Rivers, Reservoirs and Feeders

I am an enthusiastic youngster who fishes the pole regularly. However, I have never tried it on a river, and wondered if it is similar to stick float fishing, only you handle the pole differently?

For example, you obviously need inverted teardrops floats, or flat floats, but they are unnecessary for where I am planning to fish. I intend to fish the River Trent at East Stoke, and wondered if it was best to fish the pole or use a waggler rod for stick float fishing?

The Depth varies from 9ft to 15ft deep at poles length, and it is fast flowing.

I hope that is enough information for you. I have looked in your book 'Improve Your Pole Fishing', but could not really find the neccessary information.

Thanks a lot. You do not have to answer all these questions in detail, as it would take up too much of your time. Just answer them vaguely please - that is more than enough for me.

Once again, thanks.

Ben Scraggs

(P.S. this is to try and beat my dad's mates at a club match for the third time in a row - out of three!!!)

Hello Ben,

Yes, you can pole fish in flowing waters, but it can be a little difficult depending on the flow. If you wish to run your float through at the same speed as the river, then you will need some extra line between your float and pole tip (about 1.5 to 3 metres). This will enable you to run down your swim.

If you need to hold your bait still in flowing water, then fish overdepth with a flat float and a short length of line between your pole tip and float.

Good Fishing,

Bob Nudd

Dear Mr Bob Nudd,

I really hope you can help me, I've been angling since I was about 10 years old and now (32) the company I work for have an annual fishing match and I've been entered to fish in the match.

The only fishing I've done has been pleasure fishing and I have been quite successful - I've never not caught a fish.

 

I was listening to the men on the team talking about all the ways they are going to fish and I began to feel very dated in my methods.

We are fishing at the Drayton res at daventry on the 21 June which is in two weeks (help me, please!). Editors Note: Bob's reply was emailed to Jane in plenty of time!!

My kind of fishing is with float and I have not really bothered trying any other way. As I said before, I have had success at this so never thought to try anything else. But know I'm panicking a bit, as they keep talking about all these fancy ways of fishing and all the fancy baits they are going to use.

Could you advise me? Have I got a chance of catching anything with the normal original way of fishing or have I got 2 wks to learn something new? And also could you tell me if there is anything I could use as bait thats unusual as I feel like, to be honest, a wally! They keep going on about 20 to 30lb fish and I'm getting very worried, but more than that, I would like to prove to them that I'm just as good. (The Girl with the stick and string can do just as good!)

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Yours Hopefully,

Jane.

Hello Jane,

I know the venue that you are going to fish quite well. It contains a good head of carp, 6 to 10lbs being the average size. You will need some strong reel line, 6 to 8lbs and strong hooks - Drennan Super Carbon Feeder are very good, 12 or 14.

Method feeder might be your best chance of winning the match, but you say you prefer to float fish you will catch on the waggler, but make sure that you groundbait all the time. Very soft is best, with lots of particles such as casters and pellets.

One section on the dam wall is very deep, so you may have no option but to fish the feeder there.

Good Fishing,

Bob Nudd

Hi Bob,

Is it possible to use light groundbait/maggot feeders on the pole?

I haven't tried this myself yet, (I don't want to look a fool) If it is possible, what's the set-up and how would bites be detected without using a float, or do you have to use one?

Thanx...Cheers...Tight elastics. :)

Hoppy (John Hopkins)

Hello John,

There is a special feeder which has been developed just for use with a pole. The weight is in the bottom so that the feeder stands upright. Its main use is for fast flowing rivers when float fishing is very difficult.

The best way to attach the feeder is with a short paternoster link (about2 inches), with an 18 inch hook length. These feeders were designed by Nick Larkin , he also manufactures them and also an ingenious device for bite detection, check out his website for details. www.nisafeeders.co.uk

Good Fishing,

Bob Nudd

Magazine Subscriptions - SPECIAL OFFERS - Click Covers For Your FREE GIFT
Angling Times	Improve Your Coarse Fishing	Sea Angler	Trout & Salmon	Trout Fisherman