Limestone · South East / Carlow

Barrow

Barrow terrain map
Terrain map

Major limestone river with wild brown trout and a run of salmon and sea trout in the lower reaches.

Species

A good day — worth the effort

Low and clear — careful approach country. Small and bright, long leader, careful approach.

70% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
9°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature6730% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time7015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
8.6°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
13°C
Wind
W 26 km/h
Moderate breeze
Pressure
1005 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
12.1 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
Good conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Flow is weakest (45).
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
1
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

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

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Limestone river — the Three Sisters system (Barrow, Nore, Suir)
  • Mixed access
  • State rod licence required.
Directions
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About this water

Major limestone river with wild brown trout and a run of salmon and sea trout in the lower reaches. Carlow area offers good trout fishing with solid mayfly and olive hatches. The Barrow is one of Ireland's longest rivers and rewards patient exploration. Clear limestone water allows sight-fishing. Upper reaches hold quality browns; lower river more suited to dace and roach.

  • Limestone
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon17 March → 30 September
  • Trout1 March → 30 September
Other water nearby · 5