First of the Season

WoodStream on the Munster Blackwater (Blackwater Lodge)

Fishing woodstream beat on the Blackwater today accounted for my first Salmon of the season. A little later than ususal but it was great to feel the solid pull of a Spring Salmon and to hear the reel sing once again.
Despite the water being a little high for the fly (70 on the Ballyduff gauge), the clarity was excellent so I tackle up the new Guideline LXi 13'9" 9/10  and a compact sink 1/2 and a copper Banana tube on a short tapered flouro leader.
The Salmon took towards the end of the bottom run just were the heavier water starts to tail out, about were I'd expect for the water level in question.
I saw two other fish down the flat though they seemed to be moving through very quickly.

Approx 7lbs and safely returned

Hopefully water levels will continue to drop steadily as this can only improve the fishing. With numbers of fish being caught and seen increasing this can only bode well for the coming weeks and into May which given the right water can be the best Spring month on this river.

Hopefully time permitting I'll get back out again later in the weekend or early next week.

On another note this was the first chance I had to fish with the new LXi rod and I must say it was a joy to use with very little effort required on my behalf. I had it paired with a 9/10 compact head and compline shooting line.
This rod has loads of power in reserve and will have no problems with faster sinking heads and larger flies. Indeed I can't see myself with much requirement for my 10/11 rods for much of my fishing.