The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Which is of the following two rigs is best when ledgering the far side of a slow moving river that is not to wide. Obviously the same amount of SSG can be placed on both rigs to hold bottom.

The Fixed Paternoster Rig The Fred J. Link Ledger Rig

I like a paternoster rig for holding place on the far bank fished with a big bow in the line which, if the lead/feeder is heavy enough, makes a semi-self hooking rig!

Different on a fast flowing river - upstream ledgering for dropbacks can be very effective!

I like the FJ link Mark as it is free running however I nowadays tend to use a free running link swivel as its more free running that a loop in the line. Don't be too worried about the amount of lead you use, its job is to keep your bait where you want it and a free running rig should work the same regardless of weight.

Dave Burr wrote:I like the FJ link Mark as it is free running however I nowadays tend to use a free running link swivel as its more free running that a loop in the line. Don't be too worried about the amount of lead you use, its job is to keep your bait where you want it and a free running rig should work the same regardless of weight.

Do you still use a small stop shot on the line Dave.

Sometimes Mark but I usually use a swivel to lighter hooklink or maybe a braided one.

If you Google 'John Roberts link swivel' and click on Shopping you should see the beads and free running rings that you can attach a line or swivel to.

Another possibility is to tie a big loop in the line then cut it.
On one strand you put your SSGs and the other the hook. It works a bit like the paternoster.
You can vary the length depending on where you cut the loop.
If it is snaggy I use plasticine on the paternoster instead of SSGs.

Snape wrote:Another possibility is to tie a big loop in the line then cut it.
On one strand you put your SSGs and the other the hook. It works a bit like the paternoster.
You can vary the length depending on where you cut the loop.
If it is snaggy I use plasticine on the paternoster instead of SSGs.

I might give the plasticine a try Nigel.

Mark wrote:I might give the plasticine a try Nigel.

Newplast modelling clay in dark brown is good.

Snape wrote:Another possibility is to tie a big loop in the line then cut it.
On one strand you put your SSGs and the other the hook. It works a bit like the paternoster.
You can vary the length depending on where you cut the loop.
If it is snaggy I use plasticine on the paternoster instead of SSGs.

That is basically how I fish when trundling baits around the river. I give the SSG a Newplast (none smelling modern plasticine type product) coating as it stops the rattle on gravel and I find I lose less shot this way.

Problem with a running link and a real frustrating one is that you can find yourself spending 10 minutes slowly searching the swim, teasing the weights downstream in the current, only to find when you wind in that that is exactly what you were doing when you find the hook stuck in a bit of weed at the start of your trundle.

The other thing with the way Snape describes is that the only bits of terminal tackle needed is the hook and the weight. No need for swivels, beads or any other alien paraphernalia.

I misunderstood and thought you wanted to hold fast Mark. If you are exploring the swim then nothing beats plasticine or rather Newplast, the newer stuff which is excellent. If you find the plasticine comes off too easily or slides up and down the line, try moulding it around a stop knot or maybe a swivel if you are using a different hooklink.

Moving the bait down the current and feeling for bites is a brilliant method that many people seem to ignore. Feeling the pick up and the first contact with a fish is addictive.