Whitewell Fishing Association

15/05/2026

Last Sunday, in glorious spring weather, our members took to the water for the annual WFA Wild Trout day. 🎣

A fine hatch of olives ensured that 68 brownies were landed by the 17 rods on the day. This years honours went to Peter Mountain for a lovely fish of 2lb 8oz which was one of the 9 which came to the net. 🏆

It was also particularly special to welcome 5 youngsters to have their first taste of fly fishing. The rods, 3 boys and 2 girls, were all under the age of 9 and all took to it like a duck to water. They demonstrated excellent casting and their ability to read the water resulted in them catching their first ever fish. The future of our sport! 👏🏻

24/04/2026

Huge Congratulations Ribble Rivers Trust! We are excited for what lies ahead! 🎉 👏🏻

We want to give you a great big thank you. 🩵

In fact, thank you doesn’t cover it because, thanks to an incredible show of support, Hodder Together for Salmon has reached its original £20,000 target, and gone on to reach our stretch target too.

This is a huge moment for the River Hodder. It means the work we’ve been planning can now go ahead in full- from practical river restoration and expanded citizen science, to inspiring young people through hands on learning as part of our Rivers in the Classroom work.

And now, the real work begins. 👏

With the funding secured, we’ll start investing it straight away, putting plans into action on the ground and working alongside communities to improve habitats, support salmon recovery, and strengthen the river for the long term.

To everyone who donated, shared, encouraged, volunteered, followed the campaign, or helped in any way at all- thank you. Your impact will be felt along the River Hodder for years to come.

Thank you also to the amazing North Atlantic Salmon Fund UK who have doubled our donations, helping us reach this incredible target. Also to the amazing local businesses who've supported this work, including Studio Bakery Ltd, I Cycle, Roefield Leisure, The Beer Shack, Brainstorm Limited, Fitright Footwear, local artist David Birtwistle, and the generous private donors who are supporting the campaign.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to roll up our sleeves and get to work ☺️

15/04/2026

A huge thank you to all the members who joined us for our first working party of the season last weekend!! 👏🏻

The weather, in stark contrast to last seasons spring working party felt more wintry at times, however this didn’t stop our members from completing all the tasks at hand! The majority of the work completed was to improve access to pools, therefore repairing stiles and clearing paths was the order of the day. 🔨

As a reminder, the Ribble Rivers Trust’s ‘Hodder together for Salmon’ fundraiser is coming to an end and they are very close to hitting their target of £20,000! If you haven’t already, please consider donating to this fantastic project, all donations will be matched by North Atlantic Salmon Fund UK 🐟 🌳

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hodder-together

05/04/2026

Come fish the Hodder! 🎣

Eat, Sleep, Fish, Repeat with our Crowdfunder rewards 🎣

Fancy of fishing some of the most exclusive waters in the country, with diner, bed and breakfast in the famous Inn at Whitewell?

It’s our latest reward, and we know that this luxury experience will get snapped up in no time.

Plus, thanks to the North Atlantic Salmon Fund UK, your donation will be doubled!

Explore our rewards and donate to save the Hodder Salmon today 👇
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hodder-together

Crowdfunder

23/03/2026

22/03/2026

✨ It’s launch day! ✨

Today, on World Water Day, we’re launching The Hodder and NASF Together for Salmon campaign 🐟

The River Hodder, flowing through the stunning Forest of Bowland, has long been home to the incredible Atlantic salmon.

These remarkable fish travel thousands of miles before returning to the river where they were born. Sadly, salmon are now in decline, and rivers like the Hodder need our help.

So we’re taking action.

Through this project we’ll restore habitats, improve spawning streams, and work with local communities to care for the river long into the future.

💧 Our goal: £20,000 in five weeks
💧 Every donation doubled thanks to the North Atlantic Salmon Fund UK

Even better, local businesses have donated brilliant rewards you can choose when you support the campaign, including treats and experiences from ICycle, Studio Bakery, Roefield Leisure Centre, Fitright Clitheroe, The Beer Shack, Fairham Gin, Brainstorm Games, and Cowgills.

Every donation helps restore the river for salmon, wildlife, and future generations.

👉 crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hodder-together 👈

P.S. no salmon were harmed in the taking of this photo- it’s just one of our incredibly realistic education props!

25/02/2026

Another one for the cabinet! 🏆

We are delighted that Mick has been presented with the 2025 Charles Farlow Trophy 👏🏻 It’s brilliant to hear that you had a fantastic day in London with your family in what must have been a very special day.

A truly deserved award for a true gentleman of the sport. Congratulations again Mick 👏🏻 🎣

10/02/2026

On Sunday, members and guests assembled at The Inn At Whitewell for our annual grayling competition ‘The Christmas Cup’ 🏆

Overnight rain had put 18inch on the gauge so to say the conditions weren’t ideal would be putting it lightly. However they weren’t too much of a challenge for this years winner and new member Jonathan Hoyle!

Using both worm and fly Jonathan tempted 5 grayling to the net, the biggest being 13 inches 👏🏻

In total 31 fish were caught on the day along with some incredible out of season brownies. Something to whet the appetite for the season ahead! 🎣

Congratulations Jonathan!

27/01/2026

A HUGE congratulations to Mick on winning the Charles Farlow Trophy for catching and releasing the biggest fly-caught salmon in England and Wales last season!! 🏆

Mick’s dedication to fly fishing is second to none. Not only is he an exceptionally brilliant fisherman, he is also incredibly humble. Many members of WFA (myself included) have been fortunate enough to spend time over a pint listening to Mick share his tactics, and have been awestruck by his attention to detail.

He is a true ambassador for the sport, and this award couldn’t have gone to a more deserving angler.

Good luck for 2026 Mick.. you’ve set a high bar! 👏🏻

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to 77-year-old Michael Greenhalgh, winner of the 2025 Charles Farlow Trophy with this 31lb salmon caught on the Cumberland Derwent! 🏆 Stay tuned for the full story coming soon... 🎣

Could you be the winner of our 2026 Charles Farlow Trophy competition? Applications are now open! Find out more 👉 www.farlows.co.uk/charles-farlow-trophy

12/12/2025

Our Chairman, Len Morris and the Whitewell Fishing Association Committee would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year! 🎄 🎣 ⭐

As always, a big thank you to David Birtwistle for this years card 👏🏻