Mixed · North West / Donegal

Lennon

Lennon terrain map
Terrain map

A moderate spate river in County Donegal that enters the Atlantic via Lough Swilly near Ramelton and Rathmullan.

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
W 31 km/h
Fresh breeze
Pressure
1004 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.2 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
17.4 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
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
1
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
1

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

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • IFI rod licence (RoI)
  • Estuary tidal — check Lough Swilly tide table
  • Day tickets available; low angler pressure.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

A moderate spate river in County Donegal that enters the Atlantic via Lough Swilly near Ramelton and Rathmullan. The Lennon fishes as a salmon and sea-trout river with a moderately responsive catchment. Spring salmon from February; grilse from June; sea trout abundant from May through September. The estuary of Lough Swilly is tidal — lower reaches of the Lennon are subject to tidal influence. Multiple named pools; public access to most sections. Salmon numbers have been recovering since the UDN outbreak of the 1970s, though the river remains less prolific than in its pre-disease prime.

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