Information about the Agivey

The river Agivey is known as a spate river. This generaly means that the river rises and falls fairly quickly after rainfall. When the river rises and what is localy known as a flood the water turns brown with water run off from the surounding country side which drains into small streams and Burns. This in turn empties into the river all along it's coarse. The flood usualy lasts about a day and then the water turns black. This is just a term due to the waters appearance and this is the water clearing in the river. For a few days after a flood and when the water is high and black fishing is at is best with both Salmon and trout. The river water would be fairly acid in nature due to the fact that many of the rivers tributaries run from and through peat bogs in the higher levels in the foot hills of the Sperrin Mountains. The river Agivey is classed as a medium sized river and it's length from source to end is aprox 13 miles. The Agivey drains the north eastern area of the Sperrin Mountains in Co. Londonderry and runs through part of Glenullan down through the town of Garvagh and on into the low lands of Aghadowey before emptying into the river Bann close to the Agivey Bridge. The Agivey river is probably one of the best medium sized Salmon and Grilse rivers in Ireland and in Northern Ireland is well renowned for it's salmon and Salmon hatchery which was established some years ago. It also has a good population of the native Brown Trout which are pleantiful in the countless streams and pools along the coarse of the river. Excelent sport with Both Wet & Dry fly fishing can be had especially in the deep flowing streams along the river. Spring Salmon can be seen in the Agivey river from March & April but the arrival of Grilse in May & June see's the beginning of the main run of fish with numbers of fish peaking in July, August adn September depending on water conditions. The majority of fish are indeed Grilse which weigh in the reigon of 4-6Ib (2.75kg) although there are a fair number of salmon in the double figures as well. Type of Fish: Chiefly Brown Trout, & Salmon. Other species in lower stretches. Fishing season: 1st March - 30th September. Permitted fishing methods: Fly fishing, Spinning and bait fishing with Worms are permitted. Fishing with Shrimps & Prawns are strictly outlawed. Rod Licence & Day Tickets required. Day Ticket information: There is a limit of 12 Day Tickets available from 8.30am at £5.00/Rod/Day from 1st March to 31st May. From 1st June £15.00/Rod/Day to 30th September. Multiple Day Tickets are available to overseas visitors at £40.00/Rod/3 days; £60/Rod/5 days; £80.00/Rod/7 days. A maximun of eight of this type of ticket is available per week. Day Ticket Outlets: Mr Bert Atkins Atkins Angling Centre 67 Coleraine Road Garvagh Tel: 028 2955 8555 Mrs McCann Agivey Road Aghadowey Tel: 028 7086 8686