Spate · Volcanic · Co. Antrim / North Coast

River Bush

River Bush terrain map
Terrain map

The Bush is Northern Ireland's premier salmon river — compact, intensely managed by DAERA, and with one of the most studied salmon populations in the British Isles thanks to the Bush salmon research station.

Species

Marginal — persistence required

Low and clear — careful approach country. Hard going on bright water. Favour cloud and shadow.

50% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
6°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature2230% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
6.2°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
7°C
Wind
SW 30 km/h
Fresh breeze
Pressure
1004 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.5 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
9.2 mm
Light 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
Trout seasonSeason
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.

Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

The Bush is Northern Ireland's premier salmon river — compact, intensely managed by DAERA, and with one of the most studied salmon populations in the British Isles thanks to the Bush salmon research station. It runs from the Antrim basalt plateau to the north coast at Bushmills, close to the Giant's Causeway. Three managed beats (New, Town, Leap) rotate anglers through pools. Spring salmon from March, building through April–May; grilse from June. The river fishes best 12–24 hours after rain — it rises fast off the basalt and clears quickly. Small doubles (10–14) on floating line in summer; larger tubes on sink-tips for spring fish. The unrestricted public stretch below the weir offers free fishing. Book beats through DAERA or Bushmills Salmon Anglers.

  • Volcanic
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 March → 20 October
  • Trout1 March → 31 October

Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026)

Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts