THE Ribble, with just three weekends left before the close season, has hit top form.

Catches in general, but big fish in particular are attracting the attention of anglers far and wide.

We have not, fortunately, suffered the ravages of raging floods as other areas have. Though water levels have fluctuated they have for the most part, been fishable for much of the winter.

Only a few anglers have chosen to fish the Ribble on a regular basis nevertheless, yet they have been well rewarded. The conditions now are excellent and, I suspect, even more anglers will be trying their luck before the season ends.

Barbel catches, by experts it has to be said, have shown the most improvement of late. Having said that, there is a chance for everyone who has just an ounce of river craft, and who uses the right tactics, to latch on to a very big fish.

Gary Brandwood, a very regular visitor to the Ribble from his home in St Helens, has caught more than most. His latest fish is a 10lb 10oz specimen, which was the best of six in a single session, which also resulted in six big chub, to five and a half pounds.

10lb 10oz was also the weight of a fine barbel (a different fish) for Mark Halstead, of Clayton-le-Moors.

Mark, clearly one of the most successful barbel anglers on the Ribble, reports his double as being one of a 17-fish haul, which included no less than five others over 9lbs.

You would not expect these anglers to reveal the location of hot swims they have spent months researching.

Nevertheless it is possible to narrow down the target area for non-experts to the length between Ribchester and Walton-le-Dale. I know this is a long way, but there are limited access points and you must do some work yourselves.

You can now, unless you are a club member, narrow it down even further to only those sections where day tickets can be purchased, and these definitely are capable of producing big barbel and chub.

There is no doubt however, regarding the best method for targeting the barbel. You must pin all your faith in swimfeeders, and a little luck.

Hooking a barbel is one thing, getting it out is definitely another. Tackle must be chosen with the size and power of these fish in mind, even if it does mean a 4lbs chub can be wound straight in.

Minimum line strength is 6lbs b.s, though these top anglers are more likely to choose 8lbs b.s. (just to be on the safe side). A strong size eight hook completes the end tackle, which is set to fish just 12 inches away from the feeder (fit up using the loop method).

Trout pellets seem to be in on the Ribble, particularly for feeding.

Of course they must be of the sinking variety, and can be introduced via a light groundbait which incorporates plenty of ground pellet, or simply plugged into the feeder.

Hookbait can be, successfully, a large lump of paste you have made by soaking pellet in some hot water, and kneading to a hooking consistency.

Or it can be, my favourite, a cube of luncheon meat which has been fried in Garam Masala (Indian spice).

The latter has, of course, one great advantage over the pellet - it's great on your sandwiches as well! Barbel anglers are patient. These fish may only feed for a couple of hours on even the best of days. Fish upstream and be prepared for some fairly vicious takes. Even if you are not catching keep re-filling your feeder - to lay down a bed.

Todmorden Angling Society now controls 13 miles of the Rochdale Canal, and 10 stillwaters. No wonder they consider the ticket price of £32 for the year (including £10 entry fee payable only once) to be great value.

No doubt their constant re-stocking policy, particularly of late, will result in a membership increase this year.

1,000 6-8ins roach have gone into the Town House Fishery. A further 3,000 have gone into the Nehesco and Library sections of canal. Cliviger top pond has accepted 1,000 8-10ins carp and 500 6-8ins tench. Almost 2,000 more fish - carp, bream and roach - are also due for delivery.

If you're interested, cards can be purchased from selected tackle outlets in Burnley, Todmorden (of course), Littleborough and Rochdale.

Alternatively, I'm sure the hard-working secretary, Ray Barber, will be glad to advise if you ring him on 01282 428780.

While you're at it, you should also check out the Pendle Anglers, and Hyndburn and Blackburn AA offers.

If you get all three you'll never have nowhere to go, with these two offering just about as much Leeds and Liverpool canal as you can handle - as well as local rivers and ponds.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.