Mid-Ribble Angling Society (Salmon, Sea trout and Brown Trout Fishing)

THE RIBBLE WAY FOOTBRIDGE PROPOSALS
Lancashire county council's proposals for a bridge crossing at Calder foot remains opposed by ourselves and Stoneyhurst Estate. In addition, a number of influencial organisations, such as the Country Landowners Association, the Council for the Preservation of rural England, RSPB, the Lancashire Conservation Trust, the Ribble Conservation Trust and others have also voiced their objection to the proposal. Indeed, a number of suggestions have been made to the County Council but so far they have not responded positively. In addition, there has been a suggestion that the various abstraction points on the Hodder be closed and water be allowed to come down the whole river to be taken out at Hodder Foot. This would maximise the flows in the river and provide improved opportunities for fish to migrate the system. Despite the opposition that has been expressed, a drilling rig undertook test drillings in the Calder foot area in September. This serves to underline that we shall have to be vigilant in our opposition to this development and may have to call on the support of our members in making representations against the proposal.

TROUT STOCKING
The proposed changes made as part of the Trout and Grayling Action Plan have not materialised to date therefore our stocking policy returned to normal following the Foot and Mouth outbreak. We successfully stocked our waters on both Ribble and Hodder providing good fishing for members throughout the season.

STILL WATER DAY FOR MEMBERS AND GUESTS
The Society’s stillwater fly fishing day in May on Stocks Reservoir near Slaidburn had the benefit of good weather for fishing and the pleasure of having to search for fish which were not completely cooperating. Nevertheless most people caught some fish, including blue trout, and all enjoyed the change involved in boat fishing and methods compared to river techniques, since rainbows and blue trout require a different approach to migratory fish and grayling. The brown trout caught were of a larger size than is usual on the Ribble or Hodder. However, as ever, the problem was to find the right fly and there is no doubt the search goes on! It will be interesting next year to see what flies have been tied in preparation. Bacon butties and liberal advice from the staff at Hollins Bay Lodge upon how to approach the water helped to set us up for the day and refreshments at the Parkers Arms were a pleasant end to it.

THE PARTIAL NET BUY OFF
Nationally there has been a great deal of concern about the plight of the salmon and anglers are being called upon to help in ensuring the survival of the species. within the Ribble system a number of initiatives supported by the Society have been instigated. The improvement of the habitat around the major feeder streams helps to provide both cover and food for the young migratory fish. The Hodder Propagation team, working with the E.A. has introduced both parr and smolts to the river and successfully installed release pens within the river so as to allow the fish to acclimatise to the river naturally. The partial nets buy-off, organised by the Ribble Fisheries Association, removes the estuary nets for approximately 30 tides during the netting season. The E.A. estimate that this enables some 70-80 extra fish to enter the river system. The bye-law changes, effectively shortening the season, helps to protect any spring fish as it is thought that spring fish breed spring fish. Lastly, the response of anglers to bag limits and catch and release means that there has been a dramatic increase in the numbers of fish returned to the river to spawn. Clearly, anglers are playing their part in trying to increase the numbers of salmon.

THE RIBBLE FISHERIES ASSOCIATION
At the present time the Ribble Fisheries Association is working very closely with a number of agencies and has been instrumental in the Ribble system being hailed as a model for others to follow. Of particular importance will be the attitude to any proposals that further affect our sport. The position of the R.F.A. and its ability to represent the whole river system will be tested in the next few years with the adoption of the Fisheries Action Plan, the Ribble Salmon Action Plan, and the various National Strategies.

If the RFA fails to reflect the opinion of all anglers, not just a small minority of those who fish the river , we will have to be prepared to object individually in the strongest possible way.

It is especially important that the management of a club and its fishing is retained by the club itself for the benefit of the membership.

As a result I would urge you all to become members of the Association in your own right at an annual cost of £10. This will enable you to make your views known and to receive, from time to time, reports of items that affect fisheries. In addition you would be eligible to attend the Annual General Meeting and make your views known directly to the E.A. and other visiting speakers. We would also like to see the Association make much stronger representations to the E.A. on a whole range of issues and to campaign for a fair deal for the angler in terms of improvements.

CANOEING
In order that canoeists do not establish a right of navigation it is important that we have a record of all instances of canoeing with as much information as you can provide. These are then recorded in the minutes of the Society meetings and can be sent to the E.A. and the local Council should that prove necessary. People who live up the Calder valley may well be aware that the Padiham weir is to be modified to allow salmon to pass up the river but as part of the scheme there is to be provision for white water canoeing. Repeatedly we have asked the E.A., who are supporting the venture as part of their remit to develop recreation, what they intend to do to ensure that canoes actually leave the river and do not continue on down to Preston. To date all they have been prepared to confirm is that it will be done under licence and they do not think it will cause a problem. Recently a canoeing website was discovered promoting canoeing down almost the entire length of the Ribble. There is no right of navigation and the Bill opening up the countryside specifically excluded water courses so no new rights have been conferred. The website has been reported to the Ribble Fisheries Association (R.F.A.) and brought to the attention of the E.A. as it clearly states the impact that canoes can and do have on the spawning areas of the upper river, and admitting that they risk illegally disturbing spawning areas by allowing their boats to scrape the gravel.

CORMORANTS AND FISH EATING BIRDS
Members will be aware that there are still a number of these birds about on our beats; not least those that roost in the wood. Perhaps this is the reason why the numbers of coarse fish have still not returned to their former numbers. Once again, there have been odd reports of fish being caught with marks on them consistent with being attacked by fish eating birds. These reports have been passed to the E.A. The annual congregation in September of flocks of goosanders and mergansers took place again but the numbers this year appeared to be reduced. They were, as usual, mainly evident on the pools between Jumbles and the wood. These birds too eat tremendous numbers of small fish and so can quickly reduce the fish population. The E.A. has been made aware of these facts and requested to consider what might be done as part of the Fisheries Action Plan to reduce the their numbers so as to protect stocks.

SALMON PROPAGATION
The salmon propagation scheme for the Hodder continues and is supported by all the clubs who have fishing on the river, including ourselves. Last year there were many long discussions about the validity of stocking as a means of sustaining and improving the numbers of salmon in the river. There is evidence that stocking can actually damage the numbers of fish in the system and that reared fish have a reduced chance of survival. Alternatively there is evidence to support a heavy stocking programme where a river system has become unable to sustain itself. So the arguments continue. Unfortunately, much of this evidence is contradictory and subject to one's own personal view of what should be done. Such is the nature of the evidence that these discussions/arguments continue but it has been agreed that we should give it a try for 5 years; after which the situation will be reviewed. While the E.A. cannot afford to run an extensive stocking programme as they previously have done they do support in many ways the efforts being made on the Hodder. In order to enhance the survival and “imprinting” process release ponds have been set up in at least two sites on the Hodder tributaries. They have proved very successful with really good quality fish eventually making their way downstream.

WATER ABSTRACTION
The discussion about future abstraction from the Hodder continued throughout the year and, as yet no definite decisions have been made. However, the time for persuasion is now very short as final decisions have to be made by Spring 2003 in order to secure the funding. United Utilities continue to press for a new abstraction point part way up the river instead of at Hodder Foot. The latter would allow the whole river to benefit from increased flows; whereas an abstraction point in the middle reaches would even take the compensation water from Stocks and denude the lower part of the river even further. The Hodder Action Group continue to press for any abstraction to be at the lowest point in the river and have produced a plan as to how it might be made possible. Any further reduction in the flow in the Hodder would seriously impinge on the ability of the river to sustain migratory fish especially during periods of drought.

BYE-LAWS & E.A. CONSULTATIONS
In September 2002, without any consultation or warning the E.A. imposed a byelaw ending the Sea Trout season at the end of September. While many of us might agree with such a bye-law it is quite unacceptable for it to be introduced without due notice and consultation. As a result there were several anglers who were caught fishing for Sea Trout. Even though they were not prosecuted they were most embarrassed and upset at being caught fishing illegally. With the development of Fisheries Action Plans (the Ribble is to be one of only 4 in the country) it is necessary for the E.A. to have the confidence of the angler and such actions only serve to create an atmosphere of distrust.