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Grayling, often referred to as “the Lady of the Stream”, are one of the most elegant and rewarding fish to target on fly in the UK. Found in clear, fast flowing rivers from the Scottish Borders to the chalk streams of the south, they offer exciting sport well into the cooler months when trout fishing has closed.

Where to Fish

Scotland

• River Tweed and Teviot – famous for specimen grayling
• River Tay and Earn – vast system with consistent sport
• River Clyde – excellent access near Glasgow
• River Annan – Dumfriesshire gem with fish over 2 lb
• River Nith – strong runs in Dumfries and Galloway
• River Tummel and River Teith – productive parts of the Tay catchment

Northern England

• River Eden – one of the best freestone rivers in England
• River Wharfe – prolific grayling fishing in the Yorkshire Dales
• River Ure and River Swale – excellent wild grayling sport
• Driffield Beck and West Beck – chalk fed rivers with clear water
• River Wear and River Tees – fine North East grayling fishing

Wales and the Borders

• River Wye – especially upstream of Hay on Wye
• River Irfon and River Ithon – classic Wye tributaries
• River Lugg and River Arrow – Shropshire and Herefordshire streams
• River Monnow – scenic border river with good access
• River Dee – famous Welsh river with excellent winter grayling

Southern Chalk Streams

• River Test – world famous chalk stream
• River Itchen – clear water, technical fishing
• River Frome – renowned for big grayling
• River Avon – productive middle and lower reaches
• River Anton and River Dever – small Test tributaries
• River Lambourn, Wylye, Nadder and Kennet – classic chalk stream fishing

Best Time of Year

The prime season for grayling is autumn through to late winter (October to February). Unlike trout, which become less active in the cold, grayling continue feeding eagerly. Crisp winter days with steady flows often provide the finest sport of the year.

Tactics

• Search riffles and runs: target clean, fast, well oxygenated water
• Presentation matters: use fine tippet (3 to 4 lb) and delicate casts
• Nymphing: Czech, French leader and Euro nymph methods work well
• Dry fly: watch for rises to small olives and midges in mild spells
• Duo setup: a buoyant dry suspending a small nymph is a reliable method

Recommended Flies

• Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear, Shrimp patterns, Pink Czech Nymphs, Perdigons
• Dry flies: CDC Olive, Griffith’s Gnat, F Fly, Klinkhamer
• Specialist patterns: Red Tags and small North Country Spiders

Final Thoughts

Grayling are a gift to the fly angler, offering challenging fishing and a reason to be on the water when many other species are out of season. Whether you are wading the clear chalk streams of Hampshire, the freestones of the Borders, or the wild rivers of Wales, the Lady of the Stream will test your skill and reward your patience.