Peter the local pike angler was telling us that last Sunday March 5^th he went dead baiting for pike in one of his favourite locations. And no wonder. In seven hours he had two runs and two pike. He weighed the first fish which was 24 Lbs and released it alive. His next fish was bigger than the first and he guided it into a nearby drain where he unhooked it and set it free. The pike remained in the drain for about ten minutes to get its wind back – or should it be getting rid of the wind taken in during the battle. When ready it swam away content.

Brian tells us that the river has risen to 2.85 Metres after the rain. He reckons that the people in charge panicked and closed some of the gates at Meelick.

The temperature is up to 11 C or 51 F.

The milkman today was telling that a large Siberian Snow Owl has been spotted on the Blackwater Bog near Shannonbridge. Their nature man Val Trodd has seen and photographed the bird and no doubt will be in the next Bord na Mona magazine called Sceil Mona or bog news.

A group of Shannonbridge folk are in the racing business and they call themselves Rachra Syndicate. Today at 5.40 pm one of their horses named Running Wild will race at Thurles. Trainer is Noel Meade and the jockey is Miss N. Carberry. A spokesperson for the syndicate said that no off course information would be given so a few Shannonbridge cars have headed down to Thurles.

Today an English angler on a cruiser stopped at Shannonbridge. He and his lady friend were intended to be holidaying in the Canaries but he has a condition that will not allow him to fly and so they are one of the first visitors on the river. Hope he catches a monster.