by Kingfisher

IT DOES not matter how well other waters in the area are fishing, it is impossible to ignore the fantastic sport the Ribble and its tributaries continue to produce.

This has been, so far, the best season on the Ribble for many years and there is no sign of any deterioration. Just the opposite in fact.

With barbel appearing everywhere, chub as big as they have ever been, significant numbers of roach appearing again, a seemingly endless supply of small fish and even some big bream.

It really has not mattered what the conditions have been like lately there have been some great catches.

You will recall that the banks of the Ribble actually burst just a couple of weeks ago yet Ramsbottom angler Derek Hart enjoyed a session to remember only 24 hours after.

He fished at Ribchester and, legering the ubiquitous pellet, netted no less than seventeen barbel, including three into double figures.

That would be enough for anyone, but he added three chub over four pounds for good measure!

There was a bit lees water when Pat Fenlon fished at Balderstone where, despite being plagued by eels (which have acquired a bit of a liking for halibut pellet) had six big barbel and an equal number of quality chub to demonstrate that perseverance can really pay off.

Anglers more willing to get their bait off the bottom, by floatfishing of course, have managed to avoid the annoying bootlaces, though they are having to work hard with breadflake and pellet paste.

For those of you who are lapsed river anglers, having become disillusioned with the Ribble for any of a multitude of different reasons I recommend you give it a try again.

You will find that those favourite swims which became devoid of fish a few years ago are now once more producing the goods.

You cannot fish everywhere at once of course, but it still seems a shame that it doesn't really matter where you choose to fish right now you will catch.

The canal is fishing well for roach, skimmers, hybrids, to both breadpunch and caster over hemp, though pick the right swim at the right time and bream to 3lbs are likely to turn up.

Burnley's straight mile is worth a shout, as is the stretch nearby known as 'Weavers Triangle'. Tesco's in Blackburn is a handy shop to buy your Warburton's loaf - and within yards of pegs where you can put it to good use!

Of course many of you have, sadly, forsaken the canal in favour of the guaranteed results from a commercial fishery.

They do not offer the same challenge, or degree of satisfaction (a personal point of view of course) as the canal or river, but when you see the results their popularity is understandable.

Bradshaw Hall, Bolton, is one of those most popular and here the good weather has prompted the carp on pool 4 to feed strongly. If you want to boast of a 'ton' then this is the place to get it - pole-fishing pellets and corn.

For those of you less keen on carp the lower lodges, five and six, are producing some fantastic hauls of silver fish to caster over chopped worm.

With the kids now going back to school you have the opportunity, if you can get a midweek day off work, to enjoy a quiet day at one of the fisheries that have been inundated for the past six weeks.

That does apply to Bradshaw Hall, but equally as much to local club waters. Give them a go, you might get a pleasant surprise.