©

The Journal of The Grayling Society

Volume 27 - Number 10 • Spring/Summer 2019 © CONTENTS

The Official Journal of Editorial Bob Male 2 The Grayling Society John Brennand Obituary Robin Mulholland 4

ISSN 1476-0061 Symposium 2019 - The Fishing Rod Calbrade 5 Free to all our Members in - The Chairman’s View Rob Hartley 8 Australia Lithuania Austria Luxembourg Midges and Grayling Dave Southall 10 Belgium Netherlands Committee and Area 6/7 Changes 13 Canada New Zealand China Norway Alaska Revisited George Ashton 14 Czech Republic Poland Denmark Portugal A Wonderful Day on the Frome Eire Scotland with Mr John Bailey Paul Andermahr 22 England Slovenia Finland Sweden Area 10 Fishing Day Alan Swann 25 France Switzerland Aphids and Grayling Dave Southall Germany U. S. A. 27 Italy Wales Putting Research Findings into Everyday Angling Practice Isle of Man Conservation Physiology - Recent Catch and Release Research. Addendum Les Jervis Editor - Bob Male 30 Telephone: 01722 503939 New Grayling Research Papers Stanislaw Cios 35 e-mail: [email protected] Keep’em Wet Keepemwet Fishing Science Ambassadors 36 Advertising - Rod Calbrade The Irwell Stocking of Grayling Rod Calbrade 38 Subscriptions per annum: Full £28.00, Joint £47.00 Grayling and the River Irwell Malcolm Greenhalgh 39 Senior (over 70) £22.00 Junior (under 16) £5.00 Grayling Research in Sweden Harry Salmgren 41 Details available from the Membership Secretary How to Overcome the Fear of Loss Dr Alex Wessolowski 42 Tim Taylor 86 Rushmore Road, London E5 Grayling Prize Alan Ayre 44 0EX Tel: 0207 2543704 The Silver Lady and Old Father Thames Willie Miller 48 Mob: 07818 427350 Email: Tartan Ladies Arkadi de Rakoff 50 [email protected] Design and Production Crossword 53 Peter Silk Design e-mail: [email protected] Officers of the Society 54 Society Web Site The copyright of all material in this edition of ‘Grayling’ remains with the Authors, or the www.graylingsociety.net Grayling Society, and may not be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the © The Grayling Society, 2019 copyright holders written permission. The Grayling Society and members of the Executive Committee accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any article or advertisement herein Cover Illustration and no guarantee is given for any product or service being offered. Contributions, including photographs or illustrations are always welcome, but the Society assumes no responsibility “Grayling” by South African artist for the safety of contributions, although all reasonable care will be taken. Views expressed Gavin Erwin by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or of the Grayling Society. All enquiries about articles in ‘Grayling’ should be addressed to the Editor. Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 1 Rod Calbrade is standing down as General Hall Farm is within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Bob Male Secretary but will continue to co-ordinate the which means the farm must comply with strict Editorial Symposia. Our good wishes go to them all as slurry storage capacity. Environment Agency they step up to take on new responsibilities. officers advised the company that there was Have a great season in 2019, and enjoy your insufficient storage capacity and that they were fishing wherever it takes you. in breach of the Nitrate Pollution Prevention Bob Male . Regulations 2010. The company was fined £7,000, and ordered We have an international edition this time success, and abundant healthy young fish will to pay £7,100 costs and a victim surcharge of around, with contributions from our European be able to grow on and replenish our stocks. Over £14,000 £120. members as well as from the home beats, and I can’t leave the topic of grayling population In mitigation, consideration had been given with a great range of topics. without referring again to the cormorant pollution penalty for that the business has been operating for 30 Our cover picture is by kind permission of threat. Catchment licences to cull cormorants years without incident. The company had also Gavin Erwin, a South African artist whose vivid seem to be out of proportion to the threat. My Staffordshire farm cooperated with the Environment Agency and and dynamic fish portraits have a world-wide club has 7 miles of water on the Wylye, and we B&M Elkin & Son Ltd were fined following pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity. following. I first saw Gavin’s work on Facebook, are allowed to shoot 3 birds per year! I feel that pollution of the Gayton Brook, Staffordshire, In addition, B&M Elkin & Sons Ltd had and “liked” them in both senses of the word. the only way to restore any sort of balance on where 3000 fish perished. voluntarily paid £1,000 to the local wildlife When I approached him for permission to use many of our rivers is to remove protection from trust and had spent over £20,000 in one of his images, he was very happy to help, these invasive birds, and put them on the improvements and remediation at their site. and so we have a bright and vigorous image to general licence, along with wood pigeon and The Environment Agency Officer leading the see us into the new season. other pests. This would allow river keepers and investigation said: If you would like to see more of Gavin’s work, other responsible people to control the These were entirely preventable serious go to https://www.gavinerwin.co.za . He works cormorant threat locally, using whatever incidents, which led to pollution of farmland in acrylics and pastels, and uses felt-tip pens methods, lethal and non-lethal, that would and watercourses in the area, resulting in the for some of his colourful images, and much of properly protect vulnerable fisheries. Our death of thousands of fish. The fact that the his work is available as prints. national policies so far have not made any first incident was subsequently repeated gave meaningful impact on the problem. Let’s push Periodic trough us little choice but to pursue a prosecution. our national representatives to agitate for more ” I hope this case sends a strong message to Spring has sprung down here in Wiltshire, flexibility, and start the process of changing the farming industry that their activities have and our grayling started spawning in mid perceptions about these destructive birds . March – early for us, but not unusually so. On Pollution at Gayton Brook the potential for serious environmental the Wylye we seem to have hit one of those Committee and Area 6/7 changes In a prosecution brought by the E nvironment impacts, and we take action when necessary. If farmers need help understanding the periodic troughs in the grayling population. My Members who read the Newsletter – all of you, Agency, B&M Elkin & Son Ltd (the Company) of regulations that apply to them, the own club’s catches are down and I hear the I’m sure – will have seen that I plan to stand Hall Farm, Hilderstone, Staffordshire pleaded Environment Agency are available to help and same thing from other anglers and clubs, down as Editor this year. This isn’t farewell – I guilty to three charges of breaching can give advice on how to prevent farm including those who electro fish and make will be around for a while yet, hopefully environmental regulations following two pollution, just give us a call on 03708 506 506. serious population counts. It looks as if the 2+ inducting my replacement into the role. pollution incidents and failing to provide and 3+ cohorts are very under-represented; I still enjoy the task of publishing the adequate effluent storage. these are the 8 to 14 inch fish that are the Society’s Journal, Newsletter and Grayling The first incident occurred in Sept 2015 “bread and butter” of much grayling fishing Anglers’ Guide, and must take this opportunity following a report of farm effluent discharging AGM & Symposium 2019 down here – lively and colourful, and much to sincerely thank all those who contribute and to the Gayton Brook, Milwich for several days. appreciated. make it all possible. Without our members Investigators discovered that farm slurry had Booking Form These fish would have been spawned in the support, their articles, stories and photographs, escaped from a gap in the storage pit. The springs of 2014 and 2015; both years had high we would have no publications, and I confidently incident caused effluent to run across the farm is at the back of this issue spring flows, especially 2014, which would have expect that the contributions will continue to and into the brook, which was found to be seriously affected fry survival. This year the flow, whoever is the lucky Editor. green/brown in colour with a white foam, with Book today! river is at a healthy level with good steady Other changes at the Society include a new a foul odour present. Approximately 3000 fish NB. No b ookings can be flows. I hope that those fine grayling busily General Secretary, John Walker, and he will were killed in this incident. spawning last month meet with greater introduce himself later in this edition. Areas 6 A second incident occurred on 30 June 2016, re ceived after when effluent entered Wheatlow Brook, which Copy deadline for the Autmn issue is and 7 have been combined as Area 6, and Glyn 21st September Williams will be the new Area Secretary. was found to be brown and frothy in July 15th 2019 He will also introduce himself in this edition. appearance.

2 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 3 John Brennand 193 4-2 01 8 Symposium 2 01 9– The Fishing and served until 2013. During his presidency he also became a trustee of the Grayling Rod Calbrade Research Trust so helping to maintain the close bond which has always existed between the Trust and the Society. John was a proud Yorkshire man born in Bradford but spending much of his early years in Leeds. Having studied English, History and Latin to A level he won a scholarship to King’s College London to study medicine! Here he met Liz to whom he was happily married for more than fifty years. He qualified in 1959 with John was a very early member of the Grayling an ambition to become a GP in Yorkshire but Society, a close friend and fishing companion after a six month spell as a house surgeon in of Reg Righyni. He fished for grayling, largely the ENT department at King’s he pursued a by trotting in Scotland and the North and by career as an ENT surgeon. Liz and John’s fly fishing in the South where he often fished daughter, Janet was born in 1965. He was with his friend the late Ken Bramer.When appointed to his consultant post in Perth in trotting he developed considerable skill in the 1968 and when asked why he had chosen Wallis cast. From Reg he contracted what he Perth in particular he replied that he knew called a disease, the collection of grayling that the fishing would be good! His expertise Robin Mulholland on the River Wye at Abernant rivers, rivers in which he had caught at least took him to Dundee and to cottage hospitals in one grayling. This started with main rivers and Crieff, Blairgowrie and Pitlochry all of which We last fished in this Area in 2012 and at dressing the important patterns and, to my extended to tributaries and tributaries of have a fishy ring to them. His house in Brompto n that Symposium the then Area 4 Secretary great delight, a selection of poems relevant to tributaries. The excitement of not knowing Terrace in Perth was ideally situated for short Roger Smith launched his book “Flyfishing borderland Streams.”. It is published by Coch- what was around the next corner or in the visits to the Tay when the tide was right. the Welsh Borderlands”. It is an excellent y-Bonddu Books and, as usual, Paul Morgan next valley appealed to him as I expect also John shared many common interests with read and has all the information you could will have stand at the Symposium, although did the research needed to identify target Liz, music, culture and in particular the want for fishing the Welsh border rivers from you may want to buy a copy beforehand to streams and their owners. He accepted that a outdoors both being very keen birdwatchers. the Dee in the North to the Usk and Wye in come well armed for the fishing part of the lot of research would sometimes only lead to a Liz and Janet both gave up fishing at an early the South. Naturally, a large part of the book visit. As many of you know Paul runs an small grayling from a small stream but that stage. Janet told me that she gave up after covers the area around Llandod and, as Louis excellent on-line operation: was sufficient to satisfy him and sometimes he catching a salmon on the Spey because she did Noble says in the foreword, “Nothing has wwwe.anglebooks.com although a visit to the had a surprise! His list of rivers was published, not wish there to be any element of been omitted – we see a wide array of books shop is Machynlleth is well worth it. alongside an article which he wrote in a competition in the family! Janet is now a which hold valuable information on the The rivers we'll be fishing are mainly the Grayling Society publication “A Grayling Consultant Obstetrician in Glasgow married to region, the fishing, Wye, Irfon and Ithon plus some rods on the Anglers Guide” in 2013. Since that time he an Icelander who is a salmon fisherman so she and fly dressing Arrow and Lugg with much of the water added 3 rivers in Great Britain, Eas Gobhain (a may well take it up again. John took a great characters, a truly under the control of the Wye and Usk Teith tributary), Alan Water (a Forth tributary). interest in current affairs and was a prolific impressive Foundation The Calder (a Ribble tributary), 2 rivers in writer of letters to The Times. He even collection of The River Wye Denmark, the Skjern and the Guden and 1 in achieved publication in the “bottom right” of pertinent fly the Czech Republic, the Trnava. This produced the letters page which prompted a patterns and Rising on the slopes of Pumlumon at a grand total of 160 rivers, which is a mischievous smile. historical notes on Plynlimon in the Cambrian Mountains, the remarkable number. Those of us who were privileged to have the region’s River Wye (Afon Gwy in Welsh) flows for known him will remember him as a modest fishing. As if that approximately 152 miles in a generally south His Presidency and unassuming man, always fair and wasn’t enough we easterly direction. It is the fifth longest river He was an active society member, regularly incredibly polite, a very generous man who have been given a in the UK passing through Builth Wells, Hay- attending symposiums and taking part in always wanted the best for people. It was a list of flyfishing on-Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and discussion, always thoughtful and calm and great pleasure to have known him; he was in opportunities, Monmouth, before joining the Severn Estuary always kind. John became president in 2009 every sense a gentleman . Robin Mulholland materials for at Chepstow. 4 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 5 The river is host an array of wildlife and is Steve’s fly patch both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for most of its length. The Wye’s main tributaries include (in a downstream order) the Elan, Ithon, Irfon, Lugg and Monnow. The Wye was voted the nation’s favourite river in 2010. However, like most rivers in the UK, it has faced an increasing array of issues and threats in recent years. Extensive work has been carried out by the Foundation and its partners to tackle these. The River Irfon Foundation website for reports on catches The River Irfon flows from the slopes of and successful methods and, as it goes back Bryn Garw in the Cambrian mountains, quite a few years, it will help in planning through the Abergwesyn Valley, past Nant your trip and telling you what you may Irfon National Nature Reserve, and down to expect, in terms of tactics and fly selection. Llanwrtyd Wells before joining the River Wye If you need to get in touch with him he can at Buith Wells. be contacted on 07825 410800 or at his Source: Wye and Usk Foundation website:www.wyevalleyflyfishing.com Oliver Burch, a local Angling Trust game angling coach and a Wye and Usk Foundation W.U.F fishing Passport Scheme recommended guide, has written a good This well known and excellent service has 200 piece on tackling these waters which will be plus waters to fish on a day ticket basis which Court of Noke in the mist in the next issue of “Grayling”. Also, you can can be contacted at the W.U.F. website or on follow his excellent monthly “Trout and 01874 711714 if you are planning to organize Grayling Report” on the Wye and Usk some fishing before or after the Symposium.

River Arrow 2lbs 4oz Grayling River Irfon Grayling

River Arrow Old flies good as ever - GSB and Sturdy's Fancy Trotting on the Irfon 6 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 7 angler to carry the net and fish back). Then, others on the bank that day were that the obviously, the fish was removed from the net controller should observe and confirm that a The Chairman’s Views measured and returned. On two occasions, fish had been brought to the net and Rob Hartley we timed from the net first being lifted from released. No attempt made to measure, the water to the fish being returned. On both purely to record the number caught. occasions, the fish was out of the water for To repeat, this isn’t a criticism of competition Firstly, this is no way intended to be a river, unhooking the fish whilst in the water over 80 seconds. fly-fishing, however, it is a criticism of the criticism of competition fishing per se. Most at my side. The net has made, I think, an If the authors of the report were methods used to record. On the photograph of us know that improvements in our improvement in reducing any trauma to the recommending that the Grayling should not accompanying this, I have obscured the faces techniques, flies and tackle have largely fish (other than the fairly obvious trauma of be out of the water for more than 10 seconds, of the angler and the controller. I gave come through competition anglers. Whilst I being hooked in the first place). it really does seem appropriate those considerable thought as to whether I should have never entered a fly-fishing competition, As it happened, the weekend after seeing organising these fishing competitions need to submit the photograph but when you see the as the saying goes, some of my best friends the report, myself and two other society reassess how to measure success of the width of the river, you can understand why have! Before anyone comments, I also realise members went to one of the largest fishing angler. If it is taken as read that competitions the fish is out of the water for the length of I am probably not good enough anyway! competitions held in the UK. Grayling were should continue, the thoughts of the three time it was. When Rod Calbrade, as the editor of this the target species and in previous years, over journal, first stated he would no longer This is a reminder about the online membership system that we publish photographs of anglers lifting the have adopted. Please read it carefully if you have not yet switched. dorsal fin, it provoked some adverse comments. MEMBERSHIP SYSTEM Then Bob, the Dear Members, current editor, In line with most other Angling and Conservation requirements to comply with new Data Protection recently added that organisations, we are in the process of putting our laws, guaranteeing you control and security over your he was unhappy Membership database online. This will make personal data. Most of you have successfully with the out of administration and re-joining far easier for you and switched from our old system to the new on-line one, water photographs the Society, as well as keeping us in line with but there are still some who have not. used. In November The switchover took place in December 2018 and if you have NOT made of last year, I was forwarded a the switch, we will need you to take the following action: published paper on a. Your current standing order at your bank for the Grayling f. Every year we will send you an email asking you to confirm the effects of Society needs to be cancelled by you. We cannot do this for you. your details to “LoveAdmin.com.” and stating that on January 1st you will be debited your membership fee. holding Grayling out b. We need your email address, as this will be your username of the water at for the membership system. g. You will get notification from GoCardless that the Grayling Society well take funds. You are given a grace period if you different air temperatures. I understand that 1600 Grayling were caught by various teams. c. There is a guide on logging in to the system for the first wish to cancel. this paper is to be reviewed more fully by one For those of you unfamiliar, as I was, with time in the news section of the website. of the Grayling research trust but, from a how the recording system works, each angler * If you have problems setting up a password for the first h. You can also set up a Direct Debit through Paypal, but the time and it says “Invalid Username or password” then the money is taken immediately we issue renewals. non-scientific point of view the basic or pair of anglers has a controller on the Society hasn’t got the correct email address for you. It really is as simple as that. message was keep the fish in the water as bank, who measures and records each catch. Contact the Membership Secretary to fix this. much as possible. I, like many of you, have The measurement is done using a section of d. Ideally we would prefer you set up a Direct Debit with the Paypal payments will appear on you statement as Payhere Ltd. been attempting to practice this more and rain guttering with a scale in centimetres. On Society as this again makes our administrative job much Direct Debits will appear as Gocardless Grayling Society – more in recent years. I purchased one of the day we visited the competition, we saw easier. You can also use credit or debit cards via Paypal, unfortunately many banks only display 10 characters on the those rubberised nets at the British Fly fair the teams fishing in mid water. Upon hooking though this is more expensive for the Society. However, if you statements, you often can see more if you look online. don’t wish to use any of these methods please just send a last year, as I have not always been happy a Grayling, they were netted (all using the cheque to the Membership Secretary. If you have any queries either contact your with the more traditional net in terms of traditional style of coarse netting Area Secretary or the Membership Secretary, damage to the protective slime and scales on incidentally) and then the angler waded to If you struggle with computing... Tim Taylor, email: Grayling. In the past, I either used Steve the bank to have it measured. Most times we e. If you struggle with computing please call the Membership [email protected] Skuce’s suggestion of unhooking underwater observed this, the net was held out of the Secretary; he can set up a Direct Debit for you, you just need your Account number, Name and Sort Code. or phone him on 02072543704 using the rod tip or, when standing in the water (presumably to make it easier for the 8 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 9 Midges and Grayling Dave Southall

Most flyfishers’ picture of a larval Chironomid is the Bloodworm, but in most species the larval colour is not red, but may vary from yellowish through to green. The red Bloodworms are mostly associated with relatively polluted rivers (where organic pollution reduces dissolved oxygen levels) Size 28 Wire & UV Resin Buzzer Pupa Size 30 Minimalistic Micro Midges and where there is anaerobic sediment at the bottom of lakes. The haemoglobin in their I have caught plenty of grayling on tiny Midge patterns). Thus started one of my best blood helps to extract oxygen from these Buzzer pupae, including several over 2lb, ever dry fly sessions for grayling. We steadily oxygen-poor environments. On one topped by one from Driffield Beck of 2lb 10oz picked off risers all day. Fly size proved to be Derbyshire river that I know one of the that refused an array of bigger flies, but important and I soon found out that a size 30 readily took a size 26 Black Buzzer pupa. (Minimalistic Micro Midge or Shuttlecock) Grayling stomach contents from below grayling hotspots is just below a sewage a sewage outfall (photo by Stuart Crofts) outfall where there are plenty of Bloodworms Many have been caught from my local would out-fish my usual size 24. (see Stuart Crofts’ photo). I must confess that stocked rainbow lake, Wansford Lake, a U When fishing such tiny flies I generally use Grayling love tiny, abundant food items. I’ve the only larval imitation that I use for shaped settling pond for the local trout farm long, soft actioned, light line rods (a 10’ 2 mentioned Aphids in an earlier article, but grayling is a red one, a variation on a pattern which is fed from the Driffield Canal, a part weight Sunray Volition, a 10’ 6” to 12’ Esoteric Chironomid Midges, in their larval, pupal and shown to me by Brian Clarke. The larvae feed of the local chalk stream system. The lake 2/3 weight 1 in 4 Nymph rod or a 10’ 6” to 11’ adult stages, can also generate intense, on organic detritus, algae, fungi and bacteria has a distinct flow and holds a small 6” Sunray ZERO) teamed up with a 1 weight, 0 preoccupied feeding. At such times fly size on and near the lake and riverbed. Large population of resident grayling that grow to weight or Micro Nymph line and a 12 to 14’ can be critical to consistent success, as can larval populations are found where the over 2lb. The primary food source in the lake leader made up of a 7’ taper cut from the the need for perfect presentation. sediments are rich in organic matter which is is Chironomids due to the accumulated silt butt of an Essential Fly 12’ 6x copolymer Whilst Chironomid imitations are standard broken down to methane gas by decomposer that covers the bed of most of the lake. When leader (tapering from 0.43mm to about fare for Stillwater fly fishers and on some organisms: this results in high populations of the water is clear it is possible to sight fish 0.2mm) with a small perfection loop at the USA tail-water rivers, few river fly fishers in methane-eating bacteria, food for the for the grayling which much of the time, like end to which I attach 5 to 7’ of tippet (0.10 or the UK seem to consider their use, yet both Bloodworms. Bloodworms have accounted for the rainbows, become totally preoccupied 0.09mm diameter). If I’m fishing subsurface trout and grayling regularly feed on larval, a few of my grayling including a couple of with feeding on tiny midge pupae. At such and I can’t see the fish I attach a greased pupal and adult stages. In fact the declining fish of well over 2lb. times a size 24 or smaller Buzzer pupa is the semi-curly bicoloured indicator between the water quality of many of our trout best way to tempt them. tapered section and tippet or I apply a and grayling rivers is resulting in Grayling caught on a size 20 Bloodworm My favourite way of fly-fishing is with dry coating of fluorescent wax to the end of the dramatic decline in Ephemerid flies and there are frequent occasions on leader taper. (Upwing) fly populations and a some of the waters that I fish when the Buying suitable tiny hooks is a big problem. corresponding increase in the grayling get preoccupied on adult Midges. Some midge hooks are too thin in the wire to numbers of Chironomids. There are I experienced just such a day in late cope with decent fish, some are too narrow in over 400 UK species of Chironomid November 2018 on an industrial river in the gape, whilst many have eyes that are too (non-biting Midge) and whilst some Yorkshire. It was a dull, damp day with the small to easily thread through the tippet. My are as big as 13mm long, most are maximum temperature a cool 6 degrees C. favourite hooks are Gamakatsu C12-BM only 1 to 5mm long. Colour is very On arrival the river looked grey and (barbless, big eye, continuous curved hooks variable, ranging through black, grey, uninviting but then I saw a single riser on a available in sizes 26 to 30 from the USA) and red, orange, yellow, olive and green. slow, shallow glide which lifted my spirits. A Tiemco 2488s (micro-barbed, straight-eyed There are four life stages; egg, larva, close inspection of the water indicated that grub hooks now only available in sizes down pupa and adult, the first three being there were a few microscopic Midge adults to 26 and only from the USA in sizes below aquatic. Virtually every fresh water trapped on the surface by the chill air and a 20). I have found the following useful small supports Midges, from the humblest few more risers were seen. My two friends hooks to be available in the UK: Daiichi ditch to heavily polluted rivers and and I needed no more invitation than this to 1110/Orvis Big Eye Dry Fly (identical straight from small puddles to vast lakes. set up with tiny dry flies (Size 24 to 30 CdC eye, big eye, hooks with a micro-barb and 10 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 11 quite a narrow gap available down to size 26 resin, whilst from size 26 to 30 I just use which have the same shank length as the coloured 0.09mm wire coated with UV resin. Committee and Area 6/7 changes size 24 Tiemco 2488s), also Daiichi 1120 My usual Bloodworm is tied on a Tiemco (heavy wire, barbed, grub hook available 2488 or Tiemco 260BL size 20 hook with a Approval was given at the committee meeting on 20 January to implement the following down to size 22) and Daiichi 1130 (light wire, black or red 1.5mm tungsten bead-head, red changes: barbed grub hook available down to size 24). holographic tinsel on the hook shank (coated As Barrie Davidson retired from the role of Area 7 Secretary at the end of December 2018 the My micro-dry flies are all simple CdC with UV resin) and a ‘tail’ of half thickness committee agreed to integrate Area 7 into Area 6 and Glyn Williams will take up the role of patterns (Minimalistic Micro Midge, IOBO red Flexifloss. Area 6 Secretary. Humpy, Shuttlecock and F Fly). I rarely find Good, drag-free presentation is the biggest Rod Calbrade will retire as General Secretary but take up a new role as Symposium visibility to be a problem because I usually problem with tiny flies and this is facilitated Coordinator, a job that is becoming more demanding as the Society grows. John Walker will fish at short range and with accurate casting by the use of long, thin, flexible copolymer take over as General Secretary. I know where my fly will land. Furthermore, I tippet, plus where necessary appropriate tie them with natural Mallard CdC which is slack line casts. When dry-fly fishing, when fairly dark: when treated with Roman Moser possible, I prefer a down and across approach Miracle Float gel it silhouettes well against a rather than casting upstream. I find it far light background and when treated with easier to avoid drag when fishing down and hydrophobic, fumed silica powder it shows across by using a slack line cast and tracking up well against dark backgrounds. If I have of the rod downstream to extend the drift; any real problem with seeing my fly I have a furthermore the fish then see the fly before few flies tied with fluorescent orange and the tippet and I find I get a higher hook-up pink CdC. rate when fishing with the flow. My Micro Buzzer pupae are tied with a If you haven’t given micro-flies and black 1.5mm tungsten bead for sizes 20 to 24 particularly Midges a try do give them a go with either a body of 0.09mm colored wires when the situation is appropriate. I think that or stripped peacock quill coated with UV you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

John Walker General Secretary Glyn Williams Area 6 Secretary With time to spare I wanted to get more I first joined the Society back in the 1980’s involved with the things that matter to me - and at that time enjoyed the Welsh Dee fishing, environmental issues and immensely. I was brought up in North Wales conservation. and spent many years of my working life I’ve always been impressed at how friendly there and whilst I now live in Worcestershire and professional the Grayling Society is, so I should, by the time you read this, be living was pleased to be able to get more involved in Denbighshire close to the Dee. as it fit perfectly with what’s important to me. I have been lucky to have fished in many As Area 6 Secretary I met several fellow Countries both in fresh and saltwater but members, made new friends, and became re- now, in retirement, I will concentrate on acquainted with a few old ones. It was game fish. Like many of you who read this, always a joy to share experiences, tips and grayling are a particular favourite of mine tales during our days out and fish alongside and I never tire of fishing for them and likeminded people. enjoying the places they take me to. I’m moving on to take up the role of I look forward to contributing to the General Secretary and handing Area 6 over activities of the Society as Area 6 Secretary to Glyn Williams, who I know will excel, but and to meeting faces old and new. I have two I’ll still look forward to seeing friends and stalwart members to assist me, if needed, in fellow members during Area 6 events. John Walker and Louis Noble, and look forward to meeting many of you on stream Angle with poise during our arranged events. John Tight lines. Glyn 12 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 13 ALSAKA REVISTED

George Ashton

Bay beside Chulitna Lodge

The lodge is built in a sheltered bay on the The staff at the lodge, were really friendly, shore of Lake Clark. We slept in rustic but nothing was too much trouble. Our group comfortable log cabins and there was a much and the lodge staff sat down to eat together larger communal cabin. It contained kitchen each evening, a great way to get to know and dining area where we ate our meals and each other. I would not hesitate to socialised of an evening. recommend the lodge to anyone, to go fishing Amazing Grayling fishing in a very special flight to Port Alsworth in the Lake Clark The food was great and there was plenty of or as a wilderness retreat. place, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska National Park. The scenery was stunning it. It was first class wholesome food, like During our 6 day stay at the lodge our main In August 2018 I returned to Alaska to fish with an active volcano, snow capped roast beef, roast chicken and a beef pie focus was fishing for arctic grayling. We for Arctic Grayling in the Lake Clark Nation mountains, glaciers, forests, rivers and the served with fresh vegetables and salad and fished the streams and creeks that ran into Park. This article is a follow up on the article 45-mile long Lake Clark. After landing we lovely deserts (amazing brownies and peach Lake Clark, the Tazimina River and the very that was published in the 2016 winter of were transported by boat the 7 miles cobbler). The chef even made us Yorkshire special Secret River. edition of “Grayling” (p 37). across Lake Clark to the Chulitna Lodge. pudding, to make us feel at home. I can be a We spent a day travelling around Lake Clark Five of us travelled from the UK to Alaska. This was to be our base for the next 6 days. bit fussy about what I eat but the chef looked by boat, fishing a number of rivers and creeks In our group there was Dave Martin, an The lodge is located in totally unspoilt after my needs really well. If you liked where they entered the lake. We caught lots experienced fishing guide, who has made wilderness. salmon it was always available (it is netted of small to medium sized grayling for the several trips to Alaska, Roger Day, from the lake outside the lodge) as an mouths of creeks you could jump across. At who worked with Dave as a fly addition to what else was on the dinner menu. one creek three of us caught continuously for fishing guide on the Test and the Itchen; Bob Perrett and Ian Whyte from Scotland, both experienced and well travelled anglers (Bob and I travelled to Alaska together in 2016) and me (George Ashton). We all met in Reykjavik (Iceland) after flying in from various UK airports and from there travelled to Anchorage together. We spent a night in Anchorage and flew out the next morning on a one-hour – Chulitna Lodge Float plane at Chulitna Lodge 14 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 15 bottom of a long run. They both reported catching several grayling already on nymphs. The river was a bit wider and shallower and the wading was much easier. We spread out and started fishing various methods. I fished 2 size 14 tungsten pheasant tail nymphs under an indicator and was very quickly into several grayling. Dave fished a black foam dry (hawthorn) and was catching several fish. Roger fished more conventional dries and also started to catch well. The grayling ranged in size from about a 1½ lb to 2¼ lb with the average being just under 2lb. The grayling fishing was amazing, how could a river possibly support so many large fish? The arctic grayling are even more beautiful than the grayling at home, with larger more colourful dorsal fins with both red and blue with a red fringe and striped pelvic fins and Getting ready to go to the Tazamina River often a blue sheen to the tail. Their mouths are larger and more centrally placed allowing a couple hours with grayling up to 18” a shallow draft and flat bottom so they can them to be more predatory and aggressive landed. We fishing nymphs, under an motor up very shallow rivers. George with his first wild rainbow from the Tasimina River feeders. indicator and let the flow of the stream carry On a number of days we fished the Secret Dave shouted over to me that it was “time grayling came up and took the mouse first our nymphs out into the lake. The lake water River (the reason 3 of us had returned), we to try your mouse pattern”. I had some cast and I landed about 10 in the next half was a milky blue colour from glacial runoff were jet boated up the river to a tributary mouse patterns tied on size 6 hooks hour on the mouse. I wanted to see if using a and we fished where the clear water from the that was fed by a lake, the water was crystal especially to try and catch a grayling on a mouse would attract the bigger grayling but creeks mixed with the coloured lake water. clear. The main river was coloured by glacial mouse. I put on a mouse cast it across the even the smaller grayling took the mouse On another day we travelled a long way runoff being a sort of milky blue colour with river and let it swing causing a wake, a with great enthusiasm. down Lake Clark and into Six Mile Lake to less than 6” visibility. The river was high fish the Tazimina River. It took over 2 hours following a storm the week before we arrived. to get there in a fast boat. We fished plastic According to our guide Steve it was as high as beads (to represent salmon eggs) under a he had ever seen it. On our first visit Dave, bobber to catch the rainbows and grayling. I Roger and I were the first three anglers found fishing beads a rather cumbersome shuttled up to the clear water tributary. We way of fishing but it was effective. The bead asked to be dropped off at a part of the river fixed onto the line with a silicon wedge that Dave and I had fished before and the Jet boat jammed into the hole in the centre of the headed back to pick up Bob and Ian. The river bead with a bare hook about 2” below the was high and it was difficult to wade because bead. There rig is weighted with shot and a the flow was so powerful. The sockeye large ¾” float (bobber) attached fished over salmon were arriving in the river but had not depth. This was the first time some of us had started spawning so we used conventional fished using beads and it was the first time I flies rather than beads. We fished various had ever caught a wild rainbow trout. I felt a methods between us from dries to nymphs bit sorry for Steve Silber our guide and lodge and after an about an hour of fishing the jet director as he drove a jet boat down the lake boat passed us and carried on upstream. to take us up the river to fish. He set off an Dave had had a couple of grayling and Roger hour before us in the morning and got back and I were still blank. I could see grayling but an hour later than us that evening. Jet boats could not get them to take my nymphs. I am are needed to travel up the shallow fast not sure they were getting deep enough. rivers like the Tazimina and Secret Rivers to Steve came back with the jet boat and get anglers to the best fishing spots. Jet boat suggested we went further upstream. We motors have no propeller and the boats have passed Bob and Ian who were fishing the Alaskan steaming volcano

16 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 17 were keen to take the ant or nymph as it ourselves, there appears drifted down river but also took the ant if I to be very little angling held it back, letting it swing across the pressure. current creating a wake at the end of the drift. Of an evening after We fished all day and the grayling kept our dinner some of us coming, the amount of grayling caught was fished the lake in front staggering. They took flies ranging from a size of the lodge or walked 6 mouse to a size 16 mosquito and everything about 100 yards down in between, with bead-head nymphs the shoreline to where a appearing to be the biggest fish takers. I was stream entered the lake. pleased to catch a whitefish amongst the We caught mainly grayling. It looked a little like a sombre grayling at the stream coloured grayling without the big dorsal and mouth on nymphs with a very small under slung mouth. I had some good ones, over already caught some in the lake. 2lb and we also caught Some of us visited this stretch of the river on several whitefish also A fine Alaskan grayling three separate occasions and our catches up to about 2lb. remained amazing. I caught grayling up to Catching the whitefish in both the lake and one of the days they fished Funnel Creek and about 2¾ lb, Ian and Bob both reported the river surprised Steve the manager of the Moraine Creek They reported catching some catching fish in excess of 3lb. When we lodge, as he had never caught them there. I good rainbows around 3 to 4lb but that there discussed the fishing as a group that evening, think that we were able to catch them were lots of other anglers around and a good we all agreed that it was the best grayling because we used small nymphs, close to the number of bears. On their second fly out day fishing that any of our group had ever lake bed under an indicator. Steve would they fished the Rainbow River where they did Whitefish from the Secret River experienced. On our previous visits to the generally fish dry fly and if he did use a float trip in an inflatable raft, they again Everybody was catching lots of fish with Ian Secret River we had fished a different section nymph it would be something like a size 10 reported meeting lots of other fishing parties and Bob rods appearing to be bent into fish of the river. The number of fish we caught prince nymph. Dave also caught lake trout who appeared to be hogging the best fishing. every time I looked down river. Dave was was considerably less but the overall size of and grayling both spinning and nymph They were a bit disappointed as they experimenting with different flies and Roger the grayling was a little bigger. Steve our guide fishing from the lake shore. expected a fly out to take them to near virgin was fishing his favourite dries. I switched to who fishes the Secret River on a regular basis During our stay at the lodge Bob and Ian water and not see another soul, but they a Chernobyl ant with a size 14 bead head confirmed that there are less fish lower down had 2 fly out days where they were picked up encountered lots of other anglers. nymph suspended below it, as the catches on the river but that they are larger. On each of in the morning by a floatplane and returned The wildlife was really special; there was a the mouse had slowed a little. The grayling our visits to the secret river we had the river to to the lodge in the evening after fishing. On black bear that walked along the lake shore

Which colour this time? George and Roger on the Secret River Bear on Russian River 18 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 19 headed back after green body with pink spots and a white rather than fly tying and use their favourite fishing. It used it wings border around the fins. I also caught my first beads patterns when the different salmon to paddle to the bank ever sockeye salmon a male fish that took species are spawning. and just sat there the bead. It was an ugly brute, a hump What I will remember most of all about bedraggled as we sped backed, bright red fish with a green head and fishing the Russian River was the brown by. One of its parents lots of big nasty looking teeth. We both (grizzly) bear running down the river bank was overhead keeping a hooked and lost several more sockeyes, most towards me. With Dave saying we need to close eye on the of them foul hooked but some hooked youngster. I also saw an in the mouth. There was so many otter on the Secret sockeyes it was hard to avoid them River and Ian and Bob and we lost a number of rigs. saw beavers on the We spent a day fishing on the Kenia Tazimina River. River were we fished larger beads to Our 6 days at the represent king salmon eggs as they Chulitna Lodge went all were spawning in the main river at too quickly and we flew the time. We caught rainbows, dollies back to Anchorage to and a few chum salmon (the smallest start the next part of of the 5 pacific salmon species and our adventure. We another first for me). We spent part hired cars and drove of the day bank fishing from gravel Bull Moose swimming across Chulitna Bay while we ate breakfast the 2.5 hours to Cooper banks and some boat fishing as we while some of us were fishing the stream Landing on the Kenia River. With a view to drifted down the large river, with the drifting cross the river and get out of its way, we beat about 100yards from the lodge. One morning catching rainbows and dolly varden (a type of being far more productive than bank fishing. a hasty retreat and watched the bear from while we were eating breakfast a bull moose char) in the Kenia River and its tributaries, We spent 2 days fishing the Russian River behind cover on the other bank. It charged swam across the bay in front lodge, it swam the Russian River and Crystal Creek. While and all enjoyed good sport catching lots of around the pool for a while caught a salmon about 50 yards past the lodge. Came ashore driving alongside the ocean we spotted rainbows and dollies up to 5lb. The method and headed off into the woods. It was not in shook itself off and walked into the woods. several pods of Beluga Whales, we stopped we used was beads under a bobber but with the slightest bit interested in us. On the same Steve took us to see a bald eagles nest in a and watched them swimming close to the only limited amounts or no shot as the river morning a female moose walked within feet tree on one of the islands in the lake. We got shore. That evening Dave and I fished a was shallow, fast and rocky. The sockeyes of me as I was stood fishing on the edge of a great view of a fledgling eagle. On another couple of hours on Crystal Creek, we used were spawning and the rainbows and dollies the river. It had crossed the river just occasion a young bald eagle somehow beads under an indicator and we caught were waiting for any eggs that drifted downstream of where Dave was fishing and managed to crash land in the middle of the some small rainbows and dolly varden (a first downstream from the redds. I was foul walked upstream passed me on the bank. Secret River just in front of the jet boat as we for me). Dollies are beautiful fish with a hooking so many Salmon and loosing so There were lots of bears on the Russian River much tackle that I went to a 10lb leader and and we all experienced seeing bears at close promptly broke a rod trying to land one. quarters. It is just an amazing sight, watching From then on I hand lined in any salmon in bears catching salmon. but was still losing lots of beads and hooks. If anybody would like more information The salmon made fishing difficult but about our fishing adventure in Alaska please without the salmon the other species would don’t hesitate to contact me. My mobile not be there. The rainbows, dollies and number is: 07884045637 my landline is 0151 grayling( if present) eat the salmon eggs, then 548 5741 and my email address is: eat the salmon flesh after they have died and [email protected] their bodies break up and then the smolts as I am hoping to return to Alaska in 2020 to they run down to the sea. revisit the Chulitna Lodge to fish for arctic Bead fishing is an art in Alaska with the grayling and then to return to the Kenia river local anglers having their own favourite and tributaries to fish for rainbows and dolly colours and variations. The beads are varden. If you would like to experience your available in a range of colours and sizes to own Alaskan fishing adventure please get in suit the different species of salmon eggs. touch. They are available, plain, mottled, with or Some of our group are planning to return to without blood spots. A number of Alaskan Alaska in 2020; would you be interested in View across the lake from Chulitna Lodge anglers colour their own beads in the winter joining us?

20 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 21 A Wonderful Day on the Frome with Mr John Bailey

It all started on 25th December 2018 when were surprised to see me, and even more now drizzling environment. John’s brief for my wife handed me an A4 envelope. My surprised to get a walk at 4:40 am as they are the day was to show us where to fish not heart sank, divorce papers, surely not? It usually walked at 5:15 am. If looks could kill - how to fish. He has probably caught more 3 happens you know during the Christmas how dare I deprive them of 35 minutes sleep! lb plus grayling than any other UK fisherman period, due to the stress of it all apparently, and he knew the Frome intimately. There is To Dorset I’ve read about it. Had I spend too much time nothing worse than searching a river for fish on the river bank….Yes. Am I always surfing I set the sat nav and at 5:00 am headed for with such limited time so to have the man ‘in the web for the next angling gadget….Yes. Do Dorset from my home in Ashridge, the know’ as our guide was invaluable. I clutter the house with fishing gear that Berkhamsted. After an uneventful drive I John had a plan, firstly we would walk (and could fill a small tackle shop….Yes. Did I arrived at the designated meeting place at fish where possible) the small carrier stream leave the bathroom windows unpainted for 3 7:30 am, the ECO lodge on the banks of the and then head to the main river. So that it years as I had better things to do (we all Frome. For those that know me they will tell what we did. We clambered over a couple of know what that was)….Yes. Do I go Salmon you I am always early, one hour early this gates and then walked parallel with the fishing a couple of times a year.…Yes. Do I time. I assumed I would have to wait for any carrier, which was no more than 20 ft wide, fish for Barbel when not game fishing….Yes. other lucky fisherman and our host to arrive narrower in places. Is it too late to change my ways…..probably. but the door to the lodge was ajar and a If I am honest, this was right up my street, Would my wife want it any other way, me bleary eyed Mr Bailey appeared. You’re early, as they say. I just love fishing small, intimate moping around the house… Definitely not. he said. Really sorry just a little excited so did rivers. The three of us chatted as we walked I slowly opened the envelope and to my joy not want to be late, I replied. He beckoned and one of us occasionally and purposefully it was not what I had though, in fact the me in and we started to chat and chat we plunged down the bank into the river to cast somewhat partial to a floating insect, has complete opposite. It was a gift voucher for a did. In fact it was like meeting an old pal you a line when a deep, fishy looking hole snaffled the dry fly. Oh well, I’ll take the day’s grayling fishing on the Ilsington beat on haven’t spoken to or seen for ages. He was appeared. I came across one such place and rough with the smooth every now and then. the river Frome with the most famous of personable, knowledgeable, humble and scrambled down the 6 ft bank into 15 inches I cast upstream several times but nothing. anglers, John Bailey, arranged for the 18th good-humoured {even at this hour of the of water. Upstream of me was the fish John then spotted another car arrive about February 2019. How emotions can change so day). We swapped fishing tales, whilst holding spot, I was sure of it. Deep, slow to 500 yards away at the lodge. He set off to quickly, in this case for the better. laughing and reminiscing and after about 30 begin with but then the river narrowed and investigate, just in case another lucky angler I thanked my most wonderful and thoughtful minutes a second fisherman arrived. I could became shallower, which is where I had received such a gift as me. I continued to wife for such an amazing gift and then have talked to John all day but I was here to positioned myself. cast, a little further upstream, a little to the impatiently waited for the 18th to arrive. fish. The voucher did state up to four left, a little to the right searching for signs of Set up Arrive it did (eventually) and at 4:15 am fishermen could be attending the day’s life. I crept forward, like a heron stalking I awoke to the sound of the alarm. The dogs experience. Shortly afterwards the rain also My set up was a 10ft hardy Zenith #4 weight its prey, to cover more water and as the dry arrived, or should I say rod, Rio In-touch LT #4 line (my favourite fly fly bobbed and twisted on the surface of the monsoon, I did not see that line as it makes me look more proficient a water it vanished. I lifted the rod and felt a coming, although was caster than I really am), a 9ft 4 lb tapered heavy resistance, which began to move. I had prepared for it (remember leader which in turn was attached to a size not hooked a log or the bottom. My heart was that I did say I had amassed a 12 hi-viz Klinkhammer. Under this (on the pounding; this was no little ‘un. The rod top small tackle shop’s worth of bend of the hook) was tied a 4ft length of 5lb flexed as my opponent tried to find gear and today it filled the Fulling mill fluorocarbon, with a size 14 gold sanctuary. It must have been 4 minutes until boot of my Range Rover). head red tag nymph at the business end. I saw a silver/grey flash as a fish battled to We must have waited at I love klink and dink (duo) style fishing. free itself. It looked big. I started to talk to least 40 minutes for the There is something about staring at the dry myself (we all do it, don’t we?), please stay deluge to subside, time that fly as it meanders its way downstream in the on, Paul if you lose this you’re an idiot, you was eating into my fishing. I current towards you, longing for it to did not come all this way not to catch, and was growing impatient but disappear, knowing that the nymph is other such mumblings, some of which cannot finally we all decided (with a dragging bottom where the grayling shelter. be published , if you know what I mean. little coercion from me) to Using this technique on other rivers, The fish began to tire but somehow it leave the warmth and dry sometimes a pair of lips have appeared from managed to find its way parallel with me in lodge and venture into the below and an out of season trout, feeling the fast, shallow water and then… disaster! It

22 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 23 swam downstream passed me, but remained with the expectation of a monster fish. I cast Area 10 Fishing Day, November 2018 attached fortunately. I steered it in the a little further out in the main current and current towards my bank but the water was the fly once again vanished. I leisurely lifted fast. I reeled in excess line and made a lunge the rod but this time it was met with a solid at the fish hanging in the rapids. This was my resistance. John jumped to his feet – “This is one and only chance. Mercifully and very it!” he bellowed. The fish fought doggedly for luckily it went in the scoop net but only just. about 8 minutes, we did not see it as it bore I had done it, a large, beautiful grayling was deep in to the weeds. John was bouncing my prize. The fishing gods were on my side around in an over-exited manner, ready to with this one. If I were to estimate the phone the worlds angling media with the weight of the fish then 2.5lb would be about news of a record grayling. No pressure on me right but who really cares. It was a fine then. I was gaining ground slowly and then specimen, 21 inches in length, unmarked, saw a sliver flash. Could this be it, if only, fish possibly uncaught, it did not need an number. of a life time. The fish came closer, closer I took a couple of photos, with John still still, “It’s a flippin’ trout!”, I said. We both absent and returned it from whence it came. looked at each other, I am not sure who was I walked back to where I was initially more disappointed, John I think. After landing standing when I hooked the fish and recast the ‘imposter’ we estimated it to be around to the exact same spot. The dry fly the 5lb mark, so not a bad fish at all, it was Whitewell Fishing Association’s Water on the River Hodder disappeared again, thump, thump, gone. just not a record grayling. “Bugger!” I shouted, at which point I could We headed back to the lodge, said our hear voices; fortunately these were not in my goodbyes and before I knew it I was back on We were blessed with fine conditions on our The WFA have been in existence from the head, it was John and two fisherman. I the road, this time homeward bound. Area 10 fishing day at the back end of early 1900’s and have a splendid rod room at November last year. The river was low and the Inn. This is where the committee has its crawled up the bank with a huge smile and My biggest grayling smug look on my face. “No way!”, John yells. clear, with the weather mild enough for a meetings. The walls display old photos of big Yes way. I showed him the photo’s and we Summing up the day, I caught five fish, one hatch of midge and an occasional LDO in the catches of trout and salmon from the early high fived, I told you he was personable. I of which was my biggest grayling, met John early afternoon. Ten stalwarts from all years of the last century. There are framed think John was more excited that me. In fact Bailey, fished the Frome (not done any of corners of Area 10, from Keswick to Southport, classic salmon flies and greenheart and cane his reaction took me by surprise; he was those before) and fished with two other gravitated to The Inn at Whitewell, in the rods adding to the piscatorial atmosphere. genuinely chuffed and did not hold back in anglers who were as keen as me. The beautiful Trough of Bowland for early The good news is that everyone caught showing it. weather was not kind; windy, rainy but not morning bacon butties and hot coffee. There grayling on the day! The fish came mainly to too cold, it was February after all. we met up with Dave Jones, fellow GS bead head nymphs but some of us were Main river A day to remember - hell yes! member and Whitewell Fishing Association fortunate to find some rising fish. The total We moved on to the main river, deeper, I must thank Fishing Breaks for this committee member to sort out our beats for catch return was 47 grayling – biggest around wider, slower and carrying more colour. The experience but mostly John Bailey. What a the day. wind was a pain and casting was difficult. I lovely man. I would not have cared (too Thanks to the managed 2 small grayling and one about 1lb much) if I had not caught, John’s company generosity of the before lunch, with the other two fishermen made the day what it was, thank you John, oh committee and the catching one grayling each and losing one yes and thank you, my special wife, Susan, members of the each also. I believe they both had good fish, patience of a saint, a heart of gold and so Whitewell Fishing well over 2 lb. very generous. Association, we had After lunch we headed upstream, one of the Wonder what she will buy me next year access to all of their anglers departed for the day so the three of ……here’s hoping…..and maybe another waters. There is a us made our way to the upper stretches of the story will ensue. dearth of day ticket beat. Until then, tight lines to all my fellow water available on We both fished all afternoon without a sniff fishermen. the Hodder. The of a fish. As the light began to fade John Paul Andermahr opportunity to fish pointed me to one last pool that was reported this highly regarded to hold big grayling. I cast several times but (A very lucky fisherman and husband - or and exclusive to no avail. The dry fly disappeared on should that be the other way round, a very stretch of river was several occasions with John gasping at each lucky husband and fisherman?) too good to miss!

24 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 25 1lb 6oz and a few out of season brownies. It was a privilege to fish this gorgeous river. It emphasised to me, one of the many advantages of being a Grayling Society Aphids and Grayling member, is to have opportunities like this - Dave Southall getting to fish in special places, in good company. Grayling love aphids. They can become In mid November 2018 I had two fabulous Our heartfelt thanks go to Dave Jones and totally preoccupied with them to the exclusion days grayling fishing for aphid-feeders on an Gordon Brathwaite who did a marvellous job of all else. This is a typical scenario at autumn industrial Yorkshire river that has a good guiding and supporting us during the day. leaf-fall on any grayling river with plenty of number of sycamore trees overhanging its Particular thanks also to the Committee and overhanging trees, particularly sycamores. banks. On both days the weather was very members of WFA for their generous sharing There are around 600 species of aphid in mild and moderately sunny, with a river of their fishing. Alan Swann the UK and most are quite species specific surface plastered with fallen leaves and Area 10 Secretary with regard to the plant species on which dotted with millions of aphids. The grayling they feed. 8 species were rising all day are associated with along the smooth sycamore trees glides and in soft and 6 with alder currents where trees, the two most the leaves and common tree aphids were being species along our concentrated. A riverbanks. Aphids stomach sample are tiny, typically gently syringed between 2mm and from one of 5mm long. Colours Stuart Crofts’ range through captures showed Hodder grayling Peter with a pound plus grayling black, green, the fish to be Photos: Dave Jones and Paul Shorrock brown, yellow, gorging on aphids orange and red, in a range of with black and colours, winged Stomach contents gently syringed from a grayling (photo by Stuart Crofts) green the most and wingless, but common. Most species survive the winter as all about 3mm long. On both occasions my cold-resistant eggs that hatch in the spring to setup was the same; 10’ 6” 2 weight rod, 0 form wingless females that reproduce weight line, 12’ copolymer leader made up of asexually by parthenogenesis (virgin-birth, a 7’ taper from 0.43mm to 0.20mm plus 5’ of requiring no mating or egg fertilization) to 0.09mm tippet to which I attached my usual produce live young in vast numbers, all aphid pattern, a size 24 CdC IOBO (It Oughta clones of their parents. In late summer and Be Outlawed) Humpy (a fantastic pattern autumn winged adults are produced with devised by Jack Tucker of Pennsylvania in the both males and females and sexual 1990s). On most occasions a size 24 (tied on a reproduction produces the egg stage (this short shank Tiemco 2488 hook) is all that I facilitates genetic mixing). Aphids feed by need to tempt grayling feeding on aphids and piercing the host plant’s food-carrying tubes midges but on the days in question the fish (phloem) in the stems or leaves with their were in a fussy mood and although a few fish hollow mouthparts. The pressure within the were caught on this size of fly a change to a phloem is such that sugary sap is forced into size 30 Minimalistic Micro Midge (MMM) the aphid’s stomach and not all of this is increased both the number of takes and the absorbed, some is released as ‘honey dew’ number of hook-ups. The MMM is just a tuft from the aphid’s anus. Ants often feed on this of CdC tied pointing over the hook eye with a sugary waste and cars parked under trees mm or two of CdC butt extending back over with heavy aphid populations get covered with the bend. My fishing companions and I lost sticky droplets. count of the number of grayling that we

26 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 27 O Fish at as close a range as possible and I generally tie these flies with tan 8/0 thread hold as much line off the water as and natural grey Mallard CdC. To aid visibility, possible. A long rod helps here too. if I’m fishing with a light background I treat the CdC with a thin coating of Roman Moser The above things will reduce the effects Miracle Float gel, whilst if the background is rogue currents pulling and pushing on the line dark I apply white Fumed Silica Powder. As and the last one will also ensure that the first you’ll see from the stomach contents photo thing the fish sees is the fly and not the line. aphids come in a range of colours and flies Tiny hooks tied with orange, yellow or even pink CdC work equally well if you need to improve the The next big problem is getting hold of tiny visibility. When accurately casting at hooks on which to tie such miniscule flies. relatively short range I find that I have no Very few models are readily available in the problem seeing these miniscule flies (fishing UK and some of these are, in my opinion, too at distances over 30’ becomes thin in the wire and with eyes that are too counterproductive due to the reduced casting small to easily thread even 0.09mm tippet. accuracy and the reduced hooking rate). Daiichi 1110 and Orvis Big Eye Dry Fly hooks So next time you find grayling eagerly rising are identical with micro-barbs that need to to aphids get out the micro-dry flies. Pattern be flattened is less important than size, so keep the tying and they are simple. landed over those two amazing days. We diameter, but furled leaders are even available caught no monsters, just a mix from little more flexible). down to size Tying an IOBO Humpy (my variant of a fly O yearlings to decent fish around the 13” mark. Use as light/thin/flexible a fly line as 26 (same devised by Jack Tucker of Pennsylvania) It was encouraging to see the range of sizes possible (I usually use a Micro Nymph, shank length Hook: Tiemco 2488 size 24 to 26. and the large numbers since on my local 0 weight Esoteric Nymph Line or a as a size 24 Thread: Tan 8/0 well waxed. Driffield Beck the grayling have been virtually 1 weight Jeremy Lucas micro thin delicate Size 30 Tiemco 2488 (no longer made Tiemco 2488): Body & Wings: 2 natural Mallard CdC exterminated by cormorants and even some presentation line with a long front taper). in this size!) and Gamakatsu C12-BM the big eye is feather tips. of the North Yorks Moors streams have Consider using a silk line as they are far hooks against a mm scale a great help dramatically reduced numbers. more flexible than plastic coated lines, but the shank is a bit too long and the gape a There is a good video done by Three Rivers As I’ve said before in articles, presentation however with long rods they have a habit bit too narrow for my liking. My favourite Tenkara’s of my method of tying this on You is the biggest problem when fishing tiny flies. of wrapping around the rod tip, as do hooks are both short shank and wide gape. Tube on their web site: Grayling will rarely move more than a long furled leaders and this can be a They are only available from the USA in sizes https://threeriverstenkara.com centimeter or two off line to take a tiny fly nuisance when wading. 24 and s maller and prices are high. Tiemco Tying a MMM and this is particularly true when tiny food O 2488s are barbed with adequate sized eyes and Use a suitable slack line cast so that Hook: Tiemco 2488 size 26 to 30. items are super-abundant (energy-efficiency they would appear to be now only available there is some slack in the line, particularly Thread: Tan 8/0 well waxed. is the name of their game). So casting must down to size 26 according to the Umpqua and at the tippet end. You don’t want a Wing/legs: tip of 1 small CdC feather tied be hyper-accurate. Furthermore whilst trout TMC websites. Gamakatsu C12-BMs are will sometimes tolerate a bit of drag grayling perfectly straight line between rod tip and facing over the hook eye and posted up to fly as this will allow the instant onset of barbless with nice big eyes and are available will generally reject a dry fly with even the down to size 30 . about 45 degrees with the butts clipped off slightest of micro-drag. To achieve a perfectly drag. The Italian Style Slowed Down to leave a short rear-facing wing. Angular Cast is perfect for putting slack My pattern for aphids and drag-free drift is very difficult and repeated midges is very simple. In size 24 into the leader and tippet whilst keeping attempts may be necessary to achieve I usually tie my variant of Jack success. The following will improve the the main line off any rogue currents. O Tucker’s deadly pattern, the CdC angler’s chance of achieving the perfect drift: If possible cast across and slightly IOBO (It Oughta Be Outlawed) downstream with a dump/slack-line cast Humpy. Below size 24 I tie my O Use long flexible (light) tippet (I use at leas t and an upstream reach, then track the own Minimalistic Micro-Midge, 5’ of 0.09mm copolymer). rod tip downstream at the same pace as which is just the tip of a CdC O Tie your fly into a loop knot (Rapala Knot, the current. Using a long rod will help feather tied facing over the hook Fordyce Loop or Perfection Loop) to give with this. I use the Sunray ZERO at its 10’ eye. The example in the photo it free movement from the relatively 6” configuration, the Sunray Volition 10’ has no wing at the back but if I stiff tippet. 2 weight, the Esoteric 1 in 4 Nymph 10’ 6” want extra visibility and O Use a flexible tapered leader (I use 7’ of to 12’ rod at its 10’ 6” configuration or a buoyancy I leave a bit of feather copolymer tapering from 0.43mm to 0.20mm 12’ to 14’ 6” Tenkara rod for dry fly fishing . butt over the back of the hook. Size 24 IOBO Humpy and size 30 Minimalistic Micro Midge against a mm scale

28 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 29 time or increased unhooking time, or greater In a review of 83 studies on the effects of Putting Research Findings into Everyday metabolic demand for oxygen. The latter temperature on fish survival, Gale et al (2013) particularly might normally affect recovery concluded that 70% of these studies reported Angling Practice time adversely. However, the River Frome negative effects of temperature and “the where the study was carried out has good weight of evidence suggests thermal and capture Ranunculus growth and dissolved oxygen (DO) stressors are often additive in nature, such that Conservation Physiology - Recent Catch is supersaturated so effects were due to when experienced together they may be more temperature not low DO (Pinder, personal detrimental to fish than either one experienced and Release Research communication). In most rivers, it is not safe alone”. And “collectively, these results suggest that to assume that this will be the case and low temperatures even within preferred or optimal DO will exacerbate the effects of high ranges may increase mortality to an unacceptable Addendum temperature. In the study, air exposure varied level for many species, representing a potentially between 0 seconds (fish unhooked in water) unexpected challenge for managing these [C&R] Les Jervis – GRT Trustee and 180 seconds (3 minutes), significantly fisheries...... Thus, there is a strong need for greater than in the work of Roth et al (see researchers to assess the optimal temperature below) where exposure times of less than 60 range for a given species under non-idealized Since the first of these summaries on catch involved incidentally in post-capture recovery seconds were used. conditions.” and release (published in Grayling, Winter and post-release mortality. These were: deep- Coping with the stresses of capture, Although not relating to grayling, two very 2017), there has been another significant hooking, landing net contribution, air unhooking and air exposure was recent papers by Roth et al (2018a and 2018b) paper specifically relating to catch and exposure and predation, notably by pike. With proportionately more difficult after release working on Yellowstone cutthroat trout found release of European grayling. It is from the those factors brought in, this article has above 15 degrees. The authors were surprised that air exposure for up to 60 seconds had no laboratory of Adrian Pinder at Bournemouth expanded to cover several other studies. that temperature effects were marked at 15 negative effect on either spawning success or University and looks at the effects of Temperature & Recovery degrees, and the river water temperature was survival. Their work was primarily concerned temperature on fish recovery after capture. above this for most of the summer. The with air exposure but covered late Spring This is particularly relevant given the There has been no other study of grayling stretch of the Frome where the study was (May/June), (water temperatures averaging concerns about average temperature increases C&R covering two temperature ranges, thus carried out has “abundant” pike. Recovering 11.8°C and varying from 5.7°C to 16.8°C) with climate change (global warming), but the results give an indication of likely effects fish are known to be more susceptible to during spawning migrations and Summer also because weather after 16th June can, like of future environmental temperature predation so, particularly during the summer (August) (Stream temperatures during actual last year, be very warm. Already in 2019, we increases. For cold-water fish like grayling, and especially with deeply-hooked fish, angling sessions (0800–1800 hours) averaging have seen record February high temperatures especially living close to their southern unseen post-release mortality may be high. 11.6°C and varying from 10.4°C to 13.2°C: in the UK. These followed very cold geographical range, the future effects of These findings support the work of many Average diurnal air temperature was 18.4°C temperatures in February 2018, making an climate warming are potentially very serious. others on the effects of temperature on fish and varied from 4.7°C to 30.6°C during the annual February difference approaching 30 Whereas Lennox et al looked at the recovery recovery. It is noticeable that, at higher study period), thereby dealing with a range of degrees Centigrade. Whether these extremes of grayling caught at surface water temperatures. They are due to climate change or are just features temperatures of 17 – 18 degrees C in August, concluded that “considering of normal climate cycles hardly matters. They Pinder et al compared recovery between two that much of the literature, as are not good for our rivers or cold water fish temperature ranges and two different well as this study, reports little to like grayling and it is welcome to see studies seasons, all fish being caught between June no influence of air exposure on on the effects of temperature differences on and December. Water temperatures were salmonid mortality or fish recovery after C&R. recorded using a Tiny Tag logger and reproductive success, it seems The Pinder study did not use fly fishing as a thermometer immediately post-capture. highly unlikely that air exposure capture technique – unlike the study by Summer fish were caught between 15 and temperatures, both fight time and air of less than 60 s during C&R angling would have Lennox et al in 2016. Instead, bait fishing 20.8 degrees C (June – September) and Winter exposure are longer than in winter, resulting negative population-level effects.” techniques were used – float fishing and fish caught below 10 degrees C (October – in much longer recovery times. Lennox et al The Summer (August) study was carried out ledgering – principally because grayling are January). As might be expected recovery time, concluded that “120 s air exposure significantly on three species of trout and concluded that often targeted in coarse fishing. Whereas as determined by the righting reflex, was increased the likelihood of reflex impairment. In “no difference in survival was observed among air ledgering is not a technique likely to be used longer for fish caught above 15 degrees than addition, 120 s air exposure resulted in prolonged exposure treatments for all three species [cutthroat , by the vast majority of grayling anglers, it is the winter caught fish - about 2.5 times as reflex impairment given that recovery was bull and rainbow]. Results from the present study used widely by coarse anglers who may either long (Table 1). There was no significant incomplete after 30 min” . The temperatures along with those from prior field studies of air intentionally or unintentionally hook bottom- difference in hooking damage to the mouth used by Lennox et al were greater than used exposure times during angling (Roth 2018a) feeding grayling. Although the study or air exposure time between the two by Pinder et al and the fight times were longer suggest that mortality from exposing fish to air for primarily looked at the effects of temperature temperature groups. Longer recovery time leading, most probably, to a greater level of ≤60 s is not likely a population-level concern in on fish recovery, several other factors were above 15 degrees could be a reflection of fight exhaustion. catch-and-release fisheries for these species.” 30 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 31 The differences between the Gale review eliminate air exposure. If you think the Studies on deep-hooking of salmonids results are hardly encouraging for the release and the Roth studies highlights the need for temperature might be too warm to fish – it is! of deeply-hooked fish in natural situations great caution to avoid invalid conclusions. As DuBois and Pleski (2007) looked at deep where predation is another likely cause of Cook et al (2015) said in their paper “Fish out of hooking survival in brook trout caught by bait Deep Hooking & Hook Shedding mortality in released fish. There have been no water: How Much Air is Too Much?” “External fishing in a hatchery. Some of the data is studies on post-release mortality of deeply- variables such as environmental conditions, The focus of Pinder et al on bait fishing given in table 4. They found less bleeding hooked grayling. Until there are, on the basis species, or life history stage can all factor into air introduced additional factors that may affect when barbless hooks were used but mortality of what evidence there is, it would seem exposure tolerance; therefore, there is no universal grayling survival post-release: was very similar. The study lasted only 6 prudent to administer last rights than to threshold applicable to all fish-capture events.” I Deep hooking & hook shedding: fish were weeks as against the 23 weeks by leave them to a very uncertain, possibly For a fish such as grayling that is more likely to be deeply hooked than Weltersbach et al (2016). Even so, the final prolonged, fate. particularly sensitive to air exposure, when fly fishing. mortality of two thirds of the brook trout assuming that the Roth et al findings will I Barbed or barbless hooks: hooks had micro after 6 weeks is well above the 40% for eels Landing Net Contribution to Unhooking apply is a dangerous assumption. This again barbs to retain the bait but these may after 23 weeks. Differences in methodology In the Pinder study there were additional highlights the difficulties inherent in make unhooking and hook shedding by might well have affected the outcome, as factors due to the landing nets used that extrapolating from one species to another, deeply-hooked fish more difficult. might anatomical or other differences affected unhooking times: even between salmonids. It also highlights between eels and trout. Nonetheless, the the validity of keeping air exposure to an Although hook shedding was not studied by I Hooks sometimes absolute minimum. Pinder et al , it is of interest to look at, with became tangled in caution, other studies, even where these are landing net mesh, Bryan Huskey of Keepemwet.org in other species. In respect of hooking pulling the whole hook commented recently (2019) that “by definition, damage, about 14% of fish were hooked in the and line through the lip, fish live in water and with few exceptions (e.g., oesophagus, requiring the line to be cut and extending unhooking, lungfish, arapaima) can only extract oxygen from the micro-barbed hook left in the fish. This and air exposure, times. water. As such, it should be no surprise that air figure is in line with other work. I Secondly, the microbarb exposure is not a “good” thing for fish. Of course, In a study of the long-term effects on fish of on the hooks used a little air exposure is not going to kill a fish. But deep hooking, Weltersbach et al (2016) caught occasionally became what defines “a little”? The answer varies based eels using either float angling or ledgering tangled in the landing on many factors.” “Sensitivity to oxygen can also and allowing 1 – 5 minutes for eels to swallow net, causing increased vary for a variety of reasons for a given species. bait containing either large or small barbed or difficulty in unhooking For example, water temperature influences how barbless hooks. They then cut the and causing more much air exposure a fish can withstand. For any monofilament close to the mouths of the eels given species, fish tend to be able to handle longer damage to hooked fish. and followed to fate of the hooks by X- I periods of air exposure at cooler temperatures than Longer unhooking radiography and monitored eel mortality over times increase air at warmer temperatures.” 23 weeks. Apart from two fish that “Sensitivity to air exposure can also vary exposure and delay regurgitated the hooks almost immediately fish recovery. depending on life stage. For example, Pacific (within 2 hours), 5 eels shed hooks by day 24 salmon are quite sensitive to air exposure during and two later (between days 24 and 115). No To minimize early phases of their upriver migration yet when hooks were detected in the lower intestine or unhooking time and the approach spawning grounds (literally about to near the anus suggestion hooks were shed by minimize risk of damage, spawn), they become quite resilient to air regurgitation. Only one hook showed any sign Pinder recommends exposure. of corrosion. The results showed clearly that landing nets with a larger The idea that the context matters makes it very hook size is important but not the presence rubberized mesh to difficult to identify a single duration of air or absence of barbs. They also show that reduce these risks. exposure to guide anglers in how to handle fish. where hooks are not shed, some disease is The default should be “as little as possible”. We present. However, the authors advise caution Recommendations are unaware of a biological explanation nor a when considering the mortality of deeply- Pinder highlights the single scientific study showing that air exposure is hooked fish as the study contained no control difficulties of climate good for fish. So, what is a “little”? If we are group to determine the natural mortality of change: “These results looking for a single number to apply across the eels in this size/age group. The study is highlight the potential for board, the 10 second limit proposed in a synthesis interesting in that it recorded not just future climate change of available data remains the most useful value.” survival and mortality but also morbidity, projections (e.g. elevated The answer, regardless of contradictory with 12 of the original 32 eels suffering summer temperatures that research findings has got to be minimize or disease related to deep hooking. 32 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 33 are concomitant with low flows) to exacerbate References C&R mediated risks to cold-water sport fishes” New grayling research papers KV. Cook, RJ. Lennox, SG. Hinch & SJ. Cooke (2015), He makes the following recommendations: Fisheries, 40:9, 452-461, Stanislaw Cios “The practice of discouraging anglers to target T. DOI:10.1080/03632415.2015.1074570 thymallus during periods of high water Fish out of water: how much air is too much? temperature, combined with minimisation or I was delighted to read the article by Les near Istanbul in Turkey (see: Rückert- elimination of air exposure, have the potential to RB DuBois and JM Pleski (2007), Jervis in the previous issue of Grayling on Ülkümen & Kaya 1993, Rückert-Ülkümen et increase the resilience of populations to C&R North American Journal of Fisheries Management, recent papers on conservation and C&R. I al. 2006). At present it is too early to say on angling exploitation and support the conservation 27, 1203 – 1207, would like to encourage our Editor and other which branch of the phylogenetic tree it sits, of this popular sport species”. Hook shedding and mortality of deeply hooked brook Members of the Society to keep everybody if the fossil remains really belong to a trout caught with bait on barbed and barbless hooks. The use of live invertebrate baits makes a updated on new important scientific grayling. valuable contribution to the Lennox study and publications on grayling. And here I come to the third point. In 1901 a Environment Agency (2018), On my side, I would like to draw Germain researcher - Laube - published an introduces some different conclusions. These Catch and Release for Salmon: An Angler’s Guide. are very relevant to those who use trotting everybody’s attention to a recent paper on interesting paper on fossil fish, with beautiful techniques but also to fly fishing. The surprise MK Gale, SG Hinch & MR Donaldson (2013), grayling systematics by a team of Czech and photos of their remains. Among these fish in the study that temperatures above only 15 Fish and Fisheries, 14, 1–33, Russian ichthyologists, headed by Yury V. were a few species belonging to a newly degrees affect adversely grayling recovery time The role of temperature in the capture and release Dyldin. They have listed currently known 18 described by him genus Protothymallus. He and probably affect other species that require of fish. grayling species in the Holarctic region, believed that these fish were some ancient low temperature, well oxygenated water such including the second known one in Europe - forms of our grayling (thus the name proto – B Huskey, (2019), as all salmonids. Coarse fish species are often Thymallus aeliani, or the Adriatic grayling. thymallus). However, he was wrong. Later Keepemwet.org. February 1, 2019 The paper is available on internet (free research proved that these fish belong to the assumed to have much greater temperature Some Fresh Air on Air Exposure and air exposure tolerance but, until this is access) – through Google Scholar, so I do not cyprinids. So we do have grayling friends also definitely shown to be the case, they should be RJ Lennox, I Mayer, TB Havn, MR Johansen, K need to go into details. Instead I would like to among the cyprinid fans. offer some comments on recent research on afforded the same consideration and respect Whoriskey, SJ Cooke, EB Thorstad & I Uglem (2016), Literature Boreal Environment Research 21: 461–470. grayling systematics. as more sensitive species. Dyldin Yu. V., Hanel L., Romanov V.I., Plesník J. 2017. Effects of recreational angling and air exposure on the First of all, I am very pleased to inform that The results and recommendations of Adrian A review of the genus Thymallus (Pisces: physiological status and reflex impairment of Pinder’s paper need to be publicised to coarse the Grayling Society has added its brick to the Salmoniformes, Salmonidae, Thymallinae) with European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) fishermen by the EA, NRW and in coarse palace of knowledge (it’s no longer a simple taxonomic notes. Bull. Lampetra, ZO ČSOP Vlašim, building) on grayling. Older members of the 8:103-126. fishing magazines as well as among grayling Pinder, A. C., Harrison, A. J., & Britton, J. R. (2019). Society still have and remember the book anglers. The EA recently (2018) published Fisheries Research, 211, 169-175. Laube G.C. 1901. Synopsis der Wirbelthierfauna der “Catch and Release for Salmon: An Angler’s Temperature effects on the physiological status and Grayling – The fourth game fish (2000), edited Böhm. Braunkohlenformation und Beschreibung Guide” . Similar guidance should be issued for reflex impairment in European grayling Thymallus by Ron Broughton. This book, in particular neuer, oder bisher unvollständig bekannter Arten. thymallus from catch-and release angling. the chapters by Antonio Sabbadini (On Italian Abhandlungen des deutschen all species of fish subject to recreational naturwissenschaftlich-medicinischen Vereines für angling. Keepemwet.org publishes free and Balkan grayling) and Ross Gardiner (The CJ Roth, DJ Schill, MC Quist, B High, MR Campbell, NV Böhmen "Lotos", 2 (4):107–186. regular newsletters with research and C&R origins and present distribution of grayling), is Vu, (2018a), Rückert-Ülkümen N., Kaya O. 1993. Neue Beiträge recommendation updates. They should be frequently quoted in scientific papers on the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, systematics and evolution of grayling. zur Tertiär-Stratigraphie und Otolithenfauna der essential reading for all. DOI:10.1002/nafm.10262 Umgebung von Istanbul (Küçükçekmece und Congratulations Antonio and Ross! Effects of air exposure during simulated catch-and- Büyükçekmece See), Türkei. Mitteilungen der Acknowledgements release angling on survival and fitness of yellowstone Secondly, I would like to note that in the Bayerischen Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Thanks are due to the following for copies cutthroat trout. scientific literature there is one fossil historische Geologie, 33:51–89. grayling, which hasn’t been mentioned in any of research papers and for reading and Rückert-Ülkümen, N., Kowalke T., Matzke-Karasz R., commenting on the draft: Adrian Pinder, Rich CJ Roth, DJ Schill, MC Quist, B High, (2018b), modern paper on the evolution of this fish (in Witt W., Yigitbas E. 2006. Biostratigraphy of the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Cove, and Alan Swann of the Grayling Society fact no grayling researcher seems to have Paratethyan Neogene at Yalova (Izmit-Province, NW- DOI:10.1002/nafm.10184 noticed it). It is Thymallus latisulcatus, found Turkey). Newsletters on Stratigraphy 42, 43–68. and Grayling Research Trust, Drs. Marika Effects of air exposure in summer on the survival of Kirsten Gale (University of British Columbia) caught-and-released salmonids and Curtis Roth (University of Idaho). MS Weltersbach, K Ferter, F Sambraus, HV Strehlow, ARTICLES WANTED! KEEP YOUR JOURNAL ALIVE Adrian Pinder’s paper was published in the (2016), There is always a need for material for the Society’s creation of better habitat; perhaps some notable or international research journal Fisheries Biological Conservation 199 (2016) 16–24 publications. The editor will welcome anything that not so notable catches – just a good day’s fishing that Research. Copies of the full paper can be Hook shedding and post-release fate of deep-hooked relates to your experiences of grayling and their you would like to share. Contact the Editor, Bob Male, European eel. requested by emailing Adrian Pinder directly habitats. Perhaps there have been improvement by any means you wish. All contributions are [email protected] works on a river in your area, or problems with the gratefully received.

34 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 35 studies that have failed to demonstrate a are tougher than we give them credit for” when Keep’em wet negative effect of air exposure. For example, a in reality the message is that the impacts of recent press release from a study by C&R are varied and depend highly on species, researchers at the University of Idaho used location, how a study is performed. “Spinning” From KeepemWet fishing at www.keepemwet.org the headline “brief air exposure not a threat such findings to get media headlines does to fish survival”. The air exposure durations nothing to help improve how anglers handle By definition, fish live in water and with few tolerance range, the more important it is to used in that study were 30 and 60 seconds fish. In fact, it does the opposite — it creates exceptions (e.g., lungfish, arapaima) can only minimize stress from air exposure. Sensitivity and involved adult cutthroat trout as they confusion. We greatly encourage all anglers extract oxygen from water. As such, it should to air exposure can also vary depending on approached spawning grounds. The researchers to be careful and not take press releases such be no surprise that air exposure is not a life stage. For example, Pacific salmon are revealed that there was no difference in as this at face value. “good” thing for fish. Of course, a little air quite sensitive to air exposure during early survival or reproductive success for control We await a study that provides evidence exposure is not going to kill a fish. But what phases of their upriver migration yet when fish (no air exposure) and those exposed to that air exposure is good for fish — that it defines “a little”? The answer varies based on the approach spawning grounds (literally air. However, this study, just as many that benefits them in a biologically meaningful many factors. For example, some fish species about to spawn), they become quite resilient have come before it, has its own limitations way. There are many ways in which anglers are simply more tolerant to air exposure than to air exposure. (e.g. they held the fish in tanks before can interact with fish and capture the moment others. Species like common carp and The idea that the context matters makes it simulating angling, which we know to be forever without extending air exposure bullhead catfish are able to live in water with very difficult to identify a single duration of stressful,) and is very context dependent (e.g. beyond 10 seconds. Let’s #keepemwet! very little oxygen and therefore tend to also air exposure to guide anglers in how to survival is a whole different ball game when Happy Fishing! be fairly tolerant of air exposure — as much handle fish. The default should be “as little as there are predators around). This context was as 10 minutes of air exposure or more. Others possible”. We are unaware of a biological absent from the press release and we are Dr. Steve Cooke, Dr. Andy Danylchuk, (such as bluefin tuna, bonefish, and explanation or a single scientific study concerned that anglers and the angling and Sascha Clark Danylchuk salmonids) are extremely sensitive to low showing that air exposure is good for fish. So, media are left with the impression that “fish Keepemwet Fishing Science Ambassadors levels of oxygen whether they are exposed to what is a “little”? If we are looking for a single air or to waters with little oxygen. number to apply across the board, the 10- Sensitivity to oxygen can also vary for a second limit proposed in a synthesis of variety of reasons for a given species. For available data remains the most useful value. FlyTek Fly Fishing example, water temperature influences how The Keepemwet Fishing mantra is about much air exposure a fish can withstand. 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HMH vices and accessories. example — for a given duration of air be admired in a way that also ensures that Tungsten beads in 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.4mm, exposure, the extent of impact to the fish is they are released in a state where there are 2.8mm, 3.3mm, 3.8mm diameter in black, copper, Petitjean and Marryat fly tying tools and CDC. always lower for the cooler temperatures likely to survive and thrive. gold, silver, chartreuse, light green, olive, orange, PARTRIDGE than it is for warmer temperatures, and the pink, red, white and 4.6mm, 5.5mm in black, Air exposure copper, gold, silver. extent of that difference increases with NEW Patriot barbless ranges of longer periods of air exposure. A couple of recent studies have been critical Metallic colour finish brass beads in Trout/Grayling hooks stocked and Tippet of the existing literature that suggests air 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.4mm, 2.8mm, 3.3mm, 3.8mm, Rings in 1mm, 2mm & 3mm Master factor exposure is bad for fish. 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36 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 37 There are records dating back to 1820 or so, of grayling being in the Irwell and in one of The Irwell its tributaries – the River Roch, presumably from stocking many, many years ago. Recently a young angler claims to have Stocking of caught one from the river in the Bury area. The nearby rivers Tame and Goyt have good numbers of grayling so there is evidence locally that they were stocked in this part of Grayling the world. Salford Friendly Anglers Society is working Rod Calbrade very hard towards bringing the Irwell back to a clean and healthy fishing state have co- operated with the Environment Agency and The River Irwell, a well known river the in much good and prosperity to the North West a 3-year programme - which if successful on and the fish farm at Calverton, recently had the North West of England., flows from its also brought much pollution to its waterways the Irwell, will lead to further restocking on 3,000 fingerling grayling stocked in the middle source high on the moors above Bacup in particularly the Irwell. the Rivers Roch, Irk and Medlock. reaches of the river. These fish are the first of Lancashire down through the Irwell valley The early 18th century had seen the river It was a great pleasure to see them being and past the industrialised North West corner well stocked with fish and other wildlife as stocked and those who know me will be of Manchester and through its centre. well as being used for drinking and domestic aware of my boyhood fascination with the Throughout its 39-mile length it has seen uses. It was in the mid 1800’s that its fortune River Irk in particular, as it was regularly many changes, and during the 17th and 18th changed as mills were built upstream in coloured with dyes from mills etc. along its centuries it was part of a major trading route towns like Bacup, Rawtenstall, Bury and then length. I was delighted to see the Irwell until it fed into the River Mersey. through the populated areas such as grayling lining up as they drifted into the flow The Industrial Revolution, which brought so Manchester and Salford. In fact James of the river. Chetham the author of “The Anglers Vade All this adds to the quality of the wildlife in Mecum” in 1680 and founder of Manchester’s this once dead river and its tributaries and I Chetham’s Hospital, described one of the hope that I will be present at future stockings Irwell’s tributaries – the River Irk, as “one of and be able to see its continued progress to the prettiest rivers in all the country”. How becoming a thriving fishery once more. times have changed. But they are changing again. In recent years there has been much work done by the country’s oldest angling club – the Salford Grayling and the River Irwell Friendly Anglers Society, which was instituted in April 1817. This club which is internet Malcolm Greenhalgh based and free to join, has its meetings in the Kings Arms in Salford and under the Chairmanship of Mike Duddy has been at the As recorder for fishes for the Lancashire & by the Grayling Society’s records (e.g. in forefront of cleaning the river and bringing Cheshire Fauna Society and a trustee of the Roberts, 1982). fish back. Trout are now being caught in the Grayling Research Trust I knew of no past It came as a great surprise when I was centre of Manchester and there is a good (pre 21st century) record whatsoever for informed that the Environment Agency had head of coarse species. With many volunteers grayling (Thymallus thymallus) in the Irwell, stocked the Irwell on 18 July 2018 with 3000 along the river primarily from Salford the major tributary of the Mersey. All past Grayling, on the grounds that some anglers upstream to Ramsbottom constantly reports by the Society have stated “In Lancs., have claimed to have recently caught watching for pollution and acting to report it found in Hodder and Ribble only” (Ellison and Grayling in the Irwell and some of its and clean it, the river now holds an Chubb, 1962), or, more recently, “A species tributaries, including Bradshaw Brook (which impressive head of fish. But sadly there are found in Lancashire and North Merseyside I sampled during the early 1980s and never still pollution incidents, such as one in 2016 only in the middle and upper Ribble and saw a single Grayling) and the River Roch that caused a large fish kill. The stretch has Hodder, but which is expanding its range into near Rochdale. Had Grayling occurred in any just about cleared itself and the stocking of the Calder and Ribble below Calderfoot part of the Irwell in recent years keen several species has taken place during the following the cleaning up of the Calder.” Grayling anglers living in or very close to the last 12 months. (Greenhalgh, 2017). This status is confirmed catchment whom I know well would have 38 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 39 been well aware of it. Furthermore, zoologists lancastriensis. On page 76 he deals with the The Irwell, which has become so clean J. Corbett (1907) The River Irwell. Abel Heywood, London. working at both the Manchester Museum (e.g. subject of the Graining: ‘Dace, like most other during the 21st century, is now a great wild Alan Brindle) and Bolton Museum (Alfred kinds of fish, are subject to variety, and Brown Trout river, stocked by fish from the N.F. Ellison and J.C. Chubb (1962) The marine and Hazelwood), who were active recorders here ichthyologists now regard the Graining, first unpolluted headwaters. Having been stocked freshwater fishes of Lancashire and Cheshire. it ought now to become a great Grayling river. Lancashire & Cheshire Fauna Committee 32nd Rept. in northwest England during the 20th mentioned by Pennant, and described as a pp1-34. century, would have recorded the species had different species by Yarrell in the Linnaean I would like to thank Keith Harwood and Dr Dmitri Logunov of Manchester Museum for M. E. Greenhalgh (2017) Freshwater Fish, in White S.J. it occurred anywhere in the Irwell system. Society’s Transactions (vol. xvii., pl.i., p.5), under (ed.) et al. The Vertebrates of Lancashire, L&CFS Both the EA and local angling clubs have the name of Leuciscus lancastriensis , as a mere help in the preparation of this paper. Publication 122. argued that the Grayling did exist in the river variety of Dace. Pennant says, “in the Mersey, References Rev. W. Houghton (1879) British Fresh-Water Fishes. in historic times, the evidence coming from a near Warrington, and in the river Alt, which Peerage Books, London. book, The River Irwell: pleasant reminiscences of runs by Sephton, Lancashire, into the Mersey E. Corbett (1879) Angling in the Irwell. Anglers’ Evenings, First series pp. 102-116. Manchester AA. J. Roberts (1982) The Grayling Angler. Witherby, London. the nineteenth century and suggestions for near Formby, a fish called Graining is taken...”’ improvement by J. Corbett, published in 1907. Local variation Corbett admitted at the start of Chapter 10, ‘Angling in the Irwell’, that “I have never been Graining also appear in Ellison and Chubb an angler, except as a boy accompanying my (loc. Cit., 1962): “The Graining, L. Lancastriensis Grayling Research in Sweden father, Edward Corbett, who was a fairly Shaw, has often been recorded in the past as enthusiastic fisherman,” so he quoted from a a separate species, but is simply a local Harry Salmgren talk given by his father to the Manchester variation of the typical Dace.” Anglers’ Association on 14 October 1879 and So it seems clear that the L&CFS reports I have made a small effort to spread an electric fishing boats have been used to published the same year by the Association in limiting the distribution of grayling in interesting piece of grayling research in map the population of fish in the a volume Anglers’ Evenings . (traditional) Lancashire to just the Ribble and Lule River. reservoirs. We have seen that in for J. Corbett’s 1907 book quotes his father: “Of Hodder were correct, and it seems likely that Here is the Swedish outprint example the Letsi reservoir has a very course I was converted to fly-fishing, and any recent record was of fish introduced by https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/7117861 small population of grayling, while on the anglers into the river (e.g. a 12 inch fish was pursued my way, with or without one or more other hand the Porsi reservoir has high caught downstream of the stocking on 18 July Also a small note in English that I made of my companions, as far as Ringley Weirhole . densities of big adult grayling. Today we 2018). It seems unfortunate that the EA failed here: There we generally caught some fish, and at There will be serious investments made don ’t know why. to check thoroughly the reference given by sundry places on the way we had more or for improving the knowledge and With the help of radio transmitter tagged Corbett, where ‘Graining’ became ‘Grayling’. less success; often bringing home ten or habitats for fish in 2019 in River Lule grayling, Vattenfall is now hoping to get Would they have stocked the river had they twelve fine fish, either grayling, chub, or dace; according to Swedish Vattenfall. the answers to why Porsi is so good and occasionally only gudgeons and minnows.” known that? But there is another point. If there had been Heavy investments made for fish- use that info for implementing measures Misquote a Grayling population in the Irwell which, like improving measures will be launched in in other lesser productive parts of the river. That is the only mention of Grayling in the the Brown trout population, became the regulated waters during 2019. Radio- Exactly like that! We want to learn more 1907 book, but it is a misquote of his father’s restricted by the foul pollution of the river’s tagged grayling is hoped to give answers to about where the grayling spawn and what Anglers’ Evenings piece, for there the word lower reaches and tributaries to the cleaner what measures are needed. it needs for better living conditions and grayling does not appear. Instead his father headwaters, would there have been a need to It is part of an ongoing research and food supply. With this knowledge we can took home “ graining , chub, or dace”. artificially stock? Surely the Grayling stocks development project, where we locate restore the Letsi reservoir, says Henrik Furthermore, his father tells us that, ‘They would have increased rapidly as the river where the grayling is spawning in the Lule Viklands. are a fine fish of good flavour, like a herring in became clean during the present century, just River. We have seen that some river This is a sketchy translation by me from size, form, and colour, and not so broad as a as the Brown Trout stocks have increased and sections hold great many more grayling the article by Ulf Larsson, P4 Norrbotten. dace, nor so thick as a chub. They are as Grayling have increased in the Burnley than other, although the habitats look the For more info mail Ulf: described in Webster’s Dictionary as ‘Graining (Ribble) Calder when it became clean? same. These are parts of the river with the [email protected] (Leuciscus Lancastriensis) , a small fish found in Furthermore, if there was a Grayling same type of regulation of water flow and England and Switzerland.” We caught them population in the Irwell, would artificial we have become interested in why it is so, All the best in the rapids generally....’ stocking using fish from a Midland’s hatchery says Henrik Viklands who is the Harry Salmgren Graining also feature in the Rev. W. have been wise, for the native Irwell environmental coordinator at Vattenfall Houghton’s book British Fresh-Water Fishes , first population would presumably have been hydroelectric power. Harry Salmgren/sverigesekreterare i GS. published coincidentally in 1879, for on page genetically adapted to the Irwell and that The County Administrative Board's https://www.graylingsociety.net/ 74 of the 1981 edition he lists two separate genetic integrity threatened by stocking with species of dace, Leuciscus vulgaris and Leuciscus non-Irwell fish? 40 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 41 PRODUCT REVIEW / GERBER How to Overcome the Fear of Loss Dr. Axel Wessolowski

Knock on wood – so far I've never lost one of aluminium finger rings, split rings, lanyard my tools or accessories to a river or lake. holes and retention clips. The compact Don't get me wrong: I did drop things, but Defender is also equipped with a threaded pin! was always lucky enough to retrieve the Such details must have their price, you gravity driven item. And I use zingers and might say. Of course you have to pay retractors, respectively. Over the years I had something for so much careful consideration several types from cheap to expensive, from regarding design and materials, but that's the really useful to absolute b*ll*cks. My surprise. The large Defender costs about £38 impression was that to get a very useful and the compact one about £27. These prices retractor you have to pay a lot of money for are really fair, almost unbelievable. it; for example the Abel zinger starts at The two Defenders totally convinced me, so around £95! I had a look at the other tools for the All the more was I excited when I learned fisherman made by Gerber. Pliers, line cutter The pliers come with a nylon sheath Gerber's "controller" fillet knife is 10" The latest fisherman's tools made by about the new tool series from American and a fillet knife caught my eye. All designed that has a belt loop and a coiled long and comes with its own sheath American brand Gerber offers a wide manufacturer Gerber. At an outdoor fair last and made with the same thoroughness and lanyard. which has a sharpener attached. range of re-designed and sophisticated Excellent grip, even when wet. tools; i. a. pliers, knives, cutter, scissors year I had a chance to see for myself what quality. I admit, the pliers and knife (10") will and two retractors that offer a fantastic the rumor is all about. I was instantly taken be used by me mainly for pike fishing, but price/performance ratio. by the two retractors Gerber offers: made to everything else will suit any other fly fishing last, well-thought-out and the price is needs. reasonable. In the end you have to decide how much Defenders by Gerber: I'm convinced the naming is no Gerber offers two "tethers": the larger you want to spend on a retractor. A choice coincidence – both retractors are solidly built from aluminium Defender and the compact Defender (I surely to be made in regard what it's going to and screwed together. Kind of edgy, but also of timeless wonder where the name stems from …). The be "retract". You don't want entrust your beauty; just like the good Land Rover Defenders … On the smaller retractor is great for smaller tools like precious £80 nipper to a cheaply made £5 right you can see the "Freehander" line cutter. your nippers, small scissors, etc. The large zinger, or do you? one is suitable to hold heavier equipment like Gerber has come with two great retractors pliers or forceps. A lock system gives you which offer you high quality for a very absolute control over your tool. reasonable price and will surly help you with Both Defenders feature aluminium overcoming your fear of loss. Well, the fear of housings, 48 inch Dyneema cables, anodized loosing a fish is a totally different matter … THE PRESIDENT’S REEL The trophy is presented to an individual, or group, whether members of the GS or not, from any worldwide location, who have carried out outstanding works for the Society or the benefit of Grayling. The idea is to recognise the efforts of the ‘unsung heroes’ – members, conservationists, students etc. It is also a great opportunity to promote the Society and its aims. Any member can nominate, so long as he/she is not the sole participant or beneficiary. Once again this can be a member or not. The nomination should be in writing, with supporting evidence, in order that the President can make a credible decision. The submission should be to Robin Mulholland, the President and, if he considers he needs to discuss the merits with anyone, or with the Committee, that remains his sole decision. The trophy will be presented at each AGM. The "Magnipliers" from Gerber feature ergonomic handle The back of the two retractors offer several fastening options. The trophy will be held for ONE YEAR then returned to the PRO of the Society for design, thumb lock, exchangeable jaw tips and carbide The Aluminium ring's dimension are large enough for fingers. safekeeping and all applications must be received by 31st July in the year of award. cutters and tether points. The cutter has exchangeable cutters, a line/fly holder and a Robin Mulholland OBE, Knapp Cottage, 38/3 9 Corton, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 OSZ needle for cleaning hook eyes. 42 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 43 to various waters, including the River Clyde at Abington, there were social activities. The WOSAC held a two day fly-fishing competition for the Club Prize and the Challenge Plate each May from 1834 until 1878 on the upper Clyde, and from 1844 they were held at Abington. Records show anglers Gra yling would each catch (and kill ) per day about 20 trout averaging just over 2oz. It may be the small average size was partly why the club developed an interest in grayling. Travel was by mail-coach or horseback until the railway A long lost piece of Scottish opened in 1849 allowing Abington and other grPaylinrg hi isztorey rivers and lochs to be more easily reached. The club had a tradition of awarding By Alan Ayre trophies in the form of silver jugs and silver plates, and it seems that outright winners On 2nd April 2012 the Scottish Anglers were expected to provide a replacement. The National Association (SANA) received an e-mail Grayling Prize (pictured) was at least its sixth from Annabel Craighead in New Zealand silver jug, the first being presented in 1845. about a “very pretty” engraved silver jug Up to 1863 all the jugs and plates were handed down to her by her mother who competed for in Spring or Summer. The fifth hailed from Glasgow. She’d ascertained it was jug, however, presented by John Jeffrey MD in made in 1862 by George Fox in London and 1863, was competed for on Clyde from 1863 engraved by Rait & Sons of Glasgow for the to 1865 in late October, a new departure for West of Scotland Angling Club (WOSAC), but WOSAC. Being held outwith the trout season didn’t know how the family came by it and they were likely to have been grayling wanted to find out more about it. outings. In 1865 the fifth jug was won by Her e-mail was passed by SANA to Alan George Anderson who in turn in 1866 Ayre, former Chairman then President of The The jug engraving reads:- 1848. He was obviously a talented angler, presented a 6th jug, i.e. the Grayling Prize. Grayling Society (GS), who forwarded it to GS winning not just the Grayling Prize, but also a THE 1868 is the last reference in the WOSAC scientific officer Ross Gardner and GS member number of other competitions, including the record to a silver jug, however, the mystery Willie Miller. The following words are the West of Scotland Angling Club’s club championship. The club presidency deepens as an entry in the record for 5th result of co-operation among these three with GRAYLING PRIZE changed annually and Francis served his year September 1873 states a "Grayling Prize" Willie (sadly no longer with us) doing most of PRESENTED as President in 1854. In 1877 he won the presented by Francis Smith was won by T A the research and writing the initial draft of Aggregate Challenge Cup, which turned up at BY Anderson on Clyde at Abington with two fish this article. (Willie had a longstanding auction in Edinburgh in 1912, so maybe the George Anderson Esq. weighing 11.5oz. This is the only specific interest in the introduction of grayling to Grayling Prize was disposed of similarly? His mention of a Grayling Prize in the WOSAC’s rivers in Scotland. An article he wrote about FOR last recorded trophy win was the Club Prize in competition records. In 1875 a Silver Plate it was published in the October 1987 issue of ANNUAL COMPETITION 1887 and he ceased to be a member in 1891, presented by Francis Smith was competed for Trout and Salmon, and copied to issue 59 of To be retained permanently the reason recorded being – “Dead”. on the Clyde in May and won by George Grayling News 2018). There is some dubiety about the oldest by any Member Sellar. This trophy does not appear again in Hector MacLennan, the current WOSAC fishing club in the world. The Ellem Fishing Gaining it three times. the competition records. Whether it is the secretary, provided Willie with excerpts from Club (established on Tweedside in 1829) lays same trophy as the Grayling Prize presented a Minute Book that contained information or if in Consecutive Years, twice. claim to this, however, the club was dissolved by Francis Smith two years earlier is unclear. dating back to the formation of the Club plus 186 6 for long periods during each of the two world details of “The Great Grayling Experiment” wars, so the WOSAC claims it is “the oldest Subsequent engraving shows the first The Great Grayling Experiment the first introduction of Grayling to Scotland club in continuous existence”. It had its first winner was “FRANCIS SMITH ESQ”. in 1866, (i.e. to the Clyde). Willie gleaned additional meeting on 29 April 1834 in the Waterloo In the early 1850s there were no grayling in then “NOT WON” in the next four years, and material from “The Field” and other Tavern, Glasgow when it was called the West Scotland. However, in 1855, around the time “FINALLY GAINED” in 1871 by the same publications of the 1850s and 1860s, and of Scotland Piscatorial Club. Members were when trout ova were being shipped to FRANCIS SMITH ESQ. WOSAC President, Norman P eden, has since required to be “lovers of piscatorial Australia, the WOSAC secretary was a Major provided Alan with extra details. Francis joined the WOSAC on 14 March amusements”. In addition to angling outings George Anderson . At a club meeting in July

44 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 45 1855 he revealed he had been in Ardgowan Square, Greenock to be put into a could become as numerous as the trout. pike would choke on the last grayling. This correspondence with Sir E. Colebrooke, a pond in the hills above Port Glasgow. However, when the club organised its first unjustified belief continued for the best part proprietor of the Clyde near Abington, Later in 1857 the Abington pond was “alive dedicated grayling competition in October of a century during which time they were suggesting that the WOSAC should introduce with young grayling as large as minnows” , and at 1863, members caught only two of 13 oz. and classed as vermin, netted, and latterly grayling into the Clyde. The club felt that this the WOSAC Annual Dinner in November 9 oz, and further outings proved little better electro-fished in vain attempts to reduce or was “an opportunity of doing a great service to the George placed on the table “a globe containing despite other Clyde anglers being much more even exterminate populations. The dogma country by the introduction into Scottish rivers of a a few living specimens of grayling artificially successful. At most 6 anglers turned up to spread northwards into Scotland where many fish hitherto unknown in them and of hatched and reared from spawn” . On 8 April the autumn grayling outings and this was clubs and proprietors, even on Clyde, asked acknowledged excellence”. 1858 the pond was run off. The largest down to two by 1873, which appears to have anglers to kill all grayling, and thousands George was an efficient organiser and had grayling measured 6¼ inches, the smallest 4 been the club’s last one. It may be that they were thrown up the bank. In 1977 the already done some preparatory work. It inches and the average was 5½ inches. After were discontinued because members were Grayling Society was formed to protect the resulted in December 1855 with Mr. Samuel it was refilled many fish escaped into the disillusioned with their disappointing catches, fish, yet into the 1990s a few Scottish club Eyre, secretary of the Derby Angling Club, Clyde as a result of deliberate damage to the but the rise in importance of good loch permits still required them to be killed. putting a specially constructed container zinc screens at the outlet, with local anglers fishing may also have played a part; trout in Today things have changed for the better: the containing 3 dozen impatient to catch Lochs Lomond, Ard, Venachar and Leven were grayling is recognised as a salmonid, and healthy grayling the new fish being much bigger than the small ones they were fishing for them has become almost a cult from Rowsley onto suspected. When it used to catching at Abington. pursuit. Despite this it is still not uncommon a Caledonian was finally drained Anglers elsewhere were impressed by the to find an odd ghillie or keeper who wants Railway mail train. on 12 November success of the Clyde “experiment”, so George these beautiful wild fish destroyed “because The rail company 1858 only 160 offered to supply fish to other Scottish rivers they eat salmon eggs”. had agreed to make grayling were (and to Ireland, an offer that was not taken Meanwhile, Mrs Craighead still has the a special stop at found some of up). In the 1870s he became chairman of a silver jug and would like it to come back to Abington where it which were sent to silver mining company in Utah near Salt Lake Scotland. Grayling outings have been was found only Perthshire and City, but in 1873 the business collapsed reinstituted by the WOSAC over the last three fish had died released into the resulting in his personal bankruptcy. Despite twenty years with regular visits to the River with another Dochart. Those this he served as a Liberal MP for Glasgow Earn, so they are keen to have it back. Mrs described as being “ sickly”. The remaining 32 remaining were put into the Daer Water in between 1868 and 1885, eventually resigning Craighead and I have therefore agreed it healthy grayling were put into Clyde “at the the headwaters of the Clyde system. to take up the post of Deputy-Master of the should be returned to them when it will once bushes a little way down from Abington Bridge” . The WOSAC instructed that all grayling Mint in Melbourne, Australia. again, after nearly 150 years, be awarded to In the same year Mr. Eyre was made an caught had to be returned until they were Vermin the winner of their annual grayling Honorary Member of the club. (Interestingly, well established, and in 1859 a meeting Grayling fishing on Clyde and other Scottish competition. The President assures me, however, some years later Francis Francis, Frank convened by the various proprietors of the rivers, particularly the Earn, became very that it will not be “retained permanently”, Buckland and Thomas Tod Stoddart were also Upper Clyde fishings was held with WOSAC popular. However, in the late Victorian era and will be made available to interested granted honorary membership.) because there were shared concerns about the anglers on the English chalk streams parties (such as the GS) for exhibition or Since there was some uncertainty regarding number of individuals fishing with maggots. complained that grayling compete study, on application to the club secretary. the success of that first attempt, another One proposal was to seek a Protection Order unfavourably with trout, with Halford A happy closure to this long lost piece of approach was tried. Some members of the so as to better control the fishing. However, recording one as saying he hoped the last Scottish grayling history. club had observed a Mr. Ramsbottom “skilfully the fish grew quickly and by November 1859 manipulating salmon ova for the Tay, at grayling up to a pound in weight were not Stormontfield” . So, following their written uncommon and small ones about 5 inches instructions, Mr Eyre in the spring of 1857 long were in such shoals that the local fishers The Righyni-Roose Trophy 2019 netted two hundred grayling near the marble were “quite pestered with them”. They were works at Bakewell in Derbyshire. Fifty of spread over a large extent of water, including The theme of this year’s Trophy competition is those were suitable for breeding, resulting in far up some tributaries, and in 1861 the club some 20,000 impregnated ova being sent by announced it “no longer expects anglers to train from Derbyshire in wine bottles half abstain from basketing their captures”. filled with river water. 2,000 were sent to Mr When the competition for the Club Prize The Written Word Shaw of Drumlanrig to begin stocking the was held at Abington in May 1862. several Any article, essay, poem, etc., will be welcome. Nith. The other 18,000 were put into a grayling were caught, and two days specially prepared pond and stream at beforehand one person had killed 15 in less Entries must reach Rob Hartley by Abington, and “to guard against failure” some than an hour a short distance below September 1st 2019 were given to Mr. Matthew Brown, 10 Abington Bridge. Reports suggested they

46 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 47 Willie passed away last year and Alan Ayre found this draft article amongst his The Silver Lady and Old Father Thames papers. It is not dated, but was probably written in the 1990s when he wrote Willie Miller several other articles.

Recent advances in gene technology suggest fairly certain of some facts:- knowledge of such matters. grayling. “The Field” of 12 December 1874 that we may soon be able to gain an insight into In the early 1860s approximately 400 grayling The Victorians were persistent. In The Field of contained a letter from Francis Francis. Prompted the origins of stocks of grayling currently were obtained from a variety of rivers including 14 May 1864 there was an amusing report from by a circular advertising grayling fry at £4.10 residing in various river systems. Worthwhile the Hampshire Avon, the Teme, the Lugg and Frank Buckland of an attempt to obtain shillings (£4.50) per thousand he suggested information can also be obtained from old the Derbyshire Wye. These were put into spawning grayling from a pond at Aldermaston another attempt. There was some immediate records and publications. various stretches of Thames including owned by Mr Higford Burr. “Nothing comes up support. Unfortunately I don’t have any further In the 19thC various attempts were made to Shepperton Weir, Chertsey Bridge and Penton to the delights of dragging a pond or emptying a details of the actions taken by the supporters. introduce grayling to the River Thames. It Hook. In the opinion (24 March 1860) of Charles barn well stocked with rats.” There was an Y would appear, however, that Her Ladyship did Kingsley FLS FSA etc etc (the Charles Kingsley?) aside, however, to the effects that rats are so There is no doubt that attempts did continue not take easily to the “Old Man”. Details of any attempts to stock the Thames would fail cunning that they have been known to desert and that techniques and strategies did improve, some of the trials together with some possible since barbel would eat the spawn. “No fish that the barn the night before they are to be to the extent that hints of successful outcomes reasons for failure are to be found in The Field, spawns in gravel could resist him.” murdered. The aside was well-justified. The began to be published. It would appear that as a the Country Gentleman’s Newspaper, and the Y netting operation produced only frogs! result of larger numbers concentrated in shorter following notes are derived mainly from its Around the same time TAPS set up a committee Mr Burr had made earlier attempts. On 14 April stretches of river, grayling began to be publications of the 1800s. to investigate the possibility of breeding trout 1860 he recounted that in 1852 he put “10 or 11 “acclimatised”. This was particularly true in the In those days The Field was a weekly and grayling by artificial means. Two members brace, full of spawn into the Kennet. He did not tributaries of the Thames. publication which consisted of many pages of of the committee were Francis Francis and mention whether there were any “full of milt”. On 18 June 1887 there was news that the small print, containing letters and articles on a Frank Buckland, both well respected experts. On 25 June 1864 there is a reference to 1470 Henley on Thames Association had ordered 5000 variety of rural subjects. Among other things it On 18 April 1863 Mr. Buckland reported that grayling fry being “placed in the River Lea”. fry from Thomas Ford of Castor who claimed provided a record of the enthusiasm of the “Mr Ponder had been able to obtain a fair supply Could this be the origin of the prolific stocks that he had been successful in his attempt to Victorians for “acclimatisation”. of ova”. Between 15,000 and 20,000 eggs had been which once inhabited the Lea? feed grayling fry with “artificial food”. (In Of particular interest to us are the attempts to obtained from Shropshire. It was also reported, In the following few years there were isolated September of the same year the same “acclimatise” grayling into “new” rivers. On 11 however, that they had hatched in 14 days. reports of an odd grayling being caught in the association ordered some Loch Leven trout from March 1860 there were references to the earlier A fortnight later “G.A.” wrote from Glasgow Thames near the areas where they had been Howietoun in Stirlingshire). transfer of grayling from the Hampshire Avon to stating the opinion that grayling hatched in as stocked, but then there appeared to be a lull in In March 1869 there was a report that the the Test in 1820, from Test to Itchen in 1827 and short a time as 14 days would not survive. “G.A.” the proceedings. River Pang was “well stocked with grayling”. from Test to Thames in 1836. This last was was George Anderson, the person who had Y In the following month 100 grayling in the 6 to almost bound to fail since only 4 brace were organised the stocking of the Clyde several Stockings of other waters were still taking 8 inch class were obtained from Mr T Andrews involved. Several years later, however, a 3½lb years earlier. place, some with success, others not. On 19 of Guildford and placed in a shallow in the grayling was caught at Shepperton Lock. Attempts were also being made to obtains October 1867 there was a description of efforts Loddon near its junction with the Thames. Y stocks from foreign sources. There was a report, by Mr Bassell (Basset?) of Tehidy Park, Cornwall. Y The really serious attempts began in 1860 on 25 April 1863, of a loss of grayling spawn sent He commissioned Mr Williams, a tackle dealer Despite the fact that the only real successes when the Thames Angling Preservation Society by the French government to Mr Ponder. Francis from Hereford to make the necessary had been in the tributaries some clubs did (TAPS) passed a resolution that “It is desirable Francis and Frank Buckland. arrangements. As a result 95 grayling were sent continue to try the slower reaches of the main that grayling should be introduced into the River Perhaps more attention should have been from the Lugg, of which 83 arrived safely. A year river. On 20 December 1890 the Reading and Thames, and that the honorary secretary be given to that of Mr Anderson and that of Mr later, 5 September 1868, it was reported that the District AA stocked their stretch of the Thames hereby authorised to carry the same into effect.” Samuel Eyre who had pointed out on 10 January fish were doing well and that some had been with “11½ brace of magnificent grayling ranging At that time the TAPS water extended from 1863 that, while the Thames contained excellent released into a neighbouring brook. Could this in weight from 1½lb to 2¼lb”. These were Richmond to Staines. feeding, the rate of fall of the Thames between have been the beginning of the story of grayling obtained from the Hungerford Fly Fishing Club. Accordingly the secretary wrote to “several Lochdale and London was less than 21 inches in the South West corner of England? Of course it is possible that grayling had noblemen and others” who “very kindly granted per mile, which resulted in far too slow a flow Throughout these years there were also inhabited Thames and its tributaries at some the request to take grayling out of their for a good grayling stream. He felt that certain movements of other species. The transfer of earlier time, but well-known and well informed streams.” Some fine detail of the resulting tributaries and the upper reaches of the main trout spawn to the Antipodes is well Victorian anglers were certain that they were transfers appears in The Field on three separate river would provide better prospects, but gave a documented, but things were also happening starting from scratch. Whatever the true occasions – 2 June 1860, 20 December 1874, and reminder that those were blocked by locks and slightly nearer home. The issue of 13 March position it is certain that the Thames and at 1 March 1890. One of the authors was a river weirs. An aerated “fish carrier” designed by Mr 1869 makes reference to “1000 young Rhine least some of its tributaries received numbers of keeper and another had been an official of TAPS. Eyre had been used in a number of projects to salmon” to be put into the Usk “through the grayling from various parts of England. Perhaps While the details are not identical there is transfer both trout and grayling around the kindness of Mr Buckland”. future advances in genetic research will be able sufficient common ground to allow us to be country. This gave Mr Eyre worthwhile Some, however, had not given up on the to clarify things for us. 48 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 49 spiced home-made vegetable soup and lavishly buttered doorsteps of local bread, we togged-up and headed upstream for a couple Arkadi de Rakoff miles to the top of Fin’s stretch. In spite of one of the driest summers and For years I’d been hearing the same old When Fin picked me up at the airport, skies autumns on record (we seem to hear that mantra, that I was either - In the wrong place were leaden, winds gusting, temperature almost every year now, don’t we?) the Tweed at the wrong time. Or the right place at the wrong dropping steadily towards zero, and forecast was still offering a good pushable flow of time. Or the wrong place at the right time . These to get considerably worse overnight and water and the pools, though thinned, still have applied throughout a long career in the increasingly so over the next few days. But so providing enough cover for holding fish - film business when inevitably on location, far no rain, the river was still at a reasonable certainly enough to begin my introduction to prevailing weather conditions were just what height and we had every chance of getting the increasingly popular (European/Czech/ we didn’t want. “Ah, you should have been out on the water that afternoon before the French) nymphing style of fishing. here last week - conditions were just perfect”. weather closed in completely. Apart from a half-hearted couple of hours Does that ring a bell with my fishing brethren Buoyed by that sliver of hope, and judging with a pal’s Tenkara rod, this was going to be out there? - well I’d bet a pound to a pinch of from the copious amounts of food and drink my first serious experience in fishing without the old proverbial, it does! And wouldn’t you we sourced from local suppliers in the lovely a fly line. Fin handed me a ten foot, four just know it, two days weight, Streamflex, rigged with a twelve foot before I was due to to fly leader attached to thirty foot of monofilament up to Edinburgh, I got the plus backing line. And attached to the dreaded call. “Well, it’s up to leader’s hi-vis colour-graded indicator tip, a the more abrupt snagging of nature’s you, Kadi, but the forecast is six foot cast with two small nymph droppers, obstacles. But at the end of every cast, you dreadful” . It had taken me and bomb of a bug on the point to get the must let the line run downstream and across five years to firm up this nymphs down to feeding depth. Now all I had behind you - always flicking your wrist as a trip (three times previously to do was learn to cast the contraption. last optimistic strike on any following fish - cancelled due to The best way I can describe it is: start with which is how I hooked into my first one of unforeseen circumstances) the twelve foot leader and cast outside the the afternoon. - it was a birthday present rod-tip, and from the downstream starting Defiant, strong, and head-shakingly for a spot of Highland position (index finger trapping the line to obstinate; my rod was bent alarmingly in a fishing from my pal, Fin rod), transition seamlessly from a variety of different directions. Catching a few Wilson, a member of the downstream straight-armed arcing lift, up sub-surface glimpses of the twisting, flashing Hardy Academy and highly and over your head, into an upstream body, Fin was convinced I was into a good two experienced guide. forward lob, ending in (hopefully) dropping pound grayling. Then fifteen seconds later..... In the main, my previous the nymph at the head of the pool. Get that .lost! And again, the same scenario half an dedicated grayling fishing bit right - not easy to start with as it goes hour later. This time, broken off at the net. has been confined to against all the conventional norms of casting But the main thing was I was getting the England’s pastoral chalk streams - the last market town of Peebles, I knew at least the - then learn to control the drift (much easier). hang of it. Then as the last of the light was all two outings being this year’s Grayling Society hospitality would be wonderful - and on the The trick is always to have the rod raised to but disappeared - success came to the net! and WTT annual charity jollies on the Test way to our destination, my spirits further hold leader in the air - tip end of the coloured Not a grayling but a lovely, wild, twelve inch and Itchen. Both days hugely enjoyable and lifted by odd glimpses of a glorious, late- indicator just about kissing the surface of the young brownie, offering itself up as proof of productive; plenty of eager (stocked) browns autumn clad river. water - rod tip leading the procession down- the river’s health. between two and three pounds, and masses Fin’s one of the most fortunate people I stream. If you’ve judged the length of the In the meantime Fin had caught and of grayling up to a pound and little bit. know. He resides in an old converted post cast correctly, you should feel the heavily released two cracking grayling. But I was But a subsequent email from Fin, with pics office in a tiny Borders village, literally the weighted nymph, lightly bouncing along the quietly chuffed with my own varying degree of the two-three pounders which he regularly other side of the road from the banks of the river’s bed - being led - not dragged by - the of success and a growing attachment to this catches on his waters in early winter, had truly upper Tweed, on which he leases a three mile rod tip. The difficulty is then sorting the newly found technique. whet my appetite for more of these glorious, stretch from the local estate. Housing a wheat from the chaff, between bottom By now the worsening weather - rain now red- finned ladies. So with this temptation in plethora of named pools and infinite varieties snaggings and the takes. Needless to say you sleeting icily in the forecasted biting winds, mind, weather or no weather, I was of habitat for Salmon, Sea Tout, Brown Trout strike at every perceived deviation of flow but allied to the day’s four am start - had firmly determined not to be denied the chance, and and Grayling, Fin’s domain is a fishing slowly come to differentiate between the cemented my need for a dram or two of old- headed for Gatwick to catch my flight north. paradise. After a steaming bowl of delicately subtle differences of gentle, mouthing tugs and bone warming Highland mist . 50 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 51 Fin had warned me, that by day’s end, if I break, it was back to work. Determined not to I’d previously attempted salmon fishing on in my puny attempt at a local accent. wasn’t feeling a good old ache at the top of show myself up again, I followed instructions, four (unsuccessful) trips, in England, Ireland, Overnight the river had risen another five my lobbing arm it was proof I hadn’t been adjusted the leader and successfully managed Scotland and Wales - and always confronted inches and was now totally unfishable. So casting right. So now, relaxing in a to access the pool underneath the overhangs. in various regional accents with the dreaded only ever having planned to fish just the comfortable seat beside his wood burning In spite of fishing beneath a high protective “Aahh, you should have been here last week”. So morning before my afternoon flight, it wasn’t stove, it was aching sure enough. But by my bank at my back, the wind was gusting and now, whilst fishing for grayling in conditions too great a loss. And if I learned anything on second (not so wee) dram of Fin's Highland swirling so viciously that at certain points it that had become all but impossible to catch that trip, other than acquiring a new Mist, the ache was relaxing considerably. was actually knocking me off balance in the any kind of fish - I had managed to land my technique - it was that in order for me to water and making it all but impossible to first salmon . Okay: not huge, not big, or even catch a salmon, I had to disguise myself as a Rising river control the cast at the correct depth. And to big-ish; but a lovely lean, well mended hen grayling fisherman So maybe next year Overnight, sleet had turned to downpour, top it all, by early afternoon it was absolutely fish who’d graced the redds of the upper when I return it should be as a salmon fisher; and breakfast time had Fin consulting his bucketing down. Tweed with her bounty, and hopefully would in hope of that landing that elusive, prized water monitoring app - announcing the river Fin, already having banked his rod, had return for many more fruitful seasons to Tartan lady! was up three inches on the previous evening been keeping a weather eye on me for the come, each year grown in stature, beauty and and rising steadily. We’d best get out quickly last half an hour. And his sudden shouted cry maturity. I was beyond myself with For info on fishing in the area, contact: because my chances for one those wonderful of “Strike!” synchronised perfectly with my excitement - and that was it! “Enough, [email protected] or his website: two pound plus grayling looked to be fast own reaction! “Don’t lose it, Kadi - it’s a cracker!” Kadi?”…“Aye Finster. Hee-Land mist time” - said ww.fishwild.co.uk disappearing. The fight was fantastic, tantalising; Another lovely stretch just below a craggy upstream, downstream, across and back, zig old stone bridge - pools on the far bank and a and zag, always keeping to the deep - in fact Crossword nice level bottom for wading. But now I was absolutely anywhere but near to Fin’s waiting waist deep in the mid stream casting zone, net. And determined this would not be the No.4 and boy was it cold!. Serves me right for prize that got away….it was finally netted! Dr. Iain Gibb packing lightweight waders but I at least the Not the expected grayling - but a SALMON!! Across sense to pack thermals and jogging 1 Angling for a cutting edge bit of kit? (7, 5) pants which I was wearing 3 A rugby manoeuvre that fisherfolk spend underneath. For the next couple of good money on. (6) hours I was totally immersed in 6 A last testament that is in Latin initially, comes with a firearm up North and contains lobbing the bomb, searching the lies, a salmon fly as a legacy. (6, 4) keeping that high-vis tip just upright 8 Even the Prince of Wales with a line of thread of the water, all the while moving on a spool isn’t such a well known angler. (7,6) steadily downstream: and there were 11 The King had varied attributes, allowing him amongst the definite bottoming to stay afloat when all around him sank! (4) snaggings, a few possible plucks - but 12 Sounds like the famous Scot who won at nothing sticking to prove me right. Stirling could cast with a centre-pin. (6) Fin suggested we hike further 14 Twice this Scottish river has given its name to a type of cast. (6,4) downstream to one of his favourite 15 The Head Keeper is seen returning up to spots. Again the pool was far side, them in water. (5) and this time, heavily tree-lined with 17 Smoking, drinking and wild wild women.... low branch overhangs. Needless to often associated with flytying! (5) say the first lob ended with my 20 Could you murder this kind of shrimp? (6) leader hopelessly entangled in an 21 Dr Agnew holds on tight to try and stop his fish from running. (4) overhang, in spite of Fin’s 22 Many miles per hour initially holds fish food 5 PC Lupine Liquor adjusted his tell-tale for 13 If you’re feeling down, add one of these for (unheeded) warning to shorten the below the surface. (5) an arresting indicator of piscine activity. (9,5) luck and go salmon fishing with it. (4,5) cast. But the brrr factor of the 23 A dry fly invented by a pair of Brocks? (6,6) 7 A Scottish tune on the fiddle hooks ‘em 16 Woodcock, Knots, Oystercatchers, Dunlin, worsening wind on my bare skin down South, resulting in a topsy-turvy Snipe.....they’re all seen when the angler hits the depths. (6) now felt near artic - arthritic fingers Down presentation. (3,4) 9 The incoming parachutist had ten different 18 The French snake lost D day but still came hardly working. I had to stand by 2 Going on a plane with these can reduce in front of the fly. (6) your chances of having children but take up ways of holding on to her catch. (7,3) like a stupid schoolboy as a new room in your tackle box. (6,7) 19 What salmon do even without legs? (3) three nymph cast was assembled for 10 A cull of French ducks by less than 50 4 An arcane rodeo rider holds the kind of Romans provides plenty of feathers for Solution on Page 64 (Back of the me. After taking a welcome hot soup tackle he should slow down to use. (4,3) flytying. (3,2,6) Symposium Booking Form) 52 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 53 Area 3 - London, Kent, Essex, Area 11 - Co. Durham, Tyne & Wear Dr Malcolm Greenhalgh OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY Middlesex, Hertfordshire, East Sussex & Northumberland 2 Brignall Grove, Lowton President Scientific Officer Germany and Austria Geoff Wood Stuart Wardle Warrington, Cheshire WA3 2HU Robin Mulholland OBE Ross Gardiner Andreas Schumacher 89 Charles Street, Berkhamsted 14 Claypool Farm Close, Email : [email protected] Knapp Cottage, 38/39 Corton Scottish Government c/o Spiess Schumacher Schmieg & Herts HP4 3DJ Hutton Henry, Co Durham TS27 4QZ 07769 2144444 Tel: 01429 836793 Dr Les Jervis Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 OSZ Marine Scotland Science Partner 38 Village Road Tel: 01985 850450 Freshwater Laboratory Märkisches Ufer 34, 10179 Berlin [email protected] Mobile: 07904 278889 Email: [email protected] Heswall, Wirral CH60 0DZ Email: [email protected] Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5LB Tel: +49 (0)30 440 133 00 Area 4 - Hereford, Worcestershire, Tel: 07837 628588 Telephone: 01224 294400 (work), Fax: +49 (0)30 44 01 01 44 Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Area 12 - Scotland Email: [email protected] Chairman 01796 472157 (Home) Email: [email protected] Shropshire & Powys, Dyfed, Gwent, Chris Thomas Rob Hartley Email: [email protected] Holland West, Mid & South Glamorgan 9 New Winton Cottages Hans van Klinken Hartley House, Galveston Grove Sales Officer Hans van Klinken Geoff Bevan New Winton, nr Tranent Wormgoorlan 33 Fenton, Stoke on Trent Brian Clarke Wormgoorlaan 33, Fishweir Farm, St. Mary Church East Lothian EH33 2NH 6732CB Harskamp Staffordshire ST4 3PE 21 Corve Way, Holme Hall 6732 CB Harskamp, Holland Cowbridge,Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7LT Tel: 01875 613861 The Netherlands Tel: 07976 222227 Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 4YA Tel: +31 (0)318 456474 Tel: 01446 774223 Mob: 07508 602 529 Tel: 0031 318 456474 Email: [email protected] Tel: 01246 271324 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email : [email protected] Mob: 07711 905776 Vice Chairman Italy Vacant Area 5 - Leicestershire, West Dr Martyn Lucas Email: [email protected] School of Biological and Biomedical Pat Stevens Norway Midlands, Staffordshire, Sciences Taenross, Orchard Close, Conservation Projects Officer Ole A. Bjerke Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire TRUSTEES OF THE Wrea Green, Preston Richard Cove Johan Bojersveg 8, 2816 Gjovik, & Suffolk GRAYLING RESEARCH TRUST Durham University, South Road Lancashire PR4 2NH 20 Peel Crescent, Ashton Hayes Norway Paul Deaville Durham DH1 3LE Tel: 01772 684003 Chester, Cheshire CH3 8DB Mobile: +47 40 43 61 76 21 Beckenham Close Chairman Tel: 0191 334 1345 Mob: 07788427560 Tel: 01829 759376 (home) Email: ole@gamefish.no off Caverswall Lane Richard Cove Email : [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 03000653897 (work) Stoke on Trent 20 Peel Crescent, Ashton Hayes Mob: 07867 908700 Poland Staffordshire ST3 6HW Chester, Cheshire CH3 8DB Steve Rhodes Apple Tree Cottage General Secretary Email:Richard.Cove@cyfoethnaturiolc Dr Stanislaw Cios Tel: 01782 396806 Tel: 01829 759376 (home), 03000 ul. 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Guided fly fishing for Trout and Grayling on the English TRADE MEMBERS chalk streams and beyond. DEVON SCHOOL OF FLY FISHING BARBLESS FLIES Fox and Hounds Hotel, Eggesford, Devon, EX18 7JZ 14 Lanhill View, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6XS Tailored guided trips on the English chalk streams. Tel: 01363 82786 Tel UK: 078767 50828 e-mail: [email protected] email: [email protected] Come and discover the beauty and splendour of the web: www.devonschoolofflyfishing.com web: www.barbless-flies.co.uk chalk streams and the fish that swim in them. Pike on FUNKY FLYTYING TUNGSTEN BEADS PLUS the fly and trotting for Grayling also available. Let us Funky Products Ltd, Unit 1 Old Engineers Workshops, email: [email protected] Taunton Station, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1QP web: www.tungsten-beads-plus.com know what you are looking for and we will tailor a Tel: 01823 617373 THE DURHAM FLY FISHING COMPANY package just for you. e-mail: [email protected] 14 Claypool Farm Close, Hutton Henry, Co Durham,TS27 4QZ web: www.funkyflytying.co.uk Mob: 07904 278889 Chalk Stream Dreams COOKSHILL FLY TYING email: [email protected] Tel: 01782 388382 web: www.durhamflyfishing.co.uk Guiding on the chalk streams and beyond e-mail: [email protected] COCH-Y-BONDDU BOOKS www.cookshill-flytying.co.uk Flat 1 Church Road, Nether Wallop, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8ET Heol Pentrerhedyn, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8DG Mobile: +44 7793 652039 [email protected] FLY TEK FLY FISHING Tel: +44 1654 702837 The Owl Business Centre, 47 School Lane, Upholland, email: e-mail: [email protected] Lancashire, WN8 0LW web: www.anglebooks.com Tel: 01695 359 935 ALBA GAME FISHING www.flytek.co.uk Tel: 07734 810706 VENIARD LIMITED e-mail: [email protected] 69 Gloucester Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 2DD (Philip Varney) web: www.albagamefishing.com Wilton Fly Fishing Club Tel: 0208 684 2288 THE LONDON FLY FISHING FAIR email: [email protected] Tel: 0208 347 8145 Mob: 07860 887447 If you would like to fish for wild trout and grayling on a beautiful web: www.veniard.com email: [email protected] FLY ONLY LTD web: thelondonflyfishingfair.co.uk Wiltshire chalk stream, the Wilton Fly Fishing Club has spaces on The Willows Business Park, Nr Bank, Shelley, Huddersfield, WODENCROFT FARM COTTAGES its waiting list. West Yorkshire, HD8 8YB Wodencroft Farm Cottage, Cotherstone, Barnard Castle, Tel UK: 01484 600555 County Durham, DL 12 9UQ For further information, please contact Mike Tebbs, the email: [email protected] Tel: 01833 650909 web: www.flyonlyonline.co.uk Mobile: 07595758668 Membership Secretary, at: [email protected] THE ESSENTIAL FLY email: [email protected] Tel: 01985 841192 Rowan Lodge, 35B Bondgate, Selby, North Yorkshire,YO8 3LX web: www.wodencroftholidaycottages.co.uk Tel UK: 01757 333003 Tel USA: 212-796-0874 SCOTIA FISHING Tel International: +44 1757 333003 Tel: 07415974879 email: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] www.theessentialfly.com website: www.scotiafishing.com For all your Fly Fishing Guiding, Tuition, Specialised CORPORATE MEMBERS Tackle and Holiday/Breaks in the North of England. PENCOED ANGLING CLUB WILTON FLY FISHING CLUB Tel: 01656 863699 Hon Sec: Mike Tebbs Get in touch with The Durham Fly Fishing Company e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01985 841192 web: www.padac.org.uk e-mail: [email protected] and let me ‘exceed your expectations’ NORBURY FISHING CLUB web: www.wiltonffc.co.uk Tel: 01245224883 CORWEN & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUB e-mail: [email protected] Secretary: Paul Ainsworth web: www.norburyfishingclub.co.uk Tel: 07716 489620 TEWIN FLYFISHING CLUB e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 07599 511733 web: www.corwenanddistrictanglingclub.co.uk e-mail: [email protected] PRINCE ALBERT ANGLING SOCIETY web: tewinflyfishingclub.wordpress.com Tel: 01477 533999 WALTONIAN ANGLING CLUB web: http://www.paas.co.uk Tel: 0114 2582163 Mob: 07870 423960 FENTON AND DISTRICT ANGLING SOCIETY e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01782 870767 web: www.thewaltonians.co.uk web: www.fentonanddistrictanglingsociety.co.uk Stuart Wardle CAERSWS ANGLING ASSOCIATION BUILTH WELLS ANGLING Tel: 01686 688196 Dan Graham, Secretary www.durhamflyfishing.co.uk e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] www.caersws-aa.co.uk www.builthwellsangling.co.uk Tel: 07904 278889 DERWENT ANGLER'S CLUB FEDERATION OF FLY FISHERS DENMARK Tel: 01723 374755 email: [email protected] Email: e-mail: [email protected] web: www.derwentanglers.com web: https://fffd.dk [email protected] Full details of Trade and Corporate Membership can be obtained from the Editor

56 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 57 Tungsten Beads Special Offer for Society Members! NEW Colours now available. Round beads in gold, copper, nickel, black (gunmetal) and now in white, bright green and hot orange. Sizes from1.5mm up to 4.6mm (depending on colour). Packs of 50 are only £7.50 inc. p&p. State quantity, size and colour. ALSO - mixed 10 compartment box containing 200 beads (see image). Just state your choice of size and colour – only £28 inc. p&p. To order or for more info email to For more information, contact: [email protected] or ring 01543 689117 Fishing Matters Ltd, Unit 3, Lawrence House Yard, Southgate Road, Wincanton BA9 9EB Tel: +44 (0)1963 31623

Mick Williams – Fishing Guide Cysgod y Coed B&B and Self Catering Llanfor, Bala, Gwynedd LL23 7DU 01678 520036 or 07896634483 www.cysgod-y-coed.co.uk [email protected] Fancy a bit of fishing on the River Dee or in the mountains and lakes of Snowdonia? We can arrange transport, accommodation, packed lunches & meals out. Arrangements and advice can be provided for Fishing Licences, Permits, Equipment, Locations, etc. Mick is also available as a Guide if you fancy fishing for trout or grayling. Stay for a short break or even a week.

Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 59 Wild trout and grayling ANDREW CARTWIGHT fishing in the GAME ANGLING LICENSED FLY CASTING INSTRUCTOR. BASED IN BEAUTIFUL MID WALES. Welsh Marches GUIDING ON THE RIVER SEVERN, WYE, DEE AND THE RIVER VYRNWY, ALSO REMOTE MOUNTAIN LAKES AND RIVERS The Upper Tanat Fishing Club has fly-fishing for wild trout FOR GRAYLING AND WILD BROWN TROUT. and grayling (including some real specimens) on 7 miles of a tributary of the upper River Severn and a 9 acre hill lake Contact ANDREW on in the Welsh Mountains. 01686 688196 or 07929 469160 Prospective members can obtain further E-mail: [email protected] details via www.tanatfishing.com Web Site: www.acgameangling.co.uk

GUIDED TROTTING ON THE W ELSH Till Fishing Holidays DEE, SEVERN, ANNAN, TEVIOT Northumberland and other rivers by arrangement Area 12 - Chris Thomas with George Ashton Scotland 1 mile of grayling, sea trout and salmon fishing One to one or two person share on the River Till. Tackle & bait provided Area 11 - Stuart Wardle 4 star centrally heated orchard cottage available. Full day or half day tuition Co. Durham, Tyne & Wear Advice on tackle, rigs & tactics & Northumberland Contact Lucy Carroll: 07974 416692 Tel: 0151 548 5741 Area 10 - Alan Swann Email: fish@till-fishing.co.uk Lancashire, Merseyside, Cumbria, Email: [email protected] Greater Manchester & Isle of Man

Area 9 - Steve Rhodes West, East & North Yorkshire Go Fly Fishing UK Area 8 - Brian Clarke Phil Fly Fishing Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, Specialists in the best of the UK’s Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire & Norfolk River Brown Trout and Grayling fly fishing Phil Ratcliffe offers guided fishing on the Welsh Dee and Severn Area 6 - Glynn williams ONE-TO-ONE GUIDING/TUITION AND Gwynedd & Clwyd, Wirral & Cheshire TAILOR-MADE SHORT BREAKS Phone: 07875 718718 Area 5 - Paul Deaville Tel: +44 (0) 1756 748378 Web: www.philratcliffeflyfishing.co.uk Leicestershire, West Midlands, Staffordshire, Mail: [email protected] Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire & Suffolk Email: [email protected] www.goflyfishinguk.com APGAI & IFFF MCI Area 4 - Geoff Bevan Dyfed, Gwent, West, Mid & South Glamorgan

Area 3 - Geoff Wood London, Kent, Essex, Middlesex, Hertfordshire, East Sussex

Area 2 - Alex Adams Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex & Wiltshire

Area 1 - Mark Hamnett Devon, Cornwall, Dorset & Somerset

60 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 61 Ê

There is no separate Booking Form again this year. You can now book on-line, or please photocopy or scan this page if you do not wish to cut your copy of “Grayling” 62 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Please use this page for your own notes if you are not detaching the Booking Form

Solution to Crossword 4

Protect the future of your shing.

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Join the Angling Trust today 64 Grayling – Spring/Summer 2019 Call: 0844 77 00 616 www.anglingtrust.net