I think it depends on how wide or clear of debris the river is and the rate of flow.

I normaly have my rods set a round 20-30 degree's

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Thermal Imaging
Building Heat Loss, Electrical, Flat Roof Leaks

Dead right Jerry when you have a number of fish in your swim.However the stour is a different river having far fewer barbel than a lot of other rivers these days.I fish for barbel that tend to be "loners"and you have to approach these fish in an unorphadox way.|f i fished the Severn tomorrow for example i would feel confident that i would catch a dozen barbel without the use of backleads.you have to approach different rivers with different ideas.I blanked on the ROYALTY today.aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggghhhhhhh

I am currently customising a Shakespeare salt sea tripod. Very stable!

I will publish a pic when finished.

WHY?????Do you not understand river flow????

Was that directed at me? If so then what are you on about.

Sorry Graham not long had a computer.Trying to get the hang of it.I,m a bit of a technophobe.

I really only back lead if boats are a problem, nice long hook lenghts do the trick for me.
Larry

Yes, same here......long hook length (up to 3 ft) with a small piece of tungsten putty a couple of inches from the hook....though the latter's only useful is very pacey swims....

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Cheers,

Rich

i recommend the tripod used it for 5 day's on the teme no plastic parts fell or broke of and you can use it up in air or just like a normal pod its the best 40 quid ive spent on a pod
i paid 90 quid for a nash pod and it had same plastic clips and they broke of after my 3rd time using it bag of cack it was

I purchased the TBR2 rod pod from trafford angling as I was fishing the Trent on the gravel banks were a nightmare so I bought this, but not very stable unless you can get the legs to dig in , it could really do with a hook to hang some weight from the center of the tri pod to make it far more stable for these type of banks, its very light and is well made, rock solid if you can get the legs in , after having a rather savage take on my right hand rod which took it underneath my left hand rod causing an almighty mess !!!! the Gardner bank sticks with the threaded screw end are probably the best option and are solid in any ground, but they are £15 a pop and 2 of them is £30 and the tri pod is £40 and easier to set up, suppose it depends on the terrain you fish on.