..........The Pools..........
We have described the Fishery by dividing the pools into 3 areas: The Rock, the Ice House and the Graveyard.
In turn, the Fishery is divided into 2 beats: the Rock Pool Beat and the Ice House Beat. The Ice House Beat now includes the Graveyard Pool area. For more details on the Beats and the Rota, please click here.
The
Rock
The Rock Pool is one of the best known pools on the Lower Moy and is located towards the top of the Coolcronan Fishery. The Rock itself is located on the left bank. A slab of bedrock crosses the river and another rock, barely visible, is located towards the middle of the pool and the flow around it produces a gentle ripple that divides the waters that should be fished from the left (west) bank (Knockmore townland) and waters that should be fished from the right (east) bank (Attymass townland).
Above the Rock Pool you will find the High Bank
and Coolcronan Straight. These waters are slightly
deeper than the Rock Pool, but a good grilse was taken on the fly here by
Simon Jones. Also 2007 saw extensive work to open up a new pool opposite the
high bank and accomodate more fishermen. This pool has been christened Raymond's
Pool and had great success immediately it was opened. In 2008 we are
planning to extend the length of this pool to meet up with the Rock Pool.
The
Ice House
Downstream from the Rock, where the river turns towards Coolcronan House,
you will find the Bridge Pool, and further down,
the Ladders, the Ice House
Pool, and the Cable Pool where the new
car park is located.
The Bridge Pool is well known as an excellent
spot for bait fishing, as the fish lie there waiting at the head of the lower
waters that run up to the Rock Pool.
The Ladders, with their shingle bed, have always
fished well in low water conditions but, in high water, they have been virtually
inaccessible, except from the boats due to the steep banks. As of the Year
2000, this has changed, as we have made access to the water much easier and
again in 2007 when concrete steps were made. We are sure that the Ladders
will now show their full potential and it will be exciting to see how they
perform under different conditions.
The Ice House Pool itself is one of the best pools for bait fishing. The water is about 12 feet deep and, as a result, fish do not show quite as frequently as at the Rock Pool. However, the catch statistics prove that the fish are there and keenly interested in what you are putting in the water. The pool is named after an old ice house that can still be seen just back from the river bank. This building was used to store fish taken from the salmon weirs that where located at the Ice House Pool and that are marked on the original Ordinance Survey map.
The Cable Pool, located at the Car Park, is
just below the Ice House. It is well known as one of the best spinning pools
on the Lower Moy. When conditions are right, don't refrain from using bait.
The
Graveyard
Jack's Pool is the next pool down from the Cable and the Car Park. Jack Charlton swears by this spot ('...if fish don't take there, they won't be taking anywhere else...'). It is also an excellent place to try for a good Springer. An arc of rocks, that run parallel to the bank, are fanned out towards the middle of the river, providing a favourite lie for large Spring salmon, even when water levels are high.
Further downstream, along the pathway that runs through the woods below Coolcronan House, you will find David's Den, a secluded spot, that comes into it's own once the grilse are in the river. It should be fished close to the bank and don't let your attention wander too far from your line amidst the deceptive peace and quiet.
Further downstream, from the last corner on the Coolcronan Fishery down to the Bonnifinglass River, you will find the Graveyard Pool, followed by the Bonnifinglass Straight.
The Graveyard Pool is an excellent bait and
spinning pool, that comes into its own in the middle and later parts of the
season when the water levels are lower.
