The Camcor River, Co offaly, Ireland

Fishery: Camcor River, Birr Co Offaly

ESTABLISHMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND - SEE PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 1st, 2010

Photo: Water fall on the Camcor River in Birr

TROUT ANGLING

OPEN SEASON: March 1st to September 30th.

SPECIES: Brown Trout - Local resident trout averaging 0.5 lbs. Croneen averaging 1.25lbs (Salmon).

SIZE LIMIT: 9 inches.

DAILY BAG LIMIT: 3 trout (applicable from 2010). In the interest of conservation anglers are requested to practice catch and release whenever possible, especially in September.

ANGLING METHODS PERMITTED: The Camcor River is a Wild Trout Conservation Area. To conserve fish stocks, artificial fly only applies on the river from the source to Elmgrove Bridge in Birr town at Newbridge Street. All legal methods i.e. worm, spinning, artificial fly only is permitted downstream of Elmgrove Bridge to the Maltings (Fishing is not permitted at any time in Birr Castle Demesne). Flies should only be fished from conventional fly fishing rods in designated fly only areas and not spinning gear using bubbles or floats. The following fishery rules apply.

FISHERY RULES
• Anglers can only fish one rod per angler.
• Rods must not be left unattended.
• All under size fish must be returned to the water with as little injury as possible
• Maggot fishing in all its forma is strictly banned.
• The Management reserve the right to refuse and revoke a permit to anyone violating, these regulations or acting in a manner detrimental to the fishery, or the surrounding countryside.

ANGLING ETIQUETTE
Always show respect for other anglers, river users, and the environment you
fish in. Please observe the following code of angling etiquette and country code
and abide by the rules of the fishery.
Enjoy your fishing!
• Consider your safety and wear a lifejacket at all times.
• Only use recognized pathways, gate ways and stiles to access the fishery.
• Do not obstruct gates with vehicles or leave farm gates open.
• Seek permission from landowners before crossing private lands and
respect farmland and the countryside.
• Do not discard litter, hooks, line, etc, bring it home.
• Do not take over a pool on the river to the exclusion of other anglers,
keep rotating.
• Do not lose your temper or behave churlishly when a Fisheries Officer asks you to produce your permit. Remember he/she is doing the job which you expect, looking after your interests and protecting the fishery. Be at all times considerate.

PERMISSION TO FISH: This fishery is part of Inland Fisheries Ireland's 'Midland Fisheries Group' of controlled waters and anglers require a fishing permit (ticket charge) to fish here. SEE MAP OF CATCHMENTS IN THE MIDLAND FISHERIES GROUP OF WATERS which are covered by a fishing permit. RATES FOR 2010 are Adult Annual €39.00; Pensioner Annual €20.00;. Juvenile Annual €14.00 Juvenile 1 Day €2.00 Day Permit €12.00 Visitors 21 Day: €20.00. You can purchase a fishing permit ONLINE using your credit card or laser card.

NB: Fishing in Birr Castle Demesne is not permitted at any time

LOCAL FISHING CLUB: For membership, please contact Mr Chris Brummell Membership Sec, Little Brosna and Camcor Fishing Club Mobile Number: 086 3858221.

NEW ANGLERS POCKET GUIDE PUBLISHED IN MARCH 2010

The Board has published a useful pocket guide for the Little Brosna and Camcor Rivers. The guide features a map, angling regulations, rules and popular angling stretches, plus a feature on the Croneen Trout. To order your copy, please email the Angling Section: info@shannon-fishery-board.ie or telephone us at 057 9121777.

SALMON ANGLING

Salmon Fishing is not permitted on the Camcor river in 2010 as the fishery has not reached its conservation limit. This situation could change in the future. Check back from time to time.

CONSERVATION OF SALMON AND SEA TROUT BYE LAW NO. C.S. 304, 2009 (Closed Rivers).

This Bye-law prohibits the taking or attempting to take by rod and line salmon and sea trout over 40 cm in the rivers specified in the Bye-law.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANGLING LEGISLATION CLICK HERE

Photo: A few croneen (migratory Brown Trout) from the Camcor River - weights: 2 fish of 2lbs and one fish of 1lb

The Camcor River rises on the western slopes of the Slieve Bloom mountains and is the primary tributary of the Little Brosna River where it joins in Birr Castle Demesne, a distance of about 20kms (12 miles). It receives a very good run of Croneen trout
from late June, early July onwards.

The Camcor River is a spate river. It has an interesting character, meanders quite
a bit immediately upstream of Birr and then alternates between long flats with occasional broken rifled areas, glides and pools. With a rolling gravel bed it is an
important spawning river for salmonid species (salmon and trout). Resident
local trout of up to 0.75lbs are present but are generally smaller, in the size ranging 4ozs to 10ozs. The river receives migratory runs of Croneen trout on route to spawn.
The first summer floods sees Croneen enter the river upstream of Birr where angling is best. Good angling stretches are along Palmers Flats and Sandymount, down into
Birr – see Stretch B & C on the map. Croneen trout average from 1lb to 1.5lbs with fish of 2lbs - 4lbs and over possible. Wetfly fishing at dusk and in a dropping flood with intermediate sink lines are best. Popular flies are Black Pennell, Butcher, Peter Ross, Thunder & Lightning and Silver Invicta, size 8,10’s, size depending on water level.

Normal access is over footbridges and stiles or where public access is provided.

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