River Bonet Guide
The River Bonet rises in Glenade Lough, and flows in a semi circle through Manorhamilton, and the ancient village of Dromahair, on its way into Lough Gill. From Lough Gill into Sligo bay is known as the River Garavogue.
Strangely this River is not that well known in Irish Salmon fishing circles, but nonetheless it is a very good spring, summer and autumn fishery. Spring Salmon run from mid-March through to May. The Grilse arrive in late June and give great sport right through to the beginning of August, when the autumn fish take over through until the end of September.
Manorhamilton Angling Club
The club waters start about a mile below Glenade Lough, and extend downstream until just below Gortgarrigan Bridge, which is on a little road off the R280, 4 miles south of Manorhamilton. Its mostly double bank fishing but there are a few stretches of single bank.
The fishery is well maintained with easy access and plenty of stiles and footbridges. There is water suitable for the flies and for bait. The brown trout fishing is also good on this water especially from about 2 miles downstream from Glenade Lough to Gortinar, and the water just West of Manorhamilton, from Lurganboy down to Land Commission bridge (just below the confluence with the Shanvaus River).
Dromahair Lodge Fishery
The Lodge has almost 9 miles of fishing, starting at the end of the Manorhamilton Angling Club water and running down to Dromahair. The fishing is similar to the club waters but is perhaps an even better spring fishery, during March and April.
This is a private fishery but if you’re staying at the Dromahair Lodge or the Breffni Holiday Cottages, Dromahair, then you can fish it for free.
Stanford’s Inn
The Inn at Dromahair has 3/4 mile of double-bank fishing. This stretch is arguably the best on the river for Salmon, with three top notch pools. The best of these is the Island pool, which always produces good numbers of fish each year.
Dromahair Angling Club
The club has ½ mile at Drumalease Glebe House, which is about a mile or so upstream of Dromahair.
Syndicate Water
This water is downstream of Dromahair and covers about 1 ½ miles. It is private and is not let to the public.
Sligo Angling Club
Sligo AC’s water is just upstream of Lough Gill. It’s pretty deep water, and not really productive for Salmon. At any rate, it’s not let to the public so it’s just mentioned here for completeness.
River Bonet Tributaries
River Owenmore (Manorhamilton)
River Shanvaus
River Bonet Neighbouring Rivers
River Ballisodare
River Drumcliff
River Feorish
River Grange
River Owenmore (Sligo)
River Owennayle
River Unshin
