The Club’s stretch of the River Bann, between Katesbridge and Lenaderg was once a mecca for the game angler fishing for wild brown trout. The Bann contained numerous big brown trout and fish of 3lb plus were frequently caught. However as a result of an elaborate drainage scheme and pollution the angling deteriorated. Having said that over the last few decades the Club has worked tirelessly to reinvigorate the Bann and there are some positive signs. Angling on a summer’s evening can be exciting and rewarding for the angler with regular reports of wild brown trout in the 1lb – 1 1/2 lb range. The Bann can also provide some good angling for end of season dollaghan and salmon in the 6lb plus range. Banbridge Angling Club encourages all river anglers to practise ‘Catch, Photograph and Release’. Day tickets for the river which are priced at £10 for adults and £5 for juveniles are available from the Ballydown Spar Shop and Petrol Station, Castlewellan Road, Ballydown, Banbridge (P: 028 4066 2776) and the Boat Attendants Office, Corbet Lough (P: 028 4062 5036 and 075 9102 7557).
Anglers wishing to fish Club waters will also require a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Game Fishing Rod Licence. These are reasonably priced from £3.50 for 3-days and are available from the DAERA on-line at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/angling