backleading

[Paul Boyle 2]

Hi all
im having a bit of trouble with debris,ive tried using a float stop,and this works quiet well,fishing downsream but if i find myself wanting to cast upsream,to a better looking swim,and pinning the line down using a backlead,in theory the debris should come up my line towards the rod,which it doe,s,but my hook still get covered in debris,can someone please exsplain,the best way of keeping debris of the hook while casting upstream.
atb paul b

[Matt Brown]

If debris is causing a problem then it's worth having a go with meat or paste baits that you can cover the hook with.

If using a boilie, pellet or whatever on a hair, not only can you have the problem of debris fouling the hook, but even when the hook is still clear, teh mechanics of the rig can be ruined. This leads to missed takes.

You're doing right in fishing upstream though.

Another trick is to find a peg with a nearside slack and cast out into the main flow so that most of the line comes back through the slack.

Sometimes there's little you can do, other than keep the rig in the water for 5 minutes at a time. I've had good multiple catches in such conditions but it's not my idea of fun.

Not being pedantic here but how do you know debris is covering your hook?

Your answer will probably be something like because it is on my hook when I’ve retrieved my rig.
But that doesn’t mean debris is necessarily covering your hook.
Back leading puts more line below the surface, and in theory, on the bottom where weed, leaves, twigs, etc roll along in the flow. That collects on the line and because river flow is laminar (slower on the bottom and sides than through the upward direct water column because of frictional drag) doesn’t really register that much on the tip.
You could be forgiven for thinking the extra bend in the tip after 10 minutes or so is due to line settlement and increased water pressure on the line.

However, when you real in, the debris slip down the line, some of it catching on the hook or hookbait as it becomes detached from it.

What does happen when you upstream it, is the flow will with light baits force them down stream of the lead/feeder.

Personally I’d dispense with the back lead and get as much line out of the water as I possibly could do. The only way to achieve this is to get the rod as high as possible. I’d also fish for drop backs using far more lead than is needed to hold bottom, so I could really bend the rod tip round, to give a really good spring back of the tip when a fish takes the bait.
Very short hooklinks 4-6inches are also an advantage when fishing like this.

[Paul Boyle 2]

thanks phil/matt