Slaney River System
The River Slaney rises in the Glen of Imaal, Co. Wicklow, and takes a westward route out of the Wicklow Mountains. The river then flows more or less in a south/south east direction before meeting the sea at Wexford Harbour. The main towns’ the river flows through are Baltinglass (Co. Wicklow), Tullow (Co. Carlow), Bunclody, Enniscorthy and Wexford Town (Co. Wexford).
The Slaney gets a run of spring Salmon, with the best period for angling between March and May. There is good fishing for wild Brown Trout, with the best fishing from the source down as far as Aghade Bridge, Co. Carlow. The average size of the Trout is 6 – 8 oz, but an odd fish to one pound plus will be encountered, good fun on a light rod. Sea Trout run from mid June to mid August, with the average size being three quarters of a pound. The best sections for Sea Trout are from the free water below Enniscorthy Bridge up as far as Bunclody.
Successful flies for Brown Trout include various spider patterns such as the Greenwell’s Spider, Kill Devil Spider, and Partridge and Orange. For Sea Trout the Kill Devil is a must have on the point, especially coming up to dusk. Other patterns that I have been successful with include the Butcher and an Alexander. These fish are explosive on a fly rod and well worth the time and effort involved.
The Slaney is a beautiful river to fish, wild in its upper reaches, and stunning in the middle section as it flows through rich farmland overlooked by the Blackstairs Mountains and Mount Leinster. For migratory fish a state permit is mandatory. Brown Trout fishing is free, and in all cases permission of the riparian owner should be sought.
For more information click on: Salmon tails and trouty evenings.
For further information click on: Slaney sea trout.
