About
The Neb flows from Little London, through the beautiful Glen Helen, bisecting roadside fields towards St Johns, then joining the Foxdale River before flowing onwards to meet the sea in Peel Harbour. The river holds substantial numbers of brown trout along with impressive runs of sea trout. Sea trout average around three to four pounds although much larger fish are regularly seen. Reasonable numbers of salmon, including occasional double-figure fish also run it.
The upper reaches of the Neb offer good fishing along a 1.5km stretch within Glen Helen, the river here passing through a series of pools, small waterfalls and tumbling boulder sections. Parking is available at the entrance to the Glen on the A3 between St Johns and Kirk Michael (map ref. SC 295 843).
Much of the river between Glen Helen and St Johns is more difficult to access or requires permission from land owners in order to fish. From the Tynwald Hill crossroads at St Johns, follow the road towards Foxdale (A40) for just over half a kilometre to find Garey ny Cloie, an amenity woodland garden managed by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture which is open to the public. From here a 0.5km section of the small Foxdale River (SC 279 812 to SC 280 807) can be fished for brown trout, sea trout and salmon. A car park is located on the A40 opposite the entrance to the gardens.
Below St Johns the River Neb joins the Foxdale River and flows alongside the Patrick Road (A30). Drive along the A30 and then the A27 for 5 km towards Peel to find an area known as the Raggatt to the right hand side of the road. From the access point upstream, over a kilometre’s length of the Neb can be fished for brown trout, sea trout and salmon. This is a very varied stretch of river with deep pools, weirs and shallower riffles. Access is from the A27 road at SC 243 828 then along the path to the south of the river, from just below the footbridge to the eastern end of the footpath.
Less than half a kilometre down the A27 from the Raggatt the road passes over the Glenfaba Bridge. Just ahead of the bridge there is plenty of roadside parking. Take the steep wooden steps that lead from the road down towards the river. From this access point (SC 242 830) right down to the West Marine Footbridge in Peel (SC 254 838, access and roadside parking here also), the river can be fished from the right bank (east side) only. Running below Glenfaba Bridge you will find Emery's pool. This is probably the easiest to fish section on the entire river, due to its accessibility and space for open casting. Travel 200 metres downstream of the road bridge and you will find the main lower river fish pass. From here all the way into Peel, seek out deep slack pools. Often hidden from view due to dense thickets, they can be difficult but very rewarding to fish.
At the end of the River Neb the city of Peel offers some great food at the many pubs and eateries. Those taking a break from fishing can explore the history of the area by visiting The House of Manannan Manx museum or the imposing Peel Castle, both of which lie close to the harbour.
Purchase an ‘other waters’ licence online at www.gov.im/onlineservices, at the Welcome Centre, Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, or at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s headquarters St Johns.
To fish on any of the rivers and streams of the Island you must be in possession of a valid ‘Other Waters’ licence. The season begins on the 1st April and runs until the 30th September for trout, while salmon and sea trout can still be caught on a full season Other Waters Licence until the 31st October. In season, the daily bag limit is three fish, but only one of these can be a salmon or sea trout. Catch & release is strongly encouraged, and once a salmon or sea trout has been retained then fishing must cease.
