The Ribble was in excellent condition on the day 20 FISHINGmagic members ventured onto its banks. The river was carrying a little colour, up 2 or 3 inches and 1 degree C higher than Friday, not to mention a very late moonrise. These conditions provided 60% of the anglers with a few fine fish on the day. Again the barbel gatecrashed the event but with these river conditions it was to be expected.
However, the famous Ribble chub also put in an appearance with a few 5lb plus fish gracing a few anglers nets and a PB for myself of 6lb – 4oz. Eric Melling landed a beautiful 11lb 8oz barbel and Andy Nellist, who had blanked on the Saturday, stayed over for a Sunday session with Ron and myself and was rewarded with a beautiful 11lb 10oz barbel. He also banked a 5lb plus chub just to remind him that it was a chub fish-in and making his 400 mile round trip up from the south well worthwhile.
Saturday was kicked of with a few beers and some excellent food in the Back Bull in Ribchester where old acquaintances were renewed and arrangements were made as to whom was fishing with who and where. Just to remind those who haven’t attended a Fish-in before, the event is as much a social event as well as some serious fishing and for those who have not fished the river before a chance to see how it’s done. Part of the success of these events is the informality and it’s the FM lads themselves who actually make the day. Graham and his party; Dave, Jim, Andy and Ron, fished a RADAC section and according to the forum thread chit-chat proved to be quite an amusing session. If our Ron had been willing to put his hand in his pocket I’m sure he could have used his Yorkshire charm to get the farmer to run him down to his swim thus negating the use of oxygen on the walk back.
The rest of the lads spread themselves out up river of Ribchester, those who were members of WAA and Prince Albert on their association waters and the rest on the Dewhurst House Day Ticket water. The two double figure barbel came not form association water but the day ticket water. Around 7 o’ clock anglers started to make their way back to the Black Bull and once again enjoyed the pub’s excellent food and for those not driving the beer flowed well into the early hours of the morning. Just one downer on the whole event (and we had been discussing the area’s toe-rags) was when Bryan Baron got home they had paid him a visit and stolen his DVD, Laptop, MP3 player, Mobile phone, a 80gig external hard drive and some cash.
The question was asked, will there be another one? Well so long as you lads keep turning up and the Black Bull is willing to have us, then what about the last two weeks of the season again? Finally, we end with a quote off the forum thread by Phil Hackett: “I guess that Andy in particular will be back and congratulations to you mate! It isn’t always as easy as it was on Saturday, when the Ribble is angry it’s bloody angry! Where you fished on Sunday you’re most likely to be under 4 ft of water if you’re lucky and if you’re unlucky, somewhere halfway up the wood.”The Ribble is a very beautiful but at time a very fearful mistress!
Tight lines everyone. John Note from Graham On the first day myself, my mate Dave Colclough, Ron Clay, Drennan Cup winner Andy Nellist and Jim Hinchley fished a stretch below Ribchester. It was quite a long walk of  When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community.
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