Ashley Stocks reflects on a remarkable campaign for barbel, chub and bream
Ashley with one of the mid-Ribble barbel that made this such a memorable season
Finding His Rhythm on the River
This season Ashley didn’t spend much time on the Ribble during the summer, opting instead for sessions on the Severn and Trent when temperatures were cooler. His Ribble campaign began in earnest from September onwards — and what a campaign it proved to be, producing 75 barbel and counting.
Ashley generally fishes the mid-Ribble, occasionally venturing down to the lower reaches when levels are up. It was during one of those flood-conditions sessions that he enjoyed his best day numbers-wise — landing 8 barbel to 10lb 4oz, all falling to a flood favourite: meat.
A well-conditioned Ribble barbel from the September sessions
Going Natural in the Cold
As temperatures dropped, Ashley made a key tactical switch — moving to worm as his winter staple. As he puts it, being a natural bait you never quite know what’s going to take it. He’s had trout to over 3lb, a 2lb 1oz roach, chub to 5lb 12oz, a fair few eels — and most importantly, plenty of his target fish.
Pre-Christmas Magic: A Run of Doubles
During a period of high water before Christmas, Ashley experienced what he describes as “quite a couple of weeks.” In a fortnight of outstanding fishing he landed a 13lb 1oz barbel, an 11lb 10oz, a 12lb 5oz — and the crown jewel of the season: a new Ribble personal best of 14lb 13oz, which appeared in the Angling Times in January.
The PB came during a night session witnessed by friend Andrew Newton. Ashley was about to pack away his final rod when one solitary bleep stopped him in his tracks. Dismissed as a leaf, then another bleep — then the unmistakable hooping over of the rod. After a powerful battle, the beast was in the net.
The 14lb 13oz Ribble PB — a fish that made the Angling Times 
One of the pre-Christmas doubles — part of a remarkable fortnight’s fishing
A Steep Upward Curve
This is only Ashley’s third season fishing the rivers, yet the progression has been extraordinary. Year one: 26 barbel. Year two: 60. This season he finished with 184 barbel in total — a tally that includes that headline PB. He’s rightfully proud of the trajectory, though characteristically modest:
“I’m doubtful I can repeat the steepness of that curve next season… but you never know!”
Racing to the Season End
As March arrived, Ashley made the most of every remaining session — fishing familiar and new stretches, squeezing in a short afternoon do that still produced seven barbel with two in the net at once. His final session of the season ended with what he called probably the smallest barbel he’d ever caught. But perhaps the most meaningful: it was his 100th barbel on the Ribble this season.
Late-season form — Ashley’s consistent approach kept the barbel coming through December
More Than Fishing
What makes Ashley’s story especially compelling is the personal journey behind it. After suffering a brain haemorrhage in 2022, it was fellow anglers who inspired him back to the riverbank at his lowest point. The river became far more than recreation.
“Fishing has always been my escape, but now fishing the river is my reason to be.”
Ashley’s Advice for River Anglers
“Keep it simple! There’s no substitute for time on the bank to gain knowledge and experience — and to that end, I’d highly recommend keeping a catch log detailing dates, times, river level, location, temperature, weather, baits and methods used, as well as hopefully the catches!”
A quality Ribble chub — a welcome bonus on those mixed sessions
River bream — a fine bonus during a hard spell for barbel
Tight lines, Ashley – and here’s to the new season.
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