By Kingfisher

LIKE the weather, the form of any fishery is, at the moment, both changeable and unpredictable.

Recent form is a guide as usual, but cannot be any more than that. It really is a case of pot luck for both pleasure and match anglers alike until the weather settles down to some sort of pattern.

I thought catches might hold up last weekend, despite the falling temperatures. I was certainly wrong, generally. There were waters that performed reasonably well, but they were the exception.

The Ribble was one of these with dace continuing to feature, particularly at Samlesbury, and good catches of barbel made -- up to 12 fish to 8lbs in a single session. Pellets seem to be the in bait at the moment.

More traditional baits like breadflake, have been accounting for chub, to 4lbs, from many reaches, but it is another fish that catches the eye. Roach, which were once the mainstay of many catches in the 60's, have started to reappear in some quantity.

There has always been the odd big one caught and lately, reports of more than a few smaller samples from all over the river. Now comes the news that bags of over 100 fish are being taken, on stickfloat tactics, from swims at Walton-le-Dale. That's the best news I've heard for some time, and augers well for the future of this fine river.

The fishing at Bradshaw Hall has remained steady, despite the falling temperatures. Forty pounds or more of carp can still be reasonably expected from Lodge Number Four. Pole or waggler with pellets, corn or worms.

It will pay here to gradually fine down the tackle, as it gets cooler. Size 18 barbless hooks and 0.12mm line are the order of the day, with 10's elastic and you might be surprised at how many roach and skimmers start to respond.

Lodge Two, with its wider variety of species, is many regulars' favourite. The roach are of good size and bream to 3lbs are plentiful. Tench are still feeding, and then there's the odd runaway train. It pays to be prepared with heavier gear as big carp often turn up late in a session.

I'm sorry I can't point you towards any local sections of canal which, like Bradshaw Hall, offer guaranteed fish. They are all patchy to say the least right now. I know some anglers are succeeding with the hemp/caster approach, and I would stick with this.

Choose to fish the most fished pegs. These are usually the most accessible, often closest to a bridge, and the constant feeding keeps fish close by all the time. Even if the peg has not been producing the goods lately, it definitely will at some time. Patience is often the key.

The Rochdale Canal, at Hebden Bridge, is not, as regular readers will know, my favourite match stretch. It is noted for its gruelling contests, particularly in the winter time, and so results last weekend did not really surprise me. What did initially, was the entry -- of 50.

That was until I realised that the golden peg payout is now running at £500. No wonder they turned up and, with it not won yet again, I'm sure there will be more tomorrow.

If you fancy a go at it, ring 01422 360723 or 07796 184581 for details. Bloodworm is barred in these matches, and recent results ARE of great significance.

So then, back to last week's event. The winner, Ray Spall (Hyndburn MG) was on peg 240, from where he landed a pair of tench on pole/caster for 4.6.0. Unfortunately for Ray he had to share that top spot with another local, Paul Lahey, who used punch at peg 249 for an all-roach catch.

Three pounds was needed to frame, so it certainly was not as bad a contest as it first appeared -- £500 plus on top of the winner's purse is just a fair attraction and, I suspect, the attendance at the Todmorden AS Open, tomorrow, may be affected.

Again, bloodworm is barred, though I think weights will be better at Tod. Ring 01706 290642 for this one.