Stick Float Magic

Join Steve Maher on the Warwickshire Avon for a demonstration of the forgotten art of stick float fishing, winning tips explained in a detailed down to earth video shot in perfect conditions on the upper river Avon near the famous Stratford Upon Avon. Steve puts together an impressive weight of dace, roach and perch in a few hours, reminding us of what a devastating method the stick float can still be in the hands of an experienced river angler.

[@user-zw5uh5zi3h]

It's great going to the old days ❤

[@user-oh1my6kx8l]

Smashing Steve, thanks for sharing,regards mick.

[@evoa3halo354]

Brilliant day on the rier 👍… I have my sticks , bolo,wagglers etc on winders ,have done this for donkeys years saves loads of time on the bank … I tie the rig ( figure of 8 knot) so it is always under the float which is sat on the stronger mainline - should I have to pull for a break on a snag , at best I will lose a hook length at worst I still keep the float as the rig knot will go before the mainline …. Presentation is better as the loops above a float can interfere ,in windy conditions , pulling the rig off line ….. I also have my rods made up in a four rod hold-all & a 2 rod feeder hold-all , pre selected for the venue in question ( the venue dictates) this is a godsend & means u have just about everything ready to go , to keep in touch with the fish 😀…..more content like this please 👍

[@barrymillward3944]

Great video Steve, what a lovely days fishing, Cheers.

[@andyb5339]

Very enjoyable Steve, thank you

[@ianpurves7996]

Great video, really enjoyed it. If you ever get the chance, could you do a close up of how you strike using the open face reel please. I always used the Abu 506/507 reels, but never seem to get a smooth strike with the open face style reel.

[@SteveMaher-ft5xx]

Yes pretty straight forward you need to make sure your index or middle finger is pressing against the lip of the spool and lift the rod upwards or to the side in a short jablike motion not to fast in shallow water or the float could fly out the water and tangle, just a smooth action it comes with a little practice.

[@OnTheDrop-i9k]

Thanks for all of your videos Steve. It has helped an average angler like myself no end. I was just wondering could you tell me what mono you use for stick float & topper fishing. Cheers, John

[@terryyakamoto3488]

A lot of the lads I fish matches with on the Tees use the Preston accu power in 0.14 for the stick. It floats well and comes off the reel nicely. Always put a bit of grease on the line for three foot above the float, makes a big difference

[@OnTheDrop-i9k]

@@terryyakamoto3488 Cheers Terry

[@iandonnelly4971]

Great video Steve. One question, how do you fish the stick over depth ? Is it a case of holding it back hard and easing it down, or dragging bottom with the bait behind a bouyant float ?

[@SteveMaher-ft5xx]

Can do it either way, a dome top stick for running through overdepth use a shouldered float for easing through slower.

[@johnbutton7550]

Bostin, as they say around me. See you are using your own brand keepnet, they still available??

[@timberley63]

that big perch will come out the net about 3 1/2lb by the time its ate all those little dace. dont like keep nets😐

[@Crustysmith]

I think Steve has earned the right to use a keepnet to enable him to show us his catch at the end. MILLIONS of anglers own keepnets and use them on a regular basis. If you don’t agree with keepnets why not take it up with the government to see if you can get the law changed. I am sure the MILLIONS of anglers will agree with you. Until then why don’t you keep your opinions to yourself rather than spouting off in the comments of a perfectly innocuous and pleasing fishing video?

[@terryyakamoto3488]

That perch is going to eat small fish, whether it's in a keepnet or not. If it eats Steve's dace it'll spare others. Nature doesn't share our humanitarian sensibilities