River fishing tips for late season success

 

1. TOP TIMING

When the colour from floodwater starts to drop and suspended sediment starts to settle, specimen fish such as barbel, bream and roach will be actively looking for food, so needless to say this is the time to be out on the banks.

 

2. ENOUGH GRUB

When chub fishing make sure you take enough maggots. You may well need at least four pints for a five-hour session as you’ll need to regularly feed the swim to draw fish. Lee Chatfield explains the tactic well in his blog on chub fishing.

 

3. MASH IT UP

Mashed bread feed attracts fish, particularly roach and chub, from downstream. To catch them pinch a flake of bread on the hook.

 

4. GET A LOB ON

Perch spawn early in the year and will be looking to pack on weight before they do so. Present a lobworm near overhanging bushes and there’s a real chance that you’ll hook into a heavyweight stripy.

 

5. THE RIGHT FLOAT

When trotting small baits (maggots, casters, punched bread and worms) use an Avon float but when using heavier baits (meat, bread and big pellets) use chubber or loafer floats which can carry a lot of bulk weight for good control in fast water.

 

6. CHEESE TIME

Chub love cheesepaste which is a particularly good bait in coloured water. To make an excellent cheesepaste all you need is a 50:50 mix of shortcrust pastry and cheese. Let both ingredients reach room temperature and simply mash them together by hand, adding a touch of flour to stiffen the mix if required.