How to Go Salmon Fishing in Northern Ireland

With its idyllic scenery and notorious hospitality, Northern Ireland is a great place for a holiday. It is also one of the best angling destinations in Europe, with fishing villages lining the coast and hundreds of miles of river brimming with wild salmon.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Select a location. There are many good places for salmon fishing in Northern Ireland. The River Mourne in County Tyrone is one of the best salmon rivers in Northern Europe, and the River Bush on the North Antrim coast is another good spot.

2. Choose your dates. Salmon season can last from February to October, depending on the area, so plan your visit accordingly.

3. Arrange a guide (often known as a "ghillie") to show you the best salmon fishing spots and give you advice about your equipment and technique. There are several companies offering angling packages in Northern Ireland. They can provide guides and supply all the fishing necessities as well as providing details on accommodation and travel information.

4. Make your travel plans. If you're travelling by air, the best airports for most fishing areas in Northern Ireland are Belfast International Airport and the George Best Belfast City Airport. If you've engaged a guide, they should be able to advise you of the best place to arrive and may even be able to provide transport from the airport. If you're travelling by car, most angling destinations in Northern Ireland are less than a 2-hour drive from Belfast Port which is served by a number of car ferry companies.

5. Book accommodation. There are plenty of hotels, guesthouses, cottages, bed and breakfasts and self-catering apartments in Northern Ireland. Your fishing guide may be able to arrange accommodation for you, or you can get suggestions from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board's website.

6. Get a fishing licence. To go salmon fishing in Northern Ireland, you need a Game Rod Licence for each rod from the Fisheries Conservancy Board or the Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission. Licences are available for periods of three days, fourteen days or the whole season. You will also need a permit or day ticket from the owner of the fishery to give you the right to fish there. The owner may be a private individual, a company, an angling club or a Government Department (in the case of the Public Angling Estate). A fishing guide should be able to arrange these for you.

7. Pack your equipment. You will need warm clothing, waterproofs and waders, as well as your rod and angling gear. You may also want to bring a torch for night fishing and insect repellent to keep the midges and mosquitoes at bay. If you have booked a fishing guide, they may be able to provide much of the specialist equipment.

Tips & Warnings

• OAPs, young people and those with disabilities can get a discount on fishing licences.

• Some guesthouses can prepare your salmon for you to take home.

• Due to decreasing numbers of salmon, there is a limit on the number of salmon you are legally allowed to keep each day. This number varies from area to area and changes each year, so seek advice from your ghillie or the local fishery which can also instruct you on the catch and release procedures.

Resources

• The Department of Arts, Culture and Leisure has a map of fishing locations in Northern Ireland along with information on travel, accommodation and angling licences.
• The Northern Irish Tourist Board has information on all kinds of fishing in the region, as well as accommodation lists for each area.
• Foyle Fishing organises fishing trips and tours in Northwest Ireland.
• Where Wise Men Fish offers fly-fishing on the River Mourne.