THE RIVER BOYNE and its tributaries comprise approximately 330 miles of river channel and drain an area of 1,040 sq. miles. This river is one of the countries premium brown trout angling waters offering superb fishing to the visiting angler. Rising near Newberry Hall, Co. Kildare, the Boyne meanders its way in a north easterly direction for 70 miles through counties, Offaly, Meath and Louth before entering the Irish Sea below Drogheda, between the townlands of Mornington and Baltray. The Boyne holds extensive stocks of wild brown trout and has good stocks of trout from 2-5lbs with occasional fish to 6lbs. The average weight of fish is 3/4lb. The Boyne has all the fly hatches associated with a limestone river with the most prolific being sedges and olives. There are also some hatches of the mayfly Ephemera danica. Fishing on the River Boyne is controlled by angling clubs and private fishery owners and permits for visiting anglers have been made available at the following centres; Drogheda, Navan, Trim, Longwood and Edenderry.
The River Boyne holds some stocks of salmon and sea trout and anglers must obtain the necessary permission before fishing. A state license is required to fish for salmon and sea trout.

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.

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.

Angling Club: The following angling clubs hold waters on the River Boyne:

Trim, Athboy & District Angling Association: Secretary, Gerry Lee, Loman Street, Trim, Co. Meath.
Tel: 00 3534631487
Deel & Boyne Angling Association: Secretary, Jack Shaw, Riverdale, Raharney. Co. Meath.
Tel: 00 353 44 74301
Longwood Anglers Association: Secretary, Michael Kane, Cullentra, Longwood, Co. Meath.
Tel: 00 353 405 55031
Edenderry and Castlejordan Anglers Association: Secretary, Joe McDonnel 3 St., Patricks Road, Edenderry, Co. Offaly.
Tel: 00 353 405 32521

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

Permits: Permits for the above angling association waters are available from:

The Secretaries of the above named Angling Associarions.,& Local tackle dealers.

The office of the Boyne Fisheries Manager, No.1 Bedford Place, Navan, Co. Meath.

LOUGH LENE is situated north of Collinstown and covers an area of 430 hectares with depths to 20m. The Lough Lene Angling Association controls fishing on this lake, which is noted for the purity and clarity of its water Lough Lene has regularly been awarded the blue flag for water quality by the E.E.C. This lake holds a good head of wild trout and this is complimented by regular stocking. Trout to 5lbs weight are not uncommon and in 1997 the largest recorded trout was a 6lbs. fish taken in March. Sedge fishing can produce results all year round and the Green Peter and Murrough are important in July and August. Boats for hire and day permits are available locally.

LOUGH BANE is located 4 miles east of Collinstown and covers an area of 150 hectares with depths to 20m. This deep clear lake has a stock of wild brown trout and is stocked regularly by the Lough Bane Angling Association, which controls the fishing. Trout in this lake have a good average size and fish of 4-5lbs. are not uncommon. Small sedges can produce good results on summer evenings. Boats are available locally for hire but they must be booked in advance.

WHITE LOUGH is located 4 miles east of the town of Castlepollard and covers an area of 26 hectares with depths to 30 meters. This fishery has been stocked with both brown and rainbow trout and fishing is controlled by the White Lake Angling Club.

This lough holds some big trout and fishes well all year round. Fish are sometimes taken on small brown sedges and the Green Peter and Murrough are successful in July and August. Boats for hire and permits are available locally.

Location: Counties, Meath and Westmeath. The main towns and villages in the vicinity of these lakes are Collinstown, Fore, Drumeree and Castlepollard.

Season: Fishing takes place on Lough Lene from 1st March to September 30th, on Lough Bane from 1st March to September 30th, on White Lough from 1st March to September 30th.

Fish Species: These lakes are primarily brown trout fisheries but a small number of rainbow trout have been stocked into Lough Bane and White Lough.

Methods: All fly fishing methods are allowed.

Best Flies: March Brown., Sooty Olive, Duckfly, Golden Olive, Bibio, Peter Ross, Black Pennell, Buzzers, Mallard and Claret, Green Peter, Murrough and Cock Robin.

Angling Club: Fishing on the above lakes is controlled by their respective Angling Association and all support a policy of catch and release.

Fishing Tip: Boat fishing produces the best results. Get advice locally.

Permits: Fishing permits and boat hire information for Lough Lene are available from

Tommy Fagan, lnisfree, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 00 353 44 61359

Fishing permits and boat hire information for Lough Bane are available from

Mary Nolan, Lough Bane, Oldeastle, Co. Meath. Tel: 00 353 44 66409

John Cooke, Glenidan, Collinstown, Co. Westmeath. Tel: 00 353 44 66178

Fishing permits and boat hire information for the White Lough are available from,

Is the largest tributary of the River Boyne and it is fed by Lough Ramor in County Cavan. It flows in a south-easterly direction passing north of Kells, Co. Meath to its confluence with the Boyne at Navan. This river has all the usual fly hatches associated with a limestone river with sedges and olives being important. Presently the best of the brown trout angling on this river is on the waters controlled by Kells Angling Club. This includes the stretches from the Nine-Eyed Bridge at its source to Mabes Bridge, which is located just north of Kells. This river holds good stocks of wild brown trout up to two pounds and over and most of the stretches provide good angling. In 1997 the Blackwater produced a new record brown trout for the river which weighed in at over 8lbs. This river fishes well all year round.

Tom Murray, The Flying Sportsman, Carrick Rd., Kells, Co. Meath.

Tel: 00 353 46 40205.

                     Wet Flies: Wickhams Fancy, Black Pennell and Greenwells Glory.

Angling Club: The Trim, Athboy and District Angling Association controls the fishing downstream from Athboy. This association supports a policy of catch and release.

Gerry Lee, Loman St., Trim, Co., Meath.Tel: 00 353 46 31487.

The Stoneyford has high banks post drainage but there is good access to the river in most areas. Some rehabilitation was carried in 1984 thus enabling trout stocks to recover and become re-established. This river is controlled by the Stoneyford Angling Association and holds extensive stocks of wild brown trout. The majority of these are small fish but these are complimented by a stock of larger fish, which all regularly oblige the waiting angler The largest trout recorded in 1997 was 3lbs l0ozs. In general it is possible to wade the river but chest waders are essential. Some areas are too deep even for chest waders. There is excellent fishing from South Hill Bridge to the confluence with the River Boyne, with the exception of the stretch at Woodtown West, which is located approximately mid-way between Lisclogher Bridge and Clockbrack Bridge. Parking and access are normally located close to the bridges. The Stoneyford can be described as an all day fishery with trout feeding avidly throughout the day. There are however some periods of inactivity, but these are usually short lived. The best of the fishing is from May to September.

Location: Co. Meath and Co. Westmeath. The main towns and villages along the river are Ballivor, Kildalkey, Athboy, Delvin and Clonmellon.

Best Flies:

Dry Flies: Grey Duster, Sedges, Black Gnat, Black Midge and Pheasant Tail.

Wet Flies: Wickhams Fancy, Black Pennell.

Fishing Tip: Take along a short rod and a good supply of small dry sedge patterns.

Permits: Permits for this river are available from:

The office of the Boyne Fisheries Manager, No.1 Bedford Place, Navan, Co. Meath.

Tel & Fax: 00 353 46 73375.

Pat O'Reilly landing yet another fine Stoneyford trout. This one gets a chance to fight again as Pat practices a "catch and release" policy.

THE RIVERSTOWN RIVER rises near the village of Cloghan Co. Westmeath and flows in an easterly direction for ten miles before joining with the River Deel 1 mile downstream from the village of Raharney. Since the completion of the drainage scheme this river has re-established its stocks of wild brown trout. It is a difficult river to fish, with high overgrown banks and poor access but the rewards can be justified for the angler who is willing to brave these obstacles. The Riverstown River holds stocks of fish up to 1¾1bs and fishing is controlled by the Deel and Boyne Angling Association. The best fishing is to be had by wading and chest waders are essential. There are good stretches from Thomastown Bridge to Stonestown Bridge and from Ballyhaw Bridge to the Deel confluence. Parking and access are located close to the road bridges. The best of the fishing on this river is from May to September.

Location: Co. Westmeath. The main towns and villages along this river are Rathwire, Killucan, and Raharney.

Season: Fishing on the Riverstown is from March 1st to September 30th.

Fish Species: The Riverstown River is a brown trout fishery.

Methods: Dry fly only from Ballyhaw Bridge to the confluence with the Deel.

Best Flies: Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Grey Flag, Assorted Olives and Sedges.

Angling Club: This water is controlled by the Deel and Boyne Angling Association, which supports a policy of catch and release.

Fishing Tip: A short rod would be advantageous on this river

Permits: Permits for this river are available from:

Jack Shaw, Riverdale, Rahamey, Co., Westmeath.

Tel: 00 353 44 74301.

The office of the Boyne Fisheries Manager, No 1 Bedford Place, Navan, Co. Meath.

THE MONGAGH RIVER rises near Tyrrellspass and Rochforthbridge and it flows for 12 miles through Co. Westmeath in an easterly direction before joining with the Yellow River just upstream of Clongall Bridge, near Castlejordan. This river holds a good stock of small wild brown trout and a small number of fish up to 2lbs in weight. The Edenderry and Castlejordan Angling Association control fishing, the best of which is from Castlejordan Bridge to the Yellow River confluence. The early season can produce good results.

THE YELLOW RIVER rises north of Daingean Co. Offaly and flows in an easterly direction for approximately 13 miles before entering the Boyne 3 miles above Ballyboggan Bridge. This river has a good stock of small trout but the stretch below Clongall Bridge holds trout up to 2 lbs in weight. The river is fishable from Garr Bridge to its confluence with the Boyne. The Edenderry and Castlejordan Angling Association control fishing.

Location: Counties, Meath, Westmeath, Offaly and Kildare. The main towns and villages along these rivers are Edenderry, Castlejordan, Miltownpass and Kinnegad.

Season: Fishing on these rivers takes place from March 1st to September 30th.

Fish Species: These rivers are brown trout fisheries.

Methods: Dry fly, wet fly, and nymph fishing are all successful.

Best Flies: Dry Flies: Grey Duster, Grey Flag, Black Gnat, Beacon Beige, Kites Imperial.

                    Wet Flies: Black & Silver Spider, Partridge & Orange, Partridge & Yellow.

                    Nymphs: Assorted Nymphs.

Angling Club: The Edenderry Angling Association which supports a policy of catch and release controls the fishing from Johnstown Bridge downstream to the confluence with the Boyne.

Fishing Tip: These rivers can fish well after a flood.

Permits: Permits for this river are available from :

The Boyne Fisheries Manager, No.1 Bedford Place, Navan, Co. Meath.