Species: Salmon, brown trout and sea trout.
Season: 1st April - 20th October
Methods: Fly fishing and worm fishing permitted at all times. Shrimp fishing is only permitted on the Town and New stretches. Spinning is not permitted when the red section is visible on the marker posts erected at the head of each stretch. Prawns may not be used.
Limits: 1 salmonid per day from the opening of season up to and including the 31st May. 4 salmonids per day for rest of season. i.e. salmon, sea trout, brown trout per angler per day of 24.5cm (10 ins) or above within the entire Foyle System catchment. All trout under 25.4 cm in length, and all juvenile salmon, must be returned unharmed to the water.
Licence: FCILC Game Fishing Licence.
Permit: DCAL Game Fishing Permit. Day Tickets are required to fish the four special angling beats which are all situated within walking distance of Bushmills town.
Boats: -
Disabled Access: The Town stretch is accessible to wheelchairs from a car park though care should be taken as access is steep. Part of the Leap stretch is accessible to anglers with walking difficulties with access via the Salmon Station during office hours.
Situated close to the Giants Causeway on the North Antrim coast the River Bush offers top class salmon fishing to the visiting angler. Though the river is managed primarily for ecological research studies into the life cycle of Atlantic salmon, game angling of the highest quality is made available to the public on almost all of the river. Angling on the lower part of the river has been divided into several day ticket stretches to give the best sport possible, with a variety of methods available to suit conditions. The river is a ‘flash spate’ water and does not remain in top class order for extended periods. The addition of the Dundarave stretch in 2006 which is a good Salmon holding area should extend the fishing opportunities. When in form, however, it provides excellent sport. There are named pools on each of the day ticket stretches, and anglers are expected to follow fishing etiquette and move from pool to pool.
Close to the North Antrim coast the unrestricted stretch of the river Bush offers the chance of a good day’s sport in a variety of delightful settings. From the downstream limit at Walkmills to Stroan Bridge the river is mainly slow moving and fairly deep with isolated fords, and flows between high banks. From Stroan Bridge to Magherahoney the pace of the river quickens and faster flowing water over gravel begins to predominate. However, there are deeper pools and a fair chance of making contact with a good salmon. The brown trout fishing is also of a high order. Above Magherahoney the river changes to a mountain stream with water cascading over large boulders and small but deep pools with extensive bush cover. The chance of a salmon in this reach is much diminished but there is a good stock of small brownies and on the right day the sport can be fast and furious.
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Location on the map.
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