Conditions March was one of the driest months I can remember and ensured the Mourne was showing its bones for the opening week of the 2012 season although high tides during the week gave anglers a glimmer of hope that a fish or two would leave the Foyle and enter the river.

Week One On opening day as expected and due to the conditions only a handful of anglers were out around Sion Mills and Strabane. John Murray (pictured) from Sion was first to get into the action with a lovely fresh 10lb fish landed from Purgatory. John also tightened in another fish and landed a nice brown trout, just over 1lb.

The fish was hooked on a pattern of his own called the “CGS” (Closely Guarded Secret) which John later gave away to an admirer.  As normal, the Gravenue was well fished all day without a pull although some fish were seen in the pool before opening day. At about 7pm Christopher Adams tried his luck with the fly and surprised a few regulars by hooking and landing his first springer, a fresh 7lb fish. There was one other fish landed from the Strabane and Lifford Anglers’ water but I have no details. Not a bad opening day, all things considered!

On Thursday, 5 March there were another two fish grassed from the Gravenue. Tommy Farrell and R Logan landed a fresh fish each of 7–8lb.

That’s the story for the opening week: five landed and a couple lost. Several other fish were seen in the usual pools below the weir at Sion throughout the week and there is still a good number of kelts knocking around.

Outlook Much needed rain is forecast for the week but it remains to be seen if it will bring a rise in the river. Best chance of an early fish would be any pool below the weir at Sion Mills.

Derg

Too early!