River Bonet

River Bonet Guide

The River Bonet rises in Glenade Lough, and flows in a semi circle through Manorhamilton, and the ancient village of Dromahair, on its way into Lough Gill. From Lough Gill into Sligo bay is known as the River Garavogue.

Strangely this River is not that well known in Irish Salmon fishing circles, but nonetheless it is a very good spring, summer and autumn fishery. Spring Salmon run from mid-March through to May. The Grilse arrive in late June and give great sport right through to the beginning of August, when the autumn fish take over through until the end of September.

Typical tree lined strech of the River Bonet.

The Bonet doesn't get a great run of Sea Trout, but there are plenty of good resident Brown Trout to tackle when the water isn't right for Salmon. The fishing is divided up into 6 different stretches.

Manorhamilton Angling Club

The club waters start about a mile below Glenade Lough, and extend downstream until just below Gortgarrigan Bridge, which is on a little road off the R280, 4 miles south of Manorhamilton. Its mostly double bank fishing but there are a few stretches of single bank.

The fishery is well maintained with easy access and plenty of stiles and footbridges. There is water suitable for the flies and for bait. The brown trout fishing is also good on this water especially from about 2 miles downstream from Glenade Lough to Gortinar, and the water just West of Manorhamilton, from Lurganboy down to Land Commission bridge (just below the confluence with the Shanvaus River).

Gortgarrigan Bridge on the Bonet.

Dromahair Lodge Fishery

The Lodge has almost 9 miles of fishing, starting at the end of the Manorhamilton Angling Club water and running down to Dromahair. The fishing is similar to the club waters but is perhaps an even better spring fishery, during March and April.

This is a private fishery but if you're staying at the Dromahair Lodge or the Breffni Holiday Cottages, Dromahair, then you can fish it for free.

River Bonet at the Breffini Cottages.

Stanford's Inn

The Inn at Dromahair has 3/4 mile of double-bank fishing. This stretch is arguably the best on the river for Salmon, with three top notch pools. The best of these is the Island pool, which always produces good numbers of fish each year.

Dromahair Angling Club

The club has ½ mile at Drumalease Glebe House, which is about a mile or so upstream of Dromahair.

Syndicate Water

This water is downstream of Dromahair and covers about 1 ½ miles. It is private and is not let to the public.

The Bonet between Dromahair and Lough Gill.

Sligo Angling Club

Sligo AC's water is just upstream of Lough Gill. It's pretty deep water, and not really productive for Salmon. At any rate, it's not let to the public so it's just mentioned here for completeness.

River Bonet Tributaries

River Owenmore (Manorhamilton)
River Shanvaus

River Bonet Neighbouring Rivers

River Ballisodare
River Drumcliff
River Feorish
River Grange
River Owenmore (Sligo)
River Owennayle
River Unshin

Fishing the River Bonet

River Bonet Season

Salmon - 1st February - 30th September
Sea Trout - 1st February - 30th September
Brown Trout - 15th February - 30th September

River Bonet Methods

Fly Fishing
Spinning
Worming

River Bonet Fishing Authority

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

North Western Fisheries Management

River Bonet Permits

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

Dromahair Lodge
Dromahair
Tel: +353 (0)71 916 4934

E. Flynn
The Post Office
Manorhamilton
Tel: +353 (0)71 985 5001
MANORHAMILTON AC WATER

Harold Sibbery
The Waterfall, Glencar Lake
Glencar
MANORHAMILTON AC WATER

John McDonnell
2 Church Street
Manorhamilton
Tel: +353 (0)72 55217
MANORHAMILTON AC WATER

Mr Thomas Mc Gowan, Stanford Village Inn
Main Street
Dromahair
Tel: +353 (0)71 916 4140

River Bonet Clubs

Dromahair Angling Club - River Bonet
Dromhair

The club has a half a mile at Drumlease Glebe House.

Manorhamilton Angling Club - River Bonet
John McDonnell
2 Church Street
Manorhamilton
Tel: +353 (0)72 55217

The club has about 7 miles of single and double bank fishing, starting a mile below Glenade Lough and extending down to Gortgarrigan Bridge (which is on a little road off the R280, 4 miles south of Manorhamilton).

Sligo Angling Club - River Bonet
Sligo

This club has a strech of water just above the Lough Gill.

River Bonet Ratings

River Bonet Fishing Conditions

River Bonet Status

Bag Limits

There is an angling bag limit of 10 salmon (any size) or sea trout (over 40 cm).

NOTE: The bag limits are subject to any quota allocated to a river and its tributaries. You should check locally when buying your permit.

Subject to the maximum annual bag limit of ten fish, an angler may take:

- A season bag limit of 3 fish in the period 1 Jan to 11 May.
- A daily bag limit of 3 fish from 12 May to 31 August.
- A daily bag limit of 1 fish from 1 September to the end of the season.
- You must use single hooks and not use worms as bait, once the specified number of fish have been caught in the specified periods.
- Please note that no sea trout of any size caught in the Western Region or the Clew Bay area of the North Western Region can be retained.

After the daily bag limit has been taken, anglers are permitted to fish catch and release, using single barbless hooks and there is a ban on the use of worms.

Local Restrictions

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