🪜 THE LONG STICK FLOAT
(Built for Control in Deep, Flowing Water)
The Long Stick Float was originally developed by Midlands angler Mark Cordon to tackle the deep, powerful swims of the Warwickshire Avon. Its main advantage lies in allowing the angler to mend the line without lifting the float off its downward trot or pulling it out of the natural flow.
Because of its long stem, the float catches and holds the flow beautifully, trundling downstream in a steady, natural line. It’s also excellent at combating wind drift, giving stable presentation even in awkward conditions.
🧰 Design & Features
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Body: Bulbous balsa top section for buoyancy and visibility
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Stem: Long tapered cane (12″–14″ overall length)
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Mounting: Four silicone float rubbers to secure to the line
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Shotting: Bulk down or string of decreasing shot sizes
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Line Control: Handles mending without lifting the float from the flow
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Casting: Best with a 14–15 ft rod for reach and accuracy
This float was designed specifically for deep river swims where precision trotting and line control are essential. The long stem acts like a keel, keeping the float upright and stable against wind or tow.
🌊 Why It Works
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🪝 Excellent in deep flowing water where smaller stick floats struggle
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🧭 Long stem allows clean line mending without disturbing the float
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🌀 Resists wind drift effectively
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🌿 Ideal for long-range trotting in natural flow
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⚖️ Very stable, with flexible shotting patterns
Unlike smaller sticks, the long stick behaves differently in the water and requires a slightly different approach — but once mastered, it’s a powerful tool in any river angler’s armoury.
🏆 Clive’s Match Memory
🎣 Venue: Deep Peg on the Warwickshire Avon
When I first used this float, it took me a little while to get the feel for it. It behaved nothing like the smaller stick floats I was used to. But once I’d learned to control it — striking upwards and letting it run naturally — it became a match-winning float.
In deep water, I plumbed by letting the float run through until it dragged under, then adjusted it until I found a clean trot. It held perfectly, even in strong downstream winds.
🧭 Pro Tip
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Use a 14–15 ft rod for best casting distance and control.
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Strike upwards to maintain a straight contact with the fish.
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In windy conditions, place 4–5 No.10 shots above the float about 8 inches apart to prevent line bowing.
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Balance the weight of those shots against the float’s capacity.
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Four silicone rubbers help keep the float stable and prevent it from slipping during the trot.
🕰️ Classic Float Heritage
“The long stick float takes some getting used to, but once mastered, it gives unmatched control in deep water. It’s built for serious trotting.”
— Clive Branson
🎨 Illustration Box
🪶 Float Type: Long Stick Float
🌊 Ideal Venue: Deep, fast-flowing rivers
🐟 Target Species: Roach, dace, chub, bream
🪝 Rigging Tip: Bulk or shirt-button shotting with line-control shots above the float
🧪 Key Advantage: Line mending and control in deep water without disturbing the float
🪵 Materials Timeline
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🕰️ Early Years: Standard cane stem with cork body
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📈 Developed: Balsa bulb body with long tapered cane stem
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💡 Modern: Refined fittings, improved rubbers and line-control shotting methods
Order the Complete Float Manual
📘 The Float Manual — over 167 pages of knowledge, techniques, and illustrations — is now available.
To order, simply click the book image or contact me directly:
📩 clive@angling-news.co.uk
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