River Faughan

River Faughan Guide

The River Faughan rises in the Northern Sperrins and makes its way west, through rural countryside as it passes by Claudy and Ballyartan. At Drumahoe it swings in a North Westerly direction as it moves through a more urban setting for a couple of miles. Then it returns to a rural landscape as it makes its way down past Campsie and on into Lough Foyle about 3 miles North of Derry City.

Bessies Dam near Drumahoe.

The Faughan is a spate river, where the first fish arrive towards the end of June, and move quickly through the river once they have negotiated Campsie Dam. The quality of the fishing depends on the spates, and then the best of the fishing is at, Campsie, Ardlough, Drumahoe, Ardmore, Brackfield and Claudy.

Around the Claudy area, you can fish from Dungorkin Bridge (near the Foreglen) down towards the new treatment plant. Wading the pool at the treatment plant can be a little tricky. Claudy country park (around Ballynameen bridge) has some nice water for spinning, which is best approached from the right bank going downstream.

There are two good pools just upstream of Mc Candless bridge before you reach the confluence of the Glenrandal River. Downstream of Mc Candless bridge is particularly good for fly fishing in the streams and glides, from the first corner, right down to Crossan's Flatts from the right bank. Crossan's flatts is a good and is best approached from the left bank (down towards the wier). Crossan's Flatts are best for spinning and bait, as is the the dam itself. Both the Flatts and the dam are good for night fishing for trout form the end of june.

The Dog Hole near Brackfield (Ness Nurseries)

The river can be fished fairly comfortably with a 10 foot rod, right up the Killycor Bridge (between Claudy and Park). The river actually gives it's named to two well known flies, the Faughan Purple and Faughan Shrimp.

The Faughan at Claudy

The Faughan is probably the most prolific Sea Trout River in the Foyle system. They first appear in the tidal waters in June and make their way quickly upstream towards Drumahoe. The Sea Trout fishing is excellent in this stretch, with the average fish weighing around a pound and a half. The fishing peaks around the end of July and, as with most Sea Trout angling, the best time is just before dawn and just after sunset.

A nice brace of fish from the Faughan.

River Faughan Tributaries

No River Faughan tributaries listed.

River Faughan Neighbouring Rivers

River Dennet
River Foyle
River Glenelly
River Roe

Fishing the River Faughan

River Faughan Season

Salmon - 20th May - 20th October
Sea Trout - 20th May - 20th October
Brown Trout - 20th May - 20th October

River Faughan Methods

Fly Fishing
Spinning
Worming

River Faughan Fishing Authority

To fish in Ireland you need a rod license from the appropriate fishing authority. You can find the details for the River Faughan at:

Foyle Fisheries Management

River Faughan Permits

As well as a rod license, you'll need a permit to fish the River Faughan. You can get permits from any of the following distributors:

Ballyarton Fishing Tackle
Victor Hill
Claudy
Tel: +44 (0)28 7133 8531

River Faughan Angling Ltd
26A Carlisle Road
Derry
Tel: +44 (0)28 7126 7781

Rod & Line
1 Clarendon Street
Derry
BT48 7EP
Tel: + 44 (0)28 7126 2877

Tom's Tackle Shop
31 Ardlough Road
Drumahoe
BT47 5SP
Tel: + 44 (0)28 7134 6265

River Faughan Clubs

River Faughan Anglers Ltd - River Faughan
The Secretary
26 Carlisle Road
Derry
BT48 6JW
Tel: +44 (0)28 7126 7781

The club leases the entire river.

River Faughan Ratings

River Faughan Fishing Conditions

River Faughan Status

Bag Limits and Tagging

- No salmon, brown trout or sea trout of less than 25.4cm (10 inches) may be retained.
- Anglers must gill tag all wild salmon and sea trout over 40cm that are caught and retained - immediately on landing the fish.
- 1st March - 31st May inclusive: bag limit 1 salmon or sea trout over 40cm on any one day; maximum of 5 in this period.
- 1st June - 31st October: bag limit 2 salmon or sea trout over 40cm on any one day; maximum of 20 in this period.
- No more than 4 trout can be caught and retained on any one day.

Local Restrictions

Some rivers impose their own local restrictions so when you are going to buy your permit for the River Faughan, please check with the distributor.