Mourne The last week saw very good fishing conditions throughout the Mourne with the river clean and holding an excellent fishing height all week. From each tide came fresh fish, moving through Strabane on to Sion Mills and on through the system to the Derg and Strule. Hot spots this week were as usual around Sion Mills, the Gravenue being particularly deadly for early morning anglers with up to a dozen or more hooked on some days. Saturday saw a fish of 20lb landed by one lucky angler. A few grilse and one or two good quality sea trout have appeared during the week. With water levels around Strabane and Lifford still a tad heavy, numbers were understandably lower, that said a number of fish were landed from the Doctors, Higgins Stream and the Black Stone. The heavy rain over the past few weeks coinciding with good tides have ensured a widespread distribution of spring fish throughout the river giving everyone the chance of a fish or two. Having seen a number of the fish that were landed I was struck by the quality of this years springers, most being 10lb or over.

Derg The river has been fishable all week and has produced a couple of fish to Ardstraw locals. The Derg should by now have a number of well-rested springers lying up mostly in the slower deeper pools. Early grilse have appeared but in small numbers. Derg anglers will be praying for an improved run than recent seasons.

Outlook The outlook is for more general rain all week which should keep things interesting. Timing your visits to the river is everything when the weather is unpredictable so keep a close eye on forecasts and the gauge.

Mark, NM Tackle, Sion Mills
www.nmtackle.com / 
Tel/Fax: 00 44 (0) 28 8165 9501