East Mayo Fishery

With over six miles of fishing on both banks, the East Mayo Angling Association Fishery controls the largest stretch of water on the River Moy and contains some of the best fly water on the system. The upper section of the fishery is one of the most beautiful and natural looking areas of the river and includes a productive section designated as "fly only", specifically to cater for fly anglers. This section begins at 'the Gub' and extends upstream for approximately 2.5 miles to Geraghty's Pool.

This upper section is the sort of water where an angler in body waders, travelling light can search miles of river in Grilse time, constantly exploring new areas and new pools, glides and streams with either a single or double handed fly rod. The Moy fish, both Springers and Grilse, are noted for their beauty and shape. They are deep, short, powerful fish with small heads and they are also known for their free rising nature. Catching such immaculate fish in lively water and pleasant surroundings is what fly fishing for wild salmon is all about.

The lower section of the fishery begins below Ballylahan bridge and this area has large holding pools and shallow flats which are excellent areas for worming, spinning and bubble fly fishing in pools such as The Long Banks, The Strand, The Boat Hole and Coolroe The more adventurous or experienced fly rod angler may still wish to work shrimp flies or wake mini tubes across these areas using a fly rod and a floating line. It is highly recommend especially if the surface is rippled by a breeze.

Throughout the whole stretch there is great Spring salmon and Grilse spinning on a dropping spate, and indeed for the fresher fish regardless of a spate. There is excellent worming water, either using the standard rolling ledger or most often using the preferred local technique of a sliding float set well over depth to drag the worms along. There is some brilliant light line upstream worming and light upstream spinning along the streamier water and especially parts of the upper section, excluding the "fly only"

Good Spring salmon fly water is scarce almost anywhere and its presence is a crowning glory for any salmon river as it provides anglers with the ultimate freshwater angling experience, Spring salmon on the fly rod. The East Mayo water has the very best Spring salmon fly water and holding pools on the Moy and is one of the main stopping areas for springers on the river. It fishes best for Spring fish during April and May

The East Mayo water is very well protected and looked after by its own full time river keepers who are friendly and helpful to visitors. It is well worth chatting to them and taking advice from them as they are on the river constantly. Information on what is being caught, where the fresh fish are stopping, water heights etc., is freely available.

Perhaps what matters most of all for the visiting angler, is the actual amount of variable and interesting water with good access, available with the purchase of a single permit. This leaves the angler with the benefit and scope of a great variety of locations and choice of techniques. The bonus being that, as it is Association water, he may of course explore all of it, as he is not confined to a single beat. With such a choice no matter what the prevailing conditions some section of the waters is sure to be productive.

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