Fished there today, had about 8lb of perch & roach on stick & caster in 3hrs or so.
Unfortunatley, despite rain every day last week until Sunday, the river is already low and clear, as usual.
Started fishing 8no4 wire-stemmed, dome-topped float in approx 10′ of water and feeding hemp & caster caught perch straight away with maggot hook bait. Changed to caster and had one roach before more perch. I decided that as there was little flow and no wind I could go lighter so changed to slim profile nylon-stemmed 4no4 stick which allowed nice slow fall through swim which the roach seemed to prefer.
As I had an empty down-stream peg today I probably caught more roach than would show in a match in these clear conditions.
If I’d had been match-fishing it today I’d have had first 2 hrs on gB feeder past middle while I fed my float line very lightly. I’d then have a look with a float fished full or slightly over-depth and have another lighter rod set up as well. If the roach respond on the full-depth rig the chances are that they’ll move up to the loose feed at some point so this is where the light/shallow rig comes in. This can be stick if conditions are OK or wagg if the winds awkward.
If the roach don’t show on the float I’d target the perch with more maggot feed and if they don’t respond it’s back on the feeder.
Barbel rarely show in matches unless the rivers well up & coloured and you drop a lead down the side.
If you’re lucky enough to catch a few roach keep the feed tight unless there’s plenty of colour in the water, then they’ll really have it.
svenny benson.
