Dargle Anglers

The Dargle river, a typical example of many small Irish spate rivers, renowned for their excellent runs of Salmon and specimen sea trout is approximately 12 miles long. The main river rises in the Wicklow hills below Djouce mountain and flows in a north-easterly direction, through Enniskerry and on down through the scenic Dargle Glen in a series of rapids, waterfalls and pools and on into the Irish Sea at Bray, Co.Wicklow.   

 

It has two main tributaries, the Glencree which rises high in the Glencree valley and joins the main river in Powerscourt estate and the Cookstown river which rises below the Glencullen mountain and meets the river just above the bridge on the N11 carriageway. The catchment area in approximately 47sq miles and consists of mainly bare rugged mountains which in heavy rain cause sudden and violent spates down through the Dargle valley which run off very quickly.

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One of Ireland's premier sea trout rivers, it has the capacity to produce big double digit specimens. A fish weighing 16.6oz was one of the largest fish caught in Irish waters. It also has a good run of grilse and some big summer salmon, one of 21Ib having been caught in recent years.

 

The main run of Sea Trout which are in the 2-4Ib range starts in May through to the end of August and disperse rapidly throughout the system. As with all spate river fishing the optimum time to fish is when the river is fining down after a flood. Excellent results can also be achieved, night fly fishing, when the river has returned to normal levels.

 

The combination of excellent holding pools and runs in scenic surroundings whilst encountering abundant wildlife, make for a wonderful fishing experience not to be missed.