Dave Harrell My top three pole rigs for fishing deep rivers

The float choices, line lengths and shotting patterns that will boost your hauls in deep water…

TO THE newcomer, pole float choice for rivers can be pretty daunting.

Many anglers end up buying and using floats that aren’t suitable for the jobs they are intended to do.

This week, we’re looking at river pole float patterns for swims between 6ft and 12ft deep. All these rigs require bulk shotting, and it’s advisable to make them up at home before you go fishing.

LINE LENGTH?

This depends on the depth and pace of the river. If it’s shallow you might get away with a length equal to the top three sections of your pole, but as I fish a wide variety of venues I normally make mine up at home equal to five pole sections of pole. I can always shorten them if need be.

OLIVETTES OR SHOT?

All the rigs incorporate a bulk shotting arrangement and small dropper shots. For rigs up to 0.75g I normally use a bulk of No8 shots. For rigs of 1g upwards I use an olivette as the bulk.

WHAT COLOUR BRISTLE?

Most anglers go for orange bristles, but there are times where a yellow top can be much easier to see. In swims where there is a lot of shade or dark water in front of you, try a yellow top and see the difference.

WIRE OR CARBON STEMS?

Some river anglers prefer wire stems, others carbon. I like to use wire when conditions are less than favourable, such as a downstream wind. I also prefer them when perfect presentation is critical and I need to slow the bait presentation right down.

Carbon stems are less prone to tangling when you’re shipping out and the float bodies are smaller, as there is virtually no weight in thin carbon stems. In situations where bites are coming regularly, I prefer carbon stems.

HOW MANY RIGS?

A lot of anglers go way overboard when it comes to rigs, but once you’ve decided which ones work best for you on your venues, make up three of each, including at least one yellow top in each of the sizes.

HOW MUCH BRISTLE?

I see a lot of anglers with far too much bristle showing above the surface of the river. I always make my rigs up so that less than half the bristle is showing.

For floats taking 0.75g or less, I use a string of No8 shot. Any larger, it’s an olivette bulk. Dropper shot with this float are three No9 shot, spaces out or bulked for a positive set-up.