Our Area
Currently we control around 3 miles of the Ribble near Clitheroe, from Low Moor upstream to West Bradford, much of which is double bank. This section includes the well-known pool at Waddow weir, where over the years many salmon have been landed. This length also has two large holding pools for migratory fish, suitable for spinning and bait fishing as well as fly-fishing at night for sea trout. The rest of this beat contains excellent fly water, and over the years has produced many salmon for our members, including the Association’s record for a salmon taken on fly of 25lbs.The sea trout record currently stands at 16lbs. with many fish being taken around the 7 lb. mark. Higher up the river at Grindleton and Sawley we have one bank of three excellent pools two of which suits the fly, the other spinning and bait fishing. On all our waters the method of fishing varies depending on river conditions. Over the years our average catch returns have produced 70 plus Salmon and 100 plus Sea Trout. Our Association’s record for Salmon stands at 29.5 lbs. and Sea Trout 16 lbs. We endeavour to keep our rules to a minimum but always stress courteous and sportsmanlike behaviour is expected of our members, giving due consideration to fellow anglers, members of the public, and our quarry, as well as the surrounding environment. We are proud of the reputation we have built over the years and wish to keep it. Car parking is reasonably secure on all the fishing and the access to all beats is easy with very little deep wading required.
The Hodder
On the Hodder we have approx. 1 mile of single bank fishing, (The left-hand bank looking upstream from Higher Hodder bridge.) this is very pleasant water, giving fishing in 3 good pools and streamy runs in beautiful surroundings. This piece of water is fly only except in high water when spinning is then allowed.
The Ribble & Lune
We stock with 10 inch to 13 inch Brown Trout annually, as do the adjacent clubs, and currently our membership are catching around 1000 trout per annum, the majority of which are returned. In addition to the waters we control directly, we also have a reciprocal 2 rod daily exchange arrangement with Settle Anglers on the Ribble and Tebay Anglers on the Upper Lune. These rod exchanges offers our members access to around eight miles of good trout, grayling, and salmon fishing on the upper Ribble and eight miles both banks of excellent fishing on the Lune, both located in picturesque countryside. The Ribble and Lune in these areas are clean and because the limestone rocks of the area influence it, it provides prolific insect life to feed the well-stocked waters producing trout up to 2lb.plus. Once again the access and parking is good. We fish Settle and Tebay waters as their rules dictate.
Three miles above Gisburn at Nappa we rent rods in a small syndicates on approximately one mile of single bank fishing with small pools for salmon and sea trout. The trout and grayling fishing is excellent and on this water where you are allowed to take a guest at any time including junior anglers. This water fishes very well for grayling during the winter months and the trout are considered to be wild fish as it has not been stocked for many years.
We have the lease on the Hacking Hall fishing on the Ribble and Calder, this includes the large holding pool for Salmon and Sea-trout, Calder Foot, where over the past seasons many fish have been caught This water extends approx. 1 mile up the Calder which is improving as a game fishing river and in the recent past has been stocked with salmon parr by the Environment Agency.
Other Fishing
Further north we enjoy a lovely beat on the river Liddle, the main tributary of the Border Esk which enters the Solway Firth. This beat is approx 1.5 miles of excellent salmon and sea trout waters where fly fishing will be the preferred method. A guest may accompany the member on this excellent beat at any time. We also have concessionary arrangements with Barnsfold and Stocks Reservoirs where, for reduced fees, we can offer the alternative for the Stillwater angler of excellent fishing for quality Rainbow Trout. Both of these waters produce first class sport for our members and currently our annual catch returns stand at around 1,200 fish, with members being able to retain 2 fish per. session. Both of these venues offer good facilities, including a tackle shop as well as somewhere to eat. The settings of each are attractive and Stocks reservoir is particularly well endowed with scenic views as well as being a bird sanctuary for the ornithologist amongst us. We have taken two rods in the Tyneside Angling Syndicate waters giving our members the opportunity to fish many different beats on various rivers in the North East including the North and South Tyne, the Till, Whitadder, Coquet, Wear, Border Esk, and others.
We offer our members more fishing opportunities than probably any other club in this area and the annual subscription is kept to a minimum and may be paid by monthly instalments; the joining fee has to be paid in full. At our AGM in early December the Association’s awards are presented for “Best Salmon on Fly.” “Best Sea Trout.” “Best River Trout” “Best Reservoir Trout.” also a shield for the “Meritorious Catch of the Season”. We encourage all our members to support The Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust, The Hodder Consultative, and the Ribble Fisheries Consultative Association.