River Clady Guide
The River Clady rises in the Sperrin mountains a couple of miles above Maghera, and flows Eastwards through Swatragh, Upperlands and Clady before joining up with the Lower Bann, just downstream of Portglenone. It’s a beautiful little Salmon river, with good clean banks and easy access (including disabled stands).
Clady River at the Fishing Club Bridge
The river gets a good run of Autumn Salmon, with the best of the fishing coming in August, September and October. The season doesn’t end until the 31st of October in order to accomodate the late running fish. Many fish arrive at the confluence in the Lower Bann as early as the end of June but few run the river until July, with the main run starting in early August. In fact fish run this river until Christmas and even the new year! As an added bonus the river also gets a good run of Bann Trout, which come up with the Salmon. These fish average between 1-2lb, but can get up to 6-7lb.
Weir’s Pool – Great holding spot
Most people fish the river between Weirs hole (where the Moneygran, A54, road crosses the river just below Clady), and the Drumnacanon bridge (at the Eden Road), which is a stretch of about 3 miles. The majority of fish are taken in the area starting at the Fishing Club premises (at the Waterwall bar), and extending to a point about 2 miles upstream. The half mile above weir, just upstream of the Fishing club, is particularly productive. Further up the river, just off the Ballymacpeake Road, there are lots of nice holding pools. These pools look a little sluggish but dont be put off, as the current is strong enough to fish flies. There is some nice fly water behind St Mary’s College, Clady, which can yield plenty of fish after a spate.
The Bridge between Clady and Innisrush.
In years gone by there have been a few 20lb+ fish taken, but like most rivers now the average size has dropped in recent years, to around 6-7lb, with a few double figure fish each season. The fishing is best when the river is fining down from a flood, and at such times you’ll get at least 2 good days fishing, but its fishable on any day when the fish are resident. Some of the locals take up to 20 fish in the months of September and October.
The footstick at Innisrush.
River Clady Tributaries
River Grillagh
River Clady Neighbouring Rivers
River Agivey
River Lower Bann
River Maine
River Moyola
Fishing the River Clady
River Clady Season
Salmon – 1st March – 31st October
Brown Trout – 1st March – 31st October
Bann Trout – 1st March – 31st October
River Clady Methods
Fly Fishing
Spinning
Worming
River Clady Fishing Authority
To fish in Ireland you need a rod license from the appropriate fishing authority. You can find the details for the River Clady at:
Northern Ireland Fisheries Management
River Clady Permits
As well as a rod license, you’ll need a permit to fish the River Clady. You can get permits from the following location:
Fullan’s Food Hall Portglenone
76 – 82 Main Street
Portglenone
BT44 8HS
Phone: (028) 258 21310
River Clady Clubs
Clady & District Angling Club – River Clady
Richard Rowe (Secreatary)
Tel: +44 (0)7748 147556
Email: cladyanddistrictanglingclub@
The club leases the entire river, including its tributary, the Grillagh River.
