So fishing is on hold indefinitely. Some anglers, lucky enough to live close to the water, are catching a few salmon from the Drowes and Delphi. Locals down Oughterard way are catching good brownies on the Corrib on trolled brikeen baits too. Apart from that it is all quiet here. Water levels are high so hopefully some spring salmon are nosing their way upstream, unmolested by us anglers. There were good numbers of salmon in most rivers last season and we have to hope that trend continues this year.
I will tie some flies and do some repairs but with the grass growing outside, birds singing in the bushes and the days lengthening it feels like time to be out on the water. I fixed three broken swimfeeders yesterday afternoon but it really just made the longing for the riverbank worse. The swimfeeders were part of a batch I bought online secondhand. It was a good selection of types and weights so it was handy to get me started. Some of them needed repairs and these three had somehow escaped previous attention so I whiled away a few minutes tying on a loop of 30 pound braid and a swivel to each of them. To finish them I wanted to use some silicon tubing to stiffen the new link but try as I might I couldn’t lay my hands on any. They might twist a bit in use but they are a nice size, small enough for everyday use and not like some of the huge, heavy ones I have in my box.
Next up I sorted though some plugs to put together a set to bring coarse fishing with me. I always carry a pike rod in case the roach are not biting. A small tin of metal spoons live in the bottom of the coarse fishing box, different sized Tobys and Atoms, but I think a selection of plugs would be handy too. I have a couple of spare 13cm original Rapalas so I pop them in an old blue plastic box. An 18grm Hi-Lo was lying around so it found a new home. There is a very nice X-rap too which could be a great lure for canal pike. Then there are some tiny wee rapalas which are as likely to lure a perch as a jack. That will do, I just wanted a few plugs to give me an option if metal spoons don’t work on the day.
In an attempt to cheer myself up I ponder over a map of the local area. I am looking for somewhere within 5km of the house where I could wet a line. I know there is nowhere with good fishing but I am desperate so perhaps I can find a few perch in one of the small loughs around the town. Lough Sallagh reputably holds a population of perch but it is surrounded by houses and the margins are dense beds of reeds, so it is no use. Mallard Lough is just on the 5km limit for me, just out the Newport road. I used to live out that direction and passed the lough every day but never fished it despite there being a ramp for launching a boat. Over the years I have heard differing reports about this lough. My angling mates would have all fished it when they were kids, cycling out there with rods strapped to their bikes. All they ever caught were tiny perch and minute jacks. A mate of mine from Westport had much better success a few seasons ago float tubing it with a fly rod and taking pike to double figures there. I have no float tube but I could drop the boat there for a day and see if there are any of these pike still living in the shallow, rocky water. I would not risk taking my engine with me, not knowing the lake it would be an invitation for disaster.
The far end of Lough Lannagh has a small population of Tench which I might try for once the water warms up a tad. I would be right on the 5km limit and so risking the fine if caught. I heard of one poor chap out Louisbourgh way who was a keen surfer. He just could not stand being cooped up any longer so he went to a local beach to catch a few waves and breathe some fresh air. The cops were waiting for him on the beach when he came in. That is how bad things are in the Irish police state these days. So the tench in Lannagh will have to wait until summer.
It looks like Mallard lough is my only option then. The weather is has been mixed lately with everything from snow and ice to balmy but windy days. Next month will see some proper fishing weather and I will venture out and try for a pike on Mallard then.
Claretbumbler 
To be honest Colin I think we all need a good rant now and again to get us through these times
The mood music has distinctly changed on the TV here today – it definitely feels that Downing Street have briefed that tomorrow’s update from Johnson will signpost a distinct easing. Let’s just hope they’ve thought it through this time.
Clive
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I am no fan of Johnson but in fairness the roll out of the vaccine across the UK is very impressive. Here, we are just muddling along with plans which change weekly and no long term strategy. It now looks like lockdown until we reach zero cases. That could quite easily be the autumn. Helen and I are lucky, we live in a house big enough that we are not tripping over each other and are both easy-going so it is more of an inconvenience than anything else but a lot of people are really struggling in Ireland. Domestic abuse, mental breakdowns and similar serious issues are at all time highs and the lack an obvious end to it all is taking its toll. Colin
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Ye, I had my first jab on Tuesday was i was 65 years and one week old, which is fairly impressive seeing as it it was the second day of the 65 to 70 tranche!
Yes my daughter and her chap have survived a year of predominately working from home in a one bedroom flat, which cannot be easy. I notice from Strava they go running or walking at different times, which is sensible.
Over here there is a clamour from some to end lockdown asap but others saying let’s bat this lock down out and avoid a fourth one. On balance I’d take the pain know if it gets us a summer!
Clive
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Without the typos;
Yes, I had my first jab on Tuesday was i was 65 years and one week old, which is fairly impressive seeing as it it was the second day of the 65 to 70 tranche!
My daughter and her chap have survived a year of predominately working from home in a one bedroom flat, which cannot be easy. I notice from Strava they go running or walking at different times, which is sensible.
Over here there is a clamour from some to end lockdown asap but others saying let’s bat this lock down out and avoid a fourth one. On balance I’d take the pain now if it gets us a summer!
Clive
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