River Finn, Killygordon, Co. Donegal, 31 Oct 2021, DSC_0665-3
The River Finn rises in Lough Finn (County Donegal) and flows due East, past, Cloghan, Ballybofey, Stranorlar, Killygordon, Liscooley, Castlefinn, and Clady, on its way towards its confluence with the Mourne and the Foyle, just above Lifford.
Together with its tributary, the Reelan, it is one of the most prolific Salmon systems in the in the Foyle catchment. There are more than 25 miles of fishing on the River Finn, from Bellanamore Bridge (up near Lough Finn), right down to Flushtown.
The landscapes from the upper River Finn, down as far as Ballybofey, is one of rugged beauty, as the river passes through a deep mountain valley. In these upper reaches it is very much a spate river. There are lots of streams and glides, which make it excellent for fly fishing. The confluence of the River Finn and its tributary, the River Reelan, is just above Ivy Bridge (about a mile below Cloghan). The Reelan is also very much a spate river and is just as good for the fly (some would say, even better than the River Finn!).
Beyond Ballybofey the valley flattens out as the River Finn flows down to Castlefinn. In this stretch the river slows up and becomes deeper and less of a spate river. There is still some nice steamy water in parts of this stretch, particularly at Killygordon and Liscooley.
In spring the tides can back the River Finn right up to Castlefinn, and even the weaker tides can back it up to Clady. As you can imagine, because of the tidal qualities of the river below Castlefinn, it becomes progressively wider until it reaches its confluence with the River Mourne, just above Lifford.
The season begins on the 1st of March and although there are fish taken right from the off, the best spring fishing is really around mid-April. You can get springers right up to the confluence with the River Reelan (just above Ivy Bridge, below Cloghan Lodge).
The Grilse start running the River Finn in the middle of June and the peak of the fishing is from then until the end of July. In some seasons on the Finn, the numbers of running Grilse can be breath-taking. Many Grilse run the Reelan as well and the sport on the fly can be excellent on a spate.
With the multitudes of Salmon running the River Finn, you tend to forget about the poor old Sea Trout, but they are also there in big numbers. The best fishing is at Liscooley, Killygordon and anywhere from Ballybofey up to Lough Finn.
The Finn Angling Club is the first fishery above the tide and it extends from Liscooley Bridge up to Flushtown Bridge. This part of the River Finn is over 50 metres wide in places, and you can fly fish it in high water, but spinning is the most successful method. Nearly any Devon minnow will take fish. Some people also fish the worms on this stretch.
The Finn is better known for its spring fish and it’s usually very good from March through until the end of May. The Grilse tend to run through very quickly so the fishing is not so good after May. It’s not that great for the Sea Trout but there is some decent fishing around Clady, Donnyloop and at Castlefinn.
The fish counter is situated at Killygordon and has been in operation since December 2000.
The Finn site has a 4-channel crump weir spanning the breadth of the river at this location. Each channel is built to a different level with the two central channels set at a lower level. The reason for the lower-level channels is to enable all migratory species that use this river to get over the weir at lower water levels.
The net-up count for Finn Counter on the River Finn for 2020 is 2302 salmon. The Management Target requirement for upstream Salmon count is 5410 each year. So, the 2020 count was deficient by approximately 42%. The net count at the 8th July 2021 was 1379.
River Finn, Killygordon, Co. Donegal, 31 Oct 2021, DSC_0665-3
The River Finn rises in Lough Finn (County Donegal) and flows due East, past, Cloghan, Ballybofey, Stranorlar, Killygordon, Liscooley, Castlefinn, and Clady, on its way towards its confluence with the Mourne and the Foyle, just above Lifford.
Together with its tributary, the Reelan, it is one of the most prolific Salmon systems in the in the Foyle catchment. There are more than 25 miles of fishing on the River Finn, from Bellanamore Bridge (up near Lough Finn), right down to Flushtown.
The landscapes from the upper River Finn, down as far as Ballybofey, is one of rugged beauty, as the river passes through a deep mountain valley. In these upper reaches it is very much a spate river. There are lots of streams and glides, which make it excellent for fly fishing. The confluence of the River Finn and its tributary, the River Reelan, is just above Ivy Bridge (about a mile below Cloghan). The Reelan is also very much a spate river and is just as good for the fly (some would say, even better than the River Finn!).
Beyond Ballybofey the valley flattens out as the River Finn flows down to Castlefinn. In this stretch the river slows up and becomes deeper and less of a spate river. There is still some nice steamy water in parts of this stretch, particularly at Killygordon and Liscooley.
In spring the tides can back the River Finn right up to Castlefinn, and even the weaker tides can back it up to Clady. As you can imagine, because of the tidal qualities of the river below Castlefinn, it becomes progressively wider until it reaches its confluence with the River Mourne, just above Lifford.
The season begins on the 1st of March and although there are fish taken right from the off, the best spring fishing is really around mid-April. You can get springers right up to the confluence with the River Reelan (just above Ivy Bridge, below Cloghan Lodge).
The Grilse start running the River Finn in the middle of June and the peak of the fishing is from then until the end of July. In some seasons on the Finn, the numbers of running Grilse can be breath-taking. Many Grilse run the Reelan as well and the sport on the fly can be excellent on a spate.
With the multitudes of Salmon running the River Finn, you tend to forget about the poor old Sea Trout, but they are also there in big numbers. The best fishing is at Liscooley, Killygordon and anywhere from Ballybofey up to Lough Finn.
The Finn Angling Club is the first fishery above the tide and it extends from Liscooley Bridge up to Flushtown Bridge. This part of the River Finn is over 50 metres wide in places, and you can fly fish it in high water, but spinning is the most successful method. Nearly any Devon minnow will take fish. Some people also fish the worms on this stretch.
The Finn is better known for its spring fish and it’s usually very good from March through until the end of May. The Grilse tend to run through very quickly so the fishing is not so good after May. It’s not that great for the Sea Trout but there is some decent fishing around Clady, Donnyloop and at Castlefinn.
The fish counter is situated at Killygordon and has been in operation since December 2000.
The Finn site has a 4-channel crump weir spanning the breadth of the river at this location. Each channel is built to a different level with the two central channels set at a lower level. The reason for the lower-level channels is to enable all migratory species that use this river to get over the weir at lower water levels.
The net-up count for Finn Counter on the River Finn for 2020 is 2302 salmon. The Management Target requirement for upstream Salmon count is 5410 each year. So, the 2020 count was deficient by approximately 42%. The net count at the 8th July 2021 was 1379.