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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.
 
Ian Woods said:
We had a trip out chasing the ladies this week but they turned out to be a little fridgid 🤭 haha ....


Were hoping to have another try for them soon, fingers crossed thay arnt as shy if we do.
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Hi Ian - great video, well done! Just out of interest when was it recorded? Myself and a mate fished the lower beats predominantly between Wed-Fri last week, although we did have an hour at the top end by the bridge on Thursday afternoon (I’m fairly sure the chap at the end of your video fishing the tip was there in the same spot).. We struggled to be honest due to conditions, and never managed to connect to a Grayling until the Friday!

ATB, Declan
 
Declan Doherty said:
Hi Ian - great video, well done! Just out of interest when was it recorded? Myself and a mate fished the lower beats predominantly between Wed-Fri last week, although we did have an hour at the top end by the bridge on Thursday afternoon (I’m fairly sure the chap at the end of your video fishing the tip was there in the same spot).. We struggled to be honest due to conditions, and never managed to connect to a Grayling until the Friday!

ATB, Declan
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Hi Declan, thanks for that.
We were there last Wednesday. We only really got fishing around midday. I think you need several days there to get to know the place.
My friend Antony was the chap fishing the tip; he had a nice grayling, he guessed to be a high 2lber. I think Ant had three grayling and a couple of trout, and Chris had three grayling and three trout....I think. So they both blew me out LOL.

I've been corrected. Ant had 2 grayling and 2 trout, and Chris had 3 grayling and 1 trout.
 
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Ian Woods said:
Hi Declan, thanks for that.
We were there last Wednesday. We only really got fishing around midday. I think you need several days there to get to know the place.
My friend Antony was the chap fishing the tip; he had a nice grayling, he guessed to be a high 2lber. I think Ant had three grayling and a couple of trout, and Chris had three grayling and three trout....I think. So they both blew me out LOL.

I've been corrected. Ant had 2 grayling and 2 trout, and Chris had 3 grayling and 1 trout.
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You all did well I’d say! Spoke to my mate Simon tonight and he corrected me - it was Wednesday afternoon we were up by the bridge.. We’ve visited around this time for the last three years and to be honest there’s almost too much water to go at - sometimes ‘spoilt for choice’ is a bad thing! 😊
 
Declan Doherty said:
You all did well I’d say! Spoke to my mate Simon tonight and he corrected me - it was Wednesday afternoon we were up by the bridge.. We’ve visited around this time for the last three years and to be honest there’s almost too much water to go at - sometimes ‘spoilt for choice’ is a bad thing! 😊
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I noticed two gentlemen walking down the road as I was chatting to a gamekeeper in the field just up from our parked cars. Then, when I got back up to Chris, we commented on the gent's being down in the river near the sheds. Could that have been you and your friend?
We are hoping the weather settles enough to allow us another session up there in the next couple of weeks, although it isn't looking promising ATM.
Yes, you are right, Declan. All that water to go at is great; unfortunately, we only had one day, so not really enough time to scope it out and find the hot spots.
 
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