Spate · Granite · Co. Down / Mourne Mountains

River Shimna

River Shimna terrain map
Terrain map

The Shimna is a beautiful mountain spate river flowing from the Mourne Mountains through Tollymore Forest Park to the sea at Newcastle.

Species

Decent — worth a look

Low and clear — careful approach country. Low water tactics — small singles, riffling hitch in the smooth glides.

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
  • Temperature2530% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
6.4°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
7°C
Wind
W 20 km/h
Moderate breeze
Pressure
1006 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
12.0 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
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 Shimna is a beautiful mountain spate river flowing from the Mourne Mountains through Tollymore Forest Park to the sea at Newcastle. Clear granite water, fast-draining — rises within hours and drops just as fast. Sea trout from June are the main draw, with small runs of salmon from May. Brown trout are plentiful but small. The Shimna Angling Club manages access. The forest park setting makes this one of the most scenic rivers in Northern Ireland. Fish on the drop after rain — low water means it runs almost dry in summer.

  • Granite
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon1 March → 31 October
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts