River Mourne

River Mourne Guide

The River Mourne begins a couple of miles North West of the town of Newtonstewart, at the confluence with the River Derg. Upstream of here it becomes the River Strule, which is one of many tributaries of the Mourne. From its confluence with the Derg, the Mourne flows in a North Westerly direction, past Douglas Bridge, Victoria Bridge and Sion Mills on its way to join the Foyle at Strabane; a total of about 8 miles.

Nice pool on the River Mourne.

The Mourne is a big, fast flowing river, which is more than 20 metres wide for almost all of its entire length. Over recent years it has developed a reputation as being right up there with the Finn, the Moy, the Lower Bann and the Munster Blackwater, as one of Ireland's top Salmon fisheries. That's hard to argue with as it's estimated that upwards on 15,000 enter the Mourne each year.

The salmon fishing can be very good from the end of May onwards, with the peak months being June and July. The Mourne is not a spate river but like many other Irish rivers, it fishes best as the water fines down, but because of its size it usually fishes well for 3 or 4 days after the flood waters have receded. The Grilse will often press on unless the water is really low.

River Mourne at the Swigin Bridge (Photo by Des Colhoun).

The river does get a few Springers from April to about mid-May. Likewise, it gets a few autumn fish and the sport can be good through September and October. From June onwards the Mourne gets a great run of Sea Trout.

You'll hardly be surprised to hear that shrimp flies are very popular. Good patterns for the Mourne are the Bann Special, the Gold Shrimp, the Golden Grilse, the Grilse Fly, the Wilkinson's Shrimp, the Curry's Red, or the Apache Shrimp. Sizes are anything from 14 down to 6 depending on the water levels, with a sink tip line in higher water, and a floating line in lower water.

River Mourne sliding down over Sion Mills weir in high water.

The Sea Trout get up to about 3 lb with the average being around 1 lb. The larger trout arrive first in early to mid June with the bulk of smaller fish arriving from July onwards to the end of the season. Typical Sea Trout patterns such as, Peter Ross, Zulu, Teal Blue & Silver, Butchers, Silver Doctors, and Black Pennells will all take fish.

The lower part of the river is controlled by Sion Mills Angling club. The club also manages the stretches, which are under the control of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL). The fishing on the upper river and on up to Newtonstewart (on the Strule) is owned by the Abercorn Estates (Baronscourt) and is privately let from there.

Fishing the River Mourne.

Sion Mills Angling Club Beats

The main part of the Sion Mills Angling club beats is at the limit of the tidal stretch near Sion Mills Weir. As the river is very wide here a double handed rod is order of the day. You'd don't have to wade but it will improve your chances of fish. You'll need chest waders and you'd be advised to bring a wading staff as the wading can be tricky.

The Mourne at Sion Mills weir (Photo by Kenneth Allen).

The are 30 day tickets available daily and are usually well priced but you'll need to be there early to get them as over-crowding is a problem on the DCAL stretches

Check with the Sion Mills Angling Club for details of the pools on the fishery and where to gain access.

Abercorn (Baronscourt)

These beats start just downstream of the confluence with the Derg and most of it is actually on the River Strule, where there are sixteen pools. The entire fishery is divided up into four beats with over twenty-four named pools.

The most famous pool on the Mourne is part of the Abercorn fishery, and it's known as the Snaa pool. It's got a similar appearance to the Junction pool on the River Tweed. Other notables are the Half Water and Blackstone pools. These are also full of fish for much of the season.

A beautiful stretch on the Mourne at Baronscourt.

Trout & Salmon featured this fishery in one of their editions, and it is worth a read. The article is entitled, Nippers and not Grippers and was written by Michael Dawnay. You can read it here.

The fishing is let on four beats. Only two of these are let on any given day and there are only two rods available per day. The catch (no pun intended) is that fishing is only let with the accommodation, so it is relatively expensive, but worth it at least once.

River Mourne Tributaries

River Camowen
River Derg
River Drumragh
River Glenelly
River Owenkillew
River Strule

River Mourne Neighbouring Rivers

River Deele
River Dennet
River Fairy Water
River Finn
River Foyle
River Owenreagh

Fishing the River Mourne

River Mourne Season

Salmon - 1st April - 20th October
Sea Trout - 1st April - 20th October
Brown Trout - 1st April - 20th October

River Mourne Methods

Fly Fishing
Spinning
Worming

River Mourne Fishing Authority

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

Foyle Fisheries Management

River Mourne Permits

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

Abercorn Estates
Baronscourt
Newtonstewart
Email: info@barons-court.com
Tel: +44 (0)28 8166 1683

C. A. Anderson & Co.
64 Market Street
Omagh
BT78 1EN
Email: caanderson@utvinternet.com
Tel: + 44 (0)28 8224 2311

David Campbell
12 The Anglers Rest Killymore Road
Newtownstewart
Tel: +44 (0)28 8166 1543

N.M. Tackle
131 Melmount Road
Sion Mills
BT82 9PY
Tel: + 44 (0)28 8165 9501

North West Country Sports
5 Castle Place
Strabane
BT82 2BJ
Email: martin@northwestcountrysports.com
Tel: + 44 (0)28 7188 3021

River Mourne Clubs

Sion Mills Angling Club - River Mourne
121 Melmount Road
Sion Mills
BT82 9PY
Tel: +44 (0)28 8165 8027

Under an agreement with the DCAL, Sion Mills Angling Club manages the fishing rights in those parts of the River Mourne under the DCALs control. They are operated in conjunction with the Sion Mills Angling Club stretches as a single fishery. All in all about 4-5 miles of fishing

River Mourne Ratings

River Mourne Fishing Conditions

River Mourne 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 Mourne, please check with the distributor.