nd to September 30th inclusive. The sea trout season runs from February 2nd to October 12th inclusive.

Permits

One permit covers both the Tullaghobegley & Ray Rivers (except for the Muckish Mountain Fishery).

The costs are as follows:

These are available from McGee’s Service Station, Main Street, Falcarragh, Co Donegal. Tel: (074) 9135237.

Permits for the Muckish Mountain Fishery cost:

These are available online from www.muckishsalmon.com or Tel:086 3209517. Season tickets can be booked by email only. Contact keesw@gofree.indigo.ie.

For more information visit the web site at www.muckishsalmon.com.

Licences

Salmon licences are available from

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