We have one private beat to let on the River Mourne for spring salmon, summer grilse and autumn salmon fishing. The season starts on 1st April and closes on 20th October each year. The beat holds two rods and a friendly ghillie / guide can be arranged to be on hand to provide expert local advice and give you the best chance to catch a salmon.
Accommodation can be provided on the Estate, 10 minutes away, this is let on a self catered basis, a cook can be supplied upon request. The 5 year average is 131 fish, which is lightly fished (not fully rodded every day).
There is direct access to the Estate water which comprises of four beats with over 24 named pools. The most renowned and famous pool is the Snaa, it is similar in its appearance to “the Junction pool” on the River Tweed, the other pools such as “Carnaquin”, “The Half Water”, and “Blackstone” are every bit as good, each beat offers exciting and varied sport. This high quality fishery also enjoys excellent access to the river with two fishing huts and car parking, expert advice can be sought from the Estate’s ghillie. The Snaa is a very long and deep pool which fishes in all heights of water and yields a good amount of fish each season. Fishermen who like to cast a long line will enjoy the Snaa and Carniquin which offer alot of water to cover. The Half Water is more streamy and tight with a number of pools that require skill and correct placement of the fly. The Blackstone is where larger fish lie wait for their journey upstream. This fishery is suited for an all round fishermen who likes varied pools and fishing conditions and is competent at wading. If the river goes into flood and is unfishable (sometimes happens!) we can provide world-class fly fishing for pike on the private lakes in the Estate, as well as the opportunity to find fishing on nearby water.
The River Mourne, flowing from the Derg Junction to Strabane, is part of the Foyle Fishery System. It is believed to be one of the best salmon rivers in Northern Europe, it is on a par with the Rivers Moy and Blackwater in Ireland and River Tweed, Scotland.
The Foyle System comprises of approximately 900 miles of salmon, sea trout and brown trout water. It covers the North West region of the north of Ireland. It is also one of Ireland’s most prolific grilse and summer salmon fisheries. The peak period is usually during June and July. If there is a mild and wet August good fishing can be had. September and October can also perform very well. Scientific estimations put the annual Foyle system salmon run at approximately 80,000 fish in 2007.
The recent legislation banning drift net fishing around Ireland’s coast is expected to lead to a significant increase in the numbers of fish returning to the rivers, especially in the North West.
The Estate operates a “beat system” with water divided into 4 beats. Two beats are fished each day, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, the next day this changes to other two beats. The fishing is let by the beat, with a maximum of 2 rods per beat. This is one of the very few “fly only” private beat based fisheries in Ireland. Fishing is allowed on Sundays unlike in Scotland. All lettings are subject to our terms and conditions.
Please note that in line with general practice, we cannot give refunds for fishing spoilt by inclement weather or poor water conditions. Should fishing not be possible on the River Mourne arrangements can be made to fly fish for pike on the lakes or (at an additional cost) with other local fisheries such as Glenmore Rivers, River Finn, www.glenmore-rivers.com.
Please note if the fishing is let as a package with the estate accommodation, this is subject to availability of both the fishing and the accommodation. The maximum number of rods per beat is 2, the estate has one beat to let at any one time.
A deposit of 50% of the full rental is required before a booking can be confirmed. This deposit is non-refundable unless we are able to relet the fishing which we do not guarantee to be able to do. Please take out adequate travel insurance to cover your holiday. VAT is included in the quoted price. A customary tip to the ghillie of £20 per rod per day is recommended.
The balance of the rental is due 30 days before arrival, unless this is a late booking. Full Terms and Conditions please click here.
Changeover day for the accommodation / weekly rentals is Friday unless agreed otherwise. Possession of the apartment is from 16.00hrs on the day of arrival to 10.00hrs on the day of departure. Late arrivals must telephone the Estate Office in advance +44 (0)28 8166 1683.
The development and construction of the access steps, stiles and pathways at the fishery was made possible by the financial contribution of the Loughs Agency as part of the Sustainable Development Fund 2008 programme.
The construction of the fishing hut was made possible by the financial contribution made by the EU Programme for Peace & Reconciliation, Peace II, and the Department of Culture, Arts
Spring Salmon are best from April to mid May. Traditionaly the bulk of the Grilse and summer Salmon arrive with us from June to July. If the weather is relatively cool and wet in August great fishing can be had. September through to the end of the season in October has shown excellent results in recent years. Sea Trout runs are at their peak in June and July.
Spring daytime temperatures can range from 4°C to 12° and warm clothing and waterproofs are always necessary. Summer daytime temperatures vary from 10°C to 25°C and again some warm clothing and waterproofs are usually necessary!
14-15ft double handed rods rated for 10/11 lines are the norm with 10-11ft rods rated for 7-9 line for low water conditions. Good pair of felt soled waders are also essential when fishing the River Mourne.
The Mourne sea trout are not the largest of fish with a 3 lb being a good specimen, although the majority being caught are around 3/4 lb – 1.5 lb. The larger trout arrive first in early to mid June with the bulk of smaller fish arriving from July onwards to the end of the season. Rods 9-10ft are rated for 6-7 weight lines are perfect for the job with floating and sink tip lines. Flies in sizes 12 – 8. Patterns – Peter Ross, Zulu, Teal Blue and Silver, Butchers, Silver Doctors, Black Pennals will all catch fish.
Salmon fishing on the Abercorn Estates beats on the Upper Mourne have got off to the best season since 2007. Fishing activity in May is traditionally very light, three fish caught this month. Up to 13th June, twelve salmon have been landed, the largest being 13.25lbs, in the Snaa pool using a size 8, Shrimp fly. So far a total of 15 and one sea trout in April.
We had been very concerned going into this season as to the impact of the escape of rainbow trout from the Rocks Lodge Trout farm. Very few rainbow trout have been caught this season and no impact on the salmon fishing.
As the indicators are that the prospects that this season will provide good salmon fishing and as we only have two rods to let early booking is advised. For bookings and availability please call Avril on +44 (0) 28 81661683 or online wwww.barons-court.com
The upgrade to infrastructure to the fishery was generously sponsored by the Loughs Agency as part of the Sustainable Development Grant Scheme in 2012 and 2008.
July started off in cracking fashion with 12 fish caught in the first three days, then heavy rain came. In the second week of July, with water levels dropping, 14 fish were caught, the largest being 12lb in the Snaa pool, using a cone head “flamethrower”. A visiting angler, C Lodge, from the Bahamas, caught a lovely 10lb salmon using another cone head, this salmon provided a very lengthy battle. After low water in the middle of the month (18th ) a few days rain left the water coloured and unfishable. Water conditions settled with 8 fish being caught in the following couple of days (21st – 23rd). Consistently showery weather last week has left the water very high, coloured and unfishable on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Water was coming back into order on Saturday with a total of 10 fish caught on Saturday and Sunday including the largest fish this month being a 15lb salmon caught on on the Top Beat (Lisnagirk pool). The preferred fly is a conehead, on which 8 of these fish were caught. Fish were caught over all four beats but mostly on the Snaa and Top Beats.
On the Upper Mourne there were a total of 15 fish landed in the month of June with several more lost. Three of the largest in size were between 11-14lbs. A very good number of fish have been showing in most pools during the month.
Water levels remained low for most of the month except for the second weekend when they were high due to heavy rainfall the previous couple of days.
15 fish were caught between Friday 30th and Sunday 2nd July, one lucky angler landed 4 to his rod on Saturday. The two largest fish were around 11lbs to J. Irvine in Doaks using a Bann Special, and J. Hamilton Stubber in the Snaa using a Park Shrimp conehead.
Fish size ranged from small grilse 2.5lbs through to 11lbs. Early this week has seen little fishing due to rain and coloured water. When the Mourne clears good catches should be expected. Derg water is running clear.
First, thanks to all who have supported the Liberty Girl book. It’s been in the New Pulp Best Sellers’ Top 10 every week since its release and I’m very gratified by that. I’ve had a couple of people ask me when the next Heroic book will be out from Pro Se Productions but I’m not privy to that information. I know that Pro Se has plenty of things in the works for Liberty Girl, Flare, Eternity Smith, etc. but I’m not directly involved in any of them at the moment so I don’t know what the schedule looks like. Likewise, I don’t know if I’m going to be involved in any of those projects — at present, I’m not signed up for any of them but if Pro Se asked and the project fit with my already packed schedule… maybe.
Anyway, I’m continuing work on the current story in front of me — which is a Lazarus Gray piece. I really, really want to finish this one before we go out for Christmas break. Originally I had planned for five stories in this fifth volume but if this current tale stretches long enough and can resolve all the dangling subplots from the earlier stories, I might close the deal with this one. We’ll see. Once I’ve put Lazarus to bed, I can begin work on the crossover novel. As I teased yesterday, I have a title now and I have the general gist of the plot so it’s just a matter of getting started on the writing. I know some of you are very excited to read it but keep in mind that Pro Se will have to publish Gravedigger Volume 2 plus Lazarus Gray Volumes 4 & 5 before you’ll ever see the crossover novel. So even if I were finished with the crossover novel today, you probably wouldn’t see it in print for another year (at least).
I’m about to start reading The Ministry of Illusion: Nazi Cinema And Its Afterlife by Eric Rentschler. Not sure if I’ll find much in here to pepper into my stories but you never know. If nothing else, it looks interesting!
Got a nice preview of something cool related to The Rook this morning. Very, very sharp. I think some of you will really enjoy this… alas, I can’t discuss it at present.
I’ll be back tomorrow with more chatter and teasing. Who knows? Maybe I’ll actually be able to give you some hard details about some of the mystery projects out there. You know know!
Who makes an ‘excellent’ Brand Manager? What does it take? While the formula is not exactly a science, a few key ingredients include a solid consumer marketing background and a flair for ‘creative’ design and type of packaging used. But there is much more….
Being creative in reading and analyzing Consumer Trend Data is essential for keeping a pulse on your target market (see below) and this is where we will delve deep today.
Ideally, a brand manager should deliver/create products that satisfy consumer trends/needs BEFORE they become mainstream (i.e. before trend peak sales and competition supersaturates the market). Understanding consumer trends then, is critical for developing your product strategies.
So how does one tap into Consumer Trend Data? – Trade shows – Vendor meetings – Magazines (I use Canadian Grocer for example for food trends) – Studying data such as AC Neilson. – The Internet (assuming it is a reputable site). – Government Statistics http://www.foodprocessing.com/industrynews/2011/innova-top10-food-trends-2012.html
Cut & paste this site above – this information is key to unlocking future trends. This, coupled with government data (ie demographic data) will help you. Some easy examples you should think about is your target market – Can the elderly read your labels? Can kids and elders open the package easily (assuming you want kids to open the package at all?)
Let’s look at a few more examples. If demographic data indicates people are getting older and the fastest growing household segment is 1-2 people per household (while traditional 4-person households are declining) perhaps you need to look at your packsize i.e. is it logical to develop a 10lb potato bag or perhaps a smaller size given your target market – maybe 2 people can’t consume that much before it is rotten? Or perhaps trend data indicates refrigerator space is at a premium and people can’t buy your huge 2kg tub of ‘whatever’.
Bottom Line – Without keeping your pulse on the consumer you are surely going to be complacent and ultimately your product will be antiquated and obsolete.