The ideal lift float

[Olly]

SENSAS do a range of removable fluorescent paints - applicable in 3 colours for different light conditions.

A sunken float - in a video by John Hofgartner - shows a slightly different use of the 'lift method'.

Peacock quills - I have a few full feathers next to me - go as thin as or even thinner at the end than many others!

When buying cut lengths of peacock some can be quite thick - - an inch or two insert of the end of a peacock quill negates that. As used Ray Mumford and later by Bill Rushmer and myself - plus many others I suspect!

[Duckett]

SENSAS do a range of removable fluorescent paints - applicable in 3 colours for different light conditions.

A sunken float - in a video by John Hofgartner - shows a slightly different use of the 'lift method'.

Peacock quills - I have a few full feathers next to me - go as thin as or even thinner at the end than many others!

When buying cut lengths of peacock some can be quite thick - - an inch or two insert of the end of a peacock quill negates that. As used Ray Mumford and later by Bill Rushmer and myself - plus many others I suspect!

That’s a good point about the tips of peacock quills. I’ve only ever prepped about a dozen, all in the last 6 weeks, and found them far tricker than goose and seagull to trim the feather off to the very end. I clearly need more practice!

Phil

[Ryeman]

SENSAS do a range of removable fluorescent paints - applicable in 3 colours for different light conditions.

A sunken float - in a video by John Hofgartner - shows a slightly different use of the 'lift method'.

Peacock quills - I have a few full feathers next to me - go as thin as or even thinner at the end than many others!

When buying cut lengths of peacock some can be quite thick - - an inch or two insert of the end of a peacock quill negates that. As used Ray Mumford and later by Bill Rushmer and myself - plus many others I suspect!

That’s a good point about the tips of peacock quills. I’ve only ever prepped about a dozen, all in the last 6 weeks, and found them far tricker than goose and seagull to trim the feather off to the very end. I clearly need more practice!

Phil

Try sandpaper.

Alan

[Aitch]

4" of plain peacock quill held on with a double float rubber at the base and 1 AAA... all you need

[Duckett]

SENSAS do a range of removable fluorescent paints - applicable in 3 colours for different light conditions.

A sunken float - in a video by John Hofgartner - shows a slightly different use of the 'lift method'.

Peacock quills - I have a few full feathers next to me - go as thin as or even thinner at the end than many others!

When buying cut lengths of peacock some can be quite thick - - an inch or two insert of the end of a peacock quill negates that. As used Ray Mumford and later by Bill Rushmer and myself - plus many others I suspect!

That’s a good point about the tips of peacock quills. I’ve only ever prepped about a dozen, all in the last 6 weeks, and found them far tricker than goose and seagull to trim the feather off to the very end. I clearly need more practice!

Phil

Try sandpaper.

Alan

Thanks Alan. I’ve been trimming with very sharp scissors, then sanding (with very fine emery board actually as that’s what I use for my railway modelling) but I clearly need to try sandpaper as a gentle alternative on the tips.

Phil

[Ryeman]

Hi Phil. You don't need to cut the feather off with scissors. Just get a small sheet of good quality abrasive paper. 150 or 180 grit. Lubrisil is good. Fold it into three, and simply sand the feather off. This works on all quills -goose, seagull, - not just on peacock. At the thin end , rest the quill on the bench.

Alan

[Duckett]

4" of plain peacock quill held on with a double float rubber at the base and 1 AAA... all you need

You know how I like to elaborate things Aitch

[Catfish.017]

The "Lift Method" and Tench are inseparable,though other species are catchable too! Crucians particularly can fall more readily to this method when in a tricky mood. But to come back to the Tench, the reason Fred J used a swan shot close to the hook was to minimise the wafting effect of the fishes pectoral fins moving the bait around, pinning it down effectively so the Tench don't have to chase it around. So if a swan shot or more is employed there is nothing to gain from using fine tipped ultra sensitive floats. The time honoured short length of peacock quill works admirably, is very visible and supports the weight of the shot as it lifts so the fish feels nothing until the float is flat on the surface by which time I have always struck the bite, never waiting as some suggest until the float recocks and slides away.

[Banksy]

I too would opt for a 4” length of peacock quill, but attached by the bottom end only, so as to sink the line a bit and help to reduce surface drift.
I admit that it’s thrilling to watch half a yard of multicoloured float tip rising from the surface like a Polaris missile, but it ain’t necessary.

[OldRod]

Lots of good information there chaps. Thanks to all who contributed, and as ever, tight lines!