With the new year comes the search for the first salmon.

Keen anglers took to the River Drowse on New Year’s Day with rods in tow as they looked to net the prize. Conditions were good but at the time of going to press, the king of fishes was still eluding the anglers.

That is in keeping with recent tradition. In the past the first salmon would be caught before mid morning tea on the first day of the year but in recent times it has proved more elusive.

Last year the first salmon was not landed until February and the last Enniskillen man to take the plaudits for catching the first salmon of the year, Brian McClintock, in 2015, netted his prize on January 27.

The expected longer wait, however, didn’t put off anglers yesterday (Wednesday) as they donned their fishing gear and cast into the River Drowse.