Angling in County Longford
Fishing around Ballymahon
RIVER INNY
Expect bream, roach, hybrids, pike and perch. There could even be a chance of catching a dace or a chub if stories about the two species are confirmed. The Inny is a lovely river that twists and turns through Longford farmland running from Lough Derravaragh to Ballymahon, then onwards to Lough Ree. Spring and late autumn can be brilliant for roach and hybrids fishing and the river’s pike are very big. It needs some exploring but the effort can be worthwhile. Feeder fishing, waggler and stick float will all catch fish on most types of bait.
Fishing around Clondra
CAMLIN RIVER
Expect bream, roach, hybrids, perch and pike. The Camlin is a small river that can be jammed with roach and hybrids before spawning in spring. It is fine for fun fishing but really at its best when the Shannon is in flood, for this is a time when all sorts of species shelter in the slack water at the mouth of the Camlin to provide good sport. Both pole and waggler are ideal methods with a variety of baits but especially red maggots.
RIVER SHANNON
Expect bream, roach, hybrids, pike and perch. There are plenty of fishing features on the river at Clondra, including a weir, fast water runs and a marina, and together they provide a good chance of decent sport. Upstream of the bridge is coupled with quality roach on float tackle.
ROYAL CANAL
Expect bream, roach, hybrids, rudd, tench and perch. Richmond Harbour has been a popular spot for a bit of ‘after dinner’ fishing, a time when this blocked-off end of the canal can produce surprises. However, anytime now renovation work will mean that the harbour will be reconnected to the main canal and the level of sport should improve dramatically.
Fishing around Gowna
LOUGH GOWNA
Expect bream, roach, hybrids, tench, pike and perch. Although Gowna and its fishing are usually associated with County Cavan, most of this vast lake comes within the Longford county line and with it, some of Ireland’s best lake coarse fishing. Gowna is a complex of lakes, each with its own name shoreline – famous spots such as Church Shore, Stretton’s, Dernaferst, Derries and Rosduff. What they have in common is tons of bream, roach, skimmers and hybrids that are catchable year-round on almost any bait or fishing method.
Fishing around Lanesborough
RIVER SHANNON
Expect bream, skimmers, roach, hybrids, rudd, tench, perch and pike. The warm water channel upstream of the bridge at Lanesborough is the most famous spot of all on the Shannon and a ‘must fish’ venue for anglers from March to the end of May. The warm water is discharged from a local power station and entices the fish to gather there for spawning. They come in all shapes and sizes with the first ever Shannon carp – a 16 pounder – turning up in 2008. Expect good fishing for roach, hybrids, bream and some hefty tench, which can be caught on all methods, including feeder fishing or a running line and stick float. Take a selection of baits.
Wherever you fish in Ireland, the chances of catching fish are hugely improved by pre-baiting to attract fish into your chosen swim. Ideally this is done the evening before (or for a couple of days)using breadcrumb or local maize meal carrying particle baits such as sweetcorn, boiled wheat, hemp and pellets.
This is a snapshot of the fishing available around Longford. There are many more exciting waters and all of them available to visitors with no rod licences requirements, no permits, and fishing is all-year-round. Come on over!
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