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Fishery:
Castleconnell Salmon Fishery,
Castleconnell, Co Limerick
OPEN SEASON SALMON: March 1st -
September 30th
FISHING CASTLECONNELL SALMON FISHERY IN 2010
This is a private fishery
owned and controlled by the ESB (Electricity Supply Board). Salmon fishing is
permitted on a catch and release basis only for wild Salmon on the fishery in
2010. However, under Section 18 hatchery caught fish can be retained subject to
the Bye Law regulations. Hatchery fish can be
identified by the absence of the adipose fin. For further info contact the ESB
Fisheries Office Hydro Station, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, Republic of Ireland,
Tel:+353 61 345589, Fax: +353 61 344560 or call to Kingfisher Angling Centre in Castleconnell
for further information.
ANGLING METHODS PERMITTED: Prawn and Shrimp is prohibited on ESB
waters at all times.
SALMON ANGLING REGULATIONS AND BYE-LAWS
APPLICABLE FOR 2010
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.
NB: The only Rivers open to Salmon angling in the
Shannon Fisheries Region in 2010 are the River Mulcair and the River Feale
( including Brick & Galey)
and these are subject to quotas as part of the on-going
Salmon conservation measures. Limited Salmon fishing is
permitted in parts of the lower Shannon on a Catch and
Release basis, including Castleconnell Salmon Fishery -
see relevant Bye Laws below. Closed rivers in the
Shannon Region are the Rivers Deel, Owenagarney,
Skivileen, Aughyvackeen, Doonbeg, Annageeragh, Inagh,
Fergus, Maigue and River Shannon (excluding Mulkear)
CONSERVATION OF SALMON AND SEA TROUT BYE LAW NO 833, 2008
This Bye-law provides for catch and release in respect of salmon and
sea trout (over 40 cm) in the portion of the Lower Shannon from O’
Briens Bridge downstream on the downstream face of the bridge, to
Thomond Bridge. The Bye-law also prohibits the use of worms as bait
and any fish hooks other than single barbless hooks in angling for
salmon and trout in those waters.
SHANNON FISHERIES REGION (Angling) BYE-LAW No. 825, 2007
Angling from a boat for any kind
of fish is prohibited in that section of the Lower River Shannon from Plassey
Bridge adjoining the townlands of Sreelane in the County of Clare and Garraun in
the County of Limerick to Thomand Bridge in the City of Limerick during the
period commencing 1 March and ending on 30 September in any year.
WILD SALMON AND SEA TROUT TAGGING SCHEME
REGULATIONS, 2009
These regulations provide for, among
other things, the quotas of fish that can be harvested by commercial
fishing engines and rod and line from the waters of those rivers
identified in Schedule 2. The Regulations also provide for the use
of brown tags in the waters of specified rivers in 2010 which are
identified in Schedule 4.
The only Salmon Fisheries open in the
Shannon region are as in 2009, River Mulcair and River Feale, each
are subject to quotas and other regulations as below.
CONSERVATION OF SALMON AND SEA TROUT (BAG
LIMITS) BYE LAW NO. 864, 2009
This Bye-Law provides for an annual bag
limit of 10 fish being either salmon or sea trout (over
40 cm) per angler for the 2010 season as follows.
-
a season bag limit of 3 fish in the period
1 January to 11 May,
-
a daily bag
limit of 3 fish from 12 May to 31 August
-
a daily bag
limit of 1 fish from 1 September to the end of the season.
-
The Bye-law
also provides for the use of single barbless hooks and prohibits the
use of worms as bait once the specified number of fish have been
caught in the specified periods.
This reduces fish mortality rate.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON
ANGLING LEGISLATION CLICK HERE
FISHERY DESCRIPTION: Castleconnell Salmon Fishery is one of the most
prestigious Salmon Fisheries in Ireland, located on the Shannon
just 7 miles, 11 kms upriver of Limerick City and tidal water. It
is approximately forty-five minutes drive from Shannon Airport
(35 kms).
The Fishery is about 4.5 miles long
comprising 6 beats, each permitting 4 rods per beat. Each beat has
up to six or more pools. The Fishery operates from
sunrise to sunset seven days a week from February 1st to
end of season September 30th.
This is an important spring fishery
which can provide good fishing from mid March to mid May. On a
good year up to 200 spring salmon can be taken here averaging
about 10-12lbs. From mid May to mid July the grilse run predominates. Fishing
tends to get slack in August. In September fish usually become
active again on their way to spawn and can produce some lively fishing in
suitable conditions.
First time visitors to Castleconnell
fishery are given a free guided tour where pools and best methods
etc are explained. Guides or 'Ghillies' as they are locally known are provided on request at a
reasonable additional charge.
International fly anglers have described
this fishery as one of the best fly waters in the world, and
indeed it is. This first class angling water is so interesting in
character, has waters cascading over small and larger waterfalls
interspersed with beautiful riffled pacey runs, glides and
holding pools of varying flows. No pool exhibits the same
characteristics and for the angler exploiting these beautiful
waters is a unique Salmon Angling experience. Castleconnell
Salmon Fishery is undoubtedly one of the most scenic fisheries in
Ireland. Richard Lyons of the New York Times wrote in his paper
about the Shannon at Castleconnell " The river banks are
a Verdant Eden lined with ash, beach and oak, some over 100 years
old and home to swans, geese, ducks and otters and is so green
that it overwhelms your senses"
Angling platforms using local material and stone are provided on
the fishery to facilitate the angler onto the pools. For the most part the river
can be bank fished from using a conventional fly rod. While there is generally
no need to wade it would be a distinct advantage to come prepared with chest
waders particularly on Beat 8, the top beat on the fishery. Where access to
pools on either one bank or the other is limited by road, boats are provided by
the fishery. Fly fishing, spinning and worm fishing are the allowed methods.
Flies which are effective are Black Goldfinch, Shrimp Flies and Hairy Mary. In
spring time when the river levels are generally higher than normal a size 6- 8
fly is fished depending on water height. In summer during the grilse run and
generally lower flows, a much smaller size fly fished on a 10lb ( or less) test
cast is best on a size 12 and even down to a size14 fly in low water conditions.
The ESB (Electricity Supply Board) own
and manage this fishery. Water levels are controlled by the ESB
at their Hydro Electric Dam three miles upriver. This provides a
stable flow at Castleconnell Fishery even in drought conditions.
Please Observe Our Country Code and Fisheries
Laws.
Anglers are requested to always
observe our country code
Seek permission
from landowners before crossing private lands or property
Do not park cars in
fields except where permission is granted and it is safe to do so.
Leave no litter
Keep our
countryside clean
Normal access is
over footbridges and stiles or where public access is provided.
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Regional Map
Circle indicates relative location
BROWSE & SELECT LISTED ACCOMMODATION 2010
LISTED ANGLING SERVICES
Angling Support: If you are
planning a fishing trip to our region and need assistance please
contact Brian Mc Manus,
Angling Section Tel 057 9121777 Fax: 057 9121756 or email
info@shannon-fishery-board.ie
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