Hi guys I'm new to the forum and am looking for some advice. I've found a swim where I've seen several barbel feeding the only problem is the only way to fish it safely is by casting around 40 yards upstream. I've only been fishing rivers seriously for a couple of years but never tried fishing upstream. Any pointers on a good, simple setup would be appreciated.

Standard running rig should be fine mate, longish hooklength if the water's shallow, tension your rod tip a bit more than you normally would, bites should be pretty positve, usually a knock then big drop back as the lead is dislodged. Hope this helps, let us know how ya get on

Agree with the above advice (although I perfer paternoster), I always fish up stream in flood conditions when fishing for Club, the bites are super positive and its a very effective method

What weight do you use, I tried fishing flood and was using 8oz, still wouldn't hold.

Im having flash backs now of leaves lots of leaves and the odd 30 ton tree rolling down river

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Usually fish a 1.5oz cage feeder with a large dead cow attached, usually no problems holding bottom with fishing upstream. Using the same weight and fishing downstream I can't hold bottom at all!

Best thing about fishing in flood, no boats!

Thanks for the help guys will give it try next time I'm on the river.

Because of the way that barbel feed, I would recommend fishing a backlead or lead core just to keep the mainline out of the way of the fish.

I'm not a fan of leadcore but will try a flying back lead. I usually fish with 2ft hooklengths, would this be suitable or would it be best to use a longer/shorter one.

Don't like legering upstream unless I have to. Would certainly have to be heavy enough lead to guarantee it was a working 100% guaranteed bolt rig. Would avoid the swim at all costs if there was much debris coming down, too many false drop backs I should think, no matter how the line is anchored down. especially with 40 yards out.

Have to disagree with you there JayZS - an upstream presentation is ideal when lots of crap is coming down the river as instead of it sliding down the line and collecting around the lead/hook it slides up the line and more often than not falls away on reaching the surface leaving your baited rig in position for longer.