My salmon fishing is rapidly becoming confined to small spate rivers in the West of Ireland and I have come to expect little or no action until the first flood in June or July. However, I am now wondering if there are any spring salmon running in April/May. Has anyone experience of spate river springers? I am not expecting details of particular rivers here, just confirmation (if any) that there are small runs of springers present in the spate rivers of Ireland's western seaboard.

C&N

Why dont you have a crack at the Moy Colin ,years ago Good Friday was always my first full day out -moveable feast I know-. Infact I once hooked and lost a fine springer in February upstream from Ballylahan bridge, good value day ticket there also. PJ

__________________
When you can see without being seen,strike without knowing why,and guess correctly where the best fish lie,they have taught you all they can.
(T.C. KINGSMILL MOORE)

Hi Paddy,

I sometimes give the East Mayo Anglers water a try early on. As you rightly say, it is very much a 'moveable feast' depending on water levels.

The reason for asking about the smaller spate rivers is that I heard of some coloured springers being caught in spate rivers round June last season. These fish must have come in earlier to be so coloured, so were they an unusual occurance or do some spate rivers get small runs in most years in March/April/May? Of course, everything depends on water levels, but the idea that there may be good sized salmon to be caught early in the season may be worth following up in 2012.

C&N

Have you thought about Carrowmore lake, up near Bangor Erris?, always hear good reports of early seaaon fish.
Lunesman

I love my occasional days on Carrowmore; there is something magical about the place and I thoroughly recommend it to everyone reading this thread. I also fish Beltra frequently and it can be a superb lough if you catch it on the right day. Both of these fisheries have recognised runs of spring salmon.

The smaller fisheries in the North West of Ireland are pretty much ignored until the first spate in June (with some notable exceptions, such as the Drowes). I am just wondering if anyone has experience of springers sneaking into the spate rivers early doors. How about the Owenmore for example? It is part of the same system as Carrowmore Lake but most anglers opt to fish the lake in the early part of the season and leave the river until summer.

Maybe the guys in Scotland can shed some light on this? Anyone caught a springer on a Scottish west coast spate river in April/May?

C&N

I would think that you have obviously been in contact with Seamus Henry regarding the lake, I would think,knowing him, if any early springers were in the Owenmore he would let you know.It may be worth a phone call to him, just to ask his opinion.
I have been lucky enough to fish the Owenmore for the last five years, and hope for many more, a fabulous river when conditions are right.
Regards Lunesman.