‘Fishing….it makes us participants in nature instead of spectators.  A crucial distinction because participants tend to become passionate and protective and spectators tend to become indifferent’
Jerry Dennis, The River Home

Weather conditions for the week ending on the 17th were for this month, March, predictably unsettled with highs of 14 degrees and lows of 4. The water temperature remained at a chilly three degrees and the lake levels have risen a good 2-3ft due to the recent weeks of rain. January and February were uncharacteristically dry months and then with the influx of rain in March, the fresh and cold water seems to have driven our Sheelin trout down deep. Tuesday and Wednesday were the warmest and therefore correspondingly the two best fishing days of the week.

On St Patrick’s day weather produced what could be termed as ‘hostile’ fishing conditions where blustery and cold south westerly winds scudded across grey uninviting waters accompanied by deluges of rain to complete a fairly bleak fishing picture.

A few anglers ventured out for a short while in the morning, some attempting to be patriotic by bringing with them some green flies especially tied for the day that was in it, my favourite being the vividly green Jealous George. Despite the only to be admired enthusiasm there were no success on that particular day.

By Brenda Montgomery
Read the full report here.