I decided to try the River Irwell for the first time this year as the river levels were slowly returning to normal after the recent heavy rains. The water clarity wasnt great but was no longer dirty brown.
As there are so many snags in the river (cars,tyres,motorbikes shopping trolleys etc) i use very cheap spinners when fishing here, and find silver to out perform any other colour.
I only fished 3 swims as is was a short session and had this nice little pike after an hours fishing.
I normally fish bunches of lobworm under a chubber in this section of the river but decided to use a spinner today as i was too lazy to get out my spade and dig bait. I have fed the remnants of yesterdays pinkies to the birds as they were of such poor quality. (shame on you nameless tackle shop owner)
I have a busy week at work coming up and dont expect to get out this week. However Matt is with his mum next weekend meaning a full weekends fishing for the first time in ages (weather permitting).
As ever i saw no other anglers on this stretch of the Irwell and my only companions were the bats wheeling over the river feasting on the evenings hatch.
manchester fishing Irwell Ribble Trout
Hi Mike,
I’ve not done any Piking for over a year and I miss that big weight thrashing about on the end of the line.For such a shallow river the pike grow very big and I have had pike to double figures on the Irwell(Shushhhhhhhhh) and use the chubby shads as they have the hook on top so are pretty snag free.
I’m into my fly fishing at the moment and will get a Bury licence later this year to fish for the trout at Nutall park in Ramsbottom on the Irwell.
Like you I usually do short sessions on the Irwell usually in the evening from 16th June onwards as I dont like wading when the waters cold.
I would love to show you my local stretch of the Irwell sometime and can put you onto some 3lb+ chub no problem.I’d also like to see some of your stretches.Probably wait till summer now though.