FishPal, the innovative service that enables anglers to book fly fishing permits online and access the latest information about where is fishing well, has expanded into Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Since its launch in 2003, the revolutionary FishPal service, which enables anglers to discover the best waters, book and pay all in one place, has become hugely popular, particularly in Scotland. Its expansion into the island of Ireland means GB anglers unfamiliar with the rivers and fishing infrastructure across the Irish Sea can easily discover the best current swims and buy permits without having to tour all the local tackle shops. Likewise, local anglers also benefit from FishPal’s one-stop-shop service.
The expansion coincides with a report from The Rivers Trust revealing that Ireland’s rivers are in the best overall ecological health of any waters in Britain and Ireland. A total of 1,602 river stretches were found to have reached good or high ecological health status.
Angling expert Will Draper, Head of FishPal, says: ‘We are delighted to have signed up fisheries on some of Ireland’s most iconic salmon rivers. FishPal’s major expansion into Ireland and Northern Ireland comes at an opportune time. Not only does The Rivers Trust report, the “State of Our Rivers 2024”, reveal many waters in Ireland are in good or high ecological health, but salmon runs in Ireland have got off to an encouraging start in 2024.
‘FishPal’s unique information service can help anglers fishing unfamiliar waters. In Scotland, FishPal users can see regularly updated reported catches, river levels, etc. They can also discover next-day availability by river or fishery and book their permits all in one site visit. Members can even receive daily emails about fishing conditions if they wish. The more anglers discover the delights of new rivers and fisheries beyond FishPal’s Scottish base, the more information can be regularly shared and the more we hope anglers and our partner fisheries will be hooked by FishPal’s unique service.
‘The island of Ireland opens up a whole new world of fishing to many anglers who haven’t ventured beyond the GB mainland. FishPal’s expansion is far from being done “on the fly” as we have partnered with many of the leading fisheries and angling organisations across the island of Ireland.
‘For example, the River Ballinderry flows through the heart of Northern Ireland. It originates in the scenic Sperrin Mountains and meanders approximately 40 miles before joining the River Bann near Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in Britain and Ireland. Its peaceful waters are much-loved by anglers fishing for brown trout and salmon.
‘Across the border, the Munster Blackwater enjoys almost legendary status as one of Ireland’s most famous salmon rivers. If you’ve read Augustus Grimble’s “The Salmon Rivers of Ireland” you’ll be familiar with its near-mythic reputation among Irish anglers.
‘The island of Ireland has an incredible range of fly fishing, so there really is fishing to suit all tastes and pockets. There are salmon in the bigger rivers, wild brown trout in the limestone loughs of the west coast and, down in the south, there are runs of sea trout up the rivers into the sea loughs. It’s a cliché but it’s true that the “craic” that goes along with the fishing across the island of Ireland is also rightly fabled. As I always advise, just make sure you wake up with a clear head for your morning’s fishing!
‘FishPal’s expansion opens up many opportunities for anglers and, to mark FishPal’s expansion into new waters, it’s currently offering £10 off anglers’ first booking in Ireland and Northern Ireland. There’s lots more information on FishPal’s partner waterways and fisheries at https://www.fishpal.com/
