Porky Quills
just recieved 4 x porky quills, the floats look great and well made. Look forward to using them
Porcupine Quill Fishing Floats | Handmade Traditional Fishing Floats UK
Handmade traditional porcupine quill fishing floats crafted in Devon by professional float maker Ian Lewis. Made using genuine ethically sourced porcupine quills, these classic floats are beautifully balanced, highly sensitive and ideal for targeting roach, rudd, tench, perch and crucian carp on rivers and stillwaters. Their natural buoyancy and elegant tapered profile provide excellent bite detection and superb visibility. Built from sustainable natural materials and designed to last far longer than many modern plastic alternatives, these floats combine timeless craftsmanship with exceptional performance. Each float is individually handcrafted, tested and finished with my distinctive monogram logo.
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Description
Specification
Reviews
14
Handmade Porcupine Quill Fishing Floats
Few fishing floats are as iconic or as instantly recognisable as the traditional porcupine quill float. Used by generations of anglers, these beautiful natural floats remain highly prized for their incredible sensitivity, superb visibility and timeless appearance.
Each porcupine quill float is individually handcrafted by me, Ian Lewis, in my Devon workshop using genuine ethically sourced porcupine quills and finished with my distinctive monogram logo. The natural taper of the quill creates a float that is both elegant and exceptionally effective in the water.
Porcupine quills are remarkably buoyant and stable, making them ideal for presenting baits naturally when fishing for species such as:
- Roach
- Rudd
- Tench
- Crucian carp
- Perch
- Small to medium-sized carp
These versatile floats can be used on both stillwaters and slow-moving rivers and are particularly effective when fishing with traditional methods using maggots, casters, worms, sweetcorn or bread.
Unlike modern plastic alternatives, every float is made from natural, biodegradable materials and built to last. Many anglers tell me that once they've fished with a handmade natural float, they never want to return to plastic.
Features
✔ Handmade in England by professional float maker Ian Lewis
✔ Genuine porcupine quill construction
✔ Traditional British design
✔ Extremely sensitive bite indication
✔ Suitable for rivers and stillwaters
✔ Individually tested before dispatch
✔ Eco-friendly and biodegradable materials
✔ Choice of tip colours availableBecause every float is individually handmade, slight variations in colour and markings make each one completely unique.
A Finite Natural Material
Genuine porcupine quills are becoming increasingly difficult to source due to modern import restrictions, making traditional porcupine quill floats ever rarer. To help preserve this wonderful piece of angling heritage, around 75% of the quills I use are carefully reclaimed from vintage floats - "Some of the quills in these floats may already have spent half a century beside the water before beginning their second life in my workshop."
This remarkable natural material is so strong and durable that they can often be given a new lease of life. Each vintage quill is painstakingly stripped of its old varnish, paint and fittings before being lovingly rebuilt into a brand-new float in my own designs.
By restoring and reusing these historic materials, every porcupine quill float not only becomes a practical fishing tool but also carries a small piece of angling history into the future.
| Title | Porcupine Quill Fishing Floats | Handmade Traditional Fishing Floats UK |
|---|---|
| Brand | Handmade fishing floats by Ian Lewis |
| Category | LAKE FLOATS |
| SKU | PORKY |
| Condition | new |
| Weight | 10.0 g |
| HS Code | 95079000 |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
| MPN | Porky |
5.0
14 reviews
Always a favourite
Porcupine quill floats were the first floats I ever bought back in the 70s. They were great but these are better. Much better. The quality of finish is excellent. Great range of sizes and easily visible in a variety of water conditions. Love em!
These take me back a bit
In my ever growing collection of Ian's brilliant floats I now have two of these Porkies. As with all Ian's floats they are beautiful. They take me right back to the days when, I was a boy of 8 years of age learning to fish in the late 1950s. I remember sitting for hours and hours staring at the quill.
Ian Lewis hand made floats
Just received a porky quill float. It looks a quality well made product, can t wait to use it.
Works of art
Just received two porkies. They took me back over 50 years to the days when I learned to fish with Mr Crabtree and Peter. They are a joy to behold and I can't wait to use them.
Beautiful Porcupine Quills
I’ve just received my order of 2 x 5-6” & 2 x 6-7” yellow tipped “Porky” Porcupine Quill floats. They’re beautiful floats, extremely well made and presented. I ordered them on 20th January and received them via Royal Mail post on the 26th. They were very well packaged, with a large “Fragile” tape on the small cardboard packaging. I’ve used Ian’s floats before and they are wonderful to use. I can’t wait to try these fishing for Perch and Tench.
Owner
Good luck with those spring tench. Best of luck, Ian.
Porkys
I ordered a “ job lot” of these quills varying in size from 3”- 6” from Ian. Blown away by the quality. They take me right back to fishing with my Dad when I was about 8 years old. And im now in my 60’s. Very hard to find especially of this quality. Im very impressed and over the moon with them. Thanks Ian.
Owner
Many thanks Vince - now lets hope they work as well as they used to ! (they do - I promise)
Porky quill
I have not been fishing for some years, but went out this morning, and what day I had, I bought one of Ian,s small quill,s great buy mate, caught some nice carp and bream, I will be buying agen
Quality handmade floats
I had been searching for a while for some quill floats. When I saw these they looked perfect for my needs. When I received them they exceeded my expectations. I shall be using these for Mullet fishing on my local river. Targeting the slacks. Great quality and service as ever
February tench
February tench, first cast with new float and bang. Further tench (6 of) followed with a bream & a couple of roach as well. A couple of guys who spoke to me said how bright the float tips were. I’m very impressed.
Still think these are great floats
I had another great session with the Porcupine Quill float this week. I was generally after Tench or Perch but actually caught 4 Common Carp all over 10lb & up to 15lb. I also had 4 small Perch. Great indication from my preferred yellow tip, I love them.
Owner
That's a great result on an old classic pattern - still doing the business today!
Absolutely magic floats
Absolutely magic floats. Great quality with a really bright tip. Ideal for a variety of fish I’ve caught in the last 2 weeks including carp, tench, perch, barbel, bream & roach.
Owner
What a super mixed bag using a simple yet always effective porky! Thanks for sharing Dave. Super pics!
Traditional quill floats
Excellent well made quills, not used yet but I can say I will definitely be buying some more to make up a set. Would recommend to anyone wanting quality floats that are little bit special.
Porcupine quills
The best quill, for the lift method, always use them, thanks Ian, Regards Kenny walls
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Customer Reviews
5.0 / 5 · 14 reviews
Porky Quills
just recieved 4 x porky quills, the floats look great and well made. Look forward to using them
Steven Farthing · 2020-02-23
Always a favourite
Porcupine quill floats were the first floats I ever bought back in the 70s. They were great but these are better. Much better. The quality of finish is excellent. Great range of sizes and easily visible in a variety of water conditions. Love em!
Andrew Middleton · 2023-03-26
These take me back a bit
In my ever growing collection of Ian's brilliant floats I now have two of these Porkies. As with all Ian's floats they are beautiful. They take me right back to the days when, I was a boy of 8 years of age learning to fish in the late 1950s. I remember sitting for hours and hours staring at the quill.
David Chapman · 2020-10-19
Ian Lewis hand made floats
Just received a porky quill float. It looks a quality well made product, can t wait to use it.
Chris Norman · 2020-04-08
Works of art
Just received two porkies. They took me back over 50 years to the days when I learned to fish with Mr Crabtree and Peter. They are a joy to behold and I can't wait to use them.
Mike Gaston · 2020-08-06
Beautiful Porcupine Quills
I’ve just received my order of 2 x 5-6” & 2 x 6-7” yellow tipped “Porky” Porcupine Quill floats. They’re beautiful floats, extremely well made and presented. I ordered them on 20th January and received them via Royal Mail post on the 26th. They were very well packaged, with a large “Fragile” tape on the small cardboard packaging. I’ve used Ian’s floats before and they are wonderful to use. I can’t wait to try these fishing for Perch and Tench.
David Spinner · 2026-01-27
Reply from the store
Good luck with those spring tench. Best of luck, Ian.
Porkys
I ordered a “ job lot” of these quills varying in size from 3”- 6” from Ian. Blown away by the quality. They take me right back to fishing with my Dad when I was about 8 years old. And im now in my 60’s. Very hard to find especially of this quality. Im very impressed and over the moon with them. Thanks Ian.
Vince Lee · 2023-07-22
Reply from the store
Many thanks Vince - now lets hope they work as well as they used to ! (they do - I promise)
Porky quill
I have not been fishing for some years, but went out this morning, and what day I had, I bought one of Ian,s small quill,s great buy mate, caught some nice carp and bream, I will be buying agen
Kenneth Walls · 2021-09-26
Quality handmade floats
I had been searching for a while for some quill floats. When I saw these they looked perfect for my needs. When I received them they exceeded my expectations. I shall be using these for Mullet fishing on my local river. Targeting the slacks. Great quality and service as ever
Adrian Evans · 2023-04-12
February tench
February tench, first cast with new float and bang. Further tench (6 of) followed with a bream & a couple of roach as well. A couple of guys who spoke to me said how bright the float tips were. I’m very impressed.
David Spinner · 2026-02-23
Still think these are great floats
I had another great session with the Porcupine Quill float this week. I was generally after Tench or Perch but actually caught 4 Common Carp all over 10lb & up to 15lb. I also had 4 small Perch. Great indication from my preferred yellow tip, I love them.
David Spinner · 2026-09-20
Reply from the store
That's a great result on an old classic pattern - still doing the business today!
Absolutely magic floats
Absolutely magic floats. Great quality with a really bright tip. Ideal for a variety of fish I’ve caught in the last 2 weeks including carp, tench, perch, barbel, bream & roach.
David Spinner · 2026-03-06
Reply from the store
What a super mixed bag using a simple yet always effective porky! Thanks for sharing Dave. Super pics!
Traditional quill floats
Excellent well made quills, not used yet but I can say I will definitely be buying some more to make up a set. Would recommend to anyone wanting quality floats that are little bit special.
James Brook · 2023-12-11
Porcupine quills
The best quill, for the lift method, always use them, thanks Ian, Regards Kenny walls
Kenneth Walls · 2023-07-26
