Angling
River Fishing
Ahare River
This river has a run of sea trout from June to September (mid June to mid July best). It is generally only worth fishing downstream of the bridge at Castletown to the sea, where there is slow rather still water.
Bann River
This river rises on Croghan Mountain, flows through Hollyfort, Craanford, Camolin and Ferns. It is a tributary of the Slaney. There are numerous small brown trout in this river. Occasional sea trout July/August. Banks are generally overgrown so watch out!
Ounavarragh River
This little river flows through Killena, Ballycanew and Courtown Harbour. Much of this river from Ashton Bridge (1 mile downstream of Ballycanew) is controlled and managed by the Ounavarra Angler's Association. This portion of the river has been stocked with 16oz brown trout, had weirs erected etc. Day and week permits are available. There is a bag limit of three brown trout per day. The rest of the river can be fished free. There is a good run of sea trout from June to September and a few salmon, July to September. Best fishing is on associated waters close to Courtown. Day tickets required and are normally sold at Whitmore's Jewellers, Main Street, Gorey, (053 94) 21351
Slaney River
This mighty salmon river, flows from Baltinglass to Tullow to Bunclody to Enniscorthy. Salmon have become scarce in recent years, but there is a fair run of sea trout in June and July. Brown trout are generally less than 8oz. Most of the towns on the river have fishing associations, who will facilitate tourists with day permits. Local Byelaw on the Slaney states fly fishing only after the first day of April. Tackle & Licences can be obtained at Cullens, 14 Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, (054)421859.
Remember : It is an offence to fish any river without authority of the owner or occupier.
Coarse Fishing
The nearest places for Course Fishing are Athy, Carlow and Graiguenamanagh. However, coarse fishermen could well try the excellent Mullet (to 6lb.) in Courtown Harbour. Bread, float fished or freelined are favourite means. There is free fishing, but mind the ducks!
Sea Angling
The village of Cahore in North Wexford has over the years, earned a reputation for being the premier venue for Sea Angling on the East Coast of Ireland. This achievement is due to large stocks of fish and the vast variety of specimen fish recorded off the Cahore coast. Cahore itself is a great competition venue with annual events being held for members of the Irish Federation of sea Anglers. Indeed many of the top anglers in the country fish from Cahore. Other noted areas along the coast are Courtown and Castletown. The most popular types of fish caught along this coast are toperays, smooth hound, bull huss, sper-dogs and bass, while the recommended baits to use are mackerel, herring or ragworm.
Shore Angling
For shore anglers the North Wexford coast line strecthing from Castletown to Morriscastle has numerous beaches, all of which are very accessible by road and have proven to be very popular beaches for catching specimen fish such as bass, while the recommended bait to use is crab, lugworm or ragworm. Courtown and Cahore have excellent launching facilities for boats and it is advisable to check local knowledge of tides, weather conditions etc, before checking out.
Useful Number: Cahore Sea Angling Club (053 94) 27453.
Fishing Supplies
Redmonds Stores, Ballygarrett, (053 94) 27181
S & N Murphy, Kilmuckridge
Tracks, Main Street, Gorey (053 94) 21141
Contact:
Location: Courtown Harbour
Tel: N/A
Email: N/A
Web: N/A