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Grayling
Common name: Grayling
Latin name: Thymallus Thymallus
Family: Salmonidae - Salmonids
Current
UK Rod Caught
Game Fish Record
GRAYLING (Thymallus
thymallus) 4lb 3oz 1989 S R Lanigan, River Frome, Dorset
Description and Habitat of Grayling:
Grayling, affectionately known as, 'the Lady of the Stream', are
members of the salmon family and are considered by some anglers as
coarse fish and by others as game fish. Grayling with their huge
dorsal fin are unmistakable from other fish. The Grayling is a
streamlined fish with a small pointed head, silvery blue body with
thin silver / violet stripes and irregular dark spots on the flanks. Grayling are a
shoaling fish sensitive to pollution and are generally found in clean,
fast flowing, well oxygenated streams and small rivers with gravel or
chalk beds. Grayling in a stream or river is a good sign of the purity
of the water
Grayling feed on various freshwater larvae, worms, small water
creatures, freshwater shrimp and fish eggs; and of course the game and
coarse fisherman's baits, artificial flies and maggots etc.
Fishing Methods for catching Grayling:
Grayling can be caught all year but the best fishing is noted to be
best on a clear, cold winters day, although any time from autumn
through winter can be productive. Grayling feed mainly on the bottom
but will feed from the surface when mayfly and nymphs are about.
Grayling can be caught fly fishing and most are probably caught on the
fly by fly fishermen fishing for trout or salmon. Not being a fly fisherman
I cannot give advice on how to catch grayling on the fly. Trotting is
another method for catching grayling. See under Chub for trotting
technique. Use a medium rod with a fixed spool reel loaded with 4lb
mainline, 3lb hook length and 2 or 3 maggots on a size 16 barbless
hook. As grayling are predominantly bottom feeders, fishing with a
feeder rod can also be effective. Using a light feeder rod with 4lb or
5lb main line, small blockend feeder loaded with maggots, 3lb hook
length of 12 to 24 inches with 2 or 3 maggots on a size 16 barbless
hook or a worm on a 14 barbless or whisker barb hook. The bigger
grayling seem to be caught on worms. A good fish is around a pound and
2 lb or over considered a specimen.
Baits
for catching Grayling:
maggots and
worms are considered the best baits for grayling. Grayling will also
take artificial flies.
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