Rules at a glance
- Free fishing
Water temperature for Atlantic Salmon
Ideal13°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for Atlantic Salmon
When
All day is fishable. Peaks around mid-morning (10-12) and late afternoon (4-6pm). A change in light — cloud passing over the sun, or the first shadow reaching the water — can trigger a take.
Where
Fish the full pool systematically — start at the head, two steps between each cast, work through to the tail. Pay special attention to the classic taking lies: pool heads where current enters, tails where it shallows, and seams alongside faster water.
Method
Medium-paced swing, fly fishing just below the surface. Fish are willing to move — a steady broadside presentation across the current is ideal. Vary speed through the swing.. Floating line, possibly slow intermediate in deeper pools. Small-medium: size 8-12 doubles, small tubes. Fish are willing to move — let them come to the fly.
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
The river is in textbook shape. River dropping nicely into shape after a lift — textbook conditions. Clearing nicely — classic taking conditions. 12.9°C — in the ideal taking range for autumn salmon. This is the window experienced salmon anglers wait for — if you can get to the river, go now.
Likely species
Stoneflies
Caddisflies
Caddisflies- Green SedgeMost likelyLower confidenceNearest relative#10–12–14–16 · NymphFree-living green caddis larva; fast stony riffles.
- Net-spinning caddisAlso possibleLower confidenceNearest relative#12–14–16 · PupaWidespread riffle net-spinner; evening emergence.
- CapererAlso possibleLower confidence#10–12 · AdultBig autumn sedge; fish dry at last light.
- Large sedgesAlso possibleNearest relative#8–10 · AdultBig waked sedge in the last light and after dark.
Gammarids
Hatch timeline · todayPeak at 11h
Hatch predictions
Today's headline hatch shown — see all 12 active hatches hour by hour as a supporter.
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Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.
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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)
Hatch predictions
Supporters see what else is on the menu.
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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 · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Sea trout runRun
1
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
CapererHatch
2
3
3
2
Heather FlyHatch
2
2
Autumn DunHatch
2
3
2
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Ranked for today
Fly box · Atlantic Salmon
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
Ballynahinch Castle Terrain map
The full read · show the working · for Atlantic Salmon · confidence 75%
How the river scores — hydrology factors
Water heightMedium Ideal+1.9
Recent riseNone0.0
Falling after liftDropping Nicely Into Shape+4.0
Water temperatureCool To Moderate+3.0
Time in seasonLate Season+0.8
ClarityClearing+2.4
Hydrology base12.1
Rules that fired
Clearing After Spate Bonus+1
Will they take?Willingcaps the band
Fish should be willing to take — clearing, stained water.
Can you trust it?
Water temperatureair-to-water estimateestimated
Level / flowproxy via Erriffproxy
What would change the calculation
No prolonged stable spell before the current rise.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Salmon 1 February → 30 SeptemberC&R
- Sea trout 1 June → 30 September
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts
Ballynahinch
Water temperature for Atlantic Salmon
Ideal13°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
How to fish it · for Atlantic Salmon
When
All day is fishable. Peaks around mid-morning (10-12) and late afternoon (4-6pm). A change in light — cloud passing over the sun, or the first shadow reaching the water — can trigger a take.
Where
Fish the full pool systematically — start at the head, two steps between each cast, work through to the tail. Pay special attention to the classic taking lies: pool heads where current enters, tails where it shallows, and seams alongside faster water.
Method
Medium-paced swing, fly fishing just below the surface. Fish are willing to move — a steady broadside presentation across the current is ideal. Vary speed through the swing.. Floating line, possibly slow intermediate in deeper pools. Small-medium: size 8-12 doubles, small tubes. Fish are willing to move — let them come to the fly.
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
The river is in textbook shape. River dropping nicely into shape after a lift — textbook conditions. Clearing nicely — classic taking conditions. 12.9°C — in the ideal taking range for autumn salmon. This is the window experienced salmon anglers wait for — if you can get to the river, go now.
Likely species
Caddisflies
- Green SedgeMost likelyLower confidenceNearest relative#10–12–14–16 · NymphFree-living green caddis larva; fast stony riffles.
- Net-spinning caddisAlso possibleLower confidenceNearest relative#12–14–16 · PupaWidespread riffle net-spinner; evening emergence.
- CapererAlso possibleLower confidence#10–12 · AdultBig autumn sedge; fish dry at last light.
- Large sedgesAlso possibleNearest relative#8–10 · AdultBig waked sedge in the last light and after dark.
Hatch timeline · todayPeak at 11h
Hatch predictions
Today's headline hatch shown — see all 12 active hatches hour by hour as a supporter.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface
Hatch predictions
Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)
Hatch predictions
Supporters see what else is on the menu.
Start free trial14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
Evidence
Survey-backed · regionalHigh confidence
Backed by regional invertebrate surveys; no sampling on this exact reach yet.
Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Salmon runRun
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Sea trout runRun
1
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
2
3
2
CapererHatch
2
3
3
2
Heather FlyHatch
2
2
Autumn DunHatch
2
3
2
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Ranked for today
Fly box · Atlantic Salmon
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
Ballynahinch Castle Terrain map
The full read · show the working · for Atlantic Salmon · confidence 75%
How the river scores — hydrology factors
Water heightMedium Ideal+1.9
Recent riseNone0.0
Falling after liftDropping Nicely Into Shape+4.0
Water temperatureCool To Moderate+3.0
Time in seasonLate Season+0.8
ClarityClearing+2.4
Hydrology base12.1
Rules that fired
Clearing After Spate Bonus+1
Will they take?Willingcaps the band
Fish should be willing to take — clearing, stained water.
Can you trust it?
Water temperatureair-to-water estimateestimated
Level / flowproxy via Erriffproxy
What would change the calculation
No prolonged stable spell before the current rise.
Directions
Seasons & zones
- Salmon 1 February → 30 SeptemberC&R
- Sea trout 1 June → 30 September
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts