Tush Pool & Village Front Stretch

River level

The lowdown

• The Village Front Stretch runs for roughly 400 yards through Ribchester. The top end is marked by a concrete tush at the top of the allotments, while rocks before the farm mark the downstream boundary.
• It’s a proper scenic bit of Ribble, right by the village, with a nice mix of pools, steady runs and deeper river features. Plenty there to keep you moving and looking for the crease.
• The stretch is single-bank day-ticket water. Nearby parking is described as ample, so there shouldn’t be a massive faff getting your gear close by.
• On a normal level, trotting a float through the runs is a bob-on way to search out chub, dace and other bits of silver fish. Keep the tackle tidy and let the flow do the work.
• The deeper pools and steady glides look suited to a feeder approach, especially when there’s a bit of colour in the Ribble or the pace is pushing. Fish the crease rather than just piling it into the middle.
• Chub and barbel are among the fish reported from the club’s wider Ribchester water, so don’t ignore the steadier edges and deeper cover. A cheeky change of line can find fish close in.
• The wider water also holds eels, trout and grayling. Trout-only tickets are available, while salmon and sea-trout fishing needs the higher-priced ticket.
• Overnight fishing is allowed, but you need the additional day ticket if you’re fishing past midnight. Keep noise down and avoid causing nuisance to nearby residents — village water, after all.
• The day ticket only covers this Village Front Stretch, not the club’s full Ribchester water. You’ll also need the required Environment Agency rod licence, and the nominated fishing date must be written on or selected for the ticket.

Methods: Float-fish the runs and creases when the river’s behaving, then switch to feeder work in the deeper pools or when there’s a bit of colour. Keep moving between features and don’t overlook the near bank.

Access & tickets

Day tickets are available from the SPAR shop in Ribchester, opposite the Black Bull. Buy the correct ticket for the nominated date and remember that fishing after midnight needs an additional ticket.

Fish the club names

chub, barbel, trout, eel

Named by Ribchester and District Angling Club across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• A nominated fishing date must be written on or selected for the day ticket.
• Fishing past midnight requires an additional day ticket.
• Overnight anglers must avoid excessive noise and nuisance to nearby residents.
• The day ticket applies only to the Village Front Stretch.
• Anglers must hold the required Environment Agency rod licence.
• Junior tickets are for anglers under 14 and cover coarse fish and non-migratory trout only.

Where it is