Perhaps it is a sign of the times, writes Derek Evans.
Three days into the new season and no salmon has yet been recorded in the Drowes River in Co Donegal or the Liffey in Dublin.
Angling conditions were ideal on the Drowes on New Year's Day.
Two hundred and forty anglers set out at dawn in mild weather with expectations of catching the first salmon of the year in the Donegal river.
Fly, prawn, flying "C" and worm failed to attract a wild salmon.
Apart from a few fish lost and some kelts caught, the highlight on opening day was the catch by Jim Matthews of a 4lb trout.
According to fishery staff, this was an exceptional fish for the river and augurs well for the future.
Water levels, in contrast, were high on the Liffey for the 30 anglers who ventured out at Islandbridge.
Alas, not a sign of a fish.
It was May before the first salmon was caught last year.