Whiskey and waders ready as salmon run just a day away

A draft of fishermen and a whiskey-based blessing will help mark the start of the county's salmon fishing season tomorrow, Tuesday, March 1.

The ceremony, a toast to the salmon season ahead, takes place at a footbridge just below Glenfin church near the village of Cloghan where the River Finn and its tributaries - probably the most prolific salmon and grilse rivers in the Donegal/Foyle catchment area - will once again attract anglers from all over the county and beyond.

As in previous years Glenmore Rivers, one of Ireland's top sporting estates is teaming up with the Sliabh Liag Distillers and their Legendary Silkie Whiskey to host the opening ceremony.

Sliabh Liag Distillers is offering a commemorative presentation bottle of their Donegal Silkie Whiskey to the lucky angler landing the first salmon of the year at Glenmore Rivers in 2022. The company has been doing this since 2016.

There will be a few other prizes accompanying the bottle for the lucky angler as well as a few consolation offerings for those who might miss out on seeing fins or shining scales.

That's an almost sacrilegious thing to say I suppose, not the attitude any angler would go to the river with, but as quixotic as it may seem, there’s always ‘the one that got away'!

They'll be hoping for tight lines when a salmon leaps in a silver spray next Tuesday and of course the catch of the day ...and some whiskey to boot.

For updates on the fishing you can follow Glenmore Rivers on Facebook. They give daily reports on conditions and catches.

Permits are also available at the Glenmore Lodge.