The 8th FM Ribble Winter Chub Fish-in

The 8th FM Ribble Winter Chub Fish-in

Lee autographs his article for John

I’d heard on the local grapevine that there was trouble in the camp at the Back Bull. Just a few weeks prior to our fish-in, and shortly after tales of exotic dances and battles in and out of the pub, I wasn’t surprised to find out that the landlady and the brewery had parted company and that a new landlord had taken up residence in the Black Bull. Contact was made with the new landlord and we were still on board with our 8th Fish-in – that was until the two weeks prior to the Fish-in, when I was about to pop in and confirm that everything was still OK, the bloody pub was in the dark and locked up. All very strange considering it was a Saturday evening!

I spent the following week contacting Thwaites Brewery who were very understanding and helpful. Jim Hinchley was on the ‘net searching for alternative accommodation local to Ribchester. Then, just one day before we’d decided that we may have to call off the Fish-in, or downgrade it, up popped a new Landlady and we were back in business. However, apparently there would be a cut down menu, the exotic dancer landlady had done a runner with some of the kitchen equipment, and the rest had been condemned.

So once again, on what looked like very good weather and river conditions, we all met at the Black Bull pub in Ribchester for the 8th Ribble Winter Chub Fish-in.

For whatever reason this year was the lowest attended Ribble fish-in we’ve had, admittedly only by one. Some put it down to being too near the end of the season and maybe the local day ticket waters were overcrowded, or perhaps anglers would rather fish their own patch at the end of the season? However, we still had 13 anglers turn up to fish, 12 of whom were staying over in the bunkhouse, this didn’t include Gary Knowles who was fishing with Wol, and I think John McLaren also may have been fishing with someone.

As per the normal convention, the first hour and half is spent dividing into small groups, discussing tactics, and catching up on recent gossip. This year it was not necessary to pre order meals but those who were staying over booked into the bunkhouse. By 12:30 there were 12 anglers in small groups ready to hit the river. Wol had gone straight to the river with Gary to get a flying start.

Andy on the Ribble

Andy Nellist and I decide on a roving session similar to last year, fishing a swim for 30 or 40 minutes then moving on and finally settling into a swim for the last couple of hours at dusk. However, as it turned out, we only fished two swims.

We arrived at the car park to find several cars there and about five lads fishing. We asked one of the chaps fishing if he’d caught and his reply was, “just moved down, had nothing up the river but I’ve just had two casts and had two chub, both over 5lbs.” After a wee walk up the river, everything looked great weather and river-wise, and within half an hour of settling into our pegs we’d both had a chub each and we were thinking, yes, we’re in! I wonder just how many anglers have said that before!

Andy and Ribble barbel

After that, the action completely dried up for me but Andy managed another two chub. The annoying thing was the chub were there all the time, just as you were thinking of moving they were tweaking your rod tip. During this long spell of little action Andy couldn’t resist giving Wol a ring to find out how he was getting on. He said he’d had 10 Chub, two of which were over 5lbs, then, just to rub it in, “hang on, I’m into another one, I’ll ring you back.” and, “no, I haven’t got a bloody clue where I’m fishing.”

We packed up at 8-o-clock and made our way back to the Black Bull. Most of the other anglers had very similar tales to tell, with a few chub here and there, and a few barbel put in an appearance, along with the ubiquitous trout and the odd eel. However, Wol just couldn’t keep that cheeky smile off his face and, just as a matter of fact, said he’d ended up with 13 chub of which two were over 5lbs, and he still hadn’t a clue where Gary had taken him.

Bob Murphy managed four barbel (best 8lb 1oz), one chub 5.3 and two brown trout about 12ozs each. Ric Merick had three barbel to 4.8, a small chub and two eels.

Back at the pub – is the landlady safe for another year?

The meal was very good considering there was a limited kitchen, the steak pudding looked excellent, and Baz please note, we had proper chips. After the meal we shared tales of the days’ fishing and various adventures. With the aid of the pubs fine selection of beers and spirits we then moved onto club and association politics and general fishing gossip. (Ron, we missed your tales from the past and your South African fishing exploits, where were you?).

That wasn’t what we meant Andy when we said give it a shot!

At some point after midnight we made our way to the Bunkhouse to sample Lee’s chilli bhajis. After two bhajis and half way through the third one my head was nearly blown off and I had to dive for the cold water tap, much to the amusement of Lee and the other lads. The Ribble seal made its appearance and spent most of the night on Andy’s knee drinking whisky. We had to restrain Jim from removing it’s head with a little knife he’d brought back from his trip to the Himalayas.

It’s been said that the noises from the bunkhouse are something to behold, however when my head hit the pillow that was it, I never heard anything until nature called just before dawn.

Sunday saw Andy, Jim and I, along with Ric Merick, back on the Ribble for another session. Sunday was hard work and Andy was the only one to put fish on the bank, one barbel and two, or was it three, chub?

Everyone had a really good weekend and Wol’s catch was excellent on a river that was not fishing at its best; in fact it was a very good catch even when the river is fishing well.

Congratulations Wol and I’ve no doubt I’ll see you all again in late Nov or early Dec for the 9th Ribble Winter Chub Fish-in.

Wol’s Story

5.7 chub for Wol

Gary advised a day or so before to leave the barbel rods at home and that we would spend the day after some Ribble chub. A loaf of bread and some crumb and maybe some cheese paste was his advice. Nice and simple, which is what I like, and a roving approach which should yield a few bonus fish rather than a sit it out approach.

After sitting with Gary for a few minutes and just getting a few things straight in my mind about his approach and setup I made my way back a few yards downstream to a swim he had put me in. A good swim he said and I should get into them pretty much from the off if they’re having it.

First cast and within 30 seconds the rods wrapped round and i’m into my first Ribble chub. Superb, a good scrap and a fish of around 3.5 – 4lb is soon in the net. I think the next six casts over 45 minutes netted me a fish every time and a cracking fish of 5lb 7oz.

Once things fizzled out we spent the afternoon here and there, and what a stunning river the Ribble is, the scenery can be quite dramatic. It was good to be part of it.

And a 5.6 chub for Wol

We knobbled a few fish from other areas and as the afternoon wore on and dusk setting in Gary advised that I should settle back into the swim where I first started. Within ten minutes of being in it I had another 5-pounder on the bank, 5lb 6oz to be exact. I dont know who was more pleased, but I honestly think it was Gary. I know the feeling, which was the same as I had when I took him breaming last year and watched him beat his PB three times I think.

It really caps it of when things come right and I was more than pleased for him. And I know he was getting a good buzz whilst I spent most of the day with the rod wrapped round into those Ribble chub.

I finished with 13 fish and a good percentage were 4s – thanks Gary!

A great evening was had back at the pub, a good meal and then the usual bunkhouse ramblings into the early hours with a few more ales to cushion the arse ripping onion bhaji’s loaded with rectum burning chilli’s: nice one Lee.