Grayling time

Grayling Time

         Grayling fishing is closed here from mid September to mid May. During this time, some streams are closed to wading.

A couple of days ago just opened the grayling fishing. Every year, I’m waiting for this special moment. I love fishing for grayling. To my eyes, this fish is beautiful and very interesting. Fishing them in dry is something special. And catching them in sight nymphing is fun.

I visited my favorite sector for grayling, twice in the 2 last weeks. Water level has been changing a lot. I first had to look for them in nymph. A single copper beaded pheasant tail drifting in the main stream was the solution. This technique gave me the first “blue flag” of the year.

Later in the day the river has decreased. And we were happy to see different insects hatching all afternoon long. Hare Caddis, cdc bwo emergers, a long tippet and a gentle presentation… We found the solution to dry fly action with grayling!

         A few days later, I visited once again the same sector. The water was lower, so I could expect some sight nymphing action. But my first impression was right: the sector isn’t fishy as before. Less grayling were spotted. Worst, the big ones I used to see in the deepest pools weren’t there. My cdc emerger saved me from getting blanked for the first time here.

         I decided to explore a new area. A couple of minutes after arriving, I spotted a nice grayling in a shallow water stream. He was nice (about 40 centimeters), a good target to get back to sight nymphing. He wasn't very active but I however presented a hot spot pheasant tail. On the third drift, he moved to my nymph. A good hook set got him to a smart and intense fight. After a while, I got him to the net and a short shooting session. I finally saw him coming back to the main stream.

         A long and fast riffle gave me the last action of the day. Some fish were rising every now and then… My favorite caddis and my bwo parachute convinced a nice 10 inches brown trout and some more grayling. I missed a lot of them on the hook set. They’re very fast for blowing the fly out after they realized it’s a fake one! Some just refused the fly just before taking it. I saw them quickly rising from the bottom and stopping a half inch beneath the fly. That can turn you crazy easily! 

         I love fishing for grayling. His grace and behavior just fascinates me. It’s always a nice moment…