📍Derry · North📋DAERA (Northern Ireland)Season Open
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The River Roe is one of Northern Ireland's most historically respected salmon rivers, flowing from the Sperrin Mountains through County Derry before entering Lough Foyle near the town of Limavady. Though smaller and more intimate than the neighbouring Foyle system, the Roe possesses a distinct identity: beautifully defined pools, clean gravel runs, and a reliable spate character shaped by upland rainfall from the Sperrins.
Stretching approximately 55 kilometres from its source near the Glenshane Pass to the Foyle estuary, the Roe varies from five metres wide in the upper reaches to 20 metres in the lower stretches. The river is classified as one of the most important Atlantic salmon rivers in Northern Ireland, carrying an estimated eight per cent of the country's spawning population. Since the Roe Angling Association bought out the draft nets at the river mouth, salmon and sea trout runs have improved significantly.
The Roe's pool structure is its great strength. Classic named pools with clearly defined heads, tails, and holding lies make this ideal water for systematic fly fishing. The grilse run from July is the highlight of the season, with fish typically ranging from three to six pounds, though double-figure salmon are taken periodically. Sea trout provide excellent sport from June, particularly at dusk and after dark, with fish averaging one to three pounds.
The river flows through the Roe Valley Country Park near Limavady, an area of outstanding natural beauty where the water cuts through a dramatic gorge of metamorphic rock. The park provides excellent access to some of the most productive pools, and the combination of fine salmon fishing with spectacular scenery makes the Roe particularly attractive to visiting anglers.
As a spate river, the Roe's fishing quality is closely tied to rainfall. The river rises quickly after rain from the Sperrins and drops steadily, creating short but productive windows during which fresh fish move upstream and settle into holding lies. The experienced Roe angler monitors water height obsessively, knowing that the falling-water phase after a moderate spate produces the best sport.
The Roe falls within the Loughs Agency jurisdiction for licensing purposes. Roe Angling Limited manages most of the fishing from headwaters to mouth, with day, weekly, and fortnightly permits available. A section within the Roe Valley Country Park is managed by DAERA and can be fished with a department permit.
Species present
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Atlantic Salmon
The Roe is one of Northern Ireland's most important Atlantic salmon rivers, supporting an estimated eight per cent of the country's spawning population. Spring salmon arrive from April in suitable water conditions, with the main grilse run peaking in July. Autumn fish provide sport from late August through September. Grilse typically weigh three to six pounds, with occasional double-figure fish taken.
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Sea Trout
Fine runs of sea trout enter the Roe from early June, with the dedicated sea trout season running through to the end of September. The bigger fish of one to three pounds arrive first, followed by the main run in July. Sea trout fishing is at its best after dark on fly, or during the day on a dropping flood. Popular flies include Teal Blue and Silver, Black Zulu, Peter Ross, and Black Pennell on floating or intermediate lines.
Also present: Brown Trout
Methods
Fly FishingSpinning
Venue details
Season dates
Trout: April 1 – October 20
Salmon: April 1 – October 20
Best times
Grilse: June, July
Sea Trout: June, July, August
Autumn Salmon: August, September, October
Spring Salmon: April, May
Difficulty
Intermediate
Access & bases
The River Roe flows through County Derry from the Sperrin Mountains to Lough Foyle. Primary access from Limavady and Dungiven. The Roe Valley Country Park near Limavady provides excellent bank access with car parking and facilities. Most fishing is controlled by Roe Angling Limited with day permits available from S.J. Mitchell & Co, Main Street, Limavady and Rod and Gun, Dungiven. A DAERA-controlled section within the Country Park requires a department permit. Bank fishing throughout — no boat fishing applicable. The North Coast is within easy reach for combined angling and tourism trips.
Signature features
Classic Pool Structure
The Roe contains a succession of beautifully defined pools with clear head, body, and tail formation. Named pools throughout the system provide structured lies where salmon hold predictably. This makes the Roe ideal for methodical fly fishing — work down each pool systematically and you will cover the fish.
Upland Spate Character
The Sperrin Mountains drive the Roe's hydrology. Rainfall in the hills produces rapid rises followed by controlled, steady falls. These spate cycles create the productive windows that define salmon fishing on the Roe — fresh fish push upstream on the rising water and settle into lies as levels drop.
Roe Valley Country Park
The river flows through one of Northern Ireland's most dramatic landscapes in the Roe Valley Country Park. A deep gorge of metamorphic rock, forest walks, and the historic Dogleap area create a setting of exceptional beauty. The combination of quality salmon fishing and outstanding scenery makes the Roe uniquely attractive to visiting anglers.
Conservation Success
The removal of draft nets at the river mouth by the Roe Angling Association was a landmark conservation achievement. Since the buyout, salmon and sea trout numbers have improved significantly. The river now carries one of the healthiest migratory fish populations in the Foyle catchment.
Season by season
April – May
Spring salmon fishing opens April 1, fly only until May 20. Larger spring fish are present in suitable water conditions. The river needs rainfall to bring fresh fish upstream — dry springs can be frustrating. Fish deeper runs with sink-tip lines and medium to large dark patterns.
June – July
The highlight of the Roe's season. Grilse begin appearing in June alongside the first good runs of sea trout. July sees the main grilse run and peak sea trout activity. Local anglers pray for rain in July, as the first spates see significant runs of fresh fish entering the river. Shrimp flies are very popular locally.
August – September
Autumn salmon provide late-season sport, particularly after fresh spates. Sea trout continue to run. The river can produce excellent fishing in September when rainfall triggers fresh movement of fish. Fish early morning and evening in warmer weather; all day during spate conditions.
October
The final weeks of the season to October 20. Late-running fish may still be moving, though conservation considerations become paramount as spawning approaches. Catch and release is strongly encouraged.
Best conditions
Based on 0 reports, these conditions consistently produce the best fishing on River Roe:
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Not critical on a river — focus on water height
Best wind
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Overcast preferred; bright sun pushes fish down
Best sky
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8–15°C for salmon activity
Water temp
⏰
Falling water after moderate spate — the key timing on any spate river
Best window
Seasonal fly & tactics guide
Spring Salmon (April – May)
Patterns
Dark Spring TubesBlack and Yellow TubesCascadeMunro Killer
Fish deeper runs with sink-tip or intermediate lines and medium to large dark patterns. Spring fish lie deep and respond to flies presented close to the bottom. Systematic pool coverage is essential — start at the head and step down in controlled intervals. The river is fly-only until May 20.
⚠️Common mistake: Fishing too shallow. Spring salmon on the Roe hold deep. Adjust your sink-tip before changing your fly — depth is more important than pattern in cold water.
Grilse Season (June – July)
Patterns
Silver-Bodied TubesShrimp FliesAlly's ShrimpCascadeFlying C
Smaller flies for grilse on floating or slow-sink lines. Cover pools methodically, fishing the fly across and down. Shrimp patterns are particularly popular and effective on the Roe. After May 20, spinning with Flying C's and copper spoons is permitted and effective in coloured water. In full spate, worm fishing also produces.
⚠️Common mistake: Fishing too quickly through pools. The Roe's defined pool structure rewards patience. Each seam and lie needs proper coverage before moving downstream.
Sea Trout (June – September)
Patterns
Teal Blue and SilverBlack ZuluPeter RossBlack PennellSmall Black Flies
Sea trout respond best to small dark flies fished after dark on floating or intermediate lines. During the day, a dropping flood brings sea trout within reach of the fly angler. Fish the tail-outs of pools and the slacker water behind boulders where sea trout rest during their upstream migration.
⚠️Common mistake: Fishing only during daylight. The best sea trout fishing on the Roe is after dark. Plan your sessions accordingly and fish the late evening and night hours.
Autumn Salmon (August – October)
Patterns
Medium TubesShrimp FliesCollie DogPark Machine
Fresh spates are the key to autumn fishing. Monitor river height and be ready to fish when levels begin to drop. Medium-sized flies in coloured water, scaling down as the river fines. Thorough pool coverage is essential — autumn fish may hold anywhere in a pool as they push toward spawning grounds.
⚠️Common mistake: Overweighting flies in moderate water. Match your fly and line to the water height rather than defaulting to heavy tackle.
Core technique
Structured Pool Coverage on a Spate River
1Begin at the pool head where current begins to slacken. Salmon often hold in the crease between fast and slow water at the head of a pool.
2Step downstream in controlled intervals of two to three paces, casting across and slightly downstream. Allow the fly to swing across the current and hang briefly at the end of each cast.
3Adjust depth before changing fly pattern. On the Roe, getting the fly to the correct depth is more important than matching the hatch — use sink-tip sections to reach deeper-holding fish.
4Repeat productive pools after a rest period. Salmon that have ignored the first pass may respond after 20–30 minutes. The Roe's defined pools make it easy to return and fish through again.
5Monitor water height throughout the session. Falling water after a spate concentrates fish mid-pool and increases their willingness to take. Rising water may push fish temporarily but creates opportunity as fresh runners enter the system.
💡 Patience and systematic coverage define success on the Roe. The pool structure is your advantage — use it methodically rather than rushing between spots.
What works here
Flies and methods reported most successful by the community.
Where to fish
Lower Roe (Limavady Area)
The lower river near Limavady holds fresh-run fish in well-defined glides and pools. The Carrick Mills area and downstream stretches are among the most productive for early-season salmon. Good access from the A2 and B192 roads.
Roe Valley Country Park
The dramatic gorge section with some of the river's most scenic and productive pools. Fishing is split between DAERA (Dogleap downstream to O'Cahan's Weir) and Roe Angling Association. The footbridge above Givan's Weir provides access to both banks. More challenging wading in the gorge section.
Mid-River (Dungiven Area)
Core salmon water with structured runs, pools, and tail-outs. Some of the Roe's most productive named pools are in this section. The never-ending succession of pools and streams is perfect for the fly.
Upper Roe
Smaller, more intimate water above Dungiven. Narrower pools and faster runs provide excellent brown trout fishing alongside sea trout potential in summer. The Owenrigh and Owenbeg tributaries join here from the Sperrins.
Suggested trip formats
🎣 3-Day Salmon Window Trip
Monitor rainfall forecasts and time your visit to coincide with a falling spate. Day one: fish the lower pools for fresh-run fish. Day two: work upstream through the mid-river pools. Day three: explore the Country Park gorge section. Flexibility on timing is key — the Roe is a spate river and fishing on the right water is everything.
🎣 Summer Grilse and Sea Trout Weekend
A July visit targeting grilse during the day and sea trout at dusk. Focus on the productive middle and lower beats during daylight, then fish the tail-outs and slacker water after dark for sea trout. Two contrasting disciplines in one session.
🎣 North Coast Angling Tour
Combine the River Roe with the River Bush (DAERA-managed) and the Foyle system for a comprehensive Northern Ireland salmon fishing tour. The Causeway Coast provides world-class scenery between sessions, and the area offers excellent accommodation and dining.
Conservation & stewardship
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The River Roe is one of Northern Ireland's most important Atlantic salmon rivers, carrying a significant proportion of the country's spawning population. The removal of draft nets at the mouth was a critical conservation achievement. Anglers must comply with all Loughs Agency and Roe Angling Ltd regulations including strict bag limits and tagging requirements. Barbless hooks are recommended. Catch and release is strongly encouraged, and may be mandatory depending on annual stock assessment. Respect spawning gravels throughout the system and avoid fishing near actively spawning fish in late season.
Main access: Guide services available through Roe Angling Ltd and local providers. Recommended for first-time visitors to navigate the beat system and locate productive pools., S.J. Mitchell & Co, Main Street, Limavady — permits, tackle, and local knowledge. Rod and Gun, Dungiven — permits and tackle for the upper river., Roe Angling Limited — the managing body for most of the river. They issue permits, manage beats, and coordinate conservation efforts including the historic net buyout.
