Salmon appears from August onwards. Water is chrystal clear and pools with rocky bottom provide extra challenge. But when the fish are running well practised angler has every chance of getting his bag limit. The Shimna River is located in County Down. The source of the River Shimna is in the Mourne Mountains on the slopes of Ott Mountain. The river then flows in a northerly direction into Fofanny Dam. The river continues its flow but changes to a north-easterly direction flowing into Tollymore Forest Park where it joins other streams such as the Spinkwee. The Shimna finally flows to the east, then takes a south easterly direction toward Newcastle. The Shimna River is partly leased by the Shimna Angling Club and partly owned by the Department. The river is managed by the Club through a management agreement which allows DCAL Annual Season, Juvenile and Local game Permit holders to fish the whole river. Six day tickets are available for the Department owned stretch situated in Tollymore Forest Park and 4 daily tickets are available for the remainder of the river. As the Department’s stretch can only comfortably facilitate 6 rods the Club members are also required to apply for a daily ticket on a first come first served basis.

Daily and weekly tickets are available from the Four Seasons, 47 Main Street, Newcastle and 2 tickets are available from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Office, Forestry Office, at Tollymore Forest Park Monday–Friday 8 am–4.30 pm. Phone Newcastle (028 437 22428). Outside office hours permits are available from the Forest Ranger. Each angler will be allowed to hold only one special permit at any time. The holder must exercise his privilege in a sportsmanlike manner and not interfere with other permit holders.