Lowland · Mixed · Co. Londonderry / Co. Antrim

Lower Bann

Lower Bann terrain map
Terrain map

The Lower Bann runs from Lough Neagh to the sea at Coleraine — 61 km of powerful, broad river that carries the largest salmon run 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
  • Temperature1830% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
5.9°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
6°C
Wind
W 18 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1005 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.7 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
17.3 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
Poor 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
Terrestrial BeetlesHatch
2
3
3
2
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
1
Black MidgeHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Summer River MidgeHatch
1
2
2
2
1

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

Directions
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About this water

The Lower Bann runs from Lough Neagh to the sea at Coleraine — 61 km of powerful, broad river that carries the largest salmon run in Northern Ireland. The Carnroe beat near Coleraine is premium water (eight rods per day, 1,000+ salmon averaged over ten years). The lower river below the Cutts weir at Coleraine fishes on the tide. Salmon run from April with the main push June–September. The river is big and slow — boat fishing and bank casting both work. The Honourable Irish Society controls several beats. Grilse peak in July. Sea trout are present but secondary. The Bann also holds excellent coarse fishing, pike, and dollaghan from the Lough Neagh feeder system.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 April → 15 October
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts