Spate · Granite · North West / Donegal

Tullaghobegley / Ray

Tullaghobegley / Ray terrain map
Terrain map

Two small granite-fed north Donegal spate rivers — the Tullaghobegley (running through Gortahork) and the Ray — draining the quartzite uplands of the Derryveagh Mountains to the sea on the north Donegal coast.

Good · Atlantic Salmon
Goodlive now
A good day — worth the effort
Low and clear — careful approach country. Small, sparse flies, long leader, careful approach.
70% confidence
What moved it
  • LevelModerate rain recentlyNo gauge reading
  • Water temp14.2°C
  • ClarityClear
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Level
Moderate rain recently
No gauge reading
Water temp14.2°C
ClarityClear
Weather15°C
WindNW 20 km/h
Pressure1021 hPa
Rain · recent12.2 mm
Rain · ahead15.3 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Warm — slow
14°C est.ideal 1014°C
0°14°28°
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
Good — water temperature is working for you, but time of day is the limiting factor today.
Hatch timeline · todayQuiet day

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 6 active hatches hour by hour with Pro.

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Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalHigh confidence

Backed by regional invertebrate surveys; no sampling on this exact reach yet.

Through the year
0–3 scale · July highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
GrannomHatch
2
2
Large StoneflyHatch
2
3
2

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

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Northern Regional Fisheries District
  • Local club (Gortahork/Falcarragh area)
  • State rod licence required.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 5
About this water

Two small granite-fed north Donegal spate rivers — the Tullaghobegley (running through Gortahork) and the Ray — draining the quartzite uplands of the Derryveagh Mountains to the sea on the north Donegal coast. Remote, wild, and firmly water-dependent. Sea trout and grilse run on summer floods; the rivers can be low and quiet for weeks between. Local clubs manage access. The landscape is exceptional — north Donegal blanket bog at its most austere. An angler who knows how to read spate rivers will find genuine fish on the right day; anyone expecting a dependable schedule will be disappointed. For 2026 this is a catch-and-release fishery under the Wild Salmon & Sea Trout Tagging Scheme — all salmon and grilse must be returned.

  • Granite
Water quality (WFD)
  • EcologyUnknown
  • ChemicalUnknown
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature9530% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time3015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Salmon17 March → 30 SeptemberC&R
Related guides
Booking & contacts