Sliabh Liag Angling Association

The Sliabh Liag Angling Association organises the fishing for salmon and seatrout on the Glen Fishery in south west Donegal. This is a progressive club dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of the river while actively encouraging anglers. The Glen Fishery itself includes the Glen River, Owenwee (Yellow) River, Crow (Crove) River and Owenteskiny rivers and the loughs Agh, Auva, Unshagh, Unna, Divna, Lougheraherk and Lough Nalughraman.

The Glen fishery is an excellent salmon and sea trout spate system, which has some lovely, pools and high quality fly water. In recent years the Glen Fishery has seen many new developments to improve the fish runs and enhance the habitat.

[nggallery id=70]

The Rivers

The four rivers in the Glen Fishery are spate ie. rivers, which rise and fall very quickly so that within the course of a day they could be suitable for bait, lure or fly. The main grilse run commences at the end of june while a small run of salmon begins in may. Come august the larger summer fish arrive.

The main river of the Glen Fishery is the Glen River itself. The source of this river is Lough Lughraman which is located in the northern end of the Sliabh Liag Peninsula. From here the river flows southward through scenic moorland glens flowing through the village of Carrick and on to the famous salmon leap (“ceim an easa” ), before entering Donegal Bay at the Teelin Estuary.

Leaving Carrick on the R263 for Glencolumbcille, you will drive along the Owenwee, or Yellow River. There are stiles along the banks and pools which hold salmon and sea trout from July on. It is always worth a try in August and September when in spate. The Owenbhui shares the same estuary as the Glen River and drains several excellent lakes including Lough Divna. The Owenwee is sometimes called the Owenbhui

The Lakes

The Glen Fishery can boast of twelve trout lakes, which have not been exploited to any great extent. If you enjoy lake fishing and peace and tranquility, then this is the type of fishing for you.Some of the lakes are easily accessible and offer good fishing for sea trout and brown trout. These are Lough Geeta, Divna, Unsagh, Auva, Unna and Lougheraherk – the latter two can also offer the occasional salmon.There are a number of other good brown trout lakes which are less accessible. These include two lakes at the base of slieve league, and two smaller lakes on the top of cashel hill.

Lake fishing in this area is a sport only for the fly fisherman. The mood of the lakes constantly changes, as does the colour. The flies suitable for the area would be the traditional ones used on the lakes in the west of ireland – butcher, wickham’s fancy, connemara black, green olive and black gnat.

Angling

The Glen Fishery gets a good run of grilse and late summer salmon. It fishes from May to September with the best month being July for grilse. The Glen system is also noted for its sea trout. Most sea trout are released back to the river in the interests of conservation.

Fly-fishing is growing in popularity on the Glen, due in part to ongoing pool creation by Slieve League Anglers and Inland Fisheries Ireland (formerly The Northern Region Fisheries Board)

The most popular fly patterns are: Ally’s shrimp, Curry’s Red shrimp, Wye Bug shrimp, Badger & Golden Olive shrimp, Dark Mackerel, Garry Dog and in clear water, Claret & Black, Thunder & Lightning, Fiery Brown, Jock Scott or a Silver Doctor.

Maggot,shrimp and prawn are all prohibited. Sea trout measuring less than 10 inches must be returned. The fishery is managed on the basis of rotation and etiquette. The club actively promotes a catch and release policy.

Fishing Information

Season

The season is from 1st March to 30th September inclusive.

Permits/Licences

Permits are available close to the Salmon Leap pool from

Paddy Maloney, Augheracarrick, Carrick, Co. Donegal. Tel: (074) 9739043.

Licences
Licences are available from:
O’Neill’s Tackle Shop, Main Street, Dunkineely, Co. Donegal.
Owenea Angling Centre, Glenties Hatchery, Glenties, Co. Donegal.Tel: (074) 9551141.

The Glen Fishery

[mappress mapid=”130″]