Angling
The Boyne River rises near Edenderry, in County Offaly and flows in a northeasterly direction for 70 miles before entering the Irish Sea at Drogheda. This is one of Ireland's premier game fisheries and both the main channel and the tributaries offer a wide range of angling, from spring salmon and grilse to sea trout and extensive brown trout fishing.

Between peaceful Navan and Drogheda, the river Boyne meanders in impressive loops and bends. It is a picturesque paradise of lush meadows, green hills, forests and fields.

The prime salmon angling water is now to be found between Navan and Drogheda. The river gets a run of big three-sea-winter salmon.  The first fish are usually caught between Slane and Navan, while from July onwards; the grilse fishing is mostly confined to the fisheries below Slane. If the river floods in September, there can be excellent salmon fishing from Drogheda to Navan, and good fishing up to Trim and beyond.

All legitimate fishing methods are allowed for salmon. Spinning is the most popular method for spring fish, followed by worm and shrimp. The Devon spinners are popular and the most commonly used flies are Black Goldfinch, Garry Dog, Hairy Mary, Blue Charm and Thunder and Lightning.

There are superb stocks of wild brown trout in the river Boyne and its tributaries. The best advice is to concentrate on the fast steamy water and the glides and to avoid the deep flats, which hold only occasional large trout.   
  
Some spots to research if you are planning a fishing trip or interested in simply trying your hand at the sport:

• Rathbeggan Lakes Angling Centre and Family Park, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath - +353 (0)1 8240197  (approx. 40 mins drive)
• Boyne Valley Fishery, Navan, Co Meath - +353 (0)46 9073375 (approx. 30mins drive) 

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The Legend of the 'Salmon of Knowledge'
The legend tells the story of how a boy called Fionn became a wise man by being the first person to eat the Salmon of Knowledge which lived in the River Boyne. Fionn would go on to lead a band of hunters and warriors known as the Fianna and become one of the greatest heroes in Celtic Mythology.
With Finegas, Finn learned the three things that make a poet, and they are Fire of Song, Light of Knowledge, and the Art of Extempore Recitation. Before he departed he made this lay to prove his art, and it is called

"The Song of Finn in Praise of May":—
May Day! delightful day!
Bright colours play the vales along. Now wakes at morning's slender ray,
Wild and gay, the blackbird's song.
Now comes the bird of dusty hue,
The loud cuckoo, the summer-lover; Branching trees are thick with leaves;
The bitter, evil time is over.
Swift horses gather nigh
Where half dry the river goes; Tufted heather crowns the height;
Weak and white the bogdown blows.
Corncrake sings from eve till morn,
Deep in corn, a strenuous bard! Sings the virgin waterfall,
White and tall, her one sweet word.
Loaded bees of little power
Goodly flower-harvest win; Cattle roam with muddy flanks;
Busy ants go out and in.
Through, the wild harp of the wood
Making music roars the gale— Now it slumbers without motion,
On the ocean sleeps the sail.
Men grow mighty in the May,
Proud and gay the maidens grow; Fair is every wooded height;
Fair and bright the plain below.
A bright shaft has smit the streams,
With gold gleams the water-flag; Leaps the fish, and on the hills
Ardour thrills the flying stag.
Carols loud the lark on high,
Small and shy, his tireless lay, Singing in wildest, merriest mood
Of delicate-hued, delightful May.