Fishing for Grayling

[Old Smoothound]

Autumn is hear and Winter is just around the corner........The time is nearing to start thinking about Grayling fishing.

For years this magnificant fish was treated as vermin by landowners intent on "cleaning up" their chalkstreams for the insatiable gentry to fish for Trout.

I once fished the River Test on a keepers day and was appalled to find the river keeper handing out plastic bin liners to put your fish in.
Needless to say i had a fantastic days fishing for "The Lady of the Stream" catching some near 2lb fish and lots in the 1lb bracket and age class.
Unfortunately there did not seem to be any fish in my plastic bag when we met later in the day, the river keeper was not amused, but hey i told him i was a novice angler and could not find the fish!

Since then the Grayling has moved up the the chain and is now regarded by most River keepers and Estate owners to be a worthy catch.

The Grayling comes into peak condition during the winter months and when the frost is on the ground and with some bright and warming sun, they will quite happily rise to a dry fly when the Brownsand Rainbows are not.

For the fighting characteristics you really need to hook one to find out, with a big brightly coloured dorsal fin that can turn them in an instant in fast flowing rivers and streams, they really to fight well on light fly tackle.

My favourite ways to catch Grayling is by "rolling" a nypmh or up stream dry fly fishing. My fly patterns tend to stay the same with a change on occasion when "matching the Hatch" but in essence i stick to my tried and tested patterns (more on those later) but that is not to say i don't try other patterns that i ceate at my vice, on the contrary i do, but i always come back to my old faithfuls..... but my fly boxes are brimming with flies!

To be continued............

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Great read

[Simon TorbayFishing]

Very nice info as usual smoothy!

[stan]

Interesting article was that smoothy

[PlanktonBoy]

Couldnt agree more what a splendid fish they are too, and fight.
Never fly fished for em but living near the Test i have had a few little poaching sesions for em when younger on the stick float.

[Old Smoothound]

Originally Posted by PlanktonBoy

Couldnt agree more what a splendid fish they are too, and fight.
Never fly fished for em but living near the Test i have had a few little poaching sesions for em when younger on the stick float.

They do fight don't they. MMMM River Test...... Andover yup I fished there last year. Had a wonderful day had 38 Grayling in 5 hours. Clear chalkstream fishing. Caught them on my old faithfuls.... never caught them on a stick float there though! Have on the River Frome and caught them on a feeder! Don't do that now fly fishing for them is much more fun!

Know any good "free" stretches?

Cheers
Shaun

[PlanktonBoy]

The only free bit i know of is the small stretch near Winchester cathedral.
And the cheapest is at Timsbury Manor near Romsey at £10 a day.

[Old Smoothound]

Originally Posted by PlanktonBoy

The only free bit i know of is the small stretch near Winchester cathedral.
And the cheapest is at Timsbury Manor near Romsey at £10 a day.

Cheers mate,

Sound good may give it a go this year.

[Pross]

What is the season for Grayling then? I thought they had had the same season as trout. Also, how do you persuade any bailiffs etc. that you aren't chasing trout out of season? I really fancy giving the grayling a go, would my 7 / 8 et gear be too heavy for these chalk streams and what other kit would I need (presumably a decent pair of chest waders is a must)?

[Fishman]

Hi Smoothy
I leave in the US I have never heard of a Grayling. How big is this fish and do you have a picture of one?


Bob