River Castletown (Courtbane)

River Castletown (Courtbane) Guide

The River Castletown (Courtbane) rises near Newtonhamilton (County Armagh), and makes its way in a South Easterly direction, past Cullyhanna and Crossmaglen on its way into the Irish Sea at Dundalk.

In its upper reaches near Newtonhamilton, the Castletown River is known as the Creggan River. As if that's not confusing enough its 2 tributaries also have multiple names!

Janies Falls on the Castletown River.

The main tributary is the Falmore River, which is also known as the Dungooley River or the Cully Water. The second tributary is the Kilcurry River, which is also known as the Forkhill River. Both these tributaries are primarily Brown Trout fisheries.

Dundalk & District Brown Trout Anglers Association have most of the fishing rights on the Castletown River. There are some areas where the Riparian assert their rights, so you should check with the club to find out where those areas are located.

Castletown River at Dundalk.

The club also has the fishing on the Falmore and Kilcurry tributaries. It also has stretches of the Fane and on the Flurry (as far as the border with Northern Ireland).

The main Salmon fishing starts with the Grilse run at the beginning of July, and continues right through August and September, with the peak fishing being August. The river gets an excellent run of Sea Trout, starting in early July and extending through to the end of the season.

Some nice streamy water on the Castletown River.

The best Salmon fishing on the Castletown River is just below Toberona Bridge, which is the first bridge downstream of the M1 Bridge, on the outskirts of Dundalk. The pool below the bridge is known as the Toberona pool and is excellent after a flood. Downstream of that pool is Toberona weir, and below that is another very good pool.

High water at Toberona on the Castletown.

There are also a few nice pools further upstream between Bellew's Bridge and Court Bridge, and then at Philipstown (just off the N53). There is some good fly water above the bridge at Philipstown Bridge (best fished from the right bank).

If you're after Sea Trout, fish anywhere from Bellew's Bridge right down to the estuary. The water is streamy close to Bellew's Bridge and suits daytime fly fishing but as always with the Sea Trout the best fishing is usually at night, when it's best down at the Toberona Bridge. When the Sea Trout begin to run this area is heavily fished. The first couple of miles of the Kilcurry River are also fished for Sea Trout.

River Castletown (Courtbane) Tributaries

River Falmore (Dungooley)
River Kilcurry (Forkhill)

River Castletown (Courtbane) Neighbouring Rivers

River Ballymascanlan (Flurry)
River Clarebane
River Cooley (Piedmont Big Little)
River Drumleak
River Fane
River Frankfort
River Glyde
River Killanny
River Mullaghduff (Little Fane)

Fishing the River Castletown (Courtbane)

River Castletown (Courtbane) Season

Salmon - 1st March - 12th October
Sea Trout - 1st March - 12th October
Brown Trout - 1st March - 12th October

River Castletown (Courtbane) Methods

Bubble Fly
Fly Fishing
Shrimp and Prawn
Spinning
Worming

River Castletown (Courtbane) Fishing Authority

To fish in Ireland you need a rod license from the appropriate fishing authority. You can find the details for the River Castletown (Courtbane) at:

Eastern Fisheries Management

River Castletown (Courtbane) Permits

As well as a rod license, you'll need a permit to fish the River Castletown (Courtbane). You can get permits from any of the following distributors:

Paddy Tennyson
Grey Acre Road, Newtownbalregan
Dundalk
Email: info@browntroutanglers.com
Tel: +353(0)86 840 5653
DUNDALK & DISTRICT BROWN TROUT ANGLERS ASSOCIATION

River Castletown (Courtbane) Clubs

Dundalk & District Brown Trout Anglers Association - River Castletown (Courtbane)
Paddy Tennyson
Grey Acre Road, Newtownbalregan
Dundalk
Email: info@browntroutanglers.com
Tel: +353(0)86 840 5653
Web: Dundalk & District Brown Trout Anglers Association

The club has rights on the whole river, including the Falmore and Kilcurry tributaries. It also has stretches of the Fane and on the Flurry (as far as the border with Northern Ireland).

River Castletown (Courtbane) Ratings

River Castletown (Courtbane) Fishing Conditions

River Castletown (Courtbane) Status

Catch And Release

The Catch And Release rules state that you must:

- Not use worms.
- Use single barbless hooks.
- Handle the fish carefully and should not remove them from the water prior to release.

Generally you should be able to retain Sea Trout of 40cm or less, but check locally (when buying your permit) if that is the case.

Local Restrictions

Some rivers impose their own local restrictions so when you are going to buy your permit for the River Castletown (Courtbane), please check with the distributor.