Brian Russell Flyfishing offers a comprehensive guiding and coaching service, enabling you to incorporate a memorable fishing trip into your Armagh holiday. Currently Irish International River Flyfishing Manager and 1st 4Sport Angling Coach, Brian has represented Ireland in both River and Lough Style disciplines, being a previous four times Ulster River Champion and twice Irish National River Champion.

Brian offer visitors to the Armagh area half day and full day flyfishing outings for wild brown trout or stocked rainbow trout to various surrounding rivers and Loughs within approximately an hour of the City of Armagh. Let the 3 times Irish National Rivers Fly Fishing Champion show you the methods and flies that can consistently fool these sought after species!

All tackle and equipment can be provided as well as transport to and from your accommodation if required For information on daily and half day rates please visit www.brflyfishing.co.uk or T: +44 [0] 77 16120441

Angling opportunities give visitors to Armagh and the surrounding areas a chance to experience both the beauty of the stunning countryside and the craic of the locals. Located in the beautiful drumlin countryside of County Down, the greater Banbridge area with its rivers and many lakes is a veritable angler’s paradise. The region is bisected by the Upper River Bann, one of the most famous fishing waters in Northern Ireland.

Lake Angling

Corbet Lough is a premier 70 acre trout fishery set in the scenic Co Down countryside against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains. It offers fantastic angling opportunities for local anglers and tourists alike. The facilities at Corbet Lough include a boating dock and jetty, complete with six fishing boats and one wheel-boat for use by disabled anglers.
Corbet is a spinning/fly fishing only Lough, offering rainbow trout with a smaller amount of brown trout available.

Fly fishing with Brian Russell

Corbet Lough

Another fantastic fishing spot is Kernan Lough which lies hidden amidst the rolling drumlins of the County Down countryside, around 6 km west of Banbridge. The lough is stocked each year by Gilford Angling Club, with fish in excess of 1lb, For the disabled, fishing stands have been erected with easy ramp access from the carpark.

Loughbrickland Lake, alongside the main Belfast-Dublin Road, is stocked with 3000 takeable brown and rainbow trout. The shore is mostly firm and safe for wading but the north and south tips should be avoided. A surfaced path is provided along the west shore.

Seagahan Dam, located around 5 miles from Armagh City, is 70 acres in size and a public reservoir, confined to fly fishing only. This a beautiful water surrounded by forested areas and lush farmland. The lake fishes well throughout the season and is stocked in early spring and summer with hard fighting Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout fry which grow on to wild beautifully marked fish.

Shaw’s Lake and Lowry’s Lake in Armagh are also favourite angling locations for visitors to the area, both also regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.

River Angling

The Upper Bann is a medium sized river noted for its Brown Trout fishing, which can be good throughout the season, but especially so when there are hatches of Black Gnats or Blue Winged Olives. Salmon and Dollaghen may be present in June, but it is generally later in the season before there are significant numbers.

Other opportunities in Armagh include the stretch of the River Blackwater, which lies mainly upstream of Blackwatertown Bridge. Coarse fish abound in the lower part of this reach but there is a short stretch of good game fishing water downstream of the island where a number of known salmon can be found.

Do I need a licence?

A DCAL game fishing rod licence is required for adults and day tickets for the various fishing locations can be purchased at the following suppliers:

In Armagh area:

Bait Shop: G.I.Stores Dobbin Street, Armagh, BT61 7QQ www.gistores.com or t: +44 [0}28 37 522335.

Procastangling, Dobbin Street, Armagh, BT61 7QQ www.procastangling.com or t: +44 [0] 28 37524455.
In Banbridge area:

Boat Attendants Office at Corbet Lough

Anglers Rest, Aughnacloy Road, Banbridge BT32 5QG, t: + 44[0] 28 4067 1515

James Coburns and Son Ltd, 32 Scarva St, Banbridge Co Down BT32 3DD, t: +44 [0] 28 4066 2207 E: sales@coburns.net

Spar 40 Mill Street, Gilford, Co. Down t: +44 [0] 28 3883 1087

For further information about fishing opportunities in the area, check out the websites of our local angling clubs www.banbridgeanglingclub.com and www.armaghanglingclub.com