For an island of its size, the Isle of Man offers a great deal of freshwater fishing on rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs for sea and brown trout and salmon: coarse fish are rare on Man. Not surprisingly, there is also a wealth of possibilities for the sea angler.
Freshwater fishing on the island is controlled by the Isle of Man Board of Agriculture and Fisheries (I of M BAF). All anglers fishing such waters on the island must be in possession of a rod licence issued by the Board. These are obtainable from tackle shops and agents at various points on the island. Any angler experiencing difficulty in obtaining one should apply direct to the Board at Government Buildings, Tromode, Douglas (Tel: Douglas 3995). Representatives of the Board are always pleased to give information to visitors, part of their progressive attitude to anglers and angling which, among other things, has led to an excellent stocking policy with trout, with both browns and rainbows.
The fishing seasons laid down by the Board for the entire island are Trout: Mar 10-Sept 30; Salmon: Mar10-Nov 20. No specific season is laid down for sea trout.
Peak time for salmon and sea trout runs on all rivers is in September and October. The average weight of salmon is 6-10 lb. The spring and summer months, from April through to September, are rated best for trout.
Some sections of river are strictly preserved while others are available on ticket. The majority are open and where ticket information is not given , all that is usually necessary is for the visiting angler to seek the permission of the appropriate landowner or farmer. There are a number of smaller streams, other than those listed below, that offer opportunities for the visiting angler but none are highly rated. Rod Licence: I of M BAF
Rivers
BALLAUGH
One of the smaller rivers, the Bal-laugh flows from the hills west of Snaefell (2036feet) to Ballaugh and then follows closely the A10 road to enter the Irish Sea on the west coast of the island.
COLBY
Another small river, this four-mile stream drains Colby Glen reaching the sea on the south coast not far from Port St. Mary.
CORNAA
Another river finding its source on
Snaefell, the Cornaa enters the sea on the east coast at Port Cornaa.
Rated best for salmon and sea trout in lower reaches.
Port Cornaa TSTS5 miles; entire river
Free fishing
DALBY
This river enters the sea two miles below Glenmaye..
Dhoo. See R. Douglas
DOUGLAS
This river is formed near Quarter-bridge by the junction of the rivers Dhoo and Glass. The Dhoo rises at Marown and flows via Crosby and Union Mills to join the Glass, the latter flowing down the Baldwin Valley. Some parts of all three rivers are preserved; the Dhoo and the Glass are given below, as tributaries of the Douglas.
DHOO
Union Mills T1 milefrom Braddan
BridgetoSnugborough
MeadowlBB
DT (visitors season ticket): ATS (Angling Centre, Victoria Street,
Douglas)
GLASS
Douglas TS2 miles from Quarter
Bridge to Tromode and
CastlewardBB
DT (visitors season ticket): ATS (Angling Centre, Victoria Street,
Douglas)e
Foxdale. See R. Neb
Glass. See R. Douglas
Glen Auldyn. See R. Sulby
Glen Maye. See R. Neb
GLEN MOOR BURN
This small stream, not particularly highly rated, enters the sea on the west coast after flowing through Kirk Michael.
Kirk Michael T3 miles, entire river Free fishing
GLEN RUSHEN
Draining Glen Maye, this river passes through the village of that name to enter the sea on the southwest coast.
GROUDLE
Another small stream, this one drains Glen Groudle and is best approached at Whitebridge. The river enters the sea on the east coast near Onchan Head.
LAXEY
Another Manx river finding its source on Snaefell, the Laxey, not highly rated, flows five miles to the sea on the island’s east coast near
Laxey Head.
Laxey TSEntire river
DT: ARO (Commissioners’ Offices,
New Road, Laxey)
NEB
Also known as Peel River, this river rises above Little London. The main fishing centre is St John’s from where the angler may fish up or downstream. At St John’s, the Neb is joined by the Foxdale River and, further downstream, towards Peel, the Glen Maye joins the Neb. The river enters the sea at Peel. Most of the fishing is free and the river is rated good for salmon from August.
St. John’s T S Most of river Free fishing
Peel. See R. Neb
PORT SODERICK
Drains the glen of the same name and is best approached from the bridge near Port Soderick station.
SANTON (Santon Burn)
A small stream six miles long which is not highly rated. Best approached at Santon. SILVERBURN
Rising above Ballasalla, this stream enters the sea on the south coast at Castletown. Rated best in the sec-tions immediately upstream of Castletown. SULBY
The largest river on the island, the Sulby, which rises on Snaefell to flow via Sulby Glen to the sea at Ramsey, is also rated the best for salmon and sea trout, being specially good during early autumn spates. A tributary is the Glen Auldyn which drains the valley which gives it its name to enter the Sulby above Ramsey. Trout is also available.
Sulby Glen TSTSEntire river Free fishing
WYUJN BURN
Small stream traversing Glen
Wyllin near Kirkmichael village.
Some trout are available.
Kirk Michael T4 miles, entire river
Freefishing
A favourite holiday centre, the Isle of Wight offers angling possibilities in freshwater and in the sea.
Re-stocking by the Isle of Wight Freshwater Angling Association (I of W FAA) has improved some of the island’s angling potential. This has had its most dramatic effect in the still waters. The only river generally rated worth the freshwater angler’s attention is the Yar. Two others, the Medina and Wooton Creek, are mostly fished in their estuaries for salt water species. Rod Licence: SWA
Yar
This river rises near the centre of the island and flows eastwards to enter the sea at Bembridge. Alver-
Still Waters
FOXDALE
Cringle (R) This is one of six reser-voirs on the island, see also Onchan Village, Ramsey, Sulby Village and West Baldwin, below. All of them stocked with trout by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. The reservoirs are administered by the Isle of Man Water and Gas Authority (I of M WGA) and a permit issued by them must be obtained before fishing. Except for Block Eary Reservoir, these are obtainable at the reservoirs. For Block Eary and in any case of difficulty for other reservoirs, anglers should apply to the Authority at their head offices: 16, Circular Rd, Douglas (Tel: Douglas 3496). Fishing hours at all the reservoirs are9amto half an hour after sunset (though not later than 10.30 p.m.). Anglers are warned that special regulations are in operation at all reservoirsRT
DT: K (Ballaganne Filter House) or ARO(lofMWGA)e ONCHAN VILLAGE RerrowDhooRT
DT : K (Attendant’s House, Clypse Reservoir) or ARO (I of MWGA)e Clypse ReservoirT
DT: K (Reservoir Attendant, Clypse) or
ARO(lofMWGA)e
PEEL
Brickworks Quarry PT
DT: ATS (W. J. Clague, 6, West
View, Peel)
RAMSEY
BallureRT
DT: K (FilterStation, BallureGlen)or
ARO(lofMWGA)e
ST JOHN’S
Lake Fisheries is a special all-year fishing complex about half a mile from St John’s. Stocked with 100,000 trout, the complex offers extra facilities, such as tackle hire, picnic areas and refreshment centresT
DT: TO (at Lake. To book competitions in advance ring Peel 2701)
SULBY VILLAGE
Block Eary RT
DT : ARO (lofMWGA)e
WEST BALDWIN
West Baldwin Reservoir T
DT : K (Reservoir Attendant’s House,
West Baldwin) or ARO (I of M
WGA)
Isle of Wight stone is reckoned the best centre and it is here that the main ticket possibilities exist. The upper reaches are stocked with trout; lower down, it is a coarse fish river with most of the usual species present.
Alverstone CJ mile upstream from Alverstoneto Burnt HouseBB DT: ATS or AAA (I of W FAA) Brading, C1 mile from Yarbridge toBradingRB DT:ATSorAAA(lofWFAA)
Still Waters
CARISBROOKE
GunvillePondC
DT: ATS or AAA (I of W FAA)
COWES
Somerton Reservoirs C DT:ATSorAAA(lofWFAA)e
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