Dave
Gladwell's Fishing Tips
 TOP
TIP OF THE MONTH - FLOATS
Making
a single 4" Crow Quill Fishing Float as part of an inexpensive
but highly efficienty 4-or 5-Quill set!
(You can also use Pigeon or Hen-pheasant instead)
Materials:
(a) Range of Quills
(b) Sandpapers
(c) Eyed hook of correct size
(d) Suitable cotton
(e) Range of Rubber rings
(f) Varnish and Aruldite quick set
(g) Fluorescent tip paint
Tools:
Ensure correct tools available:
(a) Ruler
(b) Scissors
(c) Small Pliers
(d) Small paint brush
STAGES:
1. Select a Quill and hold it with the hard end upwards.
2. Strip a Quill by drawing first one of the sides up slowly towards
the
top, in a peeling manner, then do the other side.
3. Determine length and snip thin end to size with sharp pair of scissors.
4. Sand-paper item carefully with a fine grain paper.
5. Make bottom from an eyed hook (size 10 or 8), by cutting off at bend
with pliers.
6. Insert a pin into thin end of quill to form narrow channel, withdraw
and then with pliers slowly press eye hook-end into the thin end of
the quill.
7. In small floats seal with a little Aruldite (not essential) and in
longer quills whip base with cotton.
8. Check overall quality and smoothness then seal quill with a thin
coat of varnish. (Mum's nail polish rubbed on thinly and evenly with
your finger will suffice!)
9. Paint Tip of float with day-glow paint or plain black for use against
an
"open sky" reflected background. (Use "Tippex" for
an undercoat for colours).
10. Hang up to dry by suspending on a cotton loop passed through the
eye at base. Do not use until dry. Then put on a float rubber to fit
5 cm from tip.
QUESTIONS
TO ASK YOURSELF:
1. How
does the float work?
2. What type of fishing is the float used for?
3. Why is special tip paint used and what is its purpose?
4. When would you reject a Quill?
5. What is the purpose of the varnish?
6. There are several lengths and thickness of quill in a set, what is
the reason for this?
ANSWERS/RESPONSES
1. The
tip is visible above the water attached to the line through the float
cap and ring . When a fish takes the bait suspended below, it pulls
the float tip under the water from point of vision/view. The amount
of float determined to show above the surface is balanced by small shots
attached to the line. Varying sizes in set take varying weights to cock
correctly.
2. Coarse Fishing. In slow or still waters for smaller sizes requiring
sensitive bite indication. Ideal for single maggot or small worm. Particularly
margin fishing for Carp on calm days. Being so small there is very little
resistance. Bigger sizes faster water or more flow or greater casting
distances.
3. For good vision against colour reflected or open sky..
4. When unsuitable from pitting, holes, bends, dents. At start or in
final quality check.
5. Waterproofing.
6. Refer to 2. Heavier shotting different waters and species and bigger
baits.
www.bungay-suffolk.co.uk
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