Home The Boyne River (Navan to Longwood)

    The Boyne River (Navan to Longwood)

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    Male mayfly

    THE RIVER BOYNE and its tributaries comprise nearly 330 miles of river channel which drain an area of approximately 1,000 sq. miles. This river is one of the countries premium wild brown trout angling waters offering superb fishing to the visiting angler. The River Boyne rises near Newberry Hall in Co. Kildare and meanders its way in a north easterly direction for seventy miles through counties Offaly, Meath and Louth before entering the Irish Sea below the historic town of Drogheda, between the townlands of Mornington and Baltray.

    The Boyne from Longwood to Navan is generally deep and slow flowing but holds extensive stocks of wild brown trout. The majority of fishing in this area is controlled by Angling Associations with some being maintained by private fishery owners. There is excellent wild brown trout fishing on the river Boyne and the average weight of trout is three quarters of a pound, however a number of fish to 5lbs and 6lbs are taken annually. The Boyne has all the fly hatches associated with a limestone river. The hawthorn fly is important early in the year however the most prolific hatches include olives and sedges. There can also be good hatches of the mayfly Ephemera danica.

    Male mayfly
    Newly hatched E. danica drying itself in the May sunshine

    There are a number of popular fishing locations downstream from Longwood and these are located at Donore, Inchamore Bridge, Muchwood and Scarriff Bridge. There is also good trout fishing in the Trim area at Newtown and Tribley. Fishing can be good early in the season depending on weather and water conditions but the best of the fishing is from mid May to mid September. Fishing generally takes place from March to September but most Angling Associations have different opening and closing dates. Anglers should enquire locally before fishing. Anglers wishing to fish for wild brown trout on the river Boyne must have the necessary permission and permit from the local Angling Association before fishing.

    The River Boyne and Trim Castle, Co Meath
    The River Boyne and Trim Castle, Co Meath
    Location

    Counties, Kildare, Offaly, Meath and Louth. The main towns and villages along this river are Drogheda, Donore, Slane, Navan, Trim, Longwood and Edenderry.

    Season

    The season on the Boyne generally runs from March to September but exact dates and local variations can be checked with the Association Secretaries listed below.

    Fish species

    The River Boyne is a brown trout fishery.

    Methods

    Fly fishing, dry fly, wet fly and nymph fishing are all successful.

    • It is prohibited to use any fish hooks, other than single barbless hooks
    • It is prohibited to use worms as bait in angling for all species of fish

    Best flies

    • Dry Flies: Grey Flag, Black Gnat, Spent Gnat, Grey Duster Klinkhammer.
    • Wet Flies: Wickhams Fancy, Black Pennell, Mallard and Claret.
    • Nymphs: Assorted Nymphs.
    Fishing Tip

    Fish the faster water and glides by day and leave the deep flats until dusk.

    Angling Clubs

    The following angling clubs hold waters on the River Boyne. Permits for these angling association waters are available from the Secretaries of the Angling Associations and local tackle dealers.

    Trim Athboy & District Angling Association
    Mr Tommy Keoghan, Secretary, 16 St. Bridget’s Villas Trim Co. Meath C15 NR52,
    Tel: +353 (0)86 811 4724
    Email: [email protected]
    Web: www.trimathboyanglers.net

    Deel & Boyne Angling Association: Secretary, Paddy Connaughton
    Tel: (Europe) 00 353 44 74595

    Longwood Anglers Association: Secretary, Kenny McGarvey, Ardrums, Rye Bank, Rathmoylon, Co. Meath.
    Tel: 086 8275382

    Edenderry and Castlejordan Anglers Association: Chairman, Mr. Gerry Brennan, Edenderry, Co. Offaly.  Telephone:  00 353 46 9772871

    Navan & District Anglers Association: Secretary :
    e-mail: [email protected] Web: www.navananglers.com

    Guide Services:
    • Marc O’Regan, Crannmor , Dunderry Road, Trim, Co. Meath. Tel:(Europe) 00 353 46 9431635. (U.S.A) 011 353 46 9431635 Email: [email protected]
    • Pat Murphy, Hill of Ward, Athboy, Co. Meath. Tel: (Europe) 00 353 9432343 (U.S.A) 011 353 9432343.
    • Tom Conlon, Addistown, Delvin, Co. Westmeath. Tel: (Europe) 00 353 46 9430112. (U.S.A) 011 46 9430112
    • Peter Cunningham,
      Telephone: +353 (0) 86 4682516
      Email: [email protected]
    Map


    View River Boyne – Navan to Longwood in a larger map


    Other trout fishing waters in this area
    The River Boyne
    Boyne tributaries and other waters