First ever spring salmon

[Enda Scahill]

Caught my first ever springer on the Clare River on 8th May 09. I was unlucky on monday evening hooking a springer in his gill and pulling it completely out when I struck. Went back out today despite the foul weather and strong breeze. The river hadn't risen a whole lot but had browned up a good bit. I had caught and returned a 1lb trout from a good salmon hole on Tuesday so I figured I'd start off there thinking that if the trout was nibbling then the water was clear enough to fish. Literally my first cast was taken aggressively and i knew immediately that I was into a springer and not a trout! The fish stayed deep for a good 5 mins, swimming upstream past me before finally breaking cover and giving some good aerial acrobatics. It took a good 5-10 heart stopping minutes more for him to roll over 3 or 4 times before I made a move for the net. There was no obvious landing spot nearby and nobody else out so I tried to net him where I was. The flow was really strong and I could hardly hold onto the net let alone scoop up the fish. After sweating buckets physically and metaphorically I walked the fish downstream about 20 yards till I found an indent in the bank where the water was a little slower. Again, it took 4 or 5 attempts to line him up with the net and get him in. I was seriously relieved to get him on the bank. Oh yeah, I got him on the Garden Olive.....

[Enda Scahill]

well I've made it now if i'm in the Connaught Tribune:-)

[shane kennedy]

Well done with the Springer and also well done with the mention of your catch in the Connaught Tribune yesterday. A Specimen Brownie, A Springer, and you've 5 months fishing left.......Look out fish!

[Phil Donoghue]

well done Enda..you never forget your first...the auld garden olive is not as eazy fished as some people would have you think..congrats again..don't eat him all at once!!

[Conor Walsh]

Fair play Enda. Sounds like a dramatic debut. I'm sure it was a real buzz bringing a prize fish home. I'm still fishless for the season but hoping that will change this week. Falkus was never shy of the old garden olive so you're in good company.

[Enda Scahill]

Thanks Paul,
It was 9lb, gorgeous silver fish, short and fat!

[Paul Sherington]

Congratulations Enda! It'll be some time before you forget that one. What size was it? Brilliant book, shame there's so much to remember when you get to the bank. When I used to go on boys trips to the Tweed we all took a copy with us but always seemed to forget the important bits till we were in the bar in the evening

[Enda Scahill]

If the amount of time spent salmon fishing was proportional to the catch I'd be out of tags my the end of April!! Right time, right place I reckon. Reading the river and the weather has been the most important aspect I've found, then it's all about presentation. Conor recommended Salmon Fishing by Hugh Falkus to me last year, I learned a huge amount about river craft and presentation from that book. Highly recommended

[Jon Smith]

Well done Enda...Ive yet to brake my duck..catch one that is...