Head to Ballisodare Fishing Club – A place for high-quality and responsible salmon fishing for local anglers and visitors alike. Fish from below the spectacular Falls or else from the bridge above the town and enjoy an an epic experience.
Ballisodare Fishing Club was formed in 1995 by a group of enthusiastic locals and you can now enjoy fishing at the spectacular Falls or from the bridge above the town.
The money to purchase the rights of the fishing from the Cooper family was raised through the sale of memberships. These memberships were purchased in perpetuity and could transferred to a family member or sold privately. 160 of these were released and purchased.
They are located in Ballisodare, County Sligo, just a 10-minute drive from Sligo Town. The Eircode is F91 YV90.
- Turn off the main Sligo Dublin Road and follow the signs for Ballisodare and Ballina.
- Coming from Dublin, turn off the main Sligo road at the second roundabout and follow the signs for Ballisodare.
- The Fishery office is located on the Sligo side of Ballisodare village.
The fishing season at Ballisodare starts on the 1st of April and ends on the 30th of September.
About the river system
With a catchment area of 250 square miles and with its main tributary being of limestone nature, the excellent water quality provides the perfect habitat for salmon to thrive and survive.
The Ballisodare River is the name given to the two and a half miles of river formed by the meeting of two fairly large rivers, the Owenmore and Arrow or Unshin River, about half a mile below the town of Collooney. The river empties out into the estuary of Ballisodare Bay at the Falls in Ballisodare.
The river has something for every serious salmon angler, from the quieter upper reaches with wide pools and tree lined banks to the series of ledges and mini falls in Ballisodare Town.
Each section presents different tests of the angler’s ability, but all provide great sport for the novice and experienced angler alike. With a five-year average catch of over 1000 salmon, it is easy to see why Ballisodare is such a coveted location for the salmon angler.
A later opening date for the season and catch and release fishing has been introduced to help conserve the early spring salmon numbers.
What experiences are available?
They offer two sessions: One in the morning from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and one in the afternoon from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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A maximum of two rods per session are available.
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Fishing Methods – Fly and Prawn only.
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Cost – Check here for current rates and to make your booking online
Fishing Collooney Bridge to Ballisodare Bridge
The fishing in this area provides lovely fly water to enjoy from Collooney downstream to Ballisodare, which is around three miles of excellent fly water.
- Fishing from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.
- Maximum four rods per day available.
- Methods – Fly only.
- A maximum of three fish can be caught and released a day.
- Rods must be in possession of a State Salmon License.
- All fishing requires advance booking and full payment at the time of booking.
- Cost – Check here for current rates and to make your booking online
Fishing methods
For anglers fishing fly, a 10ft single handed or 11ft swich rod #7/8-line rating is usually enough to handle most conditions. The exception would be during high water when a 12 ft double hander would come in useful.
Floating or intermediate fly lines are to be used. No full sinking fly lines are permitted.
During the spring an intermediate line with about 15lb breaking strain leader and a tube fly is the most productive method for catching “springers”. Size and weight of tube varies depending on water levels, but generally nothing bigger than 1 to 1.5 inch is used.
During the summer, when fishing for grilse, a floating or intermediate line is recommended with 12lb breaking strain leader and either size 10 to 14 double or single hook flies.
Anglers may be asked to use full floating lines in low water levels.
- Spring flies (Tubes) – Cascade, Willie Gunn, Gold-Bodied Willie Gunn, Garry Dog, Park Shrimp, Posh Tosh.
- Summer Flies (Doublers) – Cascade and its variants are definitely the most popular fly in the summer. Yellow Ally Shrimp, Orange Ally Shrimp, Flamethrowers, Silver Wilkinson, Willie Gunn, Gold-Bodied Willie Gunn, Green Highlander, Park Shrimp, Posh Tosh, Bann special, Foxford Shrimp
Ballisodare Fishing Club Mission
About Ballisodare
Ballisodare (also known as Ballysadare) is a scenic village located right on the famous Wild Atlantic Way and only a 10 minute drive from Sligo town. In Irish it is called Baile Easa Dara, meaning ‘town of the waterfall of the oak’.
The Ox Mountains are nearby along with fantastic walks and trails. There are numerous amenities in the village including delicious food and a number of popular pubs and bars.
The famous Falls are still the main feature of the village and you can enjoy a fishing session here by booking in with Ballisodare Fishing Club.
Location
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