Grayling Part 2

[Old Smoothound]

Part 2

The life span of the Grayling is up to seven years, some fish have been documented to live longer than this but these are the exceptions. The growth rate in the first year is up to 4 inches. Breeding readiness is attained at circa 2-3 years.
The Grayling has large silver grey scales and as its upturned mouth would suggest, it is a bottom dwelling fish. Males have a huge dorsal fin. Its favourite habitat is broken / fast water that is ideal for cover and protection from predators. Look for this sort of water and you will find the Grayling. The fish is very sensitive too Ph values in water and any wild fluctuations will send it looking for a new home.
Grayling like fast flowing gravel bottom rivers with good oxygen content and is very sensitive to pollution. The main diet of Grayling is: worms, various types of grubs, slugs, fly Pupa, larvae, water daphnia and fresh water shrimps. Almost all fly life, cased caddis, mayfly nymphs, Baetis nymphs, Olives, Chironomids, Pale Watery’s, anything that swims really.
The Grayling like clear fined water with slight warmth and this will encourage surface feeding (dry fly). Winter with its colder conditions encourages bottom feeding, but it is known to come “blind” to a well-presented dry fly in clear water runs and lies.
The main spawning period is between March and June and a good mix of well-oxygenated water over gravel and small stones and some weed cover is required.

They can attain weights of 4lbs plus in the UK. 2.5lbs is regarded as a specimen and a fish over 3lbs one of a life time. Average weight varies from river to river, but 1 - 1.5lbs is about right. Fish of over 5lbs have been recorded in Scandinavia.

Scotland has some huge specimens in its rivers, along with the Welsh Dee and River Wye and Severn.

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