River Moy

The River Moy in County Mayo is Ireland's most prolific Atlantic salmon river, consistently producing the highest rod catches of any river in the country. Rising in the Ox Mountains of County Sligo, the Moy flows westward through the town of Ballina before entering Killala Bay on the Atlantic coast. The river and its tributaries drain a vast limestone catchment that produces alkaline, nutrient-rich water ideal for both salmon and brown trout. In a typical season, the Moy system produces between seven and ten thousand salmon to the rod, a figure that dwarfs most other Atlantic salmon rivers in western Europe.

The Moy offers an accessible and remarkably affordable Atlantic salmon fishing experience. The Moy Fishery, managed by Inland Fisheries Ireland, provides day-ticket access to prime salmon beats in and around Ballina, putting world-class salmon fishing within reach of anglers who might otherwise be priced out of the sport. The river fishes well with both single-handed and double-handed rods, with wet fly, nymph, and dry fly methods all productive depending on conditions. Spring salmon arrive from March onward, building through May and June, while the main grilse run from late June through August provides the peak of the season with aggressive, fresh-run fish in the four-to-eight-pound class that fight far above their weight.

Beyond salmon, the Moy system holds excellent brown trout, particularly in the tributaries and the upper river above Foxford. Lough Conn and Lough Cullin, connected to the Moy system, offer outstanding wild brown trout fishing from drifting boats, with the mayfly hatch in May and June drawing trout to the surface in numbers that thrill even experienced lough anglers. The combination of prolific salmon fishing, wild brown trout, and the legendary hospitality of the Ballina area makes the Moy the ideal introduction to Irish fly fishing.