A Nice Day on the Ribble

No doubt like me you hear about pensioners always moaning about nothing to do, how they can't afford to do anything and life is hard. Sorry they don't really have an excuse. We all get a bus pass, so no excuse in visiting places of interest. They could go rambling, bird watching, fishing, Oh there are dozens of things to do. What about getting involved in charity work? When I mention this, they show no interested. As a pensioner I thought I would tell you about my Monday morning feeling and how lucky I am to be a pensioner at 73 coming 74 later this month, life is good despite my health problems.



The weather was perfect for salmon fishing this morning and with nothing better to do I took myself off to the river, I spent the first half an hour walking the bank and checking my mink traps, I was in luck I had a mink in the third trap which was quickly despatched with a shot in the head. Another killer in the countryside that want kill anymore. Trout were rising everywhere a good hatch of olives was coming off. Sadly the season ended on Friday 30th September. The weather was warm and overcast with just a light wind.



Back at the cabin I took a 10 foot 7 weight rod off the rack fitted with a floating line and a 9 foot leader. Attaching a silver stoat’s tail on a size 12 double I was ready to go. Now a lot of anglers would be thinking that's too small a fly. Not true, I have had quite a few salmon this season, in fact far more than the other rods. I reckon it’s down to using lighter rods lines and smaller flies. Three weeks ago one member lost 5 fish another member lost 3. Both were using 15 foot rods and heavy lines with big flies. As most of the fish were grilse with soft mouth I reckon they can throw the fly. The soft rod, lighter line acts as a cushion I rest my case.



Starting at the head of Roberts I slowly made my way down the pool, in 6 casts I hooked 2 good brown trout and lost a sea trout about 4lbs. As both species are out of season it didn't matter. I always reckon if I lose a fish, it’s a long range release. Two thirds of the way down the pool I had a good take, setting the hook I found myself attached to a nice fish. Ten minutes later I beached a cock fish about 10lbs which was unhooked in the water; I then watched it swim off strongly.



As I sat on the bank trying to decide if I wanted to go downstream to the Minnow Pool or move off further down river and fish for chub and barbel. A dozen goldfinches settled on some thistles about 10 feet away, and then a large family of long tailed tits appeared in the nearby willow tree. I thought does life get any better than this. Ten minutes later I made my way back to the cabin for a mug of tea and a slice of toast. As I sat outside the cabin admiring the autumn colours, one of my bailiffs turned up for a chat and mug of tea. As we chatted he said "2 members fishing my bottom beat had both caught salmon, one was a fish about 25lbs all five fish were released". I encourage all my syndicate members to practise catch and release. Though they are allowed a brace of cock fish up to 6lbs in a season. I told Mick to make sure no one fishes between the white posts above and below the weir pool this month. Thankfully he is on the ball saying "I have put a notice in the bottom cabin" After discussing surveillance of the pools during the evenings this week Mick went on his way. We are equipped with night sites and nothing moves on the river without one of us seeing it. We also prosecute all thieves under the theft act.



I decided to go off downstream and try for some chub or barbel, perhaps both species, my baits were bread sausage and cheese paste. The car park was empty I had the choice of swims, choosing to walk about a mile downstream to where a large oak tree over hung the water with some of its roots plunging down into the water. A good place for chub and barbel, it would have been nice to have Edward Harris for advice. The rod was already made up with a size 6 hook; I attached three LG shot fifteen inches from the hook then baited with a chunk of cheese paste.



With an under hand swing I dropped a bait on the outside of the crease, then let it settle for about five minutes, lifting the rod I eased the bait further down stream. Repeating this every five minutes. About twenty minutes later I retrieved the tackle, baiting with a fresh piece of sausage paste I repeated the process. Halfway down the swim I felt a light pluck then a good pull. Soon I had a chub about 3lbs swirling on the surface. Pulling it in close to the bank I leaned down then slipped out the size 6 hook. In the next hour I had three more fish all like peas in a pod. Looking to the North West I noticed a big bank of cloud building up, at the same time the wind increased to about 25 mph. I fished on for about an hour without a sign of a bite. The message was clear, its time to go home. I certainly got buffeted by the wind on my way back to the car. Pulling away from the car park I glanced at the river there were small white caps. I reckon I chose the right time to leave. I would be back on the river tomorrow, so nothing lost. Perhaps I would seek the roach with well balanced float tackle feeding with mashed bread and using either crust or flake on the hook.



This coming Friday I'm starting a new group for kids who want to learn how to fish, it will be known as the Clitheroe Buddies. For some years I've worked with the police PC Mark Hyde who has now retired and British Army through Col Sgt Tam Miller of the Army Recruiting Office in Burnley with the Pendle Buddies which has proved a great success. Take a look at www Pendle Buddies? Over a 1000 kids have been on the courses where they learn in the classroom and at the waterside. Our first meeting of Clitheroe Buddies will take place after school with the local Police Inspector giving his support. I have also been able to get permission to use a local still water from a property developer who lives in the Midlands. When I approached his agent in Lancashire I was told no one had ever asked for permission before. They just went and fished. I mentioned I wanted these youngsters to do everything by the book. He said he would have a word with the owner. Within 24 hours we got permission. Its half term 24th October so I will have the kids on the water for two or three days but first we will do a litter pick.