Limestone · North West / Sligo

Easkey River

Easkey River terrain map
Terrain map

A north Sligo spate river with a stronger limestone influence than most west-coast systems — the Carboniferous bedrock moderates its flashiness, improves water clarity recovery after rain, and sustains better insect life than typical blanket-bog drainages.

Good · Atlantic Salmon
Goodlive now
A good day — worth the effort
Low and clear — careful approach country. Small, sparse flies, long leader, careful approach.
50% confidence
What moved it
  • LevelModerate rain recentlyNo gauge reading
  • Water temp15.0°C
  • ClarityClear
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Level
Moderate rain recently
No gauge reading
Water temp15.0°C
ClarityClear
Weather14°C
WindNW 25 km/h
Pressure1025 hPa
Rain · recent14.9 mm
Rain · ahead4.5 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Warm — slow
15°C est.ideal 1014°C
0°14°28°
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 — water clarity is working for you, but time of day is the limiting factor today.
Hatch timeline · todayQuiet day

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 10 active hatches hour by hour with Pro.

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Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalHigh confidence

Backed by regional invertebrate surveys; no sampling on this exact reach yet.

Through the year
0–3 scale · July highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1

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

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • North Western Fisheries District
  • Local club permits in Easkey town
  • State rod licence required.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 5
About this water

A north Sligo spate river with a stronger limestone influence than most west-coast systems — the Carboniferous bedrock moderates its flashiness, improves water clarity recovery after rain, and sustains better insect life than typical blanket-bog drainages. Salmon and sea trout run from June; grilse dominate. Local club-managed access, with day permits available. The town of Easkey has a functioning angling infrastructure. Worth choosing over some smaller Connacht rivers precisely because the limestone backbone makes it more forgiving of marginal conditions. For 2026 this is a catch-and-release fishery under the Wild Salmon & Sea Trout Tagging Scheme — all salmon and grilse must be returned.

  • Limestone
Water quality (WFD)
  • EcologyUnknown
  • ChemicalUnknown
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature7730% weight
  • Flow6025% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 February → 30 SeptemberC&R
Related guides
Booking & contacts