Portna is considered the best ford for Salmon and Trout fishing on this
noble stream. At this place, which is merely an inn, kept by a Mr.
Moore, for the accommodation of anglers, the river, which is a large
one, falls over ledges of rock, large stones, broad fords of gravel,
deep gorges in places, rushing down inclined plains, which spread into
currents five and six feet deep, dimpling as it flows along, where large
trout may be seen taking down the natural insects, and making the
surface boil. These places might be swarming, were it not for the
"cruives," with the largest salmon in Britain.
During the summer months you may take a good many salmon here, but on
some days you cannot see a fish, as they are mostly stopped at the
"cuts." These salmon traps are called "cuts," in Ireland, and "cruives,"
in Scotland. I need not explain their formation, as they are too well
known to the fly fishers. Notwithstanding all this, the generous renter
of the fishery at the Leap of Coleraine, gives liberty to all anglers
visiting the Bann, from March to August, and the courtesy and politeness
which he evinces towards gentlemen, causes him to take no notice of
their fishing with the salmon fly till September. I have been informed
by Mr. Moore, the inn-keeper, at Portna, that there is now a "Queen's
Gap" made in the "cuts," on Sundays, to allow some of the salmon to
escape. This is a great boon to the angler.
The town of Kilrea is a mile from Portna, where there is a good inn,
kept by an Englishman, a Mr. Adcock. At the bridge, which is half a mile
from the town, there is a famous throw for a salmon; you let off the
line, while standing on the bridge, to where the fish lie, a little
lower down. There are capital streams for salmon near "Moor Lodge," a
delightful spot, down as far as "Bevanaher" ford. The boatmen take you
through the gorges in racehorse style. The man brings the bow of the
boat to the very edge of the rapid, steadies her by making you sit down
with himself, and in a minute or two she shoots down the gorge in a
very pleasant manner into the broad ford below; when he returns with the
boat, he pulls her up the side of the stream. The Bann boatmen, I must
say, are very civil fellows, and charge moderately for their labour and
boats--half-a-crown a day, pot luck, and a smoke of tobacco--"an ould
fly, and a gut casting line, if it's no use to your honor."