PERMISSION TO FISH: Fishing on the River Maigue and it's tributaries are mainly controlled by local fishing clubs and day tickets are available locally. For info on clubs and private stretches - see contacts list as a reference to arrange fishing. Also see Castleroberts Trout Fishery which is managed by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board.

CASTLE ROBERTS SALMON & TROUT FISHERY

* * SALMON: Salmon fishery is closed in 2010 -Trout fishery is open.

Location

Castleroberts Fishery is situated on the Maigue River, Co Limerick, 3 miles south–east of Adare . It consists of 2 Km of salmon and trout fishing on the right bank.

Season

Salmon Closed for 2010

Trout 15^th February – 30^th September

Ownership
This section of the Maigue river is managed by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board.

Permits

Sunrise – 6pm €15

6pm – Sunset €5

Juveniles €5

6 rods (persons on fishery per day)

Bag limit Salmon: Not applicable in 2009 - Fishery closed

Trout

2 trout per angler per day

Size limit =10 inches

Fishing methods: Fly fishing only for trout

Permit Distributors: Booking and permits available from

Shannon Regional Fisheries Board, Ashbourne Business Park, Dock Rd, Limerick 061 300238 or contact the local fishery officer on Mob: 087 9810817

ANGLING REGULATIONS: All legitimate methods subject to local rules, check with the local angling club or fishery owner.

FISHERY DESCRIPTION: Those famous Salmon Rivers, the Feale and the Munster Blackwater rise within a stones throw of each other but set about opposite courses, one entering the sea near Ballybunion, the other discharging into the sea in Co Waterford, not so with the River Maigue which rises not far from the source of it's neighbour the Deel which heads north in parallel and enters the Shannon Estuary at Ferrybridge near Clarina just a few miles west of Limerick. This is a rich limestone river, rich in flora and fauna and capable of producing quality brown trout. The river is tidal up as far as Adare, indeed Adare was once regarded as the most Inland port in Ireland during early shipping days.

The River Maigue rises south of Bruree, and it is Bruree of De Valera fame which could be it's top most fishing station. Before and just after Bruree it takes on two tributaries i.e. the Loobagh and Morning Star respectively.

The Loobagh rises in Kilfinane and flows southwards through Kilmallock and joins the Maigue below Karrouse Bridge. It is a relatively small river which was seriously degraded by drainage works in the 1970's and 1980's. It is starting to recover. It produces trout averaging about half a pound with occasionally larger fish. Fishing is by ticket only to the Loobagh Angling Club. Fly fishing only is permitted. A 9 inch size limit (fish measured from head to fork) applies. They run about five or six angling competitions each year. The club encourages catch and release.

The Morning Star the other tributary also suffered habitual degradation resulting again from drainage works during the 1970's and 1980's. It is now starting to recover to provide some nice fly fishing for brown trout particularly at Mayfly time. Similar to the Loobagh trout average about half a pound or a little larger.

The Maigue presents a postcard scene at Bruree featuring water-mill and riverside parks. Next access is at Howardstown, just off the main Limerick-Cork road, and near O’Rourkes. The river here used to be much larger but due to some drainage works in the 70's and 80's, has diminished somewhat. From here the Maigue wind's its way along its course through rich pasture land in the direction of Banogue where there are two bridges spanning its now increasing size, arriving at Croom, a town best known for the bottleneck it presents to heavy traffic enroute between Cork and Limerick City. A new bye pass is now (Dec.99) under construction which will mean an extra bridge over the river.

Just above Croom the Maigue receives another tributary the Camogue which is a decent trout river and strictly fly only. The Camogue Angling Club controls about 8 miles of the river from its confluence at Cloghanduff upstream to the Iron Bridge just below Glenogra Bridge. You can experience good trout fishing in ideal conditions. A 6 trout bag limit and 10 inch size limit applies. There are prolific fly hatches and best time is from mid April to end of June. Access is at road bridges.

Leaving Croom behind the Maigue is a large river at this point and contrary to recent comment still has a respectable stock of brown trout and somewhat inconsistent runs of salmon, arriving mainly early season in the high spring water. The river now approaches picturesque Adare via Caherass, which boasts a footbridge, and Castleroberts Bridge which links the east and west sides of the river. The River Maigue was once spoken of in company as comparable with the Test and Avon and other Classic English Chalk streams, such was it's reputation and it's easy to see why. In the environs of Adare, the river completes its course to the sea through the stately Adare Manor to it's long estuary at the Multi Arched Bridge on the outskirts of the village, situated on the Limerick side. This is a lovely area both for the angler and the casual visitor. Ancient Antiquities abound here and only a short distance from one of Ireland's prettiest villages 'Adare'. It is possible to fish downstream of Adare Road Bridge to about 200 m below the railway bridge, most of which is wadeable at low tide.

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

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