Basic tips for river fishing

A good starting point would be spending an hour or two creeping along the banks should yield all those likely holding areas, such as overhanging vegetation, rafts of debris and dead arms. Oxygen-rich weir pools  are the likeliest spots if the levels have dropped.

One species which will definitely be eager for some grub is the dreaded minnow – not so much a problem in winter, but one that can be a pest in the warmer months.

So, if you’re using maggots, be sure to take plenty with you, not only to feed the minnows off but also to draw target species from the cover and gain their confidence in feeding. A steady trickle, even just three or four m,aggots every couple of minutes in colder months, can bring eventual great results.

Covering as much water as possible will also put you ahead of the game.

Make things easier for yourself and only take the essential items of gear with you, leaving all those bulky items of kit at home.

Sky-lining is a cardinal sin on rivers and any decent fish in clear water simply won’t tolerate anglers looming over them.  Keep low and utilise any bankside cover to screen your whereabouts wherever possible.

Regular feeding is essential to choke off nuisance minnows, and a steady trickle of red maggots is the golden rule for inducing the bigger specimens to feed more confidently and competitively.

Spend just half an hour feeding a swim before your first cast and you’ll improve your catch results no end.

Don’t scrimp on bait – a baitdropper is ideal for introducing decent quantities of feed hard on the river bed. Make several underarm casts, and then let the swim settle before gently flicking your bait out.

Don’t forget to take polarizing glasses and a peaked cap! These will make a big difference when it comes to spotting fish.

If you don’t own a pair of polarising glasses – get some now! You’ll be amazed at the difference a decent pair will make to your fish spotting as they eliminate all that surface glare and allow you to spot fish you would certainly otherwise miss. A peaked hat is also a must have on a bright sunny day.

Flooded rivers of course present other problems – click here for some top tips on how to catch on them.