Freestone · Granite Old Red Sandstone · South East / Wexford

Owenavorragh River

OWENAVORRAGH_010 terrain map
Terrain map

A north Wexford river rising near Enniscorthy and running roughly 30 km north-east to enter the sea at Courtown Harbour.

Species

A side-water session, not the main event

Low and clear — careful approach country. Long leader, small flies, slower casts.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Cool — slow
7°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature4928% weight
  • Flow6022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Prey Activity3712% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
7.0°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
7°C
Wind
W 20 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1008 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.3 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
21.8 mm
Moderate rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Good conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Prey activity is weakest (37).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Sea trout runRun
1
2
2
1
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

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

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • South Eastern Regional Fisheries District
  • Owenavorragh Angling Association — control from Ballywater Bridge to Courtown Harbour
  • Day permits available
  • State rod licence required.
Directions
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About this water

A north Wexford river rising near Enniscorthy and running roughly 30 km north-east to enter the sea at Courtown Harbour. Wild brown trout in the upper and middle reaches average around eight ounces, complemented by stocked fish of one to two pounds in the managed water. The river also gets a good run of sea trout from June through September, with fish to six pounds on the right tide and water. The Owenavorragh Angling Association controls the river from Ballywater Bridge to Courtown Harbour, with day permits available. A solid regional addition to south-east Irish coverage — better than its reputation suggests.

  • Granite old red sandstone
Seasons & zones
  • Sea trout1 June → 30 September
  • Trout15 February → 30 September
Other water nearby · 5