River Erriff Beat 5

This is another 3 rod beat and which can be accessed from the car park at the bottom of Beat 5 or from the very top of the beat at the Broken Bridge which divides Beats 5 and 4. The first pool is the Broken Bridge Pool which is one of the few pools on the river that fishes best from the right bank and it holds fish in all levels of water. Indeed this whole stretch of water fishes best from the right bank right down to where the Glenacally river joins with the main river. Some anglers prefer to fish Jenkins from this bank also. The Broken Bridge can also be partly fished from the left bank but it is not as productive.

 

Jenkins Pool is situated immediately below the joinings with the Glenacally River which joins the main river from the left hand bank. It is a pool that has a very good stream especially at the head of the pool and it can be fished from both banks. In spate conditions it can be fished right down to the tail of the pool and there is a very good taking area in the glide at the tail of the pool. Extreme care should be taken by anglers crossing the Glenacally river - it can appear to be shallow but the level can rise rapidly when there is heavy rain in the catchment area. There are times when it is unsafe to cross it and anglers should take an alternative route.

The Hill Pool is a deep pool that holds mainly grilse and again is fished from the left bank. The area downstream is known as The Straight and it is not that productive but does hold the occasional fish. The Yellow Banks is easily recognised by the two croys producing from either banks that allow for the flow to go right down the middle of the pool. It is a good holding pool mainly for Grilse although the occasional Spring salmon has been taken there. Joyce's Sand Hill fishes best in a spate when fish move right close in to the left bank.

 

The Boat Pool is probably the best holding pool on the beat and it can be fished the entire length. Spring fish lie close to the top of the pool beside the little rock outcrop on the right hand bank. In a very heavy spate fish drop back to the large wide glide at the end of the pool and a double handed rod is required when fly fishing this stretch of water. Srathloe Pool can be reached by crossing the river to the island when water conditions allow - it is a pool that is easily fished with a single handed rod.