How to make a Crowquill Avon float with a modern twist

I've been making fishing floats for over 50 years and in this video I take you through making my version of the classic crowquill Avon float, step by step. It's a perfect float for roach fishing on deeper rivers with flow, especially in winter, for catching roach, and is similar to the floats I use in some of my winter roach fishing videos.
Materials needed:
pole float tips in 3mm or 3.5mm
balsa dowel in 3/8" or 1/3" in a hard grade
good-sized crowquills (substitute - 3mm cane kebab sticks or 1.6 alloy welding rod)
whipping thread
Rapid Araldite or similar
sanding sealer
polyurethane yacht varnish
Tools required:
bench-mounted 1/2" chuck power drill
coarse and fine sandpaper
kebab skewer with point
craft knife
scissors
2.5mm drill (must be sharp!)

[@peteranddorothybowles5428]

Great stuff mate Im predom a sea angler but do like me fresh water and someone putting the hard yards in makes me feel good I may sound an old fart but there is so much gear for the sake of it out there Seeing old skills is great Keep it up matey Pete

[@gar1231000]

great video.i tie flies could you just use a whip finish insted of the loop with the thread

[@MarkWintleFishing]

The loop finish ensures the end is really secure which is important as the float rubbers are tight over the whipping.

[@markjenkins3329]

Great vid, can you do a further vid on how to finish the float with paint and varnish? Particularly what types of paint and varnish you use.

[@MarkWintleFishing]

I keep painting simple; two coats of polyurothane yacht varnish, very lightly sanding after each coat then a final coat of a matt enamel. I have tried sanding sealer but it can crack.

[@brianreed1451]

do you sell them Mark

[@MarkWintleFishing]

No, I don't have the time nor materials to make floats for others. I'm slowly updating my floats with the hollow tips, most of the Avons are done and will be doing more wagglers in time.