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One of the most versatile traditional river floats ever designed. Handmade in England and inspired by Billy Lane s classic Avon patterns, these floats provide excellent stability, visibility and control when trotting. The seven sizes cover everything from shallow glides and steady runs to deep, fast water, making them ideal for chub, roach, dace, grayling and other river species. Available individually or as the complete seven-float set, with cocking weights from 3BB to 4SSG and a choice of sight-tip colours.
Inspired by the designs of Billy Lane, former World Champion and one of the most respected names in river angling, this complete set of Avon floats is a faithful recreation of the originals featured in his iconic book Billy Lane's Encyclopedia of Float Fishing.
Lane himself described this combination as the ultimate selection—capable of handling virtually every river situation he encountered. Decades on, that claim still holds true. They truly are one of the most versatile float patterns ever designed for UK river fishing
3 / 4 / 5 BB (1.2 / 1.6 / 2.0 g)
4 / 5 AAA (3.2 / 4.0 g)
3 / 4 SSG (4.8 / 6.4 g)
From 5.5 inches to 7.5 inches (+/- 14 - 19cm)
While many of you will be experienced anglers, we all start somewhere and choosing the right float or knowing how to use it correctly or in the correct situation can be an absolute minefield. While I am no expert, I have tried my best to write an introduction to the Avon float, how to choose the right Avon and how to use an Avon float in a couple of blog posts. Head over here if you would like to learn more (or have a refresher).
Basic info: Click - Learn about Avon Floats
More detailed info: Click - How to choose the right Avon float?
A key feature of this Avon float set is the carefully matched sight tip sizing across the range. The smaller floats (3BB, 4BB, 5BB and 4AAA) are fitted with a slimmer 3mm sight tip, making them ideal for close-range fishing in steadier, more gentle swims where subtle presentation and minimal resistance are important.
The larger patterns (5AAA, 3SSG and 4SSG) feature a more substantial 5.5mm sight tip, providing improved visibility when trotting at distance or fishing deeper, faster water. This ensures you can maintain clear control of the float even in more demanding river conditions.
This balance of finesse and visibility across the set allows you to fish effectively across a wide range of river situations.
These Avon floats are the definition of versatility. Unlike highly specialised patterns, this set is designed to cover a wide range of flowing water conditions—from shallow glides close in, to deeper, faster runs further out.
Their effectiveness comes down to classic design principles:
Fished top-and-bottom in the traditional style, they excel in steady flows—especially with an upstream wind. The larger patterns handle deeper, faster water with ease, while the smaller sizes are perfect for delicate presentation in shallower swims.
This design approach was echoed by legendary angler Ivan Marks, who praised the Avon pattern as one of the most adaptable float styles ever created.
These are not just floats—they are a direct link to the golden era of river fishing.
“Just received my delivery. Amazing! Took me back to 1973… I was awarded some of the very same floats by the late great Billy Lane himself. Now at 60 they brought a lump to my throat with nostalgia. I look forward to testing them out soon. Thank you.”
— Mr C., WarwickshireClick on the reviews tab to read more reviews on this amazing and hugely popular float set.
| Title | Avon Trotting Floats |
|---|---|
| Brand | Handmade fishing floats by Ian Lewis |
| Category | RIVER FLOATS |
| SKU | BLAv |
| Condition | new |
| Weight | 5.0 g |
| Width | 10.0 mm |
| Height | 180.0 mm |
| Depth | 10.0 mm |
| HS Code | 95079000 |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| MPN | BLAV |
Just received my delivery. Amazing ! Took me back to 1973 where at the tender age of 13 at the local fishing club presentation evening I was awarded some of the very same floats by the late great Billy Lane himself. Now at 60 they brought a lump to my throat with nostalgia. I look forward to testing them out soon. Thank you
I have today received my latest order of Ian's cracking floats. 3 Avon BlAV. floats. My collection of Ian's floats is fast growing How much longer is this Pandemic going to go on. I need my fix of split cane, floats and fish. At 74 years of age I need regular doses to keep the mind alive. David Chapman
having re read Billy Lanes book these were the ideal present for me from my wife!! the floats are great and the bamboo tube excellent. Now if only Covid19 will go away in time for the rivers to open!!!
I have bought many floats from Ian and they are always top quality. In use they perform well and enhance your fishing experience. Great service and great products.
Thanks Adrian, glad you like them.
I ordered a mix of Avon floats,Balsas Salmon Avons and Billy Lane replicas Perfectly packaged and made to the highest standard as they always are. Look to good to use,but they will be perfect for my trips to the Avon and Stour especially the large Salmon Avons for when the River is carrying an extra couple of foot, which is most of the time ! Thanks again Ian
They are some of the best Avon floats i have seen, They are so well made i recommend to anyone
So glad you like them all Stephen. The Avon set are one of my top sellers - for good reason! Hope you have loads of fun using them and some memorable days out!
Not much to say,the craftsmanship speaks for itself, brilliant thanks
Thanks John - glad you like them ;) They are rather popular these ones.
Excellent prompt service and the floats are of the highest quality. Would recommend
VERY happy with my purchase .. floats are brilliant ! Thank you
I bought a set of Avons together with a few Stillwater flosts from Ian. They arrived very carefully packed and are superb. I've purchased a few other floats from different suppliers but theses are a cut above. The only problem is that they are addictive and you want more - Beware! Bob
Just like all my previous orders, these floats are made to a very high standard. Aesthetically pleasing and highly practical they are a joy to use, and catching fish on them from my local river is an added bones.
Glad they are meeting expectations Mark ;)
I asked Ian if he could make the floats up for me to use for dusk fishing for roach and mullet. These floats are spot on .
That's great to hear..
A great set of well made floats im very pleased whith them,cant wait to try them out on old farther thames very soon,thankyou ian👍😃
Only a pleasure - so glad you are happy.
my hubby love it. A. best hand made floats around .well made we well be ordering more as this order was just to see how good they was . big thank you IAN keep up the good work mate well worth the money
Outstanding quality, I can't wait to get these rigged up on the centre pin when the rivers open back up. Beautifully crafted floats, I will buy all my future floats from here. Thank you
This is the second set of floats from Ian, the others being a multitude of small porky quills. Iwas over the moon with those and these half a dozen small avon floats are no different. Exceptional quality and a real vintage , homely feel about them. Excellent work. I will be back for more.
Excellent news Vince. Glad you are liking them. Till next time......Ian,.
Returning to fishing, I taught myself trotting with a centrepin and treated myself to just one Ian Lewis Avon. It ended up being almost the only one I used. I seemed twice as skilful than when using mass-produced equivalents. It was immediately like an old favourite tool or a pair of shoes that had formed perfectly to fit you. Suffice to say when I finally lost it after a break off, I didn’t replace it with just one.
Received my first order this morning, the above set and a few bobs. They look wonderful and I cannot wait to get out and use them after the 14th. Opening the delivery box was like a shot of nostalgia back to the early 60's Thank you Ian and continue you excellent work
I've always been a big fan of the Avon sadly the shop mass produced versions are not like they use to be a few years ago . Ian Lewis had produced a version that looks great without the modern materials
Just received my delivery. Amazing ,Super.Quality! . Thank you.
Great floats, high quality handcrafted pieces!
These floats are works of art. I also have a set on tench floats on order. I will never buy floats elsewhere anymore. I rarely have time to go fishing, but I just love the look and the feel of these products
Jenneth - I do hope you manage to get them wet at least occasionally! I too struggle to get much 'on the water time' but savour every second that I do.
I ordered these floats to use for local grayling fishing.When they arrived I was surprised how well made and finished off they were.I used today on a cold and swollen river with a 14 ft match rod and caught a few grayling and chub.The floats were perfect for the job and put a smile on my face every trot down.Because I was pleased with these I ordered a few more different floats.These have arrived and are super quality as well.Am looking forward to using these soon.Well done Ian .Great Floats!
Hi Terry - I am almost too scared to ask why ''you were surprised at how well made they were....'' ;) Glad I exceeded expectations - always the aim. Fingers crossed, plenty more memories coming your way using them I am sure. Ian.
Purchased Avon, perch bobber and waggles with feather inlay and the float tube. First time purchase for a gift and have to say absolutely stunning. Seriously good.
Just received my delivery. Amazing ! Took me back to 1973 where at the tender age of 13 at the local fishing club presentation evening I was awarded some of the very same floats by the late great Billy Lane himself. Now at 60 they brought a lump to my throat with nostalgia. I look forward to testing them out soon. Thank you
Chris Warwickshire · 2020-07-09I have today received my latest order of Ian's cracking floats. 3 Avon BlAV. floats. My collection of Ian's floats is fast growing How much longer is this Pandemic going to go on. I need my fix of split cane, floats and fish. At 74 years of age I need regular doses to keep the mind alive. David Chapman
David Chapman · 2021-01-06having re read Billy Lanes book these were the ideal present for me from my wife!! the floats are great and the bamboo tube excellent. Now if only Covid19 will go away in time for the rivers to open!!!
Tony Blake · 2020-04-10I have bought many floats from Ian and they are always top quality. In use they perform well and enhance your fishing experience. Great service and great products.
Adrian Evans · 2025-12-19Thanks Adrian, glad you like them.
I ordered a mix of Avon floats,Balsas Salmon Avons and Billy Lane replicas Perfectly packaged and made to the highest standard as they always are. Look to good to use,but they will be perfect for my trips to the Avon and Stour especially the large Salmon Avons for when the River is carrying an extra couple of foot, which is most of the time ! Thanks again Ian
David Filby · 2020-03-01They are some of the best Avon floats i have seen, They are so well made i recommend to anyone
Stephen May · 2023-02-28So glad you like them all Stephen. The Avon set are one of my top sellers - for good reason! Hope you have loads of fun using them and some memorable days out!
Not much to say,the craftsmanship speaks for itself, brilliant thanks
John Harding · 2023-10-30Thanks John - glad you like them ;) They are rather popular these ones.
Excellent prompt service and the floats are of the highest quality. Would recommend
Bill stroud · 2017-10-06VERY happy with my purchase .. floats are brilliant ! Thank you
Jordan hamilton · 2021-01-08I bought a set of Avons together with a few Stillwater flosts from Ian. They arrived very carefully packed and are superb. I've purchased a few other floats from different suppliers but theses are a cut above. The only problem is that they are addictive and you want more - Beware! Bob
Bob Harbin · 2018-11-18Just like all my previous orders, these floats are made to a very high standard. Aesthetically pleasing and highly practical they are a joy to use, and catching fish on them from my local river is an added bones.
Pump Action Ltd, Mark Morris · 2026-04-12Glad they are meeting expectations Mark ;)
I asked Ian if he could make the floats up for me to use for dusk fishing for roach and mullet. These floats are spot on .
Stephen Atkinson · 2025-03-18That's great to hear..
A great set of well made floats im very pleased whith them,cant wait to try them out on old farther thames very soon,thankyou ian👍😃
Mark Hellyer · 2025-11-24Only a pleasure - so glad you are happy.
my hubby love it. A. best hand made floats around .well made we well be ordering more as this order was just to see how good they was . big thank you IAN keep up the good work mate well worth the money
Angie Hart · 2017-10-06Outstanding quality, I can't wait to get these rigged up on the centre pin when the rivers open back up. Beautifully crafted floats, I will buy all my future floats from here. Thank you
Samuel Leslie · 2020-06-03This is the second set of floats from Ian, the others being a multitude of small porky quills. Iwas over the moon with those and these half a dozen small avon floats are no different. Exceptional quality and a real vintage , homely feel about them. Excellent work. I will be back for more.
Vince Lee · 2023-09-12Excellent news Vince. Glad you are liking them. Till next time......Ian,.
Returning to fishing, I taught myself trotting with a centrepin and treated myself to just one Ian Lewis Avon. It ended up being almost the only one I used. I seemed twice as skilful than when using mass-produced equivalents. It was immediately like an old favourite tool or a pair of shoes that had formed perfectly to fit you. Suffice to say when I finally lost it after a break off, I didn’t replace it with just one.
William Pope · 2023-06-15Received my first order this morning, the above set and a few bobs. They look wonderful and I cannot wait to get out and use them after the 14th. Opening the delivery box was like a shot of nostalgia back to the early 60's Thank you Ian and continue you excellent work
Riffle and Pool · 2020-05-28I've always been a big fan of the Avon sadly the shop mass produced versions are not like they use to be a few years ago . Ian Lewis had produced a version that looks great without the modern materials
Steve Williams · 2024-05-16Just received my delivery. Amazing ,Super.Quality! . Thank you.
sergei · 2020-10-18Great floats, high quality handcrafted pieces!
István Somoskövi · 2026-01-12These floats are works of art. I also have a set on tench floats on order. I will never buy floats elsewhere anymore. I rarely have time to go fishing, but I just love the look and the feel of these products
Kenneth Cobley · 2024-11-02Jenneth - I do hope you manage to get them wet at least occasionally! I too struggle to get much 'on the water time' but savour every second that I do.
I ordered these floats to use for local grayling fishing.When they arrived I was surprised how well made and finished off they were.I used today on a cold and swollen river with a 14 ft match rod and caught a few grayling and chub.The floats were perfect for the job and put a smile on my face every trot down.Because I was pleased with these I ordered a few more different floats.These have arrived and are super quality as well.Am looking forward to using these soon.Well done Ian .Great Floats!
Terry Deaville · 2024-01-31Hi Terry - I am almost too scared to ask why ''you were surprised at how well made they were....'' ;) Glad I exceeded expectations - always the aim. Fingers crossed, plenty more memories coming your way using them I am sure. Ian.
Purchased Avon, perch bobber and waggles with feather inlay and the float tube. First time purchase for a gift and have to say absolutely stunning. Seriously good.
Darren Eastwell · 2024-11-16
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