Slaney Valley Catchment
The River Slaney flows from Lugnaquilla Mountain west and then 73 miles south through: Baltinglass, Rathvilly, Tullow, Bunclody, Enniscorthy and finally Wexford to the Irish Sea.
The Slaney is primarily seen as a spring salmon fishery with the bulk of salmon angling activity traditionally taking place in the months of March to May, augmented by a smaller run of grilse in the summer months. Under current (2024) regulations the opening of the salmon and trout season is on 17 March and closes on the 30th of August.
The Slaney gets a run of sea-trout and the best fishing takes place from the end of June to mid-July. Night time fishing and standard sea-trout patterns produce the best results for sea trout. Favourite sea trout flies include Kildevil Spiders, Black Pennells, Teal, Blue and Silvers and a Peter Ross.
The Slaney gets hatches of olives, sedges and gnats and the river holds good stocks of brown trout to 8ozs. Trout to 1lb are not uncommon.
The River Slaney is a wide strong flowing river punctuated with slower flowing areas and pools in some stretches. The river between Enniscorthy and Bunclody is wide and fast flowing. From Bunclody to Tullow the banks are generally clear and the river is wide, with a strong fast current. However, there are a good number of weirs punctuated by pools with some slower flowing areas. The stretch from Tullow to Baltinglass is fast flowing, rocky and overgrown in parts.
You can click through on the maps below to see further details on the various sections of the river and its main tributaries
Fishing on the Slaney above Enniscorthy is managed and controlled by a variety of angling associations and riparian owners. Further details are provided on our Angling Clubs & Fishing Availability pages.
Fishing below Enniscorthy is generally free.
Given the current regulations, a number of fisheries are closed.
Fishing on the main tributaries is described on the following pages: