Give 'Em A Bit Of Stick!

Korum’s Chris Ponsford doesn’t like to sit back and just let things happen on a river. Keeping busy is more his style,and what better way to do it than with a stick float?

- Tony Grigorjevs

THERE’S something very appealing about trotting a stick float down a pacey river. Picture the scene. It’s so cold that condensation jets from your mouth with every breath and the morning sun melts the ice that has formed in the surrounding fields.

The light line is run through the rod rings,the float rubbers are slid on and a hooklength is attached as you do your best to prevent shivering affecting your ability to tackle up.

It’s clear you need something to take your mind offthe bitter temperatures. You introduce a handful of maggots before trotting the float down the swim and hold your breath in anticipation.

Thump! Down goes the float and all of a sudden your attention is diverted from the weather to what could be a much better session than expected.

When you need a winter boost to rekindle your passion, the stick is a tactic that has the ability to provide a much-needed tonic. Korum’s Chris Ponsford is a highly renowned river angler but he has a very different profile to that of many of his peers.

Sitting in a bivvy for hours on end does nothing to stimulate his drive to get on the bank. He prefers a much a busier approach to get among the fish in his favourite venues.

“The stick float is a brilliant winter tactic for almost any river species and my top choice when it’s really tough,” explained Chris.