Stinchar Stoats Tail

Methods of Fishing

For the fly fisher the River Stinchar is best fished on the rise, i.e. just as the river starts to rise and before it gets too coloured after a spate. It is then advisable to wait till the river starts to clear and fall, though the dedicated angler can take fish on a big coloured water.

Stinchar Stoats Tail
Stinchar Stoats Tail

Most, though not all of the lower beats are restricted to fly only. Bait fishing or spinning is allowed on some of the middle beats and most of the upper beats depending on the river conditions and time of year. Please enquire when booking.

In the spring of the year the fly should be fished through the water and stripped by hand in low water conditions. In the autumn it should be fished slower and deeper.

The Stinchar is not a large river and a double-handed rod of say 12/14 feet would be more than adequate in most high/good water conditions, while a single-handed rod of 9/10 feet would suffice when the water is lower.

In the spring a floating line or floating line with sink tip is preferred by most anglers with a sunk line being fished mostly in October in a high water.

Alley Shrimp
Alley Shrimp

Every angler has his own preference for flys and every angler fishes with what he feels confident/lucky with.

On the Stinchar the colour orange or red are no doubt most productive, with the Stinchar Stoat’s Tail and the Red Tube being preferred by the local angling fraternity. Sizes are dependent on the height of the water, with sizes 8 and 10 most popular, though sizes 6 and 12 will produce fish in the right conditions.

Prawn and shrimp fishing has been banned on the river since 1997.

Anglers should fish, when possible, with barbless hooks and spinning lures should contain not more than one treble.

Red Devil
Red Devil

The river is easy to wade and a good wading stick and chest waders, will suffice. A knotless landing net will be required to land your fish, though numerous pools have shingle banks which would enable them to be beached.

NOTE:
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DISINFECT ALL OF YOUR FISHING TACKLE BEFORE COMING TO AND AFTER LEAVING THE RIVER.

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