Anglers across the country are dubbing the salmon Ireland's most elusive fish, since no-one appears to have heard of one being caught six days into the New Year.
Angling enthusiasts in several places are still waiting to catch the first salmon of 2003 on their local stretch of water.
Up to 20 die-hard fishermen were yesterday continuing a daily pilgrimage at the Drowse River, on the Leitrim-Donegal border, where they have caught the first fish 22 times in the past 25 years.
The first salmon is usually in the net by lunchtime on New Year's Day, but anglers are blaming a run of bad luck on the failure to catch one after nearly a weekl.
New Year angling organiser, Mr Shane Gallagher, says that the race is still on to net the first salmon of the New Year.
"It is very unprecedented. Usually the first salmon is caught before lunchtime on New Year's Day. Last year it was caught around 3.30 p.m. on January 1st and we thought that that was late!"
Mr Gallagher, whose family has organised the annual angling event for the past 25 years, says that although most anglers are back at work during the week, the competition is still in full swing to reel in the first salmon.
"We had 250 people here on New Year's Day but then when there was no salmon caught most couldn't come back last week because they were back in work.
"However, we still had about 40 here every day. Then at the weekend the numbers went back up to 100 and still there was nothing.
"Today there are about 20 and they are vowing to stay here all week until the first salmon is caught. If it goes to the weekend again, no doubt the numbers will be back up."
He said the failure to catch salmon is baffling anglers.
"It is very unusual. Over the 25 years that the championship has been held, the first catch has gone past New Year's Day just three times. And that was always due to bad weather conditions or high waters. Nine years ago it wasn't caught until January 15th. The conditions are actually good this year but it just shows how much fishing has to do with luck."
Amazingly, four salmon got away on New Year's Day. "They were all lost. They were on the line but they managed to escape.It is just a case of waiting and hoping," said Mr Gallagher.
"We have seen fish in the river; it is just that nobody has been lucky enough to catch one yet. A huge amount of luck comes into it when you are fishing and here we start from first light."