The River Bush is one of Northern Ireland's finest salmon rivers — a compact spate water on the North Antrim coast that flows through the village of Bushmills, just a stone's throw from the Giant's Causeway. Its combination of accessible beats, a well-managed day ticket system, and genuine quality salmon fishing makes it one of the most sought-after river fisheries on the island.
The Bush is a relatively short river, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in character. Its lower section is divided into four managed beats — the New, Town, Leap, and (upstream) non-day-ticket stretches — each offering different water and different challenges. The Leap Stretch runs through a steep gorge with a series of holding pools that provide classic fly water. The Town Stretch includes the famous Bridge Pool, 180 metres of deep, productive water right in the centre of Bushmills. The Doctors Pool on the Town beat is considered the best fly water on this section.
Spring salmon arrive from mid-April, with the spring fishing at its best through to the end of May. The grilse run typically peaks in July, and from that point through to the close in October the river can fish superbly when conditions are right. As a spate river, the Bush responds dramatically to rainfall — a fresh spate after dry weather can transform the fishing overnight. Receding water after a flood provides the ideal conditions.
Brown trout fishing is also available throughout most of the season, with good evening fishing on the upper stretches. Sea trout are present but not the primary quarry. The river is managed through the DAERA-operated Bush Salmon Station, which monitors fish stocks and runs the day ticket system for the restricted beats.
The setting alone makes the River Bush worth a visit. The North Antrim coast is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Ireland, and an angling trip here can easily be combined with visits to the Giant's Causeway, Bushmills Distillery, and the spectacular coastal scenery of the Causeway Coast. Accommodation and facilities in Bushmills and the surrounding area are excellent.
For visiting anglers seeking a well-managed, accessible salmon fishery with genuine quality fish and a spectacular setting, the River Bush is hard to beat.
Season dates
Trout: 1 Mar – 20 Oct
Salmon: 1 Mar – 20 Oct
Best times
Grilse: July
Brown Trout: May, June, July, August, September
Autumn Salmon: August, September, October
Spring Salmon: April, May
Access & bases
The restricted beats (New, Town, Leap) are all within walking distance of Bushmills village. Day tickets can be purchased online via nidirect.gov.uk or from the Salmon Station during office hours (Monday-Thursday 10:00-16:00, closed 13:00-14:00). The non-day-ticket upstream section is accessible with a DAERA game rod licence and permit. From Bushmills, the Salmon Station is reached by turning left over the bridge and left again. Well-signed from the B66 (via Dervock) and B62 (via Ballybogey).
The Salmon Station
The DAERA-operated Bush Salmon Station is unique in Ireland — a monitoring facility that tracks salmon stocks, manages angling access, and provides the day ticket system. It represents a level of fishery management rarely seen elsewhere.
Causeway Coast Setting
The River Bush flows through one of Ireland's most spectacular landscapes. The Giant's Causeway is just minutes away, Bushmills village (home to the oldest licensed distillery in the world) is charming, and the Causeway Coastal Route provides a stunning backdrop to any fishing trip.
Accessible Day Ticket System
The restricted beats offer a well-managed day ticket system that gives visiting anglers genuine access to quality salmon water without the need for club membership or expensive leases. Tickets can be purchased online, making planning straightforward.
March – April
Season opens March 1. Early season fishing can produce salmon but conditions are often cold and the river may be high. Trout fishing starts to pick up through April.
May
Spring salmon fishing is at its best from mid-April through to the end of May. The restricted beats fish well and the fly fishing on the Leap Stretch is particularly rewarding.
June – July
The grilse run typically peaks in July, transforming the fishing. A spate after dry weather brings fresh fish into the river and the pools can be full. Brown trout fishing on the evening is excellent.
August – October
Continued good salmon fishing through the autumn months when conditions allow. The river fishes best on a falling spate. Brown trout are in excellent condition. Season closes October 20.
New Stretch
The first of the restricted beats, offering a variety of water types. A good starting point for anglers new to the river.
Town Stretch
A 300-metre beat in the centre of Bushmills. The Doctors Pool is a fast deep run and the best fly water here. The famous Bridge Pool at 180 metres is deep and productive — fly at the upstream end, other methods more suitable for the slower sections.
Leap Stretch
A 600-metre stretch of five deep, fast pools running through a steep gorge. This is the premier fly fishing water on the Bush and tests the keen fly angler. During high water, worm fishing can be successful. Best fishing is from the west bank.
Upstream (Non-Day-Ticket)
The upper river above the restricted beats can be fished with a standard DAERA licence and permit. Offers reasonable salmon fishing from July onwards with good trout fishing throughout the season.
🎣 Day Ticket Salmon Session
Purchase a day ticket and fish one of the three restricted beats. The Leap Stretch is the classic fly fishing choice. Half a day is enough to cover a beat thoroughly.
🎣 Causeway Coast Fishing Break
Combine a few days salmon fishing on the Bush with visits to the Giant's Causeway, Bushmills Distillery, and the Causeway Coastal Route. Stay in Bushmills — everything is within walking distance.
🌿All salmon and sea trout caught on the River Bush must be returned alive and unharmed to the water — mandatory catch and release applies throughout the DAERA rod licensing area. This conservation measure is essential to protect salmon stocks. Handle fish with wet hands, use barbless hooks where possible, minimise time out of water, and ensure the fish is swimming strongly before release.
