A Donegal angler has landed the first salmon of the year.
James Kenny was delighted after landing the fish on the River Lennon near the village of Ramelton.
It is the first salmon of the year to be caught on the opening day of the season in Ireland for 11 years.
James, who has been fishing for more than 30 years, said it is not the biggest fish he has landed – but it is the most important one.
“I was delighted. I have caught bigger fish but this is obviously the most important one. I couldn’t believe it when I landed it on the first day of the season.
“I have been fishing since I was a teenager and to catch the first salmon of the year is just a dream come true,” he said.
Keen angler James hooked the fish in an area known locally as Watts Pool at around 1pm on New year’s Day.
Once the salmon was hooked, it was played to the net and carefully landed.
James said he also wanted to thank Ramleton man Frankie Hewitt for helping him to land the fish.
James, who is originally from Letterbarrow outside Donegal Town but now lives in Kilmacrennan, revealed he was using a pink barbless Flying C to lure the fish.
The salmon, a lovely fresh fish, was measured at 69cm and estimated to weigh 8lbs.
Once weighed and photographed, the salmon was released as part of the Leannan River’s 2024 Catch and release scheme.
