The Association was formed in 1996 when a few local anglers came together with a view to restoring and enhancing their local derelict waterway, the Three Mile Water River. The River rises up in the hills of Kingsmoss and Ballyrobert and flows in a generally easterly direction to Belfast Lough at Whiteabbey, not far from the former Glenavna Hotel. It is a spate river with a catchment size of over 2
0 kilometres squared. The main river meanders through a number of areas in Newtownabbey Borough, Co. Antrim, which include Ballyhenry, Mossley, Woodford, Ballyduff, Monkstown, Jordanstown and Whiteabbey. Main tributaries of the river come down from Knockagh and from Carnmoney Hill, which include Cully's Burn and Pound Burn and also Ballyhenry Burn further up above Mossley. The objectives of the association are to fully restore and conserve the Three Mile Water River and all tributaries for the benefit of Sea Trout and Native Brown Trout, and to conserve the riparian habitats to protect the native flora and fauna in the rest of the catchment. Regular monitoring of all habitats and quality within our catchment takes place. Data obtained are used to gauge success of our conservation work and to ascertain where could use attention in terms of future enhancement work. Furthermore, the Association promotes fly fishing for Brown Trout on Mossley Dam for both members and the general public through day tickets. Primarily, angling within the association takes place on Mossley Dam, with the river managed as a conservation project, in the hope that one day we can make the river and consequently Belfast Lough into a feasible Sea Trout fishery, therefore adding recreational value and possibly boosting the local economy. Follow us on Twitter-
"We're much more than an Angling club!"
