Spate · Volcanic · Co. Londonderry / Foyle System

River Faughan

River Faughan venue image
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The Faughan is the best sea trout river in the Foyle system and one of the finest small spate rivers in Northern Ireland.

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
6°C
Wind
SW 18 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1004 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.1 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
13.2 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
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.

Gallery · 1
  1. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Directions
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About this water

The Faughan is the best sea trout river in the Foyle system and one of the finest small spate rivers in Northern Ireland. Rising in the Sperrins, it flows through Claudy to the Foyle near Derry. Fast-response basalt catchment — rises within hours of rain and clears quickly. Sea trout from May are the main draw, with salmon from April. The river is intimate and wadeable throughout. Managed by Faughan Anglers with day permits. Evening sea trout fishing from June onwards is outstanding.

  • Volcanic
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 April → 31 October

Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026)

Other water nearby · 5
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