By Michael Martin, Six Mile Water Trust
Looking to the future A hint of spring arrives with this beautiful sunrise
T
here comes a time in our lives when we have to step back and take stock, a time to decide what is important in our lives above and beyond the banalities of work, and day to day worries and stresses. To me, the activities in which we participate can define our lives, angling for example has so many dimensions that infuse into aspects of our character – it gives us relaxation, exercise, an awareness of the countryside and the wildlife that inhabits the environments where we are privileged to indulge our sport. We are given an insight to the most beautiful and remote areas of this island and spend time with likeminded folk who share our passion for the craft of fly fishing and love of the environment. As winter nears an end the anticipation of another season builds and we can look forward to the adventures that lie ahead. Having just endured storm Dudley, Eunice and, as I write, Franklin is
driving sheets of sleet and hail against the window panes on the back of gale force winds. It’s hard to imagine that soon the fishing rods will be dusted down and the talk will be of the spring trouting. There are two variations of springtime – the metrological springtime which lasts from March 1st to May 31st, and the Solar (Celtic) season which lasts from February 1st until April 30th. During the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, days and nights are approximately twelve hours long. Variations on names reflect how the springtime can be viewed, blackthorn or blackberry winter looks back at the retreating cold season, and look forward to warmth and sunshine, as we march through the days toward summer. For the ancient Irish, the first day of spring fell on February 1st and was known as Imbolc, significant for marking the midway point between the
winter solstice and the spring equinox. Imbolc (translated as ‘in the belly’ – referring to pregnant ewes) offered hope that the harsh reality of winter would not last forever. It was now that cows and goats would begin to produce milk and when daylight hours were growing longer seeds were planted, as frosts began to thaw. Imbolc is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals — along with Beltane (May 1st), Lughnasadh (August 1st), and Samhain (November 1st). Traditionally, this day was one of celebration of a goddess of preChristian Ireland, Brigid. The feast day of Saint Brigid falls on February 1st every year, the tradition is still celebrated in Ireland and making of ‘Brigid’s crosses’ is still widespread in Irish primary schools on this date, they are often hung on the front door to welcome St. Brigid for protection and good fortune in the coming year. Britain however celebrates spring on 1st of
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