🪶 Oval Body Float
The Oval Body float is one of the most versatile designs in my collection. Thanks to its unique body shape, it sits neatly between a Stillwater float and a Running Water float, making it ideal for a wide variety of venues and conditions.
🏆 Proven on the International Stage
This float really came to prominence when the England team used it to great effect at the World Championships in Finland, held at Lappeenranta — a deep, slow-flowing canal venue very similar to the Gloucester Canal.
The beauty of the Oval Body float lies in its adaptability:
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When the flow increases, you can hold it back confidently.
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When the flow eases, you can let it drift naturally through the swim.
Smaller versions of this float are also a firm favourite on UK canals, particularly among experienced match anglers.
🪝 Design and Setup
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Shape: Rounded oval body, great for mixed conditions
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Sizes: 4 × 16 up to 3 g
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Shotting: Bulk down with a few dropper shots for controlled presentation
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Works equally well for holding back or free-running presentations
I used this float to great effect on the River Rhine near Strasbourg during the 1986 World Championships, winning the first-day event with 17 lb of bream.
🌊 Technique and Presentation Tips
The River Rhine was a difficult venue to fish — the turbines controlling the river created inconsistent flows, switching from a fast push to a gentle trickle. The key to keeping bites coming was adjusting the shotting pattern to match the changing flow.
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I slid half the bulk weight up the line, allowing the lighter lower shot to catch the flow.
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This gave the bait a more natural movement, ideal for bloodworm.
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As the bloodworm lifts and swims, the lighter weight allows the bait to travel with the current — exactly how fish expect to see it.
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When the flow increased, I simply slid the Olivettes back down, transferring weight to the bottom for better control and holding back.
This subtle but deadly adjustment often triggers extra bites when a static presentation won’t.
🖤 Finishing Touch
Many commercially made oval floats have a glossy finish, which can reflect light and spook wary fish. I prefer to dull the body with a black matt marker, which reduces reflection and helps camouflage the float on the water.
✅ In summary:
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Extremely versatile design for both still and running water
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Ideal for canals, slow rivers, and controlled-flow venues
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Easy to adapt to changing flow rates with split bulk shotting
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Proven match winner on international stages
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A true must-have in any serious angler’s float box
Illustration from the book
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