Spring Drought & Hopeful Lifts
It’s been a tough start to the year for the Ribble. Prolonged spring drought conditions saw water levels drop and temperatures rise to levels that placed fish welfare at risk-especially for sensitive species like trout and salmon.
That said, the angling community deserves credit. Reports suggest anglers were mindful of fish stress, reducing pressure or adjusting methods to protect the river during tough conditions.
Thankfully, recent rainfall has brought refreshing lifts to the river. Water temperatures have improved and trout have responded well-with some truly fantastic fishing reported during favourable windows.
Estuary Monitoring Pilot - Thank You to All Involved
The Ribble Estuary recently served as a national pilot site for the Angling Trust’s Estuarine Water Quality Monitoring Network.
RFCA played a central role in this project, and we owe special thanks to Michael Rhodes, our Pollution Officer and Voluntary Bailiff, who led our involvement. His commitment has been instrumental in shaping what we hope will become a nationwide initiative.
New Coarse Season Incoming - June 16th
The excitement is building with the coarse fishing season nearly upon us. The Ribble remains one of
the UK’s iconic coarse rivers, renowned for its barbel, chub, roach and dace fishing.
Spawning activity has been noted across the catchment and all signs point to a healthy river. The recent warm, damp spell has led to a surge in bankside vegetation – so expect thick, lush growth when approaching the river. For many, this wildness is part of the Ribble’s charm. However, hidden within this undergrowth may be Giant Hogweed, a highly toxic plant that poses a serious risk to health. We cannot stress enough the importance of being aware of its dangers and taking care to assess your surroundings to avoid contact and injury.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of some clubs and landowners, Giant Hogweed remains widespread across parts of the catchment. Please take extra caution when out on the bank.
Learn more about Hogweed and its dangers:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2022/06/giant-hogweed-facts/
HARP - Long-Term Monitoring Begins
The Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) is a major engineering project led by
United Utilities, set to impact the Ribble and Hodder for years to come.
For the past two years, RFCA-alongside the Hodder Consultative, Ribble Rivers Trust, and the Environment Agency-has been collecting baseline water quality data. We are now entering the next stage, working with appointed contractors to develop and implement a comprehensive, long-term monitoring programme that will span the entire duration of this decade-long project.
Find out more: harpinformation.co.uk
Ribble Rivers Trust - Restoration in Action
The Ribble Rivers Trust (RRT) continues to deliver outstanding habitat work-fencing, fish passes, tree planting, and wetland restoration-all across the catchment.
If you’re looking to fish new waters, the RRT’s Fishing Passport Scheme is well worth a look for affordable access to a variety of beats.
Note: While RFCA and RRT collaborate frequently, we are separate organisations.
- RFCA is a federation of clubs and associations run entirely by volunteers to represent local angling interests.
- RRT is a registered conservation charity and part of the national Rivers Trust network.
Support RFCA - For a little as £8 a Year
If you care about angling on the Ribble, please support us. For just £8 per year, your membership helps us:
- Stand up for anglers
- Monitor pollution and habitat loss
- Improve fish passage
- Represent you in major planning discussions
Download the RFCA App - Report with Confidence
Anglers are the river’s first line of defence.
Our free RFCA App allows you to report:
- Pollution
- Illegal fishing
- Obstructions
- Invasive species
Download now using the link below or scan the QR code with your phone: https://bit.ly/357Fedv
