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The Boyne River (Oldbridge to Navan)
Salmon fishing: CATCH AND RELEASE only for 2013. Bye-law 897 of 2012 prohibits the use of any fish hooks, other than single barbless hooks, and the use of worms as bait in angling for all species of fish in the waters specified and revokes both Angling Bye-law No. 888, 2011 and Eastern Fisheries Region (Angling) Bye-law No. 824, 2007. The list of waters this bye law applies to is available at the following link: ANGLING BYE-LAW NO. 897, 2012 [.pdf, 19 KB]
The River Boyne rises near Newberry Hall in Co. Kildare and meanders its way in a north easterly direction for seventy miles through counties Offaly, Meath and Louth before entering the Irish Sea below the historic town of Drogheda, between the townlands of Mornington and Baltray. The Boyne has a good run of salmon and sea trout in summer and early autumn. The majority of salmon fishing in this area is controlled by Angling Associations with some being maintained by private fishery owners.
The main salmon and sea trout fisheries are located on the lower reaches of the river between Navan and Drogheda but some salmon fishing is available on the Boyne and lower Blackwater early in the season around the Navan area. The Ramparts, Sophie's Island and the Mollies are popular locations. The average weight of fish at this time of the year is around 10lbs. Fish can also be taken in this area later in the year when water conditions are suitable, generally with a flood or rise in water level.
In summer the best of the salmon fishing is located between Slane and Oldbridge. Good numbers of salmon are taken annually during the months of July, August and September on the fisheries downstream of Slane Village with the most popular locations being, the Scabby Arch, Johnsons, Staleen and the famous 'curly hole' pool at Oldbridge. The average weight of salmon in summer is 7lbs. to 8lbs. but numbers of larger fish to 17lbs can also be taken.
Sea trout fishing is mainly concentrated around the Oldbridge area but they can be caught on occasion as far upstream as Slane and near Dunmoe in Navan. The Boyne gets a small run of large sea trout at the end of May and into June but the best of the fishing is from the end of June to the end of September. The average weight of sea trout is 1lbs with larger sea trout to 5lbs being caught on occasion.
Estuary fishing for sea trout has grown in popularity in recent years and many anglers now fish on the estuary at mormington. One of the more popular spots in around the Maidens Tower where many sea trout are taken each year. There are still many more areas yet to be discovered on this vast estuary. Anglers should please note that the salmon ansd sea trout angling regulations apply and that a State licence is required.
When fishing for salmon and sea trout anglers must have a State licence and the necessary permission before fishing. Day permits are available. All legitimate methods may be used subject to the rules and regulations of the club or fishery and the salmon angling regulations which, are reviewed annually. Salmon fishing on the River Boyne is currently available on a catch and release basis and only single barbless hooks may be used. The season runs from 1st March to 30th September.
Salmon Fishing Tip: Use an intermediate line in the deeper water at Oldbridge in September.
Towns and Villages
Navan, Slane, Co Meath and Drogheda, Co. Louth
Angling Clubs
The following angling clubs control salmon fishing on the River Boyne:
- Drogheda & District Anglers Club
Secretary, John Murphy
39 Anville Cresent, Drogheda Co. Louth.
Tel: +353 41 9834078
- Rossin, Slane & District Anglers Club: Secretary Mr. Liam Rice,
11 Priest Lane Drogheda Co. Louth
Tel: 087 3152236 email: rossinandslaneangling@gmail.com
Web: www.rossinslaneangling.com - Navan & District Anglers Association
Membership Secretary, Richard Farrelly
Permits
Permits and day memberships for the above angling association waters are available from the secretaries of the above named Angling Associations and the following local tackle dealers.
Navan & District Anglers Association
- Clarks Sports Den,
Trimgate Street, Navan, Co.Meath.
Tel: +353 46 9021130
Web: www.sportsden.ie - Anglers World,
Balmoral Industrial Est, Navan.
Tel: +353 46 9071866
Web: www.anglersworld.ie - East Coast Angling,
Balmoral Industrial Est, Navan.
Tel: +353 46 9073377
Rossin, Slane & District Anglers Club
- Boyne Angling Centre
Unit 11, Boyne Shopping Centre, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Tel: 041 9872943 - Top Gun Sports,
50 Magdalene Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
Tel: +35341 9842225. Email: info@topgunsports.ie
Drogheda & District Anglers Club
- The Drogheda Angling Centre,
Fair Green, Drogheda, Co Louth.
Tel: +353 41 98 45442
Casting Tuition and Instruction
- Peter O'Reilly (APGAI Ireland and FFF Master)
Ballybatter House, Boyne Hill, Navan, Co. Meath.
Email: peter.o.reilly@online.ie
Phone: +353 46 902 8210 Mobile: +353 87 646 8882
Guide Services
- Seamus Lenihan
Clonardon, Garlow Cross, Navan, Co. Meath.
Tel: +353 46 90 25787
- Pat Kearns
59 Oakleigh, Old Dublin Road, Navan, Co. Meath.
Tel: mobile +353 85 1105743
Hotel Accommodation
The Boyne Valley Hotel, Dublin Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland.
Tel: +353 41 9837737
The Newgrange Hotel, Bridge Street, Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland.
Tel: +353 46 9074100 email: info@newgrangehotel.ie
Bed and Breakfast
Roughgrange Farm B&B, Staleen, Donore, Co. Meath, Ireland.
Tel: +353 41 9823147 roughgrangefarm@gmail.com
Rossnaree House B&B, Rossnaree, Slane, Co. Meath, Ireland.
Tel: +353 41 9820975 email: rossnaree@eircom.net
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