Old Milltown Bridge, River Derg, 5 Feb 2023, DSC_0360-3
On the Old Bridge Road off the main A5 Mulvin Road from Victoria Bridge to Newtownstewart lies Milltown Bridge, River Derg.
The River Derg is a fairly large, 10-20 metre wide spate river. The river including it's tributaries have a channel length of approximately 60km (37 miles) and a catchment area of 438km2 (108,232 acres). The river generally flow in an easterly direction from the Killeter uplands through Aghyaran, the town of Castlederg, Spamount and Ardstraw to it's confluence with the River Strule forming the River Mourne, known locally as the "Meetings".
The main River Derg at Nagherabeg drains from Lough Derg (Abhainn na Deirge) meaning 'red lake' characterised by the peatland in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland and the
surrounding catchment and flows east into County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The primary tributaries of the Derg catchment include the Mournebeg River, Leaghany River and
Glendergan River. The Derg valley is naturally broad and is enclosed by an undulating landscape of rounded hills. The Derg catchment has many shallow tributary valleys with gently undulating landforms.
In places low embankments enclose the main River Derg to protect agriculturally productive land from flooding, this is predominantly restricted to the lower end of the catchment where the land is more suited to intensive agricultural use.
The Derg catchment is a cross border catchment with the river headwaters and Lough Derg located in the Republic of Ireland with the main river and tributaries predominantly in
Northern Ireland.
The River Derg is well known for it's runs of salmon, grilse and sea trout which are generally at their best from late May to August. It also has a fine head of wild brown trout and a long history of angling for all these species.
Salmon and Sea Trout are referred to as being anadromous meaning that they migrate between the freshwater and marine environments returning to freshwater to reproduce.
This complex life history exposes them to varied environmental pressures including recreational and commercial fisheries. Adult Atlantic salmon return to their natal rivers where spawning takes place. Sea trout also demonstrate an ability to return to their natal river but their homing instinct may not be as strong as those of the Atlantic salmon. After the eggs hatch the juveniles (initially referred to as fry and then parr) remain in freshwater for up to three years.
Smoltification is the physiological adaptation which occurs when the juvenile salmon change from the parr stage (freshwater phase) to the smolt stage (marine phase). In the Foyle system this can occur after one, two or three years. Most Foyle salmon (referred to as post smolts) will remain after smoltification in the North Atlantic for one year and are referred to on their return to the coast and rivers as grilse. Salmon which stay at sea for longer than one year are referred to as multi sea winter (MSW) salmon.
In the past, monitoring was targeted at salmonid species however with obligations under the Water Framework Directive, other non-salmonid fish species are being monitored more closely and also within the Derg catchment.
Fish species presence and abundance can act as a good environmental/ecological indicator demonstrating the ability of the aquatic habitat to support a diverse array of native species. Populations of the European Eel, Three Spined Stickleback, Stoneloach, Minnow, River/Brook and possibly Sea Lamprey form an important part of the native fisheries biodiversity of the Derg catchment. Maintaining high standards of water quality and appropriate habitat for these species is essential for the overall health of the aquatic ecosystem.
Rod Licence
Anglers can purchase a rod licence on-line by visiting the Loughs Agency website and registering as an angler (this will generate a lifelong angler number). Then you can proceed with purchasing a rod licence on the same site, request carcass tags and make your catch returns all done on the same online website.
A rod licence is required to fish on rivers, canals and lakes (known locally as ‘loughs’) in areas under the jurisdiction of the Loughs Agency. This applies equally to those fishing for trout, coarse fish and salmon.
Licences (game and/or coarse) are available as a season licence (£16.00/€23.50*), 14 day licence (£8.00/€11.50*), 3 day licence (£3.50/€5.00*) and juvenile licence (£2.00/€3.00*).
Holders of a coarse licence can use up to two rods whilst angling for coarse fish, while holders of a game licence can only use one rod whilst angling.
Holders of season fishing licences issued in other parts of Ireland (north and south) can obtain an endorsement from the Loughs Agency that authorises them to fish in Loughs
Agency waters (£1.00/€1.50*).
Visit: www.loughs-agency.org.
Call: +44 (0) 28 71 342100,
email: info@loughs-agency.org
22, Victoria Road,
Derry~Londonderry,
Northern Ireland,
BT47 2AB.
In addition to a rod licence, it is a requirement to hold a permit to fish on many stretches of rivers and on many of the lakes in the Foyle and Carlingford catchments.
Guidance is often available from local tackle shops, angling clubs or check with the Loughs Agency.
Permits for the River Derg
Ardstraw Community Angling Club
Have 3 miles of double bank of the River Derg. The salmon and sea trout fishing is best after May and while the grilse and sea trout will run in most conditions, the salmon fishing is best on a falling spate. Sea trout average about 1.5lbs, salmon about 8lbs and trout come in at about 12ozs. You can fly, spin or worm.
The club issues 5 day tickets (permits) per day for the stretch from Ardstraw Bridge. Google Map 54.733385, -7.458787 Post Code: BT78 4LL up stream to to Crewe Bridge. Google
Map 54.707426, -7.512289. Post Code: BT81 7NR.
For permits:
Taggart Jacks Agricultural Supplies in Carnkenny Rd, Ardstraw. Tel: 028 8166 1271.
Guides Choice, Sion Mills, Tel: 07709 548436, email: info@guides-choice.com.
The Bridge Guns & Tackle Ltd, Tel: 028 7188 0826.
Derg Valley Community Angling Club (DVCAC)
Have 20 miles of salmon, sea trout and brown trout fishing from the Border Bridge near Lough Derg to Sparmount.
Derg Valley Community Angling Club Tel: 07873 962974, email: castlederganglersclub@hotmail.co.uk
Dinny McCrory's Newagents, 7, Ferguson Crescent, Castlederg, Tel: 028 8167 1072.
Danny McHugh's Farm Supplies, 30, Aghalunny Road, Killeter, Castlederg. Call: ?
Permits for the River Strule
C A Anderson & Co, 64, Market Street, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Tel: 02882242311, email: caanderson@btconnect.com
Conservation
Size limit, game fish, including salmon, brown trout and sea trout of less than 25.4cm (10”) may NOT be retained.
Anglers must gill tag all salmon and all sea trout over 40cm that are caught and retained, immediately on landing the fish.
Bag limits, local variations to the season apply. Ask for details from local tackle shops or clubs.
1st March - 31st May inclusive: bag limit of 1 salmon or sea trout over 40cm on any one day (blue gill tags this period); maximum of 5 in this period.
1st June - 31st October: bag limit of 2 salmon or sea trout over 40cm on any one day (black gill tags this period); maximum of 20 in this period.
No more than 4 brown trout or sea trout of 40cm or less (or a combination of both) can be retained on any one day.
For conservation reasons, the rivers Finn and Foyle have been declared ‘catch and release’, rivers, therefore, single barbless hooks must be used and all fish, trout, sea trout and salmon must be returned to the water unharmed. Bait fishing whilst game angling is not permitted in the Foyle and Finn rivers.
In the interests of conservation, anglers are urged to return all gravid fish to the water unharmed.
A person shall not sell, or offer for sale, salmon or sea trout caught by rod and line.
No use of a float with bait is permitted for game fishing, other than in conjunction with a single artifcial fly, however, fishing with a bubble and fly is permitted.
The only bait permitted for game fshing in the Foyle and Carlingford areas is earthworm. The use of shrimp or prawn or live bait is strictly prohibited.
Ground bait, including sweet corn will only be used if fishing for coarse species, however, ground bait is not permitted on DAERA permitted waters nor on the Roe and Faughan
systems.
It is prohibited to kill coarse fish, including eels. However, see specific regulation on pike. All coarse fish and eels must be carefully handled and returned to the water unharmed.
Old Milltown Bridge, River Derg, 5 Feb 2023, DSC_0360-3
On the Old Bridge Road off the main A5 Mulvin Road from Victoria Bridge to Newtownstewart lies Milltown Bridge, River Derg.
The River Derg is a fairly large, 10-20 metre wide spate river. The river including it's tributaries have a channel length of approximately 60km (37 miles) and a catchment area of 438km2 (108,232 acres). The river generally flow in an easterly direction from the Killeter uplands through Aghyaran, the town of Castlederg, Spamount and Ardstraw to it's confluence with the River Strule forming the River Mourne, known locally as the "Meetings".
The main River Derg at Nagherabeg drains from Lough Derg (Abhainn na Deirge) meaning 'red lake' characterised by the peatland in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland and the
surrounding catchment and flows east into County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The primary tributaries of the Derg catchment include the Mournebeg River, Leaghany River and
Glendergan River. The Derg valley is naturally broad and is enclosed by an undulating landscape of rounded hills. The Derg catchment has many shallow tributary valleys with gently undulating landforms.
In places low embankments enclose the main River Derg to protect agriculturally productive land from flooding, this is predominantly restricted to the lower end of the catchment where the land is more suited to intensive agricultural use.
The Derg catchment is a cross border catchment with the river headwaters and Lough Derg located in the Republic of Ireland with the main river and tributaries predominantly in
Northern Ireland.
The River Derg is well known for it's runs of salmon, grilse and sea trout which are generally at their best from late May to August. It also has a fine head of wild brown trout and a long history of angling for all these species.
Salmon and Sea Trout are referred to as being anadromous meaning that they migrate between the freshwater and marine environments returning to freshwater to reproduce.
This complex life history exposes them to varied environmental pressures including recreational and commercial fisheries. Adult Atlantic salmon return to their natal rivers where spawning takes place. Sea trout also demonstrate an ability to return to their natal river but their homing instinct may not be as strong as those of the Atlantic salmon. After the eggs hatch the juveniles (initially referred to as fry and then parr) remain in freshwater for up to three years.
Smoltification is the physiological adaptation which occurs when the juvenile salmon change from the parr stage (freshwater phase) to the smolt stage (marine phase). In the Foyle system this can occur after one, two or three years. Most Foyle salmon (referred to as post smolts) will remain after smoltification in the North Atlantic for one year and are referred to on their return to the coast and rivers as grilse. Salmon which stay at sea for longer than one year are referred to as multi sea winter (MSW) salmon.
In the past, monitoring was targeted at salmonid species however with obligations under the Water Framework Directive, other non-salmonid fish species are being monitored more closely and also within the Derg catchment.
Fish species presence and abundance can act as a good environmental/ecological indicator demonstrating the ability of the aquatic habitat to support a diverse array of native species. Populations of the European Eel, Three Spined Stickleback, Stoneloach, Minnow, River/Brook and possibly Sea Lamprey form an important part of the native fisheries biodiversity of the Derg catchment. Maintaining high standards of water quality and appropriate habitat for these species is essential for the overall health of the aquatic ecosystem.
Rod Licence
Anglers can purchase a rod licence on-line by visiting the Loughs Agency website and registering as an angler (this will generate a lifelong angler number). Then you can proceed with purchasing a rod licence on the same site, request carcass tags and make your catch returns all done on the same online website.
A rod licence is required to fish on rivers, canals and lakes (known locally as ‘loughs’) in areas under the jurisdiction of the Loughs Agency. This applies equally to those fishing for trout, coarse fish and salmon.
Licences (game and/or coarse) are available as a season licence (£16.00/€23.50*), 14 day licence (£8.00/€11.50*), 3 day licence (£3.50/€5.00*) and juvenile licence (£2.00/€3.00*).
Holders of a coarse licence can use up to two rods whilst angling for coarse fish, while holders of a game licence can only use one rod whilst angling.
Holders of season fishing licences issued in other parts of Ireland (north and south) can obtain an endorsement from the Loughs Agency that authorises them to fish in Loughs
Agency waters (£1.00/€1.50*).
Visit: www.loughs-agency.org.
Call: +44 (0) 28 71 342100,
email: info@loughs-agency.org
22, Victoria Road,
Derry~Londonderry,
Northern Ireland,
BT47 2AB.
In addition to a rod licence, it is a requirement to hold a permit to fish on many stretches of rivers and on many of the lakes in the Foyle and Carlingford catchments.
Guidance is often available from local tackle shops, angling clubs or check with the Loughs Agency.
Permits for the River Derg
Ardstraw Community Angling Club
Have 3 miles of double bank of the River Derg. The salmon and sea trout fishing is best after May and while the grilse and sea trout will run in most conditions, the salmon fishing is best on a falling spate. Sea trout average about 1.5lbs, salmon about 8lbs and trout come in at about 12ozs. You can fly, spin or worm.
The club issues 5 day tickets (permits) per day for the stretch from Ardstraw Bridge. Google Map 54.733385, -7.458787 Post Code: BT78 4LL up stream to to Crewe Bridge. Google
Map 54.707426, -7.512289. Post Code: BT81 7NR.
For permits:
Taggart Jacks Agricultural Supplies in Carnkenny Rd, Ardstraw. Tel: 028 8166 1271.
Guides Choice, Sion Mills, Tel: 07709 548436, email: info@guides-choice.com.
The Bridge Guns & Tackle Ltd, Tel: 028 7188 0826.
Derg Valley Community Angling Club (DVCAC)
Have 20 miles of salmon, sea trout and brown trout fishing from the Border Bridge near Lough Derg to Sparmount.
Derg Valley Community Angling Club Tel: 07873 962974, email: castlederganglersclub@hotmail.co.uk
Dinny McCrory's Newagents, 7, Ferguson Crescent, Castlederg, Tel: 028 8167 1072.
Danny McHugh's Farm Supplies, 30, Aghalunny Road, Killeter, Castlederg. Call: ?
Permits for the River Strule
C A Anderson & Co, 64, Market Street, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Tel: 02882242311, email: caanderson@btconnect.com
Conservation
Size limit, game fish, including salmon, brown trout and sea trout of less than 25.4cm (10”) may NOT be retained.
Anglers must gill tag all salmon and all sea trout over 40cm that are caught and retained, immediately on landing the fish.
Bag limits, local variations to the season apply. Ask for details from local tackle shops or clubs.
1st March - 31st May inclusive: bag limit of 1 salmon or sea trout over 40cm on any one day (blue gill tags this period); maximum of 5 in this period.
1st June - 31st October: bag limit of 2 salmon or sea trout over 40cm on any one day (black gill tags this period); maximum of 20 in this period.
No more than 4 brown trout or sea trout of 40cm or less (or a combination of both) can be retained on any one day.
For conservation reasons, the rivers Finn and Foyle have been declared ‘catch and release’, rivers, therefore, single barbless hooks must be used and all fish, trout, sea trout and salmon must be returned to the water unharmed. Bait fishing whilst game angling is not permitted in the Foyle and Finn rivers.
In the interests of conservation, anglers are urged to return all gravid fish to the water unharmed.
A person shall not sell, or offer for sale, salmon or sea trout caught by rod and line.
No use of a float with bait is permitted for game fishing, other than in conjunction with a single artifcial fly, however, fishing with a bubble and fly is permitted.
The only bait permitted for game fshing in the Foyle and Carlingford areas is earthworm. The use of shrimp or prawn or live bait is strictly prohibited.
Ground bait, including sweet corn will only be used if fishing for coarse species, however, ground bait is not permitted on DAERA permitted waters nor on the Roe and Faughan
systems.
It is prohibited to kill coarse fish, including eels. However, see specific regulation on pike. All coarse fish and eels must be carefully handled and returned to the water unharmed.