Grayling Fishing – The Lady Of The River - River Fishing Advice

On a beautiful, crisp Winters morning, there is no finer pleasure than wandering the banks of one of the many southern chalk streams, that are home to one of Britain’s most majestic fish.

The grayling. Although not a coarse fish, it is probably more highly prized by coarse anglers than game anglers, who would traditionally target the species.

All grayling are stunning. Huge sail like dorsal fins tinged with reds, blues and purples, magnificent polished grey flanks that bristle with power. However, once they reach a pound plus they start to show their real and incredible beauty. They are truly an exquisite sight on a cold and frosty morning.

Grayling inhabit most chalk streams and the upper reaches of many of Britain’s rivers. However, some of the biggest specimens inhabit those delightful waters of Southern England: The Test, Itchen, Frome, Hampshire Avon and Nadder to name but a few.

These rivers are small, fast flowing chalk streams with flowing ranunculus. They are generally comparatively shallow, but with enticing deep runs and holes, often containing large shoals of grayling. In these rivers the grayling can grow to phenomenal sizes with 2 pounders being quite commonplace. Some of these rivers are capable of producing specimens to over 3lbs in weight and in the case of the Frome to over 4lbs!

For the coarse angler, grayling are a target for the autumn and winter, which is when these chalk streams are opened up for coarse fishing. On the whole fishing is available from mid October through to the end of February. The remainder of the year they are home to Britain’s fly fisherman and command a high price for a rod. However, in the winter for the fairly modest price of a day ticket, anyone can soak up the sights and sounds of these watery gems.

Over the next few articles I shall explain the methods and tactics used to tempt these magnificent fish and hope that you too will become captivated by the beauty of the grayling.

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