It's 4 p.m. and Michael Swartz's takings for the day total £8. Since morning he has had two customers in his fishing tackle shop in Ballina, Co Mayo.
He has spent the past 20 years building up a fishing holiday business and he says he can now see it collapsing because of foot-and-mouth disease restrictions. "It is frightening - I am in total despair and I really don't know where to turn to."
Apartments over the shop he usually rents out to fishermen are empty. Another house he rents is also empty and there is nobody staying at his guesthouse. "I was booked solid for March, April and May. Now I've had to return deposits. Who would have believed this would happen?"
He gives the example of sales of government fishing licences. Normally in March he would sell between 300 and 400. This month he has sold a total of 12. Instead of a total daily turnover of more than £700 he has £8 in his till.
Angling restrictions were eased from last Friday. Instead of a total ban, angling can now take place provided fishermen do not have to cross farmland or land where there are susceptible species. All angling competitions are postponed and the guidelines clearly state that anglers from the UK and other countries where foot-and-mouth infection has been confirmed should be discouraged from travelling to Ireland.
In reality, however, this may not be happening. One hotel owner confirmed being happy to take a booking from a party of English anglers who had cancelled their trip to Scotland because of foot-and-mouth. Angling tourism is hugely important to the town of Ballina and the surrounding area where rivers, lakes and the sea make it a haven for all kinds of fishermen. A large proportion of visiting anglers are from the North or Britain. To lose their custom would have a huge impact.
Even with the easing of the restrictions, which means lake fishing is generally now possible, Mr Swartz points out that practically the whole of the Moy is closed from Foxford to Ballina. Angling in the town of Ballina, where entry is from the street, is permitted.
The Moy fishery is accepted as one of the best in Europe. It is managed by the North West Regional Fisheries Board and is always heavily booked. Chief officer Vincent Roche says that in the season from May to September they would usually sell permits to about 4,000 anglers. Half of these come from either the North or Britain.
He says they have received applications as usual but as yet they have not confirmed any bookings. "Everything is on hold now," he says.
If UK anglers are to be discouraged, the greatest impact will be felt from May on. "There is a lot of uncertainty - people are getting inquiries because anglers don't know if they will be able to come or not. They are also getting cancellations."
Hotel and guesthouse owners who provide accommodation for anglers throughout Mayo all tell the same story of rooms left empty over recent weeks. Ms Ann Geary of the Pontoon Bridge Hotel is hopeful business may start to pick up now with the easing of restrictions as there is access onto Lough Conn from the hotel.
"People usually come on spec at this time of the year but there is no trade now from Monday to Friday. Most of our staff are taking holiday or days off but the worry is that if the Government doesn't do something to help, staff will have to be laid off. Instead of paying dole later, the Government should support us now."