The club is dedicated to promoting trout angling and conservation efforts in the region. It manages fishing activities on the Aughrim River, the Ow River, and the Derry Water, focusing on wild brown trout.

Ow River: From Ballymanus bridge downstream to the confluence with the Derry Water (3km approx.)

Derry Water: From Annacurra bridge downstream to the confluence with the Ow river (1.5km approx.)

Aughrim River: The full length from its formation at the community field in Aughrim to where it joins the Avoca river in Woodenbridge (7km approx.).

1 – The club is affiliated to the TROUT ANGLERS FEDERATION OF IRELAND (TAFI) who organise the insurance cover for the club, organise competitions to select national teams and represent clubs nationwide with regards to trout angling matters.

2 – Fish species in river:

(a) Brown trout: brown coloration on back and and flanks with black and red spots can be yellow/white underneath. Plenty of small fish, club rule that fish under 8 inches to be returned. Small number of bigger fish (1lb+) difficult to catch, best chance late evening/night in late summer (July).


NOTE: There is a catch & release club by-law in operation at the moment.


(b) Rainbow trout: (escapees from local fish farm). Black spots all along back, sides and on tail, silvery colour with rainbow hue along flanks. Not native and not known to breed in river. Club encourages members to remove any caught.

(c) Sea trout: (White trout). Looks like brown trout but a bit more silvery when they return from sea. Spawn in river and when parr become smolts they go to sea to return again as adult fish to spawn. The club operates a catch and release policy and current by-law prevents the killing of any fish caught. Pollution in Avoca River prevents a stable population from establishing so numbers will fluctuate depending on weather conditions etc.

(d) Salmon: Parr are similar to trout but more silvery and very strong for size. Adults are silver upon return from sea with only black spots above lateral line. Narrow wrist at tail. Similar to sea trout in that they spawn in river. Salmon are currently completely protected and none can be removed from river. Again like sea trout the population level is very delicately balanced and it can dissipate rapidly.

3 – Competitions:

The club holds two senior competitions annually, one on Easter Monday and an evening competition in the summer, usually July. There is also an annual senior inter-club competition between the Aughrim and Rathdrum Clubs hosted by both clubs in alternate years. A Children’s competition is held each August in the National Disabled Angling Facility in Aughrim.