by KINGFISHER

THE reappearance of grayling in catches from both the Ribble and Calder is a clear indication that winter, though not yet upon us, is just around the corner. Elsewhere, however, there are few signs, with roach and bream feeding well.

The canal, now clearing as the boat traffic slows to almost non-existent, is definitely worth a crack.

Roach are the mainstay of most catches, but skimmers are also likely to put in an appearance, almost anywhere it seems.

Pike are proving troublesome in some stretches, attacking hooked roach as they flash in the clear water.

It is worth having some appropriate gear with you, since trying to clear your peg of them can provide some great excitement.

Bread-punch or caster might be most canal anglers choice for the hook but, as the water does clear in late autumn, hempseed can be at its most deadly.

Some think of it only as a summer bait, but this is definitely not the case.

Immediate success with hemp is, however, very rare. It can take more than an hour for the roach to switch on to it, so patience is necessary.

Feed a swim with hemp, a few grains with monotonous regularity, while fishing punch or caster elsewhere. After an hour or so give the seed a try, at a full depth but slow sinking.

Give it five or ten minutes before reverting to the other swim if there is no response.

Continue doing this until there is some response, which may not come until much later. The roach you catch on the hemp will be of a much bigger average size, almost invariably, and are well worth the effort.

The rivers are attracting much more attention of late, and good catches are reported from many stretches.

Ribchester, where there is a day ticket availability, has produced some big catches of dace and chub to float anglers, with the best bags being well over 50lbs.

Big chub, to five pounds, are a particular feature here but Samlesbury is the place for big barbel. A number of double figure fish have been landed of late with a 12-ponder the best.

Walton-le-Dale is the latest area to get some serious attention from the specimen hunters and some big roach have been taken on baits intended for chub and barbel.

Foulridge Reservoir may not be in its best form but Hyndburn & Blackburn ACs smaller yet similar water, Rishton Reservoir, gives a clear indication that October may produce some very good nets of bream.

It has been in excellent form, producing ton-up weights for pleasure anglers that have included individual fish almost into double figures.

There are no day tickets available here, but non-members will get increasing opportunities to have a go as more matches are arranged.

Tickets are sure to be in big demand for next Sunday and you should book your ticket soon. Ring organiser Dezzy Forrest on 01254 689156 for all the details.

I am certain that the field for this one will be very similar to the one that lines up the following week at Foulridge for the Des Lancaster Memorial Match on Sunday, October 27.

With many anglers already having booked their tickets, you have no time to waste if you want to fish against some of the best feeder anglers in the North West.

Bob Pearce, on 01282 863381, has all the details - including a form guide no doubt.

Local match anglers in the money last weekend include Todmorden's Steve Ashworth, second on the Rochdale Canal at Hebden Bridge and Simon Beswick with the same result at Copthorne.

Bob Harrison and Steve Hall, teAMS H&B travelling companions, were second and third respectively at Pilsworth.