The Foxford Fishery

The Foxford Fishery comprises of 14 miles of exclusive, private, double bank Salmon fishing on the most prolific section of the River Moy. It extends from a point 2 a mile below Foxford Bridge down stream for 14 miles on both banks. The fishing is for seven rods per day and guests may fish from bank or boat with the services of three experienced ghillies.

In addition the fishery offers $ of a mile of single bank fishing for eight rods a day extending downstream from the Nibb on the east bank.

The Foxford Fishery offers excellent Salmon angling throughout the season, with consistent spring fishing, a massive summer Grilse run and both resident and autumn run fish at the back end.

The recent removal of the fish traps from the river above Ballina has contributed to prolific spring fishing throughout March, April and May. The potential of this angling, particularly in March and early April, is greatly under estimated and as a result this period is generally under booked. Spring fish average around 9lbs and fish to 18 lbs have been taken in recent seasons. Springers fall mostly to bait or spinners although the sunk-line fly can be successful in lower water levels. During the 2000 season 193 springers were taken by our guests! For anglers who generally fish for Grilse or Summer salmon these large spring fish will provide an unforgettable experience and should not be missed.
The Grilse arrive in May and given suitable water conditions, June and July can provide sensational sport with large bags of fresh fish possible. In summer conditions fly-fishing becomes most productive with bait and spin fishing coming into its own during summer floods.
In August and September the pools are full of resident fish and depending on conditions fresh fish will arrive from the tidal stretches, in particular the first flood after low summer water levels will provide great sport. The fishing at this time of year requires a different approach for success; in general subtle, light line tactics become the order of the day and the bubble and fly is capable of producing some remarkable sport. Towards the end of the season larger Summer Salmon will feature in the catches and with the autumn floods freshening up the system tactics revert to those used in the late spring. The potential of this back-end fishing is again under estimated and under booked on the Foxford Fishery.
We feel that many anglers miss out on great sport in August because they are unaware that the Moy can require a special approach so to encourage our guests to experience this late season sport we are offering an August Special; angling on the prime double bank beat of the fishery, tuition including tackle selection, general tactics (bait, spin and fly) fly-casting, and fly selection, all specifically chosen for the Foxford Fishery and delivered by an expert local angling guide, also inclusive of b&b accommodation and an evening meal.

Much of the River Moy is high-banked, deep and featureless, the Foxford Fishery however, offers much more variety of water providing scope for sport with all fishing methods in attractive surroundings. The character of the main pools on the fishery varies from shallow riffles to sweeping bends, deep holding pools and classic glides.

New pool

The New pool comprises of a shallow gravely run at the head of Jacks Pool created by in-stream enhancement works during August 1999. It is fished either from the East bank or by wading along the gravel on either side of the stream. It fishes best in low water with the fly under the same conditions as Jacks Pool.

Jack's Pool

Recently modified and improved by the construction of bank protection and groynes, this stretch consists of a shallow, gravely run flowing into an even glide with good holding and taking water. It is a great stretch for the floating-line fly and is best fished by wading along the shallow gravel bar below Black Rock. This is a prolific pool, particularly at summer water levels and it extends for over 100 yards.

The Poplins

Fishable from either bank, the Poplins consists of a deep, sweeping run over a rocky bed along the west bank, sloping up to shallows along the east bank. It is a classic salmon pool with an even draw over the lies. It is 80 yards long and fishes well to the fly in lower water or the spinner in higher water.

The Frenchman's

This pool is directly downstream from the fishery jetty and runs for 60 yards over a rock ledge and into deep water at the tail. It is fished from a narrow gravel bank along the west bank with the taking lies being across the head of the pool and along the edge of the flow adjacent to the east bank. The Frenchman's fishes best in low water.

Gurteen

This is the longest pool on the fishery at over 400 yards and separates clearly into two parts; the head of the pool is fished from either bank by wading form the east or casting from the bank on the west, the body and tail of the pool are fished from the west bank from a bed of gravel which protrudes into the centre of the river. The fish lie along the rocky tree lined east bank and in the large bouldery lies towards the tail. This is an exceptionally productive stretch and is one of the most famous salmon pools in Ireland. Gurteen can be fished in any height of water.

The Alders

A straight pool of around 50 yards in length, the Alders is fished from the west bank as wading is difficult. The lies are down the centre of the river and can be reached comfortably from the bank. At summer water levels the fly fishes well whilst in higher water the spinner is effective.

The Nibb

This is the most productive pool on the Foxford Fishery. It is over 300 yards long and is fished from either bank or from a boat. Most fish are caught from the west bank casting to the extensive rocky lies in the middle of the river and along the same bank. At the tail of the pool fish tend to follow the fly from their lies in the centre of the river and take approaching the dangle. This is an exciting pool to fish as salmon often show over the lies in the centre of the river. The Nibb can be fished confidently at any height of water.

The single bank fishing

This stretch consists of $ of a mile of water divided into 2 main pools: Moran's Rocks and the Point. The water is mostly deep in character and fishes best early in the season and in higher water levels. The best methods are bait fishing and spinning with the bubble and fly becoming productive at summer levels.

Access

Access to the Foxford Fishery is from the car park located on the east bank $ miles below the Foxford Bridge. From here anglers may meet their ghillies and proceed to the various pools along the well-kept bank-side paths or by boat from the fishery jetty adjacent to the car park.

Fishing Tackle

For heavy water in the spring or during a big summer flood powerful 10-12ft spinning rods with 15-18lb nylon are required for trotting and ledgering baits or spinning rubber-tails, spoons and Rapalas. This tackle may be scaled down for bait fishing or spinning for Grilse and Summer Salmon using similar techniques. For fly-fishing a 13ft double-handed rod # 9 line and a 10ft single-handed rod # 7 line will cover most eventualities. Floating lines are used in summer conditions whilst full-sinking or sink-tip lines may be required in higher or colder water. In addition the bubble and fly can be deadly in certain conditions and this is fished either using a 10-12ft light actioned spinning rod or a light double-handed fly rod with a large spooled spinning reel and light nylon with a small plastic bubble. For fly patterns the Irish shrimp flies such as the Bann Special, Foxford Shrimp, Ballina Grey and Orange and Gold, or slim hairwings such as the Munro Killer and Willie Gunn are hard to beat for summer fish in sizes 8-14 depending on conditions. For spring fish the Yellow shrimp or Curry`s Red Shrimp size 6 or 8, or the Badger Tube won`t be far wrong.

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