Grayling Float.. Wire stem Avon style

I flicked the float out it cocked nice and straight and pulled the line cleanly off the pin as it trundled down the river. Maybe half a dozen trots down it buried, I struck, into what felt like a decent grayling using every trick in the book to wriggle off in the strong current. Netting the fish I found it to be around 12 ounces. Probably about ten minutes later the float buried again, I struck - this felt considerably larger and it tore off under the nearest willow. I managed to keep pressure on him and bring him out cursing all the time that he didn’t break me off and nick my float. It was a chub about three pound. I slipped him back and carried on, the bright orange tip once again disappeared, this creature was a really wild thing tearing round the swim jumping and thrashing - it was a proper wild Brown Trout maybe a pound and a half, lovely colours and spots. Fishing on I had a few more more bites but these got less and less as the sun rose in the sky. I packed up. The float did its job brilliantly. This is the way I will go in my float fishing - handmade’s outperform the mass produced floats by a mile in both performance and looks. Worth every penny. Dale Lander

VENUE: The River Derwent TARGET SPECIES: Grayling METHOD: Long Trotting I recently took stock of a Ian Lewis Righyni Grayling Float and decided that I would fish on a small section of my clubs river. The interesting part is that this part of the River Derwent is in the middle of the city of Derby. Run by the Earl Of Harrington, a club that has been controlling this stretch for the last century. The stretch I wanted to fish is known as the old river where the original stretch ran before it was diverted. This particular stretch is an oasis in the city and has been left for nature to run riot - overhanging willows and gravel runs are hometof a few large grayling, chub, barbel and the odd carp. I set up using my new centre pin and 4lb line straight through to a size 14 hook fixing the float on the line first with three silicone rubbers the shotting pattern on the float asked for 4 AAA but when fishing this type of float I always break the pattern down to BB shot in the end the float just required 6 BB which is lighter than the float asks for which is expected on a hand built float. The float itself was a beautiful finish, which they always are - nice bright paint for my dodgy eyesight. Setting up the shot pattern I bulked all the BB shot in a line altogether about a foot from the hook as I do when I want the bait on the deck quickly. The swim itself averaged around four feet deep, there was a fair bit of weed in the run down. I flicked the float out it cocked n

Beautifully crafted float. It adds that little touch of magic to trotting with a classic centrepin for the Grayling. Happy days !

Fantastic, beautifully made floats. I have been fishing for around 60 years and these floats are reminiscent of days gone by when quality was of the essence. Ian’s floats amazing value, and worth every penny.

As always your floats are a work of art. As you know I have purchased many floats over the years which are all exceptional. I haven't had a chance to use my grayling floats yet but I'm sure they will be just as good as usual. I love fishing with these wonderful floats, they work very well with my centre pin reels and it takes me back many years.

So, my Son Jack said for a birthday gift he’d organised a couple of days on the River Test at Timsbury fishing mainly for Grayling. Float fishing for this fantastic fish is one of my favourite types of fishing, watching a float bury beneath the surface from a feeding fish should be available from the NHS as it’s a uplifting experience that’ll lift the lowest of spirits! With this in mind a look through a couple of float boxes and I found several which could do the job but I was after something more fitting for a special occasion so I had a look on the internet and I soon came across Handmade Fishing Floats by Ian Lewis. The beautiful selection of floats on there is fantastic and lo and behold the wire stemmed Avon style floats caught my eye and there were two left to buy which I quickly snatched up! The float which Ian has made is inspired by Reg Rhygini, a famous grayling angler of old and is made out of balsa with a stainless steel stem which takes just over two swan shot and features a large sight tip thats easily seen long trotting on the river. In fact the very first trot down I caught a grayling and won the beer bet to be the first to catch one! Over the course of the two days fishing I had many trout and a salmon parr but the five grayling to 1.14 made it a trip to remember.

Have just received my grayling floats and bamboo protective tube, can’t believe the quality for the price I paid, looking forward to using them, confidence is through the roof, thanks Ian, you are an artist.

Excellent hand crafted floats from a real artisan. I purchased these and the Reg Righyni floats - and a canvas roll - and can’t wait to trot them down the Tamar. With the present weather I’m going to have to wait until the levels drop. Great advice from Ian on colour choice and a quick turnaround on my order. Will definitely be back at some point.