Spate · Limestone · North West / Sligo

Ballisodare

Ballisodare terrain map
Terrain map

Short but productive limestone-influenced spate river near Sligo with good clarity.

Species

Decent — worth a look

Low and clear — careful approach country. Low water tactics — small singles, riffling hitch in the smooth glides.

50% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
7°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature3930% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
7.2°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
6°C
Wind
W 19 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1007 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
24.9 mm
Moderate rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Fair conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Feeding time is weakest (10).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Large StoneflyHatch
2
3
2
Yellow SallyHatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Ballisodare Fishery — day tickets available
  • Good public access
  • State rod licence required.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

Short but productive limestone-influenced spate river near Sligo with good clarity. The Falls at Ballisodare are a natural bottleneck where salmon congregate before running upriver — a dramatic and productive fishing location. Grilse from June with the falls pool being the most famous beat. Also holds brown trout and sea trout. Fish it as it rises and falls — the window opens quickly after rain and closes just as fast.

  • Limestone
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 February → 30 September
Other water nearby · 5