Grayling Bugs

[Donald Nicolson]

Here are a bunch of Grayling Bugs, they will catch trout as well.


Grayling Bug 1
Hook: #125 Size 14 Dai-Riki
Bead: Copper 3/32
Silk: Pearsall Fluo Orange.
Rib: Fine copper wire
Body: Rusty Brown Awsome ?Possum.



Grayling Bug 2
Hook: #125 Size 14 Dai-Riki
Bead: Pearl White 3/32
Silk: Pearsall Yellow
Rib: Gold Wire
Body: Brown Camel.
Hackle: Ginger Blue dun hen.




Grayling 3
Hook: #125 Size 16 Dai-Riki
Bead: Orange 5/64
Silk: Brown
Tail: Fluo Red
Rib: Copper
Body: Brown Camel.
Hackle: Few strands of Coyote.



Grayling Bug 4
Hook: #125 Size 16 Dai-Riki
Bead: Green 5/64
Silk: Brown
Body: Tan Small wire
Thorax: Light Hair Mask



Grayling Bug 5
Hook: #125 Size 14 Dai-Riki
Bead: Gold 1/8
Silk: Pearsall Fluo Orange
Body: Black Mole Dubbing.

Grayling Bug 6
Hook: #125 Size 14 Dai-Riki
Bead: Gold 1/8
Silk: Pearsall Yellow
Body: Built up with Tying silk
Then covered with copper wire.
Thorax: Mole natural

[AlanB]

They certainly will... both.

Since moving north I've really missed my grayling fishing. This season I must make at least one trip south to look for them.

Cheers,
A.

[Donald Nicolson]

That is good Alan, hope you make a trip. I am glad I triggered somebodies interest.

[JeffHamm]

I've only ever read of grayling, having never fished in waters which hold them. Although all the flies you've listed are weighted nymphs, they will take flies higher in the water column (and even dries) will they not? They must, at first, feel to be a much larger fish given the huge dorsal fin on them. I envision them turning sideways in a current and the resulting weight magnifying the fish four fold. But, as I say, these experiences are all from my imaginations and may not apply to your world!

- Jeff

[Donald Nicolson]

It is quite a while since I fished for Grayling, I am a bit too old for winter fishing,
which is the best time for them. These flies work just as well for trout.
They are a shoal fish and are surprisingly a lot less shy than brownies.

[AlanB]

They will take dry flies, but they are not good at it. Their mouth is under slung for bottom feeding. Which means that just before they hit a dry they loose sight of it. Quite often you'll bring them up but they miss the fly.

The crisp clear winter's days, when the grass is crunchy underfoot, are not good grayling fishing days. What you really need are the days of "filthy" weather, drizzle and mist. As the weather gets colder they shoal up very tightly, and can be quite difficult to find.

There are a number of traditional wet and dry flies specifically for grayling. Generally they are smaller than the trout flies for the same river. The Czech and Polish nymphing methods were developed to target grayling, trout (and salmon) being a welcome by catch.

One thing that amazes me, whenever I am lucky enough to catch a large(ish) one, is how much lighter they are than trout. Length for length I would say 1/3 less weight.

I'm a big fan of the grayling and about August in a good season of trout fishing I find myself looking forward to the grayling fishing. It is a way to keep fishing later into the year. (Trout only being in season March to September) Unfortunately the nearest to me now are about 200 mile away. I will try to get a trip in for them this winter. Last year I had one planned, the day before I put my back out and couldn't go.

Cheers,
A.