Can you tell me what leam is and what it can be used for?

What on earth is leam, and when would I use it?

James Chorlton, Canterbury

LEAM is fine powdered clay that match anglers use to feed bait in balls, either mixed in with groundbait or on its own.

Very popular on the Continent when feeding bloodworm and joker, leam also has its uses in the UK – mainly when you want to add weight to your groundbait mix in deep or fast-flowing water or on canals in winter, when worm and joker is used.

Leam comes in a variety of colours and densities. Heavy river leam adds a lot of weight and binding power, while a lighter Terre de Somme leam is better for shallower swims.

You can also buy leams that put a big cloud into the water when bleak fishing.

Whichever you choose, leam has no food value at all. This makes it a good choice in winter for feeding on its own with just a few bits of bait, as it won’t fill the fish up.