Where can I catch river carp?
I PLAN on fishing for river carp this summer. What type of swim should I look to target?
Paul Robertson, Ipswich
CARP in rivers are not too different from their lake-dwelling cousins in that they love swims offering cover and depth. Your first job therefore should be to find a stretch with a decent average depth, typically between 8ft and 10ft.
Most rivers have a central boat channel, resulting in two distinct marginal shelves that may support weed, reed and lily beds. These are all fish-holding features and will be on the patrol route of any carp in the vicinity.
You should also target the deep central channel, but on some rivers bream can be a real problem here!
Straight bits of river will offer a more consistent depth, but bends in rivers are also well worth fishing and if you fish on the outside of a bend you will have the deepest water under the rod top, meaning an easy cast. Other good swims to head for are lock cuttings, bridge stanchions, boat moorings or the mouths of backwaters.