[Mike Barrio]

Anybody ventured south in search of Grayling this year?

[Gavin Stevenson]

Mike, I have had couple of trips to Isla at Meigle, only couple of small fish. The fishing is challenging as very over grown and access limited particularly if trying french nymphing technique.

[Rob Brownfield]

Mike, I have had couple of trips to Isla at Meigle, only couple of small fish. The fishing is challenging as very over grown and access limited particularly if trying french nymphing technique.

Its a challenge indeed!..But the fish can be stacked up there...or in the main river! Its a bit hit and miss sometimes.

[Rob Brownfield]

Anybody ventured south in search of Grayling this year?

Yep...and no...not any luck...rivers have been high both times down and to dangerous to wade. Would have done well on the float and centrepin though.

[Steven Sinclair]

Yep...and no...not any luck...rivers have been high both times down and to dangerous to wade. Would have done well on the float and centrepin though.

Rob,

Out of curiosity have you ever "pinned" for seatrout? There is a burn local to me that I have been meaning to try this for years. I did try and read up on it before but couldnt find much info on anybody using them for Seatrout/Grilse.

My plan would be to long trot down through overgrown pools and runs (zero casting required really). Although I am a die hard Fly Fisher there is something about fishing the worm that I cant get out of my system.

 

Steven.

[Rob Brownfield]

Rob,

Out of curiosity have you ever "pinned" for seatrout?

The answer is "sort of".  Most places wont let you use a float when fishing for migratory fish, so technically, it would be illegal to trot for them.

However, many years ago, as a member of the SDAA, I used to trundle a worm in the current "off the pin". Very basic tackle in the sense it was a hook, a worm and a pinch of splitshot.

You do pick up the odd sea trout and salmon when grayling fishing with small red worms, but not as often as you pick them up on size 16 nymphs!!

[Steven Sinclair]

Rob,

Its the SDAA water I am talking about 

I've fished the burn since I have been old enough to hold a rod and have always fancied giving it a go.

Maybe i'll get round to investing in a cheapish pin this year and give it a burl. Any recommendations that wont break the bank? im presuming I will need a float rod of some description? I had considered using a fly rod...

 

Steven

[Terry Coging]

We are quite lucky down here in Staffordshire. Grayling are quite prolific  on the River Dove system.  Our club have two miles of a tributary stream that is packed with Grayling.  Nymphing and long trotting are very productive.

[Rob Brownfield]

Rob,

Its the SDAA water I am talking about 

I've fished the burn since I have been old enough to hold a rod and have always fancied giving it a go.

Maybe i'll get round to investing in a cheapish pin this year and give it a burl. Any recommendations that wont break the bank? im presuming I will need a float rod of some description? I had considered using a fly rod...

 

Steven

The trouble with pins is that for a pin that will rotate with just the pull of current on a float or bait, you are looking at high quality engineering....and therefore...cost. I use the Heritage and Purist from Youngs...not cheap.

However, I do believe that there are a few pins that are worth a punt. TF Gear do a couple that are meant to be reasonable. Just found their "classic" reduced from £235 to £60!!! Worth a go I should think.

https://www.fishtec.co.uk/buy.cfm/carp-and-specialist-reels/tf-gear-classic-centre-pin-reel/40/yes/48111

As for rods...definitely an Avon/Barbel rod for sea Trout. About a 1 to a 1.25 tc. They will easily handle big sea trout and give you a reasonable chance of landing a Salmon too.  Korum do a nice range that wont break the bank.

https://www.anglingdirect.co.uk/korum-12ft-all-rounder-rod

[Ashley Thomas]

Anybody ventured south in search of Grayling this year?

Yeah Mike 

Liam Coyle (LC), Liam Stephen (LS) and myself ventured down to the River Tweed and Esk last weekend for a spot of grayling fishing. Me and the young gun stayed at the Park Hotel in Peebles, which might I add, was fantastic. Cheap rates for the two night stay and the food was immense!!



Friday saw us drive down in two and a half hours flat to a rather snowed-in Peeblesshire. Visited the Crown Hotel to dine out (we didn't realise the food at our hotel was to be so good) and Liam treated himself to two puddings (guess who was paying the bill  )



Saturday marked day one of the grayling hunt. LS decided to fish a rather 'fishy' looking spot whilst LC and myself ventured upstream further to a spot where LC had a very nice grayling the previous day. About 30 minutes in I was granted my first ever grayling. Not the biggest, but a very special fish I was happy to see grace the net. Just check out that mohawk!!



LC also had a lovely grayling in the same run on his Epic 580 built by Sandy this winter.



After a while without another tug, we decided to venture further downstream to one of LC's "honey holes" in search of more grayling. A few casts in and everything for me locked up... a few head shakes later and some impressive runs.. I just knew it was a big fish. LC & LS vacated the water as I duelled a rather big fish that had yet to surface - every-time it got near it just tore off again down into its deep lair. After the lengthy fight, a 'specimen' grayling of 3lb sailed into the net  Not bad for my second ever grayling!! 



As the day was drawn to a close, a few really nice OOS WBT were also landed. Two were taken at the same time, so a quick photo later they were returned to their pool. Great to see them well-reconditioned after the harsh winter and likely post-spawn 

LS managed to narrowly avoid the blank (never thought i'd ever say it) by landing this cracking grayling on his last cast



The tactic on Saturday was straight line Euro Nymphing, using Rio two-tone mono indicator as the sighter. Both fish came to me on a pattern inspired to me as the "grayling slayer"

Sunday arrived and it was time to take on the Esk. Arriving we saw the water level quite low, but on we fished. I fished the duo setup on my newly-built salsa epic 476 whilst LS fished Euro style again. He had a fish within 10 minutes therefore we believed it was going to be a cracking day. Unfortunately no other grayling were landed over the course of the day so we headed up the road. Despite the dry Sunday it was still a fantastic trip and I'm certainly considering going again before the trout season begins.

Get the gear looked out and head out guys, Grayling are simply stunning fish! 

Here's a little release video I put together of some of the fish landed over the weekend.



Cheers

Ash 

[Eddie Sinclair]

Ash,

great report and nice wee vid. I am sure that Liam would confirm that I am no youngster anymore and I have always thought of having a go at grayling and have always meant to but never got round to it. Well done guys and this will be another year that the opportunity will pass me by as I am away on business in Asia and probably wont get back until at least March. However I may run into Liam again on the Deveron wearing his dodgy onesy  on my return.

I must force myself to do this next grayling season, I am far too old to have never seen one in the flesh let alone caught one.

good effort guys,

Eddie

[Ashley Thomas]

Ash,

great report and nice wee vid. I am sure that Liam would confirm that I am no youngster anymore and I have always thought of having a go at grayling and have always meant to but never got round to it. Well done guys and this will be another year that the opportunity will pass me by as I am away on business in Asia and probably wont get back until at least March. However I may run into Liam again on the Deveron wearing his dodgy onesy  on my return.

I must force myself to do this next grayling season, I am far too old to have never seen one in the flesh let alone caught one.

good effort guys,

Eddie

Cheers Eddie 

Despite it being -4 outside on the Saturday it was great fun.

He has this new thermal pyjama/jumper/cosy-coat type thing he's ranting about now.. maybe the onesie has finally been binned??

Take Care,
Ash

[Mike Barrio]

Great stuff Ashley

So ....... the double servings continue, he sure likes his food

[Ashley Thomas]

Great stuff Ashley

So ....... the double servings continue, he sure likes his food

They sure do Mike, and so do I.. Those servings in the first picture are actually both made "for two"

It was amusing having the waiter approach the table asking if we'd misread the double serving small print and if the order was incorrect... we gave it a good bash!!!

Ash

[Rob Brownfield]

Teehee...camo waders but fluro yellow soles on his Hodgeman boots! 

He will be using pink flies next!!

[Sandy Nelson]

Superb  stuff Ash

Sandy

[Liam Stephen]

Teehee...camo waders but fluro yellow soles on his Hodgeman boots! 

He will be using pink flies next!!

I’ve already a box of pink frenchies and squirmys. 

[Duncan McRae]

A great report Ashley.
Wish there was a Grayling stream up here in the North East.Seems like a great way to spend a winters day.

Duncan

[Rob Brownfield]

A great report Ashley.
Wish there was a Grayling stream up here in the North East.Seems like a great way to spend a winters day.

Duncan

Where about are you? There are grayling within 50 miles of Aberdeen.

[Rob Brownfield]

I fished the Isla on Friday, and what a waste of time. Besides the river being quirt high meaning I could not actually get in the water in most parts, there were numerous otters and cormorants. On such a small stretch I could imagine them having a big impact.

Hey ho...next time.