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Easky River
The Easkey River is a picturesque spate stream of approximately 20km in length. Its principal source is Lough Easkey situated high in the Ox Mountains which straddle Counties Mayo and Sligo. It flows through mountain bog and rough pasture before entering the sea at the lovely town of Easkey. The river gets superb runs of salmon and seatrout from early June and each summer spate brings fresh run fish right up to the end of the season. Most of the water is suitable for fly fishing with a single handed rod and there are some beautiful secluded pools which can produce wonderful sport any time between June and September.
The Fortland fishery, situated in the lower end of the Easkey River, comprises approximately 3 miles of double bank angling for Salmon & Seatrout in a beautiful & secluded wooded estate setting. It was purchased in 1999 as a derelict concern , and following a year of bank side clearance, refurbishment, & fisheries protection works, during which the fishery remained closed, it was opened to anglers in June of 2000.
The inaugural season was a tremendous success with many people visiting the fishery for the first time, and others who had visited during the years of abuse & mismanagement that had preceded the new ownership, coming back to view the transformation. Across the board guests were delighted with what they saw & good sport was enjoyed by almost all visitors. The total catch for the 2000 season was 210 Salmon and 108 Seatrout with less than 200 guests! A good catch ratio by any standards.
Further upstream, above the Workhouse bridge on the Sligo – Ballina Road, fishing is considered to be free, although local land owners may need to be contacted in order to ensure access to the river. There are some lovely salmon pools between here and L. Easkey many of which can produce good sport after a summer spate.
Season
Salmon & seatrout: 1 February to 30 September
Permission
The Fortland Fishery, River Easkey, Co. Sligo, Tel: 086 8032350; Email: info@anglingwestireland.com