For a few years now, I have started the river season a little differently

I must admit, that I will not be amongst their ranks, as I still have much unfinished business on stillwaters, but in the past I have had more than a passing inclination to spend the summer on rivers up and down the country. The start of the season can be a real disappointment, and this is no less true when fishing rivers. After three months of few people disturbing them, the fish will have become accustomed to the peace and quiet. When there has been a cold Spring, like this year, the fish may well still be grouped up on the spawning grounds. Many times I have found the traditional river fishing for barbel, chub and dace to not settle down for a few weeks after the start of the season. What is more, the rivers tend to still be carrying a little extra water and be running with a degree of colour during June. Murky water can mean that fish spotting is all but impossible – another reason for avoiding the ‘traditional’ start. For a few years now, I have started the river season a little differently. Rather than fish relatively small rivers I have fished the middle reaches of the Thames with carp in mind. There are untold numbers of carp in all of our larger rivers, and while the stillwaters are busy and more usual river species unsettled, carp make an interesting diversion. With a little bit of effort good sized carp are there for the taking, so why not give it a go? Location is relatively straightforward. On the Thames, the carp will leap clear during the night and around dawn so a few hours spent walking the banks can put you onto fish. Even if you do not actually see the fish, do not give up. Normally you will find them close to features. In June reed beds are a favourite haunt. In particular, if it is a relatively featureless stretch of river, any weed growth will be appreciated. Reeds are particularly inviting and tend to draw carp like a magnet. Also worth a look are shallow backwaters and snags. These areas will tend to hold a small number of resident fish and also at times larger numbers of moving fish. Which brings me neatly on to the subject of baiting. These are fish which are rarely if ever fished for, so I tend to stick to baits that they will take readily. For prebaiting and to attract the carp while fishing, I prefer hemp and groats which have been well soaked and then boiled. Trout pellets are also good, but tend to attract bream, which I am not that interested in catching. Hook baits depend on the numbers of small fish, but maize takes some beating. Again, soak for a few days and then boil well. I tend not to introduce huge quantities of bait, a couple of kilos is generally more than ample, along with a couple of pints of maize. I will invariably use a hair rig, for ease of baiting as much as anything. I like to use three or four grains of maize on the hair and one dodge that I use a lot is to replace the last grain of corn with a piece of yellow rig foam. The bait should still sink, but should be lighter than the equivalent free offerings. The lighter-than-expected bait has on occasion meant much better hook holds, with less fish falling off close to the net. This isn’t always the case, but why take the risk? Unless fishing close to snags I will use standard carp gear. Twelve pound line is ample, along with size six and eight hooks. Hook lengths are generally made from Edge Ht99 braid, which I just happen to sell!

One of the great things about river carping is that it is very cheap and you do not need all the bits and pieces associated with the modern carp scene. Generally, I will be fishing within catapult range, often under the rod tops, so there is no need for long range casting gear. Takes are violent, so you can use rudimentary indicators and you can if you choose, fish for just short sessions. This is all just as well, as the most important thing about river carping is to be discrete. It is amazing how quickly word will spread if you are seen catching. If you are seen, at the very best you will find someone fishing the next swim, more likely though a bivvy village will appear from no-where and you will never fish the swim again. For this reason I rarely arrive on the river before dark and generally pack up a little after dawn. Still, it is amazing who you do find creeping about on rivers in the middle of the night, and generally these are people who will share the same ethics as yourself and give you plenty of room. For in this age of ‘larging it up’ on many carp lakes the rivers still offer a little piece of tranquillity.