Morning,

Firstly, I'd like to thank all of you who took up our XStreme Thermal Jacket Offer over the weekend (you will not be disappointed) - for those of you who were not interested, please accept my apologies for clogging up your inbox.

We're back onto the flies this week - starting with something to tempt the Grayling ...

"To Mr & Mrs Grayling,
Hope to hook up with you soon.
From
Barbless Flies"

I always eagerly look forwards to the start of the Grayling season and, just like the salmon season is welcomed in with a dram of Whiskey, I always like to welcome in the Grayling season with an offering to the fish - in this case, a nice card to Mr & Mrs Grayling - I know it's sad but it's not let me down yet!

I've also updated our River Master Series of Grayling Articles - they act as a great intro to Grayling Fishing for all you who'd like to extend your fly fishing season.

You can access the series by clicking on the image or button below:

As the Grayling season is only just getting underway, I thought that a few tips specific to fishing for early-season Grayling were in order:

• Go Searching - Fishing for Grayling at this time of year (Autumn) is all about finding the fish. Grayling will be spread out across the length of the river; the best places to start are exactly where you would find trout. But bear in mind that Grayling do not necessarily like any structure, so run your nymphs in any likely looking riffle and seam.
• Fly Colour - When first approaching the water, I always use 2 wildly different colours for my nymphs. I will generally use a colourful heavy fly on the point, and then a small drab pattern on a dropper (usually a white beaded peacock herl tungsten nymph). Once you have had a few takes, you can refine your fly choice to match what the Grayling are targeting - I have found that white-beaded flies seem to be very successful in the early part of the season.
• Dry Fly - Last week, there was a window of about 30 minutes where a hatch of very small olives took place. I changed to a dry fly (size 18 CdC Midge) and took some really nice Grayling. So don't be afraid to change your setup (even if it is just for a short period of time).

Please Note: Towards the end of this email, you will also find some more tips to help you when searching a river for Autumn Grayling.

As you would expect, we will have loads of different Grayling-specific nymphs available over the coming months. We are starting this Grayling-Season with the 'original and the best':

A few years ago, we bundled together our most popular early-season Grayling Nymphs into a selection - it was the most popular Grayling selection we ever did. We've updated it for the 2025/26 season - the patterns included may not look too different, but the quality of the materials (and specifically the beads - high-density tungsten) is far superior.

We now benefit from 'economies of scale' and can provide a much higher quality Grayling fly for the same price, due to the quantity we now order with our tyers.

*** If you only buy one set of flies for Grayling, these are virtually guaranteed to be successful ***

Our Updated (for 2025/26) Barbless Grayling Selection is a selection of 4 of the most popular styles of weighted grayling nymphs, in total there are 20 flies supplied in our eco-friendly packaging. All of these nymphs are tied using barbless hooks, in sizes 10, 12, 14 and 16. Our selection includes:

• Tungsten Grayling Bomb - One of the most successful grayling nymphs available. Tied to represent a pink shrimp with a double high-density tungsten bead. This fly is best fished as a point fly using the tight-line nymphing method. Our selection contains two each of sizes 10, 12, 14 & 16.
• Grayling Pink Nymph - Another great nymph for grayling, ideal when fished on the dropper of a tight-line rig (with the grayling bomb - above). This fly also acts like a spider fly, with the hackle tied in the middle of the hook. Our selection contains two each of sizes 14 & 16.
• Grayling Special Nymph - This pattern is a great searching pattern for grayling. It's slim profile allows it to sink through the water column quickly. We have had real success with this fished on its own upstream. Our selection contains two each of sizes 14 & 16.
• Copperknob Tungsten Nymph - Again, another searching pattern. Similar to the popular red-tag pattern, this is tied with a red tail and hare's ear body, weighted with a high-density tungsten bead and copper wire. Our selection contains two each of sizes 14 & 16.

In total, our 2025/26 Grayling Selection contains 20 flies - all for only £30:

 

*** We've only a limited amount of these selections available (50 to be precise), so grab yours while you still can ***

The Barbless Grayling Selection is a selection of 4 of the most popular styles of weighted grayling nymphs, in total, there are 20 flies supplied in our eco-friendly packaging. All of these nymphs are tied using barbless hooks, in sizes 10, 12, 14 and 16.

This selection is available now for only £30 (bought individually, they would be over £34.60), click any button or image above to view the flies in more detail.

*** If you only buy one set of flies for Grayling, these are virtually guaranteed to be successful ***

Go on, you know you want to!

So, you've got the flies ... now what?

Right, you've got all the gear, where do you find Grayling:

1. Before the winter frosts, Grayling will not be shoaled up, therefore its important to fish where the grayling are - I know it sounds obvious! Therefore, the likely spots are exactly where you would find trout:
   • Gravel bottoms
   • In the seam of two currents
   • In the foam line – Remember “foam is your home”
   • Just off and around weed beds
2. Grayling have an underslung mouth; they are bottom feeders. If you cannot see them rising, you need to present your flies on (or very near) the river bed.
3. Look for deeper, slower water. Grayling do not like structure, so look for uniform flows of water.
4. Look for creases, especially slow water which is just off a faster crease.
5. Grayling are long, thin, delicate fish; they do not like to sit in the river flow, due to the energy expended. The grayling has a thin wrist, which means they do not have a lot of power in its tail to fight against the flow.
6. Grayling are very tolerant of anglers; they do not spook as easily as trout. I’ve even had grayling take insects off my waders whilst standing in the river fishing!
7. Grayling are a shoal fish in the main. Once you’ve caught one - stand still and cast again – you’re more than likely to catch another.

TOP TIP: If using a team of 2 nymphs, try putting the heaviest on a short dropper about 12" above the point fly; this will then allow you to fish both nymphs tight to the bottom. 

 

Tight lines, have fun & keep warm!