Go with the flow when chubbing on small rivers!

I have just returned from a short session chubbing on the Upper Welland, catching a number of fish to 4lb 7oz. Rather than bore you with the details of the session I thought I would offer up my top ten tips for winter chubbing on small rivers.

Tip 1 - Have a lie in!  You will catch more chub late afternoon through dusk than at any other time in winter!

Tip 2 - Use a bobbin as well as a quivertip if you can! You won't miss many bites, I use an old squeezy bottle top with a betalight inserted for fishing after dark.

Tip 3 - Keep moving! Twenty minutes in a swim is ample, most of my chub come in within the first ten minutes.

Tip 4 - Don't use a bolt rig! Chub will often pull the rod right round without getting hooked as any barbel angler will testify.

Tip 5 - Keep it simple! Use a swan shot link leger, or do as I do and pinch on swan shot or two on the line 18 inches above the hook (unless you are using crust).

Tip 6 - Don't cast directly into the swim! Where you can fish down your own bank and cast into the main current and allow the bait to roll round into the slacker water. 

Tip 7 - Fish one new swim every time you go roving for chub, even if you think you know the stretch! Twenty minutes in the course of a day is not long and I have had a number of five pound plus chub from "unfancied" swims.

Tip 8 - Don't ignore maggots if the water is clear! Using big baits you might have to wait until dusk for a bite whereas you can catch on maggot all day long.

Tip 9 - Don't ignore the float! It's fun and it catches big chub. Boss the flow with a decent sized chubber or avon float and fish flake or maggot on the hook.

Tip 10 - Go with the flow! Probably the most important tip of all, unless it is really cold aim to position your bait just off the main flow. In icy conditions the bait should be placed closer to the bank in the slackest water.

Note: My scales aren't weighing light, the photo is of a big six from the Dorset Stour not a four from the Welland!