Rivers and Streams
The Island has a myriad of streams and if you like small scale intimate fishing you will feel very much at home here.
You may fish the fly, worm or spin to your heart's content. While the fly fisherman will usually do well with a buoyant darkish dry fly he will also meet success with a weighted nymph or goldhead cast upstream into the deeper pools. If the spin fisherman has a few size 0 and 1 Mepps he'll have no difficulty contacting fish. However you fish, concealment is crucial in the clear water especially as it thins down in the height of summer. Thigh waders are a great help especially if studded or felt soled.
Access to fishing may need a car. Your licence will allow you to fish but does not grant you access to the waterside. However in this matter the Island is very civilised. Very few stretches of private streams are private fishing and boards advertise this. These apart, there is in the main an unwritten code of understanding, which dates back for many years, that the considerate angler may fish where he wishes. This system only exists because of a legacy of reasonableness from both the angler and land owners and may change if abused. The Manx National Trust glens are certainly open to all. Show commonsense and respect, and if in doubt knock on a nearby door and ask. At present there are rarely any problems.
Given water, there should be sea trout in the major streams by June and the salmon arrive later. As in the UK, stocks of either fish are not what they once were and while you can fish - in the right places - with confidence and have the chance of a double figure fish of either species, this fishing would be best thought of as an addition to your holiday rather than the sole reason for it.
THE SULBY RIVER - starts at Sulby Reservoir and runs into the sea at Ramsey.
The top section from the dam to around Sulby Bridge (Square 3994) is a rocky, fast flowing mountain stream with alternating pools and runs. Downstream the character changes into a wider and slower running water with long deep stretches and much bankside vegetation.
- starts below North Barrule and runs into the sea at Port Cornaa (Square 4787) Half a mile up from the sea is a big pool well worth fishing in the autumn for migratory fish. Thereafter fishing is difficult up to Ballaglass Glen where there are good pools. Above here you are in the wilderness!
- starts below Snaefell and runs into the sea at Laxey. The bottom mile of the stream is difficult through the village. Then you arrive at the much easier Laxey Glen and above here up to Glen Roy there is a mile or so of very rough fishing.
-flows across the central valley to Douglas. Fishing is private up to Braddan Bridge (Square 3676) Above this the river is slow flowing through agricultural land. Regrettably some problems with pollution may mean this stream is not your first choice.
- starts at West Baldwin Reservoir and flows down to Douglas. Fishing is private up to the Tromode area (Square 3777). Above here ask permission to fish an increasingly wild stream and its little tributary, the Baldwin River.
- starts in the Foxdale area and flows into the sea east of Ballasalla in square 2969. An interesting little stream. The bottom mile flows through an impressive gorge with good pools. Above, as it gets narrower so it becomes more overgrown.
- starts in the St Marks area (Square 2974) and enters the sea at Castletown. From Castletown to Ballasalla the stream flows through open meadows. Then you come to the wooded Silverdale Glen and above here you are once again into overgrown wilderness.
- a stream which rises near the Earystane Plantation (Square 2273) and which runs down through Colby Glen to the sea at Kentraugh (Square 2268). The bottom mile is private after which it is wild stream fishing.
- flows down Glen Rushen (Square 2376) to the sea near Glen Maye (Square 2279). Another impressive gorge dominates the lowest mile of this stream up to the high waterfall at Glen Maye. Above here the fishing gets wilder and rougher with some nice little pots in the upper section.
flows from the Little London area (Square 3286) into the sea at Peel. While the bottom mile of this stream is the most heavily fished the further up it you go the less chance you have of meeting anyone else. Through Glen Helen there are a number of deep pools - if you are up to it!