Gareth the Swale fishes very well in winter especially the next 3 months when the minnows disappear.
I tend to fish the stickfloat on the swims i fish and you can take some good bags of big chub with plenty in the 3to 5lb plus range and always a chance of a 6 pounder or the bonus barbel and grayling.
If the river has been up or has a few inches on i feed heavy with maggot or castor and might use 5or 6pts to keep em coming.Link leger with breadflake always works for big chub,introduce 3 or 4 balls of mashed bread into the swim before you tackle up.i have had them to 5lb 12oz but believe me there are bigger fish in, i know i have lost em.
The Idle is not quite ready yet and will fish from around October,check your tide times as in the lower end Misterton Haxey Soss Lane it fishes better when its flowing so you need the tide going out. Light stickfloat set up and feed little and often and you will be sound