Game fishing
Brown trout fishing is the dominant feature of the River Barrow which rise in the Slieve Bloom Mountains before cutting through the Laois countryside heading south and the River Nore rises in the Devil’s Bit, Tipperary.
Salmon fishing is available throughout the length of the rivers depending on flood levels, though the most rewarding is on the lower river reaches with a fair run of spring fish. Grilse appear in June with the main run in July and then salmon join them for a run until the end of September.
The River Nore and its tributaries are a delight to fish as they flow east through Castletown and on to Durrow before taking a southerly course for the Waterford coastline. It is a noted dry-fly fishery with good stocks of brown trout thriving in fast flowing shallows, over weirs and speeding through long deep glides.
Occasionally you will find salmon as far as Castletown depending on flood levels. The banks are lined with trees on many sections so wading will be necessary to fully exploit the rivers’ potential. The tributaries worth exploring include the Lower Owenass, the Erkina, Goul and Whitehorse rivers along the Nore Valley.
The River Barrow’s headwaters have been the birthplace of millions of salmon and trout since time immemorial. The tributaries are worth investigation while the best of the local Barrow trout fishing starts close to the town of Mountmellick and on to Portarlington where a series of ripple runs and pools are a permanent home to plenty of wily large brown trout. The Boherbawn River between Monasterevin and Athy is an excellent fly fishery. Evening dry fly fishing in these areas can be most exciting and very rewarding with cagey wild brown trout the main quarry. Best months are May through to August. As the river veers past Monasterevin the water flow slows dramatically but can still provide reasonable sport.
Best flies: B.W.O, Sherry Spinner, Houghton’s Ruby, G.R.H.E, Mayfly, Black Gnat, Kite’s Imperial.
Click here to download Laois fishing map as printable pdf
Download the Laois Angling Guide as pdf
Brown trout fishing is the dominant feature of the River Barrow which rise in the Slieve Bloom Mountains before cutting through the Laois countryside heading south and the River Nore rises in the Devil’s Bit, Tipperary.
Salmon fishing is available throughout the length of the rivers depending on flood levels, though the most rewarding is on the lower river reaches with a fair run of spring fish. Grilse appear in June with the main run in July and then salmon join them for a run until the end of September.
The River Nore and its tributaries are a delight to fish as they flow east through Castletown and on to Durrow before taking a southerly course for the Waterford coastline. It is a noted dry-fly fishery with good stocks of brown trout thriving in fast flowing shallows, over weirs and speeding through long deep glides.
Occasionally you will find salmon as far as Castletown depending on flood levels. The banks are lined with trees on many sections so wading will be necessary to fully exploit the rivers’ potential. The tributaries worth exploring include the Lower Owenass, the Erkina, Goul and Whitehorse rivers along the Nore Valley.
The River Barrow’s headwaters have been the birthplace of millions of salmon and trout since time immemorial. The tributaries are worth investigation while the best of the local Barrow trout fishing starts close to the town of Mountmellick and on to Portarlington where a series of ripple runs and pools are a permanent home to plenty of wily large brown trout. The Boherbawn River between Monasterevin and Athy is an excellent fly fishery. Evening dry fly fishing in these areas can be most exciting and very rewarding with cagey wild brown trout the main quarry. Best months are May through to August. As the river veers past Monasterevin the water flow slows dramatically but can still provide reasonable sport.
Best flies: B.W.O, Sherry Spinner, Houghton’s Ruby, G.R.H.E, Mayfly, Black Gnat, Kite’s Imperial.
Click here to download Laois fishing map as printable pdf
Download the Laois Angling Guide as pdf
