Spate · Mixed · Co. Tyrone / Foyle System

River Mourne

River Mourne terrain map
Terrain map

The Mourne is the principal salmon river of the Foyle system, rising in the Sperrin Mountains and flowing through Strabane to join the Foyle at Lifford.

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
  • Temperature1530% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
5.7°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
5°C
Wind
W 17 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1005 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.2 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
17.1 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
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.

Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

The Mourne is the principal salmon river of the Foyle system, rising in the Sperrin Mountains and flowing through Strabane to join the Foyle at Lifford. A classic medium-sized spate river with long glides, deep pools, and productive tail-outs. Salmon run from April with the main grilse run June–August. The river fishes best on a falling flood — Sperrin rain takes 6–10 hours to show. Managed by Loughs Agency with day permits available. The Mourne offers some of the most accessible and affordable salmon fishing in the British Isles. Sea trout run from May. Brown trout are plentiful throughout.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 April → 31 October

Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026)

Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts