  "Down river from the Iron Bridge looking downstream. Muckish Mountain Fishery is the right hand bank") |  "Looking upstream near the Iron Bridge. Muckish Mountain Fishery is across river.") |
 "Up river from Iron bridge with view of mountains") |  "Looking upstream near the Iron Bridge. Muckish Mountain Fishery is across river.") |
 "Below Iron Bridge - Muckish Mountain Fishery is in foreground.") |  "View from footbridge. Muckish Mountain Fishery shown on left hand bank") |
Information
You are advised to book well in advance. Contact us from our Contacts Page where you will also find a booking form.
Fish Gear and State License
Beat System
Fishing Methods
Figures
Average Number of Salmon
Safety
Clean up
Water quality
Anglers Expertise
Rates
Season
Fish gear and State license: Seamus Mc Gee, Esso Gas Station, Falcarragh
Back to Top
Beat system: One and half miles divided in three beats. Two rods per beat. The river can be fished any time. The Ray is a so-called 'spate river', for best results it needs rain, allowing the fish to swim upstream. Soon after heavy rain the water level may rise half a metre. The brown colour of the water is caused by the several meters of peat (turf) covering the hills.
Back to Top
Fishing methods: fly, spinner and worm. Curry's Red Shrimp is the favourite fly. Natural shrimp is not allowed.
Back to Top
A figure is better than a thousand words: Based upon the figures published by the Central Fisheries Board the Ray is the seventh river out of 24 in the area of the Northern Regional Fisheries Board with a recorded catch on rod &line of 163 salmon as the yearly average for 2001 and 2002. The corresponding figure for the Tullaghobeghly (locally known as 'the Bowen') is 74.
Back to Top
Estimate of average number of salmon entering the Ray every year: 1750. This figure is generally 10 times the recorded catch. Peter O'Reilly the author of Rivers of Ireland 5th Edition(page 49& &71)who describes this 'beautiful little river' as 'remarkably prolific with a high percentage of 10lb -12 lb fish ', finds this estimate on the low side.
Back to Top
Safety: Especially the middle section of the river runs through rather rough terrain covered with a combination of heather and rough grass . Watch your step for HIDDEN HOLES. Older anglers may prefer the section down stream that runs through flat grassland.
Back to Top
Clean up
In 2003 during the long dry spell the river underwent a thorough clean up. Please keep it clean. Your mother does not work here.
Back to Top
Water quality: Salmonide fish are extremely sensitive to pollution. Therefore the water quality is regularly tested by the Environmental Protection Agency and the figures are published or made available before that. If you come accross something that looks like pollution of the river please report. The aquatic and semi- aquatic species in the river need a long time to make their come back once they are gone.
Back to Top
Netting & Poaching: The fishery is trying to make as many fish available for anglers as possible.If you see signs of netting & poaching please report.
Back to Top
Anglers' Expertise: Many an angler has been fishing for decades and gathered a wealth of information about the sport. We would appreciate to hear her/his comments and try to learn from it.
Back to Top
Rates: €25 per day, €15 per half day
Back to Top
Season:
| Salmon: | 2 February to 30 September |
| Seatrout: | 2 February to 12 October |