Get to grips with the flow early-on in the session and you’ll soon be reaping the rewards of working a peg with a stickfloat
FLOATFISHING on rivers is relatively easy, but there are several things that you need to get right if you want your session to be a total success.
The flow makes it a whole different ball game to floatfishing on a stillwater. For a start, unless you’re using a centrepin, you’ll need to leave the bail arm open so that the rig can work its way downstream. Then, maintaining full control of the rig and feeding the right area are key if you want to string bites together on running water.
Follow these simple yet essential steps and you’ll soon master the satisfying art of trotting on rivers.
PICK THE PERFECT FLOAT
The pace of the flow will dictate which style of float will perform best on the day. It’s important to select one that will offer a good level of sensitivity, while also remaining stable on the surface when it’s running through your swim. A stickfloat with a slight shoulder and quite a fine tip will serve you well in reasonably slow-paced swims, stepping up to a loafer or large Avon that has a much chunkier tip when there is a little more pace on.
SWIM CHOICE
Your float will probably be on the move for 30 seconds to a minute, and that can only be achieved in certain swims. There needs to be a weed-free channel that continues downstream. Just one snag in the middle of that run is likely to render it a no-hoper when it comes to trotting. Analyse the pace of any potential swim before you settle down. It needs to have enough flow to pull the float through with ease, without being so turbulent that the float is constantly being dragged under the surface.
FEEDING TRICKS
It’s important to feed in the same spot to build up a bed of bait in your swim. Almost all your loosefeed will run downstream with the flow and if you stick to introducing it straight in front of you, you’ll soon work out where it is settling. If you start pinging bait further upstream or downstream, you’ll risk splitting up the shoal. Casters are a brilliant bait because they attract a
