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Grayling

First grayling sesh of the season today for me.
Timed it just right as the extra water really switched them on.
21 caught in total from around 6oz to well over the 1.5lb mark. Every one of them a super battle on the light balanced tackle and soft spliced tip rod.

Caught various other species all afternoon also.
 

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Popped over the Pennines last Thursday W.Yorks to have a dabble for grayling . It were grand going over the top (M62) , it looks so different when its all white . Got to my destination and had a couple of hours chasing my target species . Initially slow , but a change of swims put me onto the fish . I had a steady stream of grayling and when the trout arrived I was picking up them and grayling . Nothing large , best circa 1lb , but good fun on a nice cool day .
 
Kept local yesterday for a session after grayling . Started at the top of the length , first fish a minnow sized grayling . It improved from there , I had a good mixed bag , best graying circa 12oz , trout to 3.5lb and 2 bonus chub both around 3.5-4lb . One of the was a warworn battler that looked has if it would have exceeded 4lb in its prime .
 
Had a nice day on the lower itchen fishery on Sunday . 9 grayling, three over the pound mark, and over 20 trout up to 4lb .I was using my new rod, maver signature pro, brought from Richard Isaacs. Handled the trout no problem, and still had fun with the smaller grayling, thanks Richard you wasn't wrong about this rod👍
 
Wayne Botley said:
Had a nice day on the lower itchen fishery on Sunday . 9 grayling, three over the pound mark, and over 20 trout up to 4lb .I was using my new rod, maver signature pro, brought from Richard Isaacs. Handled the trout no problem, and still had fun with the smaller grayling, thanks Richard you wasn't wrong about this rod👍
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Really pleased you got to christen it and with such a tremendous haul of fish.
I’m glad it’s just right for the job. Yes they are fantastic rods and a shame they didn’t continue them.
 
Stayed on my side of the pennines on Monday and fished in the Ribble valley . Went to the top of the beat and took a number of grayling , nothing over 6oz .Moved to the next swim and had better quality grayling to 1lb 2oz , a couple of brown trout to 3lb+ and a 1lb+ smolt .On my final swim I had 2 decent grayling and a plague of minnows . All on trotted maggot , retired a happy man .
 
Tom Casey said:
Stayed on my side of the pennines on Monday and fished in the Ribble valley . Went to the top of the beat and took a number of grayling , nothing over 6oz .Moved to the next swim and had better quality grayling to 1lb 2oz , a couple of brown trout to 3lb+ and a 1lb+ smolt .On my final swim I had 2 decent grayling and a plague of minnows . All on trotted maggot , retired a happy man .
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Great session Tom 👊
 
Christian Tyroll said:
Evening all, if wading with a long float rod what net do people use? A trout style one that clips on waders?
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On several occasions recently i've used a 15ft rod (which I would class as being long) whilst wading. I have had no real problem reeling fish back to my hand and simply handing them out.
So, "personally", and going off my recent experiences I would be happy to use a short handled net with a rod up to 15ft long.
 
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I can do the same in any depth of water, you’ve just got to be careful with a few things.

My technique is when the fish is done and its *head is out the water* you don’t wind line in, you take the rod right back to both draw the fish close on a long line and take the pressure off just the tip section alone.

With your left hand reach out and grab the line keeping the fishes head and mouth out of the water, and with your right hand drop the rod down, put it under your right arm and grab the fish firmly by the shoulders below the head.

*fishes head and mouth must be clearly above the surface or don’t attempt to grab the line because if it’s head is down, it’s got another opportunity to bolt and probably snap you off if your holding the line. Maybe even cause you an injury.

I’ve done this successfully many times using 15ft rods taking hold of barbel exceeding 7lb.

However… and this is important.
I’m not telling you to do it, im telling you I have no issue doing it.
Don’t even attempt it if you are not comfortable doing so because if it goes south at best you’ll end up leaving a hook length in a fish or hurt yourself and at worst you’ll smash your rod.
 
Richard Isaacs said:
I can do the same in any depth of water, you’ve just got to be careful with a few things.

My technique is when the fish is done and its *head is out the water* you don’t wind line in, you take the rod right back to both draw the fish close on a long line and take the pressure off just the tip section alone.

With your left hand reach out and grab the line keeping the fishes head and mouth out of the water, and with your right hand drop the rod down, put it under your right arm and grab the fish firmly by the shoulders below the head.

*fishes head and mouth must be clearly above the surface or don’t attempt to grab the line because if it’s head is down, it’s got another opportunity to bolt and probably snap you off if your holding the line. Maybe even cause you an injury.

I’ve done this successfully many times using 15ft rods taking hold of barbel exceeding 7lb.

However… and this is important.
I’m not telling you to do it, im telling you I have no issue doing it.
Don’t even attempt it if you are not comfortable doing so because if it goes south at best you’ll end up leaving a hook length in a fish or hurt yourself and at worst you’ll smash your rod.
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Another great 'In depth' post Richard.
 
Thank you all, very useful.

I hadn't read all your replies in time to make use of them this morning, but am looking forward to getting back out already.

Given my current ineptitude I left the waders at home, this meant that I struggled to trot a float through some of the pools that looked like fish holding areas. The other side of it was that I walked the 2 mile stretch and had a good recce. It was one of those mornings when just being on the banks with a rod was a blessing, crisp ground, a nice sun rise and then full on snow. The water was freezing in the rod rings which hadn't happened to me for far too long. The wallis casting also went pretty well, at least until I got cocky and tried to force a big cast out during a windy spell.

I managed my first few grayling and couldn't believe it each time the float went under. What beautiful fish.

Bird wise also saw a bullfinch and gold crest, which both looked particularly striking in the snow filled woodland.

Then back in time for lunch and a dog walk.
 
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