Starting out.

With the sad closure of the Three Mile Water Conservation And  Angling Association Club a few of the former members decided to approach Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and apply for the lease to fish the Mill dam and the Three Mile Water river . The  name of the new club being  Mossley Mill and Three Mile Water Angling Association. The granting of the lease enables the new club to carry on the fine conservation work carried out by the previous club. 

   The majority of members are familiar with the dam, having helped  with stocking, maintaining and fishing this water, though less so with the river  but the enthusiasm for carrying on the work on both waters is evident at the club meetings.

    It is hoped that, in future and in collaboration with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, the club can expand its membership and implement the various projects that are presently under discussion.

Whilst we welcome visiting anglers it has been reported that some are not observing the main rule, of the fishery, that of BARBLESS HOOKS only. Any angler breaking this rule,  and that includes members, will be asked to leave the fishery and not return. The health and wellbeing of our fish is paramount to the club and it's members.  Please help us achieve that.

  Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, along with Mossley Mill Anglers Association, have agreed to issue 3 day tickets to allow non members of the new club to fish the Mill dam. These tickets are available online or at the Mill reception desk. Please note you will be required to show  a rod licence number prior to getting a ticket. If you wish to fish on the Saturday or Sunday you will need to book in advance as the Mill reception is closed these days.

The Mill facilities, toilets, ect are available to anglers and there is a nice café for a cuppa. 

   The fishery operates as a fly fishing, catch and release only and anglers are asked to take care when landing and releasing their catch. Keeping fish in the wet net when removing hooks, reduce handling to the minimum, and allowing ample recovery time when releasing helps keep the fish in good health and condition. It should go without saying but barbless hooks at all times.

   As anglers are fishing from a stand an extendable net is recommended.

   We stock with trout usually ranging between 1lb and 3lb with some lumps added to the mix. There are also resident fish, whilst hard to catch, that will try to pull your arm off, be prepared to see your backing.

   As a club we have our own bailiffs, Daera registered, who are charged with protecting both the fish and the fishery so please do not be offended if they ask to see your ticket, or flies, as that's just part of their job. They are very knowledgeable about the fishery and will give advice if asked, to be honest they will give advice even if not asked, as will any of the members. We like to see visitors into a fish and we don't operate a "secret squirrel" policy so please do not be afraid to ask, we're a friendly bunch. 

The Three Mile Water runs from it's source at Ballyrobert, via both urban and wooded areas, to it's mouth at Whiteabbey and into Belfast Lough. Untill recently this river was under the care of The Three Mile Water Conservation and Angling Association and dispite their hard work and effort, the river, like so many others, has suffered badly from pollution incidents which have resulted in major fish kills and also caused a loss of invertebrates, in the river, on which the fish feed. This loss of fish life also affects the wildlife, kingfishers, otters, herons, ect, that inhabit the river banks.

    It will take several years for the river to recover fully but, with the help of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council , the club will work hard to try and restore it to its original best condition.  

Another fish kill , on the river, reported July 2024. This is a devastating blow to the club who have worked hard to develop and maintain the fishery. NIEA have located the source of the pollution and we hope they will prosecute and fine the offenders. This obviously doesn't help the river which had just recovered from the damage done in 2021. The upper stretches from The Three Mile Water Park, Doagh Rd, will still hold fish but the lower stretches will take many years to recover. To say that the club members are disappointed, is an understatement, but they will start again to repair and develop the fishery and nurse it back to full health.

Picture courtesy of TMWACA.

It is only lately that men's health has been brought to the forefront when it comes to discussing health matters. This was due to, mainly, a generational attitude were a man deals with his own problems as your father and his father did before him. Thankfully this is changing and people are more aware that help is available and that there is no stigma attached to requesting it.

   As a club we hope to promote the health benefits, mental as well as physical, that fishing brings. As such we have appointed a Health and Well Being Officer,  to the club's committee, who will oversee future projects and introduce talks on men's health matters within the club's curriculum.

   Along with the, excellent, Men's Shed group we look to supplying health information as well as just a place where you can talk about your worries or personal problems without feeling that you are the only one who has them.

   As we get older we can easily get isolated and that's where men's groups and clubs can help people reconnect, make new friends and even just give them a good reason to get out of the house for a while.

   There will be more information on this site, in the coming months, plus, hopefully, helpful contact numbers.

In the UK the Samaritans can be contacted on free phone 116 123  or email jo@samaritans.org

If you are in emotional distress or despair phone Lifeline on   0808 808 8000 and talk to a counsellor.