The Guide to Where to Fish in Southern Ireland (Eire), the Moy

 

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At approximately100k long the Moy is one heck of a river for salmon producing enormous rod catch figures each year. The Moy Fishery in Ballina (just 2.5 miles long) has an average of 5,000 fish per annum! Internationally renown for its fishing you are advised to book well in advance for the fishing as there is a high demand.

 

The whole system can produce over 7000 recorded fish per year (although reading the reports on individual beats the numbers do not add up so low, relatively speaking).

 

The Moy suffered from human intervention decades ago which has resulted in long deep channel stretches of river which do produce large numbers of fish however the river is not generally a fly fishing water. Many beats have carried out reinstatement and improvement work to the river creating streamy beats with new fly water. Spinning (Flying Cs) worm and fly and bubble float are common methods of fishing so the beats that do offer fly water are in high demand. Best flies; Ally Shrimp, Ban Special, Foxford Shrimp, Green Highlander, Hairy Mairy.

 

It should be noted that fishing on the Moy and its tributaries upstream from the junction with the Gweenston river is free (in other area the fishing on tributaries is at a nominal sum for such quality fishing).

 

Moy Fishery at just 2.5 miles long the fishery is not the biggest beat in the world but but is the most productive in Europe returning over 500 fish per annum. The fishing is within the boundaries of Ballina town and consists of 8 beats much of which is tidal resulting in it being unfishable at times. Under the management of the North West Fishery Board who acquires the fishery in 1987, the nets and fish traps have gone allowing fish to run freely. The fishery is managed by the Moy Fishery Office, Ardnaree House, Abbey St, Ballina, Co Mayo. Call 096 21332 for bookings and information.

 

The 7 beats are:

 

Beat 1 Ridge Pool, possibly the most famous fishing beat in Ireland (or anywhere) the pool is so popular the fishing is divided into two session per day, 5 rods per session and now includes the Weir Pool since the fish traps were removed.

 

Beat 2 Cathedral Pool next pool down from the Ridge Pool beat, averages 1500 salmon pa! Takes 8 rods in 2 daily session.

 

Beat1 Polnamonagh, 200m upstream of the Lower Bridge this pool is more a a spinning and bait water.

 

Beat 2 Spring Beat, good fly water, takes 8 rods.

 

Beat 3 Ash Tree Beat, by the town park, there is a boat and ghilllie for two rods plus 2 bank rods available.

 

Beat 4 Point Beat at the mouth of the Brusna river, a public beat with no restrictions on the number of rods, good sea trout fishing. Day week tickets available.

 

Freshwater Beat, 300 metres single bank, recently improved giving good access for persons with disabilities.

 

Gannon Fishery 1.5 miles single bank, mostly bait or spinning but with good fly water in low water conditions around Moran Rock and Two Bends. Average pa 7-800 fish. Call Foxford PO on 094 56101.

 

Armstrong Fishery 1.5 miles single bank fishing on the left bank, mostly bait or spinning with some good fly water, average pa 600-800 fish. Call 094 56580.

 

Rinnaney Fishing run by Foxford AA, 2.5 miles single bank, mostly bait or spinning, average pa 1500 fish, call 094 56731.

 

Byrnes Fishery half a mile single bank on the left bank up from Mount falcon, bait and spinning, call 096 36733.

 

Coolcronan Fishery 1 mile double bank fishing from the Bunnifinglas river to the Yellow river, 12 rods over 3 beats, bait and spinning although the fly does well in low water especially around the Rocks. Call 094 57055 or 0872398019.

 

Attymas Fishery run by the Attymas AA there are 2 beats, one of 1.5 miles right bank from opposite the Corroy river mouth down to the Wall Pool and from the Wall Pool up the Bunnifinglas river (does not include the Wall Pool). Bait / spinning. Call +353 (0) 94 58151 / 58147 / 58146.

 

Mount Falcon 1.5 mile double bank including the famous Wall Pool which is reputed to be the single most productive pool on the Moy, mostly bait and spinning but there is some fly water. Call 096 74472.

 

Ballina Salmon Angler Association. 3 miles double bank from the weir at Ballina to the junction with the Corroy some of which is good fly fishing water and a further 2.5 miles more suited to bait, spinning and the fly on the bubble float. Annual catches can be 1 to 2000. There is good sea trout fishing too. No restrictions on rod numbers and permits are very reasonable priced. Call North West Fisheries Board on +353 (0) 9621332 or obtain permits from the tackle shops in Ballina.

 

East Mayo AA have fishing on 8 miles double bank from 1 mile upstream of the junction with the Cross river to the joinings with the Killeen river on the left bank and 1.5 miles down from the Ballyahan Bridge on the right bank. Some good fly fishing plus worm and spinning. Good from March when it can average 40 fish per week.

 

Congee Fishery, 2 miles double bank 1 mile left bank including a stretch of the Cross river and the Joining Pool. Good fly fishing water, permits cost 50 euros per day on beat one with reductions for 2, 3 and 5 day bookings and 40 euros per day for beat 2 also with reductions for longer bookings. Call 094 56534

 

Foxford Salmon Angler Fishery 1 mile double bank from Foxford Bridge, good fly fishing, call 094 56731.

 

Bakers 400 metres of fishing downstream from Eel Weir at Foxford, recently redeveloped to produce two very good fly fishing pools that hold fish.

 

Foxford Fishing 1 mile double bank downstream for Foxford Bridge call 00353 (0) 96 49989.

 

For essential background information about fishing in Scotland, England Ireland and Wales Click HERE

For salmon and sea trout season dates Click HERE

 

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Please note: the information displayed is gathered from a number of sources to save you time browsing the net, the information and prices are indicative of what was available when we searched for data. Please confirm details with the fishery before booking as Spinfish does not accept any liability for variations and changes to terms and conditions relating to any fishery listed.

 

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