Angling in Ireland > Lough Eske Angling Guide

The Eske Fishery

The Eske Fishery

Beat 2

Beat 3

Beat 4

Donegal Town

The Eske Fishery The Eske Fishery consists of the 5km River Eske and the 365 hectare Lough Eske.

The lough and river are amongst the most picturesque in Donegal, set among the Blue Stack and Tawnawully Mountains.

Few fisheries can boast of such a beautiful backdrop to fish against. Lough Eske is rock strewn in areas and has a number of islands. The most notorious of these is the Isle of the O’Donnell (O’Donnell’s Island) with

its remains of a Castle and Bawn. It is said that the O’Donnell Clan who held a court in Donegal for 133 years used this Island to keep prisoners secure until their reign came to an end with ‘The Flight of the Earls’ in 1607.

The fishery is noted for its Spring Salmon, Grilse, Sea Trout and Brown Trout fishing.

The lough also holds a population of Ferox and Char. Sea trout angling is at its best from late July onwards. The best of the

on the upper river. A dedicated Angling Centre has been built on the shores of the lough adjacent to Harvey’s Point Hotel which services anglers needs for booking, permits, licences, boat hire etc.

Beat 1

Salmon fishing is from June to the end of the season. There has been extensive work on the fishery including habitat restoration, installation of a fish counter and creation of a fish pass which has opened up a large area of habitat previously unavailable to salmon. The Lowerymore River above the pass was seeded with unfed salmon fry for a number of years. In 2005 the first of these salmon returned and for the first time salmon redds were recorded

Angling on Lough Eske Spring salmon are present in the lough from May to the end of the season. Grilse arrive into the lough from June onwards with the peak of the run occurring in July and August. The main run of sea trout occurs from July onwards although some of the bigger sea trout appear in the lough earlier than this. The sea trout average ¾lb (.35kg) but can be as big as 6lb (2.7kg). The biggest in recent years weighed just over 9lb (4kg). The resident brown trout can be caught all season. They average ½lb (.22kg) but there are good numbers of trout in the 1½ to 2½lb (.7 1.1kg) bracket with the odd fish to over 4lb (1.81kg). The biggest trout in recent years was John Doherty’s 9lb 4oz (4.2kg) trout (a Ferox trout) caught on a fly.

Angling on the lough is by boat only and boats are limited to 2 anglers per boat.

All boat occupants must wear a floatation device or life jacket. Anglers should motor cautiously around shorelines or locations with buoys which have been placed in the more rocky areas. Every rock cannot be marked however and caution is advised especially for those not familiar with the lough. Good drifts for salmon include the long drift along the south east shore from the Salmon Rock to the point opposite Roshin Island. This includes the famous ‘Ridge’ which lies just offshore of the entry of the Lowerymore River into the lough. The drift close inshore along the North West shore from the north of Moylederg Island to the mouth of the Corraber River in Dog’s Head Bay is also productive. Salmon lie all

over the lough however as do the sea trout.

Noted drifts for sea trout include the two drifts mentioned above. Other good sea trout drifts are from O’Donnell’s Island to the mouth of the Eske River (if the wind is favourable) and Ross Dhu Point. The shore running north east from Harvey’s Point Hotel and the east shore running south from The Sod bay can also be productive. This bay, Dog’s Head and McNulty’s Bay are good locations for sea trout. The large bay in front of the Angling Centre can produce sea trout and is good for brown trout also.

When fishing this bay anglers should only travel at ‘oar speed’ in the northern half of the bay since it has numerous rocks just under the surface!

Fly fishing is the most popular method on the lough with wet flies accounting for most salmon, sea trout and brown trout caught.

No prawn or shrimp fishing is allowed.

Popular flies on the lough include the Bibio, Donegal Blue, Silver Doctor, Claret Bumble, Green Peter, various Octopus patterns, Dabblers in various shades and wet mayflies during the summer. Wet Daddy’s can fish very well with the Silver Daddy probably being the best of these.

Sizes 8 to 12 will cope with most conditions although in lighter waves or a ripple, size

14’s can work very well. The brown trout often show a preference for flies with orange or yellow (summer) in their makeup.

Sea trout flies are traditionally made up of clarets, blue’s and black and while these traditional colours still work well, sea trout can also be taken on gaudier coloured flies. Dry flies will also work, though only a few anglers fish them. Lough Eske has a wide range of insect life but hatches tend to be localised, sparse and extended.

The first mayfly are seen near the end of March and can still be seen hatching in July and onwards! Windblown Daddy Longlegs can be numerous at times on the lough from summer on.

Catch & Release We all have a responsibility to protect and conserve our fisheries so that they can be enjoyed by future generations. Most fisheries face multiple threats including pollution, water abstraction and illegal fishing, all of which have a negative impact on fish stocks. For that reason, we ask that all anglers consider practicing Catch, Photo & Release for the majority of fish they catch. Record any trophy fish with a quick photo and then carefully return to the water. Remember: #CPRsavesfish

Further Information Angling Information There are a number of resources where you can find more general information about angling in Ireland. Firstly, we have a dedicated angling website which has detailed information on all our main fisheries along with information on service providers such as angling guides, tackle shops etc. at: www.fishinginireland.info IFI also produces a weekly Angling Update which provides up-to-date reports on what anglers are catching and where. You can sign up to be emailed the weekly Angling Update by emailing contact@fisheriesireland.ie Regulations & Licence A State licence is required to fish for salmon or sea trout in the Republic of

Ireland and these are available here: https://store.fishinginireland.info/ Fisheries regulations are subject to change and so anglers should consult this link for the latest information: http://fishinginireland.info/regulations.htm

General Tourism Information Ireland also has a general tourism website www.ireland.com that will help you plan your trip to Ireland, providing a wealth of information on travel and accommodation as well as information on things to do and see while visiting the island.

Accommodation There numerous B&Bs and self catering houses situated around the lough and in the local area. Harvey’s Point Hotel and Lough Eske Castle Solis Hotel are located on the shores of Lough Eske. For those who like their nightlife on the doorstep there are

hotels and B&Bs in Donegal Town which is a 10 min drive from the lough and less from the river.

Safety Angling is a water based activity with changing conditions and dangers that are sometimes hidden. Drowning is an ever present risk and you should exercise utmost care for your own safety and that of angling partners/buddies.

Please consider the following when going fishing: • Wear a life jacket • Follow advice on warning signs, permits and notices • Don’t take any risks when wading or fishing from boat, shore or bank • Check the weather forecast and tide tables before you go • Take time to observe weather, water and tide conditions while fishing • Fish with a partner/buddy or let someone know where you’re going • Take a fully charged mobile phone in a waterproof case/bag • Wear appropriate clothing and footwear For a more detailed guide to safety when angling please visit: www.fishinginireland.info/safety.htm hing in formation on fis For up to date in land.info re ni gi : www.fishin to on g lo nd la Ire l to: or send an emai sireland.ie rie contact@fishe

and Twitter: Follow us on Facebook shinginireland www.facebook.com/fi @AnglingUpdate

Leave No Trace Please adhere to the seven principles of Leave No Trace Ireland: Plan ahead and prepare; Travel and camp on durable surfaces; Dispose of waste properly; Leave what you find; Minimise campfire impacts (be careful with fire); Respect wildlife; Be considerate of other visitors.

Vehicles should be parked in designated areas and in such a manner that they do not cause obstruction.

Anglers should fish responsibly and sustainably – where possible use single barbless hooks and practice no-weight, “in the water” catch and release. www.leavenotraceireland.org/

Biosecurity Aquatic Invasive Species and fish pathogens are readily transferred from one watercourse to another on angling tackle, boats and protective clothing.

These can be very damaging to resident fish stocks, the aquatic habitat and the general environment. We ask that all anglers inspect and clean their gear prior to travelling to Ireland to fish.

Full information on prevention of invasive species is available on our website at: www.fisheriesireland.ie/Research/ invasive-species.html Or via Invasive Species Ireland at http://invasivespeciesireland.com/ cops/water-users/anglers/

Belfast

Dublin

Driving times to the Eske Galway Dublin Belfast Rosslare

180 min 190 min 130 min 270 min

Getting to the Eske Fishery

Disclaimer

The Eske can be accessed by taking the M3 from Dublin (3hrs) via Enniskillen; taking the M1 from Belfast (2.15 hrs) via Ballygawley and Omagh, or by taking the N17 from Galway (3 hrs) via Sligo and Donegal.

Every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy in the compilation of this publication and associated maps and web pages. Inland Fisheries Ireland cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions therein. Some sporting activities may by their nature be hazardous and involve risk. It is recommended in such cases to take out personal accident insurance.

While many operators would have public liability insurance it is always advisable to check with the establishment or operator concerned as to the level of cover carried.

Acknowledgements © Published by Inland Fisheries Ireland 2020. P/N: IFI/2020/1-0451 - 004 Photos courtesy of: Lindsey Clarke, Arthur Greenwood & IFI. This brochure can be made available in alternate formats upon request.

Angling on the River Eske Salmon run the river from April to the end of the season with the peak of the grilse run occurring in the months of July & August. The main sea trout run is from July onwards. Brown trout are resident in the river all year but are generally small, although fish up to 4½lb (2kg) are caught on occasion. Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Eske Angling Association have improved access along sections of the river. The river is divided into 4 beats with 2 visitor rods permitted on each beat. Popular stretches of the river include Timony’s Turn to the Mill Pool on the outskirts of Donegal Town (Beat 4), below and above Miss Jenny’s Bridge on the middle section of the river (Beat 2) and at the Eel Weir Turn downstream of Lough Eske Bridge (Beat 1). The river can be fished by either fly or spinner. Water height can be a controlling factor on deciding method. Popular flies include the Fiery Brown, Jacob’s Ladder, Donegal Blue, Dark Mackerel or any of the shrimp patterns such as a Silver Wilkinson or Cascade. An intermediate line may be advantageous early in the season or during high water. For most of the season a floating line is used or a sink-tip line if water levels are high to stop the fly from skating on the surface. Most anglers use a single handed AFTM #7 or 8 fly rod but a small double handed 12 or 12½ foot of around AFTM #8 can be an advantage due to its extra power if playing a larger fish in high water.

Popular spinners include Flying ‘C’s in various colours or a Blue & Silver Devon Minnow or Toby.

Eske Fishery Fact File Type of fishing

Salmon, Sea Trout & Brown Trout.

Season

April to September inclusive.

Best Time of Year Salmon

June & July.

Grilse

July to August.

Sea Trout

July to September.

Beats (River)

4 Visitor beats available on a first come first served basis.

Licence

State Licence required on the Fishery.

Permit

Daily or Weekly Permit required for fishery.

Legal Methods

Fly & Spinner. No natural Prawn or Shrimp baits allowed.

Contact: In Season

Owenea Angling Centre, Glenties, Co. Donegal. F94 XO85 Tel: +353 (0)74 9551141.

Email: glenties@fisheriesireland.ie or ballyshannon@fisheriesireland.ie

April May

9am to 1pm (7 days a week)

June to September

7am to 1pm (7 days a week)

Contact: Out of Season

Inland Fisheries Ireland, Station Road, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal. F94 WV76 Tel: +353 (0)71 9851435.

Email: ballyshannon@fisheriesireland.ie