Grayling (Thymallus thymallus)

The Grayling  prefers swift running water, with deep currents, rocks and gravel beds, the presence of which, is a sign of the purity of the water. Grayling can occasionally be found in lakes. Affectionately known as 'the Lady of the Stream', the Grayling is favoured by the coarse angler and game fisher alike. It is rather flat-sided with a head that is rather small in comparison to the rest of it's body, it's predominant feature being the large dorsal fin. Young Grayling are a light silvery green with bluish spots on their sides, mature fish, a greyish green  back, greenish sides and a white belly. A yellowish tinge can often be seen on the sides corresponding to individual rows of scales. The favourite haunts of Grayling are hollows eaten away by water washing around boulders or under overhanging trees and bushes. Their main diet consists of a variety of invertebrates, mainly insect larvae and fallen insects, settling on the water. Grayling can often be found in small shoals.

Methods of Capture. The Stick Float, cane or wire stemmed, fished light with shot spread evenly down the line, gently held back, can have excellent results. A small bait such as maggot  allowed to rise and fall with the current will tempt the Grayling into confidently biting. Legering or a swimfeeder can also have good results, fished with a hook-length of around 50cms and close to the bank or a submerged rock again with maggot  as bait. The grayling once caught will fight relentlessly until tired, once landed hold the fish in the current until it sufficiently revives.