River Erriff

River Erriff Guide

The River Erriff rises some 15 miles North East of Killary harbour in County Mayo, and flows South West on almost the same path as the N59, until it enters the Harbour just downstream of the village of Aasleagh.

River Erriff at Aasleagh Falls.

The wider Erriff system also takes in the four small loughs of Tawnyard, Derrintin, Glenawough and Lugacolliwee. Glenawough and Lugacolliwee are only for the more adventurous as they are situated high up on the hills and can only be reached on foot.

The river is has over 20 miles of water but the last 8 miles is of most interest to the Salmon angler, starting from Shrahlea Bridge, and running down to Killary Harbour. The river banks are well developed and deep wading is not required despite the river being quite wide in places.

It is a classic spate river, characterised by lots of deep holding pools, punctuated by plenty of nice streams and glides. The fishery runs through a beautiful glacial valley and the stunning scenery is capped off with the magical Aasleagh Falls just above the sea.

The Erriff near Leenane, below Aasleagh Falls.

The Erriff spring fishing is average with May being the peak month. The river gets and excellent run of Grilse, starting in June and running right through until the end of the season, with July, August and September being the peak season. The river also gets a good run of bigger summer fish averaging around 9lbs. The Sea trout runs are from early July onwards, but like many Western rivers they are not as good as they once were.

The fishery is controlled by the Central Fisheries board and is managed from Aasleagh Lodge. It is divided up into 9 beats, most of which take only two rods, with a few taking 3 for 22 rods in total. The vast majority of the fish are taken on the fly. In spate you'd be better with a double handed rod but in normal conditions a single hander is fine.

Nice fly water on the River Erriff.

The beats are numbered from 1, starting at Shrahlea Bridge, up to 9, which is the first above the sea (so the higher the number the further downstream). Over 60% of the fish on the Erriff are taken on beat 9 (which is where the Aasleagh Falls are situated). Beats 3 and 6 account for about 10% each of the total catch, whilst beats, 1, 2, 3 and 8, would be the least productive for Salmon, but 1 and 2 are good for Sea Trout night fishing.

Of the Loughs on the Erriff system, Tawnyard is the one of most interest. It covers an area of around 250 acres and can be very good for Sea Trout and Grilse. The Lough is fly fishing only and dapping is allowed. A boat is essential to cover most of Lough Tawnyard.

River Erriff Tributaries

No River Erriff tributaries listed.

River Erriff Neighbouring Rivers

River Bundorragha (Delphi)
River Bunowen
River Carrowbeg (Westport)
River Carrowniskey
River Culfin
River Dawros
River Manulla (Bellyvary)
River Owenglin (Clifden)
River Owenwee (Belclare)

Fishing the River Erriff

River Erriff Season

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

River Erriff Methods

Bubble Fly
Fly Fishing
Shrimp and Prawn
Spinning
Worming

River Erriff Fishing Authority

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

Western Fisheries Management

River Erriff Permits

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

James Stafford, Aasleagh Lodge
Attanagh
Leenane
Email: erriff.fish@iol.ie
Tel: + 353 (0)95 42252
AASLEAGH LODGE

River Erriff Clubs

No River Erriff clubs listed.

River Erriff Ratings

River Erriff Fishing Conditions

River Erriff Status

Bag Limits

There is an angling bag limit of 10 salmon (any size) or sea trout (over 40 cm) on rivers where you may catch and retain salmon (see individual rivers for status). The bag limits are subject to any quota allocated to a river and its tributaries.

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
- and a daily bag limit of 1 fish from 1 September to the end of the season.
- anglers fishing with a one day licence have a bag limit of one fish (only one tag is issued)
- The Bye-law also provides for the use of single hooks and prohibits the use of 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 Erriff, please check with the distributor.