FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING OVER £100

0

Your Cart is Empty

Best flies and tactics for Grayling

November 18, 2020 2 min read

By David Southall

     In my November 2016 Blog I gave details of some of my favourite grayling flies (Orange & Pink Gamarus, Orange & Pink Utah Killer Bugs, Red & Pink Squirmy Worms, Bead-head Partridge & Hare’s Ear Spiders & Small Bead-head Nymphs). Here are some more that I have had great success with during the Autumn, Winter & Early Spring.

Bill Eadie’s Grayling Slayer

Hook: Jig size 16 to 10

Thread: Tan 8/0 or 6/0

Bead-head: Copper tungsten 2mm to 5mm

Body: Dubbed squirrel guard hairs (use very sticky wax to hold the hairs onto the thread)

Rib: Pear mylar

Collar: Orange Ice Dub or similar

This pattern was first shown to me several years ago by Bill Eadie who catches large numbers of huge grayling from his local Scottish rivers on this fly. It has proved to be equally successful for me on a number of rivers.

Micro-Bloodworm

Hook: Size 22 Daiichi 1200 Grub

Thread: Red 8/0

Bead-head: Red 1.5 or 2mm tungsten

Tail: Red or pink number 6 pole elastic or flexifloss

Body: Red holographic tinsel

Rib: red or pink 0.14mm diameter wire

This is a modified version of a fly shown to me by Grayling Society member Brian Clarke. It is particularly effective below sewage outfalls where there are large numbers of red Chironomid Midge larve in the bottom sediments.


Minimalistic Micro-Midge

Hook: Gamakatsu C12-BM size 26 to 30

Thread: 8/0 Tan well waxed

Wing & legs: A single CdC feather tip

This incredibly simple dry fly has proved to be devastatingly effective when grayling have been taking Aphids during Autumn leaf-fall & during the Winter when they have been taking tiny adult Midges.

Peeping Caddis

Peeping Caddis

Hook: Long-shank size 16 to 10

Thread: Tan 6/0

Weight: Split shot sizes number 10 to Swan on a loop of nylon monofilament

Body: Dubbed Hare’s mask in a split thread loop

Hackle: Brown partridge

Head: Yellow or green synthetic wool singed/burned at the tip

I have had many grayling, including fish close to 3lb on this Oliver Edwards’ pattern which was I believe based on Hans Van Klinken’s Leadhead fly

Catgut Caddis Pupa/Larva

Catgut Caddis Pupa/Larva

Catgut Caddis Pupa/Larva

 

 

 

 

Hook: Grub size 16 to 12

Thread: Tan 8/0

Head: Black or gold tungsten bead, 2mm to 3.5mm

Body: Yellow or green catgut (soak the gut before tying to soften)

Legs: Dubbed squirrel guard hairs (use very sticky wax to keep the hair on the thread)

Caddis larvae & pupae are a significant component of graylings’ diets & most have yellow or green bodies. The catgut goes soft & transparent when soaked, making it very realistic.

   All of these flies have produced a good number of grayling for me. It is well worth sampling the invertebrates in your river in order to discover which of the more imitative patterns might be most appropriate on your water.

 

This video is 1 of 94 casting tutorials explaining everything from basic set ups to master level casts


Fundamentals | Starting to Fly Cast

Safety
The basics of tackle
Language of casting
Sensory awareness

WATCH

Fundamentals | Understanding Fly Tackle

Fly line weights, lengths & tapers
Rod lengths & weights
Leaders & tippet
Tackle to practise with

WATCH

Fundamentals | Overhead Casting

How to hold a fly rod
Circles 8's & straights
Remove all slack
Plane of the Cast
Triangle Method
Stance
Overhead Cast
Stop & Drop
Retrieving the Line
High Back Cast
Breaking The Wrist
Shooting the line
Loop Shape
Slipping the Line
Stroke Length
The Forward Delivery
The Shelf
Drift
Drift Versus Breaking the Wrist
Creep
Backslash Forwardslash
Speed Ramp
Body Movement

WATCH

Fundamentals | Double Haul

Intro to the Double Haul
Tackle for the Double Haul
Single Haul
Double Haul
Double Haul Fast Track
Cast Trajectory
Late Haul
Hauling Grip
Double Haul for Accuracy
Line Trays
Offset Alignment Guides
Overhang

WATCH

Fundamentals | Taking it to the Water

The Lift
Pick Up & Lay Down Cast
Roll cast
Energy of a Roll Cast

WATCH

Advanced | Spey Casts

Intro to Spey Casting
Switch Cast
45 Degree Single Spey
Backhanded Cast
90 Degree Single Spey
90 Degree Snake Roll
45 Degree Snake Roll
90 Degree Double Spey
The Running Mouse
The Silent Spey
45 Degree Double Spey
45 Degree Snap T
90 Degree Snap T
45 Degree Circle Spey
90 Degree Circle Spey
Body Movement
Spey Cast Hauling
Beating Obstructions Spey

WATCH

Advanced | Beating the Wind

Tail Wind
Head Wind
Side Wind

WATCH

Master | Mends

Upstream Downstream Mends
Curve Mends
Reach Mends

WATCH

Master | Pick Ups

Corkscrew Pick Up
Snap Pick Up
Roll Cast Pick Up
Double Spiral Pick Up
Snap Pick Up Variation
Aerial Spey
Cast Stringing

WATCH

Master | Accessory Casts

Casting Big Flies
Feed Cast
Free Snag Cast
Snap Cast

WATCH