🪵 Balsa Float
The Balsa Float is one of the most iconic and enduring running water floats in the history of coarse angling.
Balsa wood first emerged as a float-making material in the 1920s, following the use of cork and elder pith. Its lightness, buoyancy, and ease of shaping made it an instant favourite among river anglers — and it remains just as effective today.
📜 A Short History
The earliest balsa floats were elongated, rounded cigar shapes, designed specifically for trotting on running water.
Compared with their predecessors, these floats were:
-
Easier to cast — both underarm and overhead
-
More buoyant, holding up in turbulent water
-
Highly adaptable for different rivers and conditions
Over time, this simple design inspired the development of many classic float patterns — including the chubber, trotting floats, fluted, sliders, and ultimately the stick float.
🏗️ Design and Versatility
-
Material: Balsa wood body (lightweight, buoyant)
-
Shape: Elongated cigar or dome-top
-
Attachment: Traditional double-rubber top and bottom fitting
-
Sizes: From small close-in floats to larger models carrying 9+ swan shot
Balsa floats are especially effective on fast rivers such as the River Severn and the River Wye, where they ride turbulent water beautifully. Smaller sizes work well for short-line trotting, while the sliding balsa comes into its own on deep swims.
🎣 Shotting Pattern and Control
-
Main shotting: Bulk two-thirds down the line for easy casting and stable presentation.
-
Droppers: One or two light shots below the bulk to keep the rig simple and minimise tangles.
-
Casting: Ideal for both underarm and overhead casts.
This setup makes the balsa float an excellent introductory float for newcomers to river fishing, yet it remains a staple for experienced anglers too.
📝 Tip: Greasing the main reel line improves control when trotting long distances, helping keep the float on line and reducing bow.
🧭 Why It Works
-
Exceptional buoyancy for holding steady in strong flow
-
Easy to cast accurately
-
Simple to shot and control
-
Visible at range thanks to the dome top
-
Highly adaptable — perfect for rivers of varying pace and depth
✅ In summary:
The Balsa Float may be one of the oldest designs in modern angling, but it’s stood the test of time for a reason. Whether fishing the Severn, the Wye, or any fast-flowing river, this float offers stability, visibility, and ease of use — a true workhorse of river fishing.
Illustrations from the book
📘 Download the Complete Float Manual – Instant Access
Bring decades of float-fishing knowledge straight to your screen.
Written by World Champion Clive Branson, The Complete Float Manual is a 167+ page eBook packed with practical techniques, classic float designs, diagrams, and championship-winning methods.
✅ Learn how to use wagglers, stick floats, pole floats and more
✅ Discover the history and evolution of float fishing
✅ Get pro tips and tactics used at the highest level
✅ Ideal for beginners and experienced match anglers alike
💻 Instant Download (PDF) — no waiting, no shipping
💳 Secure checkout with PayPal
👉 Order now and start reading within minutes.