The Avonmore Brown Trout Fishery at Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow

Abstract

A massive ore body in the Vale of Avoca has been mined since 1752. Environmental consequences have included a sulphide rich effluent entering the river from the workings and creating a pollution block which effectively disrupts migrations of migratory salmonids. The angling fishery upstream of the block, in the vicinity of Rathdrum, exploits small resident brown trout. Prospects for the further development of this fishery are considered and the present arrangements are reckoned to be most suitable for the foreseeable future.