If you have been following my emails for any length of time, you will be well aware that I have a bit of a thing for fly fishing books - especially when the subject matter concerns Grayling.

One of my favourites is a book written back in 1999 by John Roberts - imaginatively called "Flyfishing for Grayling". So when I heard, earlier this year, that John was releasing an updated book on Grayling - I pre-ordered a copy, then promptly forgot all about it!

Fast-forward to earlier last month, I saw that his Grayling book had been published and bought a copy on the spot.

Then to my surprise, a couple of days later two books were dropped onto our doormat!

That evening I settled down in my favourite chair (I just re-read that and it makes me sound ancient - and no, it's not a Shackletons High Seat one) and poured a glass of my preferred tipple - a local whisky:

This book is organised into separate sections which give you all of the info you need on the Grayling as a fish, and then the methods (and flies) used to catch them. It really is the most informative and well-researched book I have on any fly fishing subject - a real pleasure to read.

I was also pleased to see that there are numerous fly patterns (over 90 pages of them) which have been credited to some of the most well-respected fly tyers around.

What really caught my attention was the detail into which John goes on some very diverse subjects, such as:

• How fast does a Grayling grow - There are charts which estimate the weight/length ratios and growth rates.
• Grayling diet composition - ever wanted to know what makes up the Graylings diet (and what the percentages are - by season), this book will tell you.

Another aspect of the book is the depth of detail on the various methods used to catch Grayling, both above the surface and below.

As you can probably gather, I really like this book - and as I have 2 of them, I'm going to give the extra one away.

But how to do it ...

As I'm feeling a little festive, how about this:

1. Reply to this email with a good reason for me to send it to you.
2. I pick the best/funniest one on Monday morning.
3. I send the book to you - with our compliments.

***It would be nice if you could support us with a small order of flies - but not mandatory!

And as I've just mentioned Grayling flies:

I'd like to thank all of you who bought a selection of our Derwent Jig flies - I was fielding phone calls all day, nearly every one of them asking the same thing - Can we sell them individually?

Your prayers have been answered, see below:

Derwent Tungsten Pheasant Tail Jigs

Now that Winter is finally making an appearance and the frosts are starting to become more regular, the Grayling will have started to shoal up in the deeper pockets. With the rivers generally higher than normal and the flow often stronger, you're going to need something a bit heavier if you want to target the Grayling in these conditions.

When you fish a nymph on a jig hook it fishes upside down so the head will always be either in or just above the riverbed, it is important for the nymph to be seen, so we've added a coloured bead, in 7 different colours:

• Gold Beaded Pheasant Tail Jig
• Matt Red Beaded Pheasant Tail Jig
• Fluoro Yellow Beaded Pheasant Tail Jig
• Bright Pink Beaded Pheasant Tail Jig
• Orange Beaded Pheasant Tail Jig
• Metallic Red Beaded Pheasant Tail Jig
• Copper Beaded Pheasant Tail Jig

We have these Derwent Tungsten Jigs available now as individual flies - at £2.00 each - I know they are a little on the pricy side, but they are worth it, let's just say if you get one stuck in a tree, you will be climbing up after it!

Tight lines and have fun.

P.S. I have no affiliation to John Roberts, or any financial interest in his book - it's just really really good. If you would like a copy for yourself, please support small UK-based businesses - like Coch-Y-Bonddu Books, who publish and sell John's book here: Grayling on the Fly by John Roberts