20 Jan 2025

CHASING GRAYLING AN ICONIC FISH

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Articles, At the Waters Edge, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

I embarked on a trip away from North Devon to fish for grayling on the Dorset Frome with my good friend Bruce Elston. The trip proved to be a very enjoyable foray and got me thinking about our motivations to actually go fishing. Grayling are an iconic fish that thrive in clean fast running rivers ensuring that the fishing venue is often set in pleasing countryside surroundings as was the case at the venue we were fishing. The Dorset Frome is a Chalk stream famed for its trout fishing and during the winter months its specimen grayling that have been landed to over 4lb.

*Across the fast flowing river on the far bank shots rang out as the shoot operated on the far bank pheasants flying overhead in a typical winter scene.*

It is the potential size of these grayling that is of course part of the attraction but this is just one dimension, for how we fish is also a factor. As a young angler I always enjoyed the fascination of watching a float bobbing optimistically upon the surface followed by the joy in its disappearance and the satisfaction upon connecting with the fish that lives within a different dimension. Trotting for grayling brings all these components together and close to fifty years later the delights of float-fishing remain undiminished.

The section of River we were fishing was new to us both so we had to read the water a skill that is a joy in itself. Each stretch of water has characteristics that give clues as to where the fish will be lurking waiting for food to be carried to them by the current. The successful angler needs to place the bait in that spot or in the case of trotting, drift the bait in front of the feeding fish presented as naturally as possible.

We both enjoyed success early in the day. ( Above ) A 1lb plus grayling fell to floatfished maggot.

We fished hard all day dropping our float tackle into promising looking spots guiding the float through the rivers flexing currents the double maggot or sweetcorn hook bait suspended just above the riverbed. From time to time the float would dip beneath the surface and the lifting of the rod would bring connection, sometimes fleeting and occasionally that solid throbbing of life transmitted through a gossamer thin line. Between us we banked a brace of good grayling each with Bruce’s both topping 2lb and mine closer to 1lb 8oz each.

Late afternoon with the light starting to fade I returned to a swim that I had confidence in and persisted trotting the float through a spot I felt drawn to. My conviction proved correct the float dipping to result in a pleasing grayling of 1lb 11oz.

Above and below – Time for one more cast as the fading light makes watching the float an increasing challenge.

To the none angler the whole episode that involved a 200 plus mile round trip on a short cold winters day would seem difficult to understand. Yet to us it was as memorable and satisfying a day as winning Wimbledon or the Masters.

Grayling are scarce across Devon with a healthy population inhabiting the waters of the River Exe and some of its tributaries. They are also present in some of the River Tamar’s tributaries that form the border between Devon and Cornwall. The River Exe population is the result of a stocking in 1896 when 500 yearlings were stocked from the hatchery at Dulverton. The full story can be found in the book Trout Fishing for Beginners by the Devonshire Fisherman published in 1928.

11 Mar 2023

A GREY AND GLOOMY DAY WITH FROME GRAYLING

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Article, Articles, At the Waters Edge, Coarse Fishing, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

“Fancy a day trotting for grayling on the Frome in Dorset ?” Asked my good friend Bruce.

Sounds good I replied and booked up the adjacent beat on the estate hidden away between Dorchester and Wareham. Weather looked good, dry and cold.

A week later on the eve of our trip; severe weather warnings in place. Sleet ,heavy snow and strong North East winds. We were to be right on the border of the severe weather with potential heavy rain instead of snow!

The call of the river is strong and at 6.30am I was on my way to meet Bruce at Honiton; a convenient half way meeting point on the journey. As I drove over Exmoor trees coated in heavy snow and roads slippery with slush and heavy snow falling I questioned our sanity.

After a short delay in Honiton as we arrived at different car parks we eventually converged and I loaded my grayling gear into Bruce’s capacious van.

The higher ground was snow covered but as we got closer to the river the snow turned to rain.

Arriving at the river bank we were relieved that the rain had eased and the temperature had climbed to a balmy 3 degrees!

There was a bit of colour in the water but it looked Ok and running a little fast. The prospect of a good grayling had us both buzzing with excitement as we threaded line through the rings setting up with crimson topped floats, size 14 hooks and 3lb hook lengths.

Bruce walked the Upper beat with me showing me some promising swims where he had enjoyed success on previous visits.

*Wrapped up warm I set off for the river. No such thing as bad weather I was dressed for the occasion.*

I set the depth to allow the maggot or corn hook baits to trip over the gravel bottom. The fishery has produced grayling to over 3lb with 2lb fish highly likely.

After half an hour of trotting I hooked a powerful fish that fought hard in the strong current. I was disappointed when the flanks of a two pound plus out of season brown trout appeared. I netted the fish and slipped it back. This was followed ten minutes or so later by an almost identical trout. It might even have been the same fish.

I fished various swims as I fished slowly down river trotting baits through likely looking runs. It was good to be beside the river despite the damp gloomy conditions. I noticed the wrens flitting to and fro amongst the bank side reeds. Flocks of long tailed tits flew about in the adjacent trees.

The float dipped from time to time as the baits caught on the bottom but grayling were proving elusive. In a promising run the float dipped and I was delighted to feel a satisfying resistance and glimpse the dorsal fin of a good sized grayling. At 1lb 14oz it was a pleasing result.

By now it was gone 1.00pm and I was almost back at the van. I dropped Bruce a message and we met up for lunch in the back of the van. Comparing notes, it was obvious that the grayling were not in a cooperative mood. Bruce had tempted two grayling one of over 1lb the other a little smaller. He had also caught a brace of trout.

After the short break we set back out onto the river. I returned to the swim I had caught the grayling in before dinner. After a couple of trots the float dipped and a second grayling of around 1lb 8oz was brought to the net.

I spent the next couple of hours searching the beat with a couple of brief hook ups and another out of season brown trout. As the light faded my expectations waned and I headed down to see how Bruce was getting on.

Bruce was trotting his float expertly through a fast run and had just lost a good fish. The light was fading fast, as I watched the float shot under and Bruce was into a good grayling of around 1lb 12oz. I had packed away my rod and enjoyed watching Bruce fish until the float was barely visible.

*A pleasing grayling for Bruce of around 1lb 12oz in the fading light of the day*

It had been a good day’s fishing. Hard going in cold gloomy conditions with the grayling hard to tempt. The strong east wind forecast had not arrived and the heavy rain held off. We will be back next winter for sure.

We drove home through heavy rain with sleet on the high ground. I arrived at Tiverton to find the link road closed resulting in an unwelcome diversion over the snowy moors. I arrived home at close to 10.00pm a long but enjoyable day at the water’s edge.

18 Feb 2022

SEARCHING FOR THE LADY OF THE RIVER

by Wayne Thomas | posted in: Article, Articles, At the Waters Edge, Game Fishing, Sidebar | 0

The Dorset Frome at West Stafford near Dorchester holds some fabulous grayling that I have been fortunate to target on a couple of occasions over recent years. We stayed at http://www.chalkstreamflyfishing.co.uk/chalkstream-fly-fishing/the-home-beat/

*Evening Light as we arrive for our three day break*

The Dairy Annexe is a perfect escape from the troubles of the modern world where we always receive a warm welcome from John and Andrea Aplin.

Whilst the short break was to celebrate Pauline’s birthday I had also booked a day’s fishing hoping to connect with one of the grayling for which the river is renowned. My last visit in October 2019 https://www.northdevonanglingnews.co.uk/2020/10/31/an-autumn-grayling/ had produced a personal best grayling of 2lb 12oz.

As often seems to be the case our trip coincided with stormy conditions the river slightly up and coloured following the fallout from storm Dudley. Fortunately, when it came to my day on the river the colour was starting to drop out. It wasn’t going to be easy but if I fished hard I would be in with a chance.

It was a mild day with a strong blustery wind blowing downstream from the west and casting was not easy. I was using a 10ft nymphing rod with a large weighted nymph on the point and a small nymph on a dropper 12” above. https://www.barbless-flies.co.uk

I decided to start my search on the Upper section of the beat after chatting with John who was keen to assist as always. I walked the bank carefully peering into the clearing water that was frequently ruffled by the strong wind. Whilst I hoped to spot fish it was obvious that searching the water methodically was my best chance. I dropped the heavy nymph into gravelly runs and deeper channels watching the bright line indicator intently. Where possible I fished from the bank wading only when beneficial.

After searching for close to an hour. I glimpsed the movement of a fish; just a momentary blur. I dropped my nymph above and as the flies drifted I saw a flank turn and lifted the rod to connect. The grayling came up in the water its dorsal fin standing proud in the current. The rod bent over as the fish used the strong current to its advantage surging downriver towards the sanctuary of a mass of tree branches. I held the grayling hard and persuaded it back into mid river. The silvery sides and crimson red dorsal fin a splendid sight. A tense couple of minutes passed before I eventually coaxed the prize into the net. A splendid grayling that was undoubtedly well over 2lb.

I took a couple of quick pictures to capture a memory. Slipping the lady of the stream back into the cool water. Delighting as the fish disappeared with a flick of its tail.

I searched on for a while before returning to the warmth of the Annexe for a hot coffee and a snack.

I returned to the river with Pauline searching the lower stretch of the beat carefully. The gusty wind made fishing tricky and my fishing rhythm seemed to have temporarily deserted me as my nymphs seemed to find overhanging branches and tangle frequently. It was also slightly annoying to feel the slow ingress of cold water into a leaky wader! I persisted and eventually started to fish with my previous confidence with only occasional minor tangles.

Birdsong reverberated from the nearby trees. A couple of mink appeared beside the river appearing rather bold despite my presence. The search of the water was enthralling as I became lost in concentration and expectation as I surveyed the ever flowing water.

I lifted the rod to each flicker of the bright tippet indicator. A brief connection with a grayling brought renewed hope the electrifying jolt of life and the glimpse of a silver flank. I spotted a couple of grayling elusive shadows in the stream.

The hours passed by all too soon and the light levels started to drop. I had numerous last casts before conceding my day was done. Walking slowly back through the trees I caught sight of a few Sika deer and enjoyed a brief encounter; stood just a few yards from a deer we stared into each other’s eyes in the fading light.

The following day Pauline and I called into Lyme Regis on our way home. It was surprisingly mild and sunny as tourists strolled around the sea front. Talk was all about the coming Storm named Eunice. Within the delightfully untidy shelves of the second-hand bookshop, I discovered a small booklet; The Fish of Exmoor, by H.B. Maund. More of that in a separate feature….