Hi Lee,
You must have read that just after I finished composing it!
There are 2 day ticket spots on the Ribble at Salmlesbury, right next to the M6.
1st one is the biggest stretch, so its easier to get on to, and I think it holds bigger fish, and more of them. Come off the M6 at J31 and make as if you are going into Preston, but instead of going up the hill off the roundabout, go further round the r/bout & go into the petrol station at the Tickled Trout Hotel. Buy your day ticket at the petrol station shop(£4 last time I went)then get back in your car. You can fish at the back of the petrol station, but it is very shallow,and you can get pestered with eels & small barbel, especiallyif you use maggots! Get back onto the A59 and go towards Blackburn. Go past the motorway, but not too quickly!!! Look for a white house, right next to the road(about 400yds from m/way) and turn left into a farm entrance next to the white house. Go over the cattle grid, and park on the left, next to the chain fence. Get your gear out, and walk left, all the way along the chain fence. Go down the steep bank and you're at the river.There are about 10 or 12 pegs, and they all produce fish. In summer you'll need waders. Fish with at least 8lbs b/s line 'cause its quite snaggy. You'll need between 2 & 4 ozs to hold bottom, and always fish with a large bow in your line, if the wind will allow it.
Don't let it put you off, if you get there and the river is in full flood. We've had fish at less than 10yds range in these conditions. The general rule is-
fish as far across as you can hold bottom, up to 3/4 across. Also, the far bank is controlled by Prince Albert AS, and they get very arsey if you chuck into their swim, so dont fish dead opposite them. Bait is very simple, drilled halibut pellets on a hair rig, 14mm or bigger if you prefer, and PVA stringer of the same, or fire in loose pellets with a catty....both methods work well. People have had good success with source & marine halibut boilies. The fish run to over 12lbs and they fight like hell, so use strong hooks and non-tether rigs, preferably with barbless hooks. The chub also run big( up to 8lbs fish rumored) and they will take the same baits,....how convenient!
The 2nd spot is at a bonsai nursery, and you can only fish it when the nursery is open, so your time is restricted, but it fishes well in winter, so its worth a try, from time to time. To find it, from the m/way, drive past the white house & the farm track, take the next left turn, signposted "Salmlesbury Church", follow the road past the church & the bonsai nursery is on the left. Park in the nursery car park, and pay the owner. The river is just behind their house & they will tell you what time you can fish till. Always check how many people are fishing, BEFORE you pay..... some of the pegs are very close together & there a few "noddies"
that fish here with tackle that is not upto the job....so when they hook a good fish, they usually wipe you out aswell!!
If you decide to go during the week, shout me and I might just go too.
Good luck. Hope this helps,
Stan.
for a bit of barbel/chub bashing. i usally fish manor farm in harvington on the avon but always fancied a chuck on the ribble 
