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The Journal of The Grayling Society

Volume 27 - Number 5 • Summer 2017 &2&+<%21''8%22.6&2&+ < %21''8%22. © CONTENTS Machynlleth,Machynlleth, Powys SY20 8DG Tel:Teel: 01654 702837 wwwwww.anglebooks.com.anglebooks.com [email protected] The Official Journal of The Grayling Society )/,(6)25*5$

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KKLVWRU\DQGWKHERRNVWKDWKDYHEHHQZULWWHQDERXWWKHPIDPRXVLVWRU\DQG WKH ERRNV WKDW KDDYYHEHHQ ZULWWHQ DERXW WKHP IIDDPRXV  Editor - Bob Male The Educated Grayling Karl Humphries 22 DQJOHUVRIWKH%RUGHUODQGVWKHLUÀ\SDWWHUQVDQGWHFKQLTXHVDQJOHUVRI WKH %RUGHUODQGVWKHLUÀ\ SDWWHUQV DQG WHFKQLTXHV Telephone: 01722 503939 e-mail: [email protected] 33DSHUEDFNZLWKÀDSV3ULFH DSHUEDFNZLWK ÀDSV 3ULFH   Reminiscences of Grayling 2016 Stanislaw Cios 26 Signed limited edition hardback. Price £50.00 Advertising - Rod Calbrade Subscriptions per annum: Full £28.00, Joint £47.00 Personal Bests Baz Reece 29 FLYFLLYY FISHING OUTSIDEOUTSID THE BOX: EMERGING Senior (over 70) £22.00 HERESIES by Peter Hayes Junior (under 16) £5.00 Details available from the Officers of the Society 34 ““ThisThis brilliantbrilliant bookbook challengeschallenges assumptions, shows why Membership Secretary PDQ\WLPHZRUQSUDFWLFHVQHHGWREHUHWKRXJKWDQGSURYLGHVPDQ\WLPH ZRUQ SUDFWLFHV QHHGWR EH UHWKRXJKW DQG SURYLGHV Dyfan Morris 58 Ffordd Estyn, Garden Village parameters for new action, all based on logic and a raft of Wrexham LL11 2TB Tel: 01978 310790 Mob: 07939 814081 FFRPPRQVHQVH´ 7LPRWK\%HQQ RPPRQVHQVH´ 7LPRWK\ %HQQ  Email:[email protected] FFirstirst editionedition hardbackhardback - signed- signed by bythe theauthorauthor. author. PricePrice £25.00£25.00 Design and Production Peter Silk Design e-mail: [email protected] THE NORTHNORRTHTH COUCOUNTRCOUNTRYUNTRRYY FLFLYLYY by Robert L Smith Society Web Site www.graylingsociety.net %HDXWLIXOO\%HDXXWWLIIXXOO\ LOOXVWUDWHGLOOXVWUDWHG ZLWKZLWK H[DPSOHVH[DPPSSOHV RIRI DFWXDODFWXDO ÀLHVÀLHV DQGDQG © The Grayling Society, 2017 The copyright of all material in this edition of ‘Grayling’ remains with the Authors, or the mmaterials,aterials, andand with images from the original manuscripts, this Printed by Cambrian Printers Grayling Society, and may not be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the ERRNWHOOVWKHGH¿QLWLYHVWRU\RIWKH1RUWK&RXQWU\À\ERRNWHOOVWKH GH¿QLWLYHVWRU\RI WKH 1RUWK&RXQWU\ À\ Aberystwyth SY23 3TN 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 and no guarantee is given for any product or service being offered. Contributions, including ³$VKHHUMR\WRUHDGVWDQGLQJKHDGDQGVKRXOGHUVDERYHDOO³$VKHHUMR\ WR UHDGVWDQGLQJ KHDGDQG VKRXOGHUVDERYHDOO Cover Illustration photographs or illustrations are always welcome, but the Society assumes no responsibility RRWKHUVRQWKHVXEMHFWRIVRIWKDFNOHGÀLHV´ 3DXO3URFWHU WKHUVRQ WKH VXXEEEMMHFW RI VRIIWWKDFNOHGÀLHV´ 3DXO 3URFWHU  Summer Carrier for the safety of contributions, although all reasonable care will be taken. Views expressed Photo: Bob Male by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or of the Grayling Society. All enquiries FirstFirst edition hardback - signed by the authorauthor.. Price £25.00 about articles in ‘Grayling’ should be addressed to the Editor. MasterMastercardrcarcarrdd / VisaVisa / PPaypal UK POSTPOSTAGETAGEAAGEGE EXTRAEXT UP TOTO A MAXIMUM OF £5 Grayling – Summer 2017 1 the North Atlantic". That was an attitude that flies. Taking a leaf from the books of our good endeared him to both sides of the issue, and was friends in the Wild Trout Trust and the STCUK, Editorial Bob Male the basis for his great success in helping to we are announcing the lots and their contents in close down damaging commercial net fisheries advance. Members can bid by post or on line as throughout the Northern Hemisphere. well as at the Dinner, and you will find a list of I must begin on a sad note, and record the Amongst his many honours, Orri was made a the lots so far donated in this edition. Contact passing of Willem Ridderbeks, one of the Society’s Vice President of the Salmon & Trout Association Pat Stevens to make your bids; his contact long-standing members. Past President Steve Ashbourne 2004, Coniston Cold 2005 and both (as we were then called) in the 1990s. details are with the lots list. Skuce has remembered him: of the latest ones in the South of England. If anyone would like to donate an auction lot, be They attended the Symposium last year when Orri was currently helping members of the it tackle, flies or fishing, there is still time, and once Willem Ridderbeks they stayed on for a few days afterwards and I England Fisheries Group on the Environment again, Pat Stevens is the man to contact. Many had the immense pleasure of fishing with them Agency’s 5-point recovery action for salmon, thanks to all who donate to this very good cause. again, feeding them, chewing the cud and even especially over the Northeast English coastal visiting London for a lecture on fish smartness at nets. He will be very sadly missed by all of us in Speaking of Pat, there are changes at FlyTek. the Royal Zoological Society. We all had a great the working group, as he will be by the host of The website is up and running, in case anyone time fishing the Wylye and Test and lots of fun other fisheries people with whom he came into has not noticed, and some of the contact details on our trip to the Smoke. contact around the world. Our thoughts are are new – please see the advert in this edition. with his widow, Unna, and the rest of his family. Pat plans to be involved in the business for In fact, you always had ‘lots of fun’ when with some time yet, and FlyTek will continue to be a Will and Han. The two of them were so inseparable 2017 Symposium corporate member of the Society. We wish him that you wondered sometimes if they were On a happier note, the plans for the next AGM and FlyTek the very best for the future. joined at the hip! Will was only 55 and is a and Symposium are well underway, and a second massive loss to the Society and to the world. copy of the Booking form is included in this edition Keeping in touch He was a great fisherman, wine connoisseur, of Grayling . If you haven’t yet booked, make the You may well have noticed Kris Kent’s stalwart food gourmand and exceptional friend and decision and come along to North Wales for a figure gracing the cover of Total Flyfisher possessed that lovely sense of laid back dry great weekend of fishing, food and craic. magazine. Kris’s articles and advice are becoming humour that many Dutchmen seem to possess. The Annual Dinner has always ended with an a regular feature in the magazine, with Han will miss him. I will miss him. The world auction in support of the Grayling Research additional information about the Society from will miss him. Trust, and this year’s will also do so, but with a Steve Skuce. This is part of our strategy to reach And his friends in the Society will miss him too. couple of differences. out to possible new members, and to keep our I have, sadly, to inform you that one of our Our thoughts go to his family and friends. We are concentrating on the kind of lots that present members informed and perhaps dearest Dutch members, Willem Ridderbeks, has Steve Skuce have generated most interest (and most value) entertained! Our Facebook page is growing and died suddenly. in the past, especially fishing days and speciality being used more often, and several Areas now In early April his inseparable buddy Johan Orri Vigfusson Engelen was in touch with me explaining that Many members who fish for grayling also fish for Will, who was a other species, or at least know and respect those Notice of Annual General Meeting dedicated and who do so. It is with great sadness that we must talented veterinary report another death, that of Orri Vigfusson. Orri of The Grayling Society surgeon, died from a was a great champion of the Atlantic salmon, and The 41st Annual General Meeting of The Grayling Society will be held at heart attack whilst a tireless campaigner for the preservation of that 4.00pm on Saturday the 21st October 2017, at the Ramada Plaza, Wrexham doing what he liked great fish. I will quote briefly from the Salmon and best - helping a Trout Conservation UK release : Please note the following: in person, no later than 12 noon on Saturday cow to give birth to 21st October 2017. All at Salmon & Trout Conservation are very 1. Most of the Committee Members are due her calf. Please indicate for which position you wish to saddened to hear that Orri Vigfusson has passed for re-election at the AGM. Anyone wishing to He and Han were be considered. away. He did so much to save Atlantic salmon be considered for a position on the Committee staunch supporters from the high seas netting that was such a great should forward their name and a short 2. Anyone wishing to propose a motion for of the Society for threat to the species, but at the same time he biography to Rod Calbrade, General Secretary, consideration at the AGM must submit it in many years and they was determined that commercial netsmen The Grayling Society, 19 Sherwood Way, High writing to Rod Calbrade, The Grayling Society, have attended should be properly compensated for giving up Crompton, Shaw, Oldham OL2 7LX or 19 Sherwood Way, High Crompton, Shaw, several Symposia their licences to fish for salmon. His stated [email protected] by 12 noon Oldham OL2 7LX or [email protected] including those in objective was to "restore the abundance of wild Thursday 19th October 2017 or hand it to Rod, by 31st August 2017. Dumfries 2000, salmon that formerly existed on both sides of

2 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 3 have their own Facebook pages. Use them England were at risk from unsustainable abstraction: please, and keep in touch. I 14% were classified as over-abstracted – You will find Area Secretaries’ reports in this where current abstraction is causing river edition, revisiting an old tradition. The aim is to flows to drop below levels needed to sustain keep members informed about what is going on the ecosystem; and in their area, and to encourage participation and I 9% were over-licensed, meaning that they communication. would be over-abstracted if licence holders took all the water they were entitled to). Low E-mails flows in rivers and water levels in lakes have a Once again, let me reiterate the request that any variety of damaging impacts on fish stocks: member who has a new e-mail address, or who I pollutants are concentrated has not yet given their contact details to their Area I temperatures increase Secretary, to please do so. Good communication I oxygen levels decrease is at the heart of an organisation like ours. I there is less wetted area for invertebrates and Rivers and fishing other food favoured by fish Down here in the sunny South, the hot dry I they are more vulnerable to predation weather continues remorselessly, and our rivers I they are less able to migrate up and down are very seriously affected. With most of our rivers to complete their lifecycle rivers fed by springs in the chalk aquifer, even I there is a greater risk of disease. the heavy rain of a few weeks ago has little DEFRA published a major consultation paper effect – most of the water evaporates long on this issue back in 2013 – I wish the Trust before it reaches the springs. every success in moving things along! The news that Angling Trust, with WWF and For more information on this and other campaigns, The Rivers Trust, is starting a campaign called see the Trust website at: anglingtrust.net Nature Needs You, to inform and agitate for Closing thought: reform of water abstraction law and practice. Almost all rod-caught grayling are now released, The Trust’s new release says: 2017 SYMPOSIUM hopefully with the absolute minimum of damage The Angling Trust, alongside other conservation and stress. I have recently been re-editing the Preparations are now well under way for our members who wish to do their own thing. and fisheries organisations, has long campaigned Society’s paper on good practice in this matter, and, 41st Symposium this Autumn. Start planning Please send the send the Symposium Booking for complete reform of the existing water naturally, sought the best advice that I could get. your Symposium weekend now as it is taking form to Barrie Davidson with your cheque to his abstraction licensing regime. The right to I keep seeing what Steve calls “grip and grin” place on the weekend of October 21st and 22nd. address on the form, and make your hotel abstract water from rivers, aquifers, reservoirs etc. photos – anglers holding grayling, usually big As you already know we are returning to the booking direct with the hotel, mentioning that in England and Wales was formally created by ones, up for the camera, often with dorsal fin valley of one of the most beautiful and greatest you are a Grayling Society member; both as the Water Act of 1963, by amalgamating the held up to max the impact. We all know how grayling rivers in the UK - the Welsh Dee. We soon as possible. plethora of previous licences into a single cooperative grayling can be out of water (NOT!), will be based at the Ramada Plaza Hotel just Dave permitting regime. At the time, this was done This year we will have as our speakers, so we can only assume that these photos are outside Wrexham. It will accommodate the Southall with little or no consideration of what level of who is a regular contributor to Grayling not doing the fish any good. Take a picture by increasing number of members who are abstraction water bodies could actually sustain. and Fly Fishing & Fly Tying magazine. He has all means, we all want a record of a good fish, attending the Symposium and will offer us all Since then, we have seen a significant increase in also had articles published on grayling in the but please leave the fish IN THE WATER . the facilities we require and ensure that we Tenkara USA annual magazine. He sits on both per capita use of water, population numbers have close proximity of presentation and trade and use of water for irrigation of crops. For all the “Pin-heads” out there stand rooms with all the eating and drinking It is our belief that the current regime is Thanks to John Davison for sending me a link needs close at hand. therefore no longer fit for purpose and has to John Austerfield’s video, “Centre-pins and It is on the A483 the main North – South road resulted in inexcusable damage to the aquatic how to use them”, on YouTube. A very good running down to the Dee a couple of miles environment through excessive levels of introduction covering maintenance, casting, upstream from Erbistock, and accessible to all abstraction being permitted. fishing and many very useful tips; for the beats up and down the river. Addressing unsustainable abstraction aspiring newcomer and the more experienced. A second Booking form is included in this – abstraction reform issue of Grayling with a list of other hotels, Copy deadline for the Winter Journal is Environment Agency data obtained by WWF guest houses etc. for those who wish to be away Wednesday November 1st A Dee Grayling in late 2016 showed that a quarter of rivers in from the Symposium venue and for those 4 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 5 and will be talking about agricultural pollution and possible solutions. Alan Roe from Lancashire, an all round angler who has fished for the last 45 years catching coarse, game and sea fish species. He has a talent with the centrepin reel and everything concerned with trotting; he is still making his own floats and will be giving a demonstration of Wallis casting. “The Welsh Dee Experts” , a talented group of gentlemen who will tell you all about the Dee and how to go about catching its grayling. Karl Humphries, our Marketing Officer, is very involved on the “Get Hooked on Fishing” scheme, which he has been running in conjunction with the Society and the Thomas Adams School. This has engaged with the children from the school, teaching them all The Dee at Carrog Carrog aspects of angling with the emphasis on monitoring grayling in the Welsh Dee. Karl will several committees in his native East Yorkshire be telling us all about its successes. area and seems, according to his Facebook The Grayling Research Trust will have page, to go fishing every day! their usual afternoon spot at which they will be His talk: "A Versatile Approach to Catching updating us on the work being carried out by Grayling" will illustrate his diverse approaches the Trust. to effectively catching grayling in a wide range Partners Day of waters & the techniques & flies that work for him, such as Tenkara, Italian Style Casting, Euro The idea of the Partners Day, organized by the Nymphing, Micro Thin lines & a plethora of others. Symposium team, is for those partners who come along and find themselves needing He has caught grayling in most European alternative recreations, and it has gone down countries as well as Canada & the USA (Alaska). well, with Erddig Hall proving a popular choice. Mark Lloyd. His first experience of a river, the Erddig Hall is a National Trust property River Yeo at the bottom of his garden, is where “Where fragrance, peace and beauty reign…”, so he first learnt to fish for gudgeon, minnows and said Philip Yorke II, an earlier owner of the roach. When it was destroyed by flood defence property which has a treasure trove of items, works he started, aged 10, a campaign to protect it. He started a project in London to restore the Erddig Hall capital's rivers and canals in 1994. The project succeeded in engaging tens of thousands of volunteers to haul rubbish out of the tidal Thames, create new wildlife habitats and clean up derelict areas. By 2005 Thames21 had become a registered charity, of which he was the Chief Executive, employing 17 staff and turning over more than £1million a year. He was then recruited to take over running the Anglers’ Conservation Association and has since led the unification of angling organisations. Mark serves on both the The Dee at Llangollen Angling Trust Board and Fish Legal Committee

6 Grayling – Summer 2017 G r a y l i n g – S u m m e r 2 0 1 7 7 David Miller artist famous for his stunning fresh and saltwater fish paintings. Luke Bannister for his range of cane rods and furled leaders. And fly tyers, do not forget during this coming year to put a set of flies together and send it to the Chairman for entry into the Righyni Roose Trophy competition. Start planning your weekend now! Put October 21/22 – or longer if you wish to find more of the delights of the Dee Valley – in your diary, send the booking form to Barrie Davidson The Dee at LLangollen Near Llangollen and book in at the Ramada Wrexham for a truly Graylingious Research Trust. In an attempt to maintain this weekend! donation but to shorten the time of the auction What a great couple of days it (so that we can all spend a bit more time promises to be! drinking and chatting!), we would like to try a The Dee at Corwen new idea at this North Wales symposium. We are going to limit the auction items to Sunday weather...hopefully! either sets of flies or guided fishing days, or items that add “something special”. The beauty of these is that we can send advance details so that those who cannot attend the Symposium can submit an email bid to our auctioneer Pat Stevens. The lots are in a separate article in this “upstairs and downstairs” plus gardens and a publication. They will also be on the website variety of lunches and teas. Alternatively, there where they will be updated as further lots come is the famous Steam Railway from Llangollen up in. Pat’s email address is: the Dee valley, through Carrog to Corwen for [email protected] either a Saturday or Sunday trip which the team Trade Stands will have details of. During the Symposium we hope to have our There are several other opportunities such as usual array of Trade stands – the historic City of Chester, Chester Zoo, the The Grayling Society, for unique Grayling Blue Planet Aquarium. Chirk Castle to visit as Society badged gear. well as trips on the Llangollen canal. FLYTEK for tackle from Partridge hooks, Gala Dinner and Auction Varivas, Benecchi, Marc Petitjean, We will be announcing more details of the Marryat rods. dinner nearer the time, but suffice to say it will Cookshill Flytying for full skins, hackle be of the usual high standard. feathers, hair and fur products generally as well As those of you who have attended our annual as silks, threads and capes. Symposium know, we have held an auction Fishing Matters for Partridge of Redditch, immediately after the dinner on the Saturday Cox and Rawle, Varivas and Marryat Rods night. This auction normally raised around Coch y Bonddu Books with well known £2,000, which is donated to the Grayling book expert Paul Morgan on hand.

8 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 9 will appear in our own publication Grayling . Lot 11 The venue will be on a beat of the lucky GS Auction Lots 2017 person’s own river. If you have ever wanted to see your photos in The catalogue for the Symposium Auction at the time of going to press print, this could be the starting point for you.

Lot 8. A day’s guided fishing on the Lot 1. One day’s fishing in the beautiful Lot 5. One days fishing for Grayling on Welsh Dee near Bala, including lunch. Yorkshire Dales, guided by Steve Rhodes. the Lambourn through Newbury hosted John Walker will host. To be taken in October 2017. by Grayling Society PR Officer Kris Kent. Lunch provided. Lot 9. A day’s guided fly fishing with Stuart Wardle of The Durham Fly Fishing Lot 2. A day’s hosted fishing in the Lot 6. A day’s grayling fishing for two Company. Lot 12. A day’s fishing, hosted by Mark footsteps of Walton and Cotton in rods on the prolific waters of the Wilton Hamnet. Dovedale. Club’s stretch of the River Wylye in Chairman Rob Hartley will guide, and you will Wiltshire. Lot 13. 12 Grayling flies tied and donated need chest waders to access some of the private To be taken after October 16th 2017. Bob Male by Mark Hamnett. sections of this superb, blue riband river. to host and assist on the day wherever needed. Wading essential, catch and release likewise. Lot 14. A piece of Grayling Society history. Lot 3. Presented by Norbury Fishing Club. Bait fishing allowed if river conditions permit – Two cards of flies, with fly names on the A unique opportunity to access some fly contact Bob near the day to check this. reverse side, that were sent to Harry fishing in a location that wouldn't Hamer, (a founder member of the society) otherwise be available to fish. Lot 7. A day with Fly Fishing Photographe r in 1980. One day for 2 rods on the river Dove with a Rod Calbrade. ‘Norbury Fishing Club’ committee member. For the last 20 years our General Secretary Rod This prestigious club has 4 miles of double-bank Calbrade has worked as a freelance fishing between Ellastone and Rochester. A photographer for fly fishing magazines, principally healthy wild trout and grayling population with Trout and Salmon, although his work has been 40cm fish not uncommon, these are in all of the other fly fishing titles, as well as in supplemented by carefully considered brown several books and in the Orvis catalogue. trout stocking. There is a mixture of fly fishing He has worked with writers such as Paul Contact Stuart to agree the details at: opportunities with both dry fly and nymph. This Procter, Chris McCully, Laurence Catlow, Oliver The Durham Fly Fishing Company is a FLY ONLY water and some wading is Edwards, John Roberts plus many more. This is 14 Claypool Farm Close, Hutton Henry, required, but not difficult with reasonable care. the first time that this offer has been made. Co Durham, TS27 4QZ "Exceeding Date by arrangement, 2018 season excluding the It is a chance for 2 people to spend a day with expectations" Mayfly (first 2 weeks of June). Rod learning how he approaches photographing Tel: 07904 278889 for an article in a magazine, the creative E-mail: [email protected] In their original postal packets, and kindly techniques he uses and his use of the camera Web: www.durhamflyfishing.co.uk Lot 4. A fly box containing a selection of and other equipment. donated by John Rishworth and the West Fb: www.facebook.com/DFFCo Yorkshire STCUK branch. ten traditional flies from the Welsh The offer is for 2 people, so that they can take it Ta: TripAdvisor Borderlands tied and donated by in turns to be the subject matter of the piece Roger Smith. (someone has to catch a fish!) as well as Lot 15. A days’ fishing for two rods on Lot 10. A print, “Grayling” by Bernard Including two examples of each of: learning how to work with the camera equipment. the Bangor on Dee Salmon Anglers’ Thomas Flynn’s “Red Tag”; Ideally you should have a DSLR camera and Venables. Association’s private waters on the Approx. 18” x 11”, signed in print and mount. Harry Powell’s “Dogsbody”; lenses, but if you don’t, Rod will gladly lend you Welsh Dee. Donated by Pat Stevens. Cosmo Barrett’s “Barrett’s Bane”, “Barrett’s some of his. Hosted by Barry Davidson, dates to be agreed. Professor”; Rod, who was also our Editor for many years, Rev Edward Powell’s “Paragon”, “Baby Sunfly”, will also provide help with putting the written Lot 11. A magnificent box of 150 grayling Lot 16. A set of trout and grayling flies “Doctor”, “Orange Otter” and “Ermine Moth”; word together for the complete article and set of nymphs and bugs tied and donated by tied by Malcolm Greenhalgh, framed and James Evans’ “Border Mayfly”. photographs, which ideally if grayling are caught, Karl Humphries. signed for display. 10 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 11 ‘Friends’ of the Grayling Society Grayling Society Area Reports Please give our TRADE MEMBERS be low your full support when considering making a purchase of fishing tackle, clothing and accessories or fly tying materials. TRADE MEMBERS Area 1 Area 5 COOKSHILL FLY TYING SPORTING SCENE Highlights Tel: 01782 388382 Mobile: 07932 653492 Tel: 01691 791888 All is currently quiet in Area 5, I have spoken [email protected] www.cookshill-flytying.co.uk [email protected] www.sporting-scene.com I Area 1 Facebook Page now has 420 likes with my contacts and I have promises for 3 Grayling days towards the end of this year/early FISHING MATTERS TENKARA CENTRE (UK) LTD I Membership in the area has risen to 34 Unit 3, Lawrence House Yard, Wincanton,Somerset BA9 9EB The Barn, 119 Garstang Rd, Claughton on Brock, 2018. Area 5 members will be notified of dates in I Tel: 01963 31623 [email protected] Preston PR3 0PH Newsletters continue to be sent out via Mail due course. I do feel that I need to cater for my www.fishing matters.biz Tel: 01995 640052 www.tenkaracentreuk.com Chimp (need to clarify the opt out option own area before making these days available to marked on the membership list dated Dec. 2015) FLY TEK FLY FISHING THE ESSENTIAL FLY other members. Tel: 01772 684003 Mobile: 07788 427560 I [email protected] Rowan Lodge, 35B Bondgate, Selby, North Yorkshire YO8 3LX Approach has been made to other I attended a ‘Dove Catchment Meeting’ which Tel: +44( 0)1757 333003 Tel: USA: 212-796-0874 organizations in the area (S&TA and Frome, presented an opportunity to chat with a few FUNKY FLYTYING www.theessentialfly.com Piddle & West Dorset Fisheries Association) to people representing other groups, Nick Everall Funky Products Ltd, Unit 1 Old Engineers Workshops, VENIARDS Fly tying tools and materials Taunton Station, Taunton, Somerset TA1 1QP offer support and talks at their upcoming events (Aquascience) and Nick Mott (Staffs Wildlife) 69 Gloucester Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 2DD regarding Grayling Society activities. Tel: 01823 617373 Tel: 0208 684 2288 [email protected] www.veniard.com gave a very illuminating presentation regarding [email protected] www.funkyflytying.co.uk I Our First Fishing Day was held on 12 March the ‘Demon Shrimp’ which had been discovered WODENCROFT FARM COTTAGES GREENTREE LIMITED Wodencroft Farm Cottage, Cotherstone, Barnard Castle, 2017 on the Arundell Arms Hotel waters. We in the river Churnet last year. The ‘Demon Greentree Landscape Management Ltd, County Durham DL12 9UQ fished the River Lyd and managed to get 5 Shrimp’ has now been picked up in river Dove 164 Carterknowle Road, Sheffield S7 2EA Tel: 01833 650909 Mobile: 07595 758668 fishermen with 2 more interested but unable to samples up above ‘Dovedale’. Anyone fishing Tel: 0114 221 9153 Mob: 0779 38 38 996 [email protected] attend on the day. All present said that they more than one venue in a day was advised to [email protected] www.greentreelimited.co.uk www.wodencroftholidaycottages.co.uk would like to see more Fishing Days in the use other sets of waders/boots etc., It was also CORPORATE MEMBERS 2017/8 season and expressed an interest in a fly suggested that the only way to ensure we do CAERSWS ANGLING ASSOCIATION TEWIN FLYFISHING CLUB tying event in the winter. not inadvertently move the little buggers about Tel: 01686 688196 Tel: 07599 511733 AGM in Area 1 is to immerse waders, boots and nets in 60C [email protected] [email protected] water before drying. Food for thought..... As mentioned in the last committee meeting, I www.caersws-aa.co.uk www.tewinflyfishingclub.wordpress.com Paul Deaville would like to see the AGM in Area 1 in the not WILTON FLY FISHING CLUB WALTONIAN ANGLING CLUB Tel: 01985 841192 Tel: 01142 584995 too distant future. I have evaluated a number of [email protected] www.wiltonffc.co.uk [email protected] www.thewaltonians.co.uk hotels and one that is able to host a conference Area 6 I organised my first Area 6 members fishing PENCOED ANGLING CLUB the size of ours over a weekend with the added DERWENT ANGLER'S CLUB day on the top of the Dee on 28 May. Attended Tel: 01656 863699 Tel: 01723 374755 benefit that the hotel owns enough grayling water [email protected] www.padac.org.uk [email protected] www.derwentanglers.com to be able to offer fishing to the fishing party. by 12 members from Areas 5, 7 & 10. A total of 102 fish were caught. NORBURY FISHING CLUB DEVON SCHOOL OF FLY FISHING I would like to discuss the details required to Tel: 01625 432349 Tel: 07780 530953 evaluate venue and proposed dates when I submitted article for inclusion in Grayling. [email protected] www.norburyfishingclub.co.uk [email protected] www.dsoff.com appropriate. New Area 6&7 Facebook page is set up and I'm actively promoting it. Full details of Trade and Corporate Membership can be obtained from the Editor Mark Hamnett Arranged GS stand at Rhug Country Fair ably supported by committee members, Barry Area 4 Davidson, Paul Deaville and Karl Humphries. Several membership applications were given Wilton Fly Fishing Club All quiet in Area 4 at present with river levels out. It remains to be seen how many are If you would like to fish for wild trout and grayling on a beautiful low, and occasional grayling caught. converted to new memberships. Wiltshire chalk stream, the Wilton Fly Fishing Club has spaces on The next Area 4 Fishing day is scheduled for John Walker its waiting list. Sunday 20 August on the upper Severn based at Caersws. For further information, please contact Mike Tebbs, the Area 7 Membership Secretary, at: [email protected] Details have been published in Grayling and As you know, following Louis Noble’s Tel: 01985 841192 will be emailed to Area 4 members in early July. retirement from Area 6 Secretary role, I was Roger Smith covering Area 6 jointly with area 7. However,

12 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 13 you will now have met john Walker who has Feedback from members on the rod licence, nor Fishery Management stepped up to the mark and taken over area 6 grayling fishing in the 2016/17 season Organisations to replace Salmon Fishery Boards secretary’s role. The Righyni-Roose I The Hodder and Ribble, above their and possibly, rivers trusts. The 'all species' John and I have agreed to work together to confluence has large numbers of grayling, which approach has also been abandoned for the provide fishing days and other activities for both Trophy 2 017 seem to have spawned early (some caught on moment. It seems we have gone backwards, not areas. As a result our first adventure was a trout 15th March had definitely spawned); there are forwards, here in Caledonia! Indeed, it appears fishing day on 28th May. also some quite big ones in the 2lbs-plus class. that the only way to protect species other than sea trout and salmon, is to invoke Protection This was a great success and considering John I Good numbers of grayling in the larger Eden Orders for whole catchments - cumbersome and conducted all of the booking arrangements, tributaries (Petteril and Irithing), near their slow, but they do cover all species. I'm afraid the please refer to his report. confluences with the main river Eden. radicals (and most fisheries managers, actually) Considering the heavy use of the River Dee for I Here has been a notable paucity of grayling lost out this time round. I'm still not sure what the forthcoming Symposium, unlike previous caught from the main river Eden since January this means for grayling, but I'm informed that years, I have not planned a day’s fishing on the 2017. Large groups of cormorants (40+ birds) there is at least one unreconstructed fisheries lower stretches of the Dee, but will be holding a have been seen working their way upstream. board chairman out there who is advocating fishing day on the upper reaches with Area 6 in Some local anglers are concerned that the recent culling of brown trout 'because they eat salmon September. drop in grayling numbers may be due to predation. smolts'. There's a way to go before we have a Following the symposium /AGM, I am sure The theme of this year’s Trophy competition is Alan Swann progressive national approach to angling other joint events will take place in the future. in Scotland. Angling Fairs Fly-Tying Area 11 I'm going to discuss a Nith/Annan Grayling Rhug Game and Angling Fair. On 9th July I The Area membership is now 29. day for the autumn with the Directors of the will be assisting John Walker with a GS display Members are invited to tie three of each of the Eleven venues on the Rivers Tweed, Eden, Annan and Nith rivers trusts. They are both stall at Rhug, Bala Game and Angling Fair following three flies, and submit their entries to Rob Wear, Tees and Derwent have offered fishing for keen and the two rivers are in adjacent Cheshire Game and Angling Fair. Booked a Hartley, the Society’s Chairman, for his adjudication. Entries must reach Rob by September 1st 2017. Area 11 members and guests, subject to catchments, so it should not be too difficult display stall at the Fair on 6th August. numbers, and in conjunction with adjoining logistically. The day would be modelled on the 2017 AGM and Symposium bookings (please 1.The Ginger Tom Areas, as part of an annual programme, dates to successful Annan Grayling Days that are see latest report at end of this document) 2.The Peek-a-boo Caddis be confirmed and to be available by the end of scheduled each winter. Barrie Davidson 3.Supa pupa September. The Musselburgh & District Angling (original or Christian Mohr variant) We have a target to recruit 10 new members Association are considering a Grayling ticket for Area 8 during 2017/18. this winter coming - something I will try and All tyings are to be found in “Grayling Flies” by Steve discuss with their chair. This could be a good Not a lot to report as spring/summer is always Skuce, and on YouTube, where the American tyer, John “Past Present and Future” documents have a quiet time. I have however attended the Zimmerman, has recorded videos of all Steve’s been distributed to members. scheme, but care will be needed to control following meetings representing the Society; patterns. Other sources may, of course, be used. We would like to form a small Area 11 fishing pressure, as there is only a short stretch 20/4/17 River Don Fisheries Consultative committee to help with events, so not having to of the river in their management - and some good grayling! Association A.G.M. 4/5/17 Derwent Catchment rely on me solely to organise things. Chris Thomas Partnership, 8/5/17 River Don Catchment Rivers Area 10 An Area 11 Facebook page is to be set up, Trust. I have introduced myself to all members in consistent with the Society’s corporate approach. Although I have not been informed of the date, Area 10 whom we have email contact details Stuart Wardle. Area 14 I understand another stocking of grayling in the and have had some generous offers of help in Not much to report from Area 14 since the last Rother at Chesterfield has or will take place. organising activities in our area. committee meeting except that Kris Kent came Area 12 down to South Wales on 23rd May to fish the 6/6/17 As a member of the Don Consultative I Plans for 2017/18 season Its very quiet at the moment, mainly because Pencoed Club water on the River Ewenny for a attended a visit to Calverton Fish Farm. I An evening social gathering in a central most people seem to be out trouting! Locals are grayling fishing article that he’s writing for the I will be attending the next Don Consultative location (Preston area) with a guest speaker. still catching grayling on the Midlothian Esk August issue of Total Flyfisher magazine. on the 20/7/17 and once again we have been I At least one fishing day in both the northern amongst the brownies, but by and large it’s the invited to have a stand at the Bakewell Show and southern parts of our region. 'quiet season' for grayling up here. Adrian Nash (Pencoed club secretary), Steve Kavanagh and myself also turned up and 2nd &3rd of August. Arrangements are well I Collaborative ventures with neighbouring The Wild Fisheries Reform rumbles on in the hopefully Kris got some good material for the under way for our winter programme by Steve Areas 9, 11 and 12! background - now a much reduced and stunted article – I know it was out of the grayling season and Hilary Langan. Any details about the above I Aim to expand the database of email thing compared to the ambitions expressed in but Kris had some good grayling photos from a I will be happy to clarify. addresses of Area 10 members to facilitate the Thin report. Sadly, manifesto pledges seem previous trip! Brian Clarke communication. easily forgotten at the margins. There will be no Geoff Bevan

14 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 15 Neil Gamester Welsh Dee at Llandderfel

Area 6 Dee Day - in search of “spotties ”

By John Walker

“When do you see yellows, reds, whites, greens and the curse rising off the water at 8am? On the River Dee at Llandderfel Bridge late in May. I arrived on an overcast day expecting rain from Capel Curig. I walked down to the river and watched from under bridge the fish rising in numbers, in a line and to any number of flies. How delightful! Along came Neil Gamester who did the same. The day Above: Barrie Davidson on the Dee near Bala looked inviting. Left: Louis Noble & Steve Shotton at Llandderfel When John Walker then told us about the waters we could fish things only got better; as indeed Below: Karl with Alwyn Ralphs at Llandderfel did the weather. An enjoyable day with great countryside and grayling anglers”. Barrie Davidson

One of my first priorities as the new Area 6 and 10 come together for a day’s brown trout Secretary was to contact all members in my area fishing at the top end of the Dee. to try to understand that they wanted from their The fishing rights on this stretch of river is Area Sec. Of those that replied a few said a day controlled by Bala Angling Association that also out brown trout fishing during warmer weather. has fishing on a variety of waters including the Armed with this information I set about afon (river) Llew, Llafar and Little Dee, these flow organising a trip on my favourite river. into the top end of Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) and Area 6 is relatively small both geographically the afon Tryweryn, a tributary of the Dee . They and in terms of membership and historically also have llyn Cymprysor, a small lake packed events have been shared with Area 7, a with little wild brownies, and Maes y Clawdd, a relationship I’m keen to continue as I see members only stocked lake, members of the benefits in joint days with members from association can also fish llyn Tegid, which different areas having the opportunity to get incidentally is one of the very few lakes where together and share experience and knowledge. grayling prosper. Day tickets for Bala Angling Area 7 Secretary, Barrie Davidson, was up for a waters, are available from Y Gwyniad Fishing trout fishing day for his members and I also Tackle, High Street, Bala. The shop also sells asked a few friends from other areas too. As a tackle, flies and fly tying materials and the result we saw 11 members from Areas 5, 6, 7 owner, Barry, is a mine of information and help, 16 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 17 On the Welsh Dee near Bala: he’s also Chairman of Bala Angling so a really Right: Craig Wheeldon good guy to get to know. Below: Neil Gamester & John Walker The Welsh Dee has a well regulated flow with water discharged from llyn Celyn making its way into the Dee via afon Tryweryn and abstracted further downstream. As a result even when there has been periods of little rain (yes we do get dry periods in North Wales!) the Dee continues to flow. The two stretches of river we used have very different characteristics. Beat One has the appearance of a chalk stream with gin clear water flowing over gravel, woven with beds of Welsh Dee Brownie ranunculus and home to some stonking brown trout and grayling. The Llandderfel beat is very meet up early, share some gossip and put the different. The river follows an undulating path world to rights over a hearty breakfast and with riffles, fast glides, little weed growth and, lashings of coffee. As the pub offers B&B and as one of the group discovered, very deep pools! also sells Bala Angling day tickets it’s the ideal This well oxygenated, fast flowing water holds base for a few days fishing. large numbers of trout, grayling and the The warm, still, overcast start to the day bode occasional pike. However, because of the sheer well for some good fishing and after introductions beauty of the beat it is a popular area for anglers and a briefing the group split up with a few and, as a result, the fishing can be challenging. heading off to Beat One at Llanfor and the rest choosing to stay at Llandderfel. The river was just perfect, we’d had little rain for some time and compensation water was being released continuously keeping the levels fairly consistent. The fishing at the Llanfor stretch is excellent for fishing a dry fly late afternoon and evening but proved challenging at the beginning of the day. Regardless the guys persevered and managed to catch a few fish before heading back to Llandderfel and joining the rest of the crew. All were fly fishing, with Louis Noble and Steve Shotton using Tenkara tackle, and around half the total catch were caught on dries. As the day progressed the sun We started the day by meeting at the came out and larger hatches of olives, mayfly Bryntirion Inn at Llandderfel, a charming pub, and caddis were evident, the fish continued to (known locally as the ‘Bryn),’ selling proper beer rise to a dry fly but were also taking nymph, and good food. The Landlord, Martin, opened spider patterns and even a muddler, with the the kitchen early to cook a couple of us deep slow pools proving to be as productive as breakfast. Credit for sorting this out goes to the fast shallow riffles. Fil Hanysz on Craig Wheeldon, an Area 10 member, Craig and We’d agreed to meet back at the ‘Bryn’ at 17:00 the Welsh Dee at Llanfor I fish together fairly regularly so it was good to and I got there a little early to arrange sandwiches 18 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 19 PU SY LL-O AGE MP UT NDA OSIU SECT AND M BO ION: ALT OKI ERN NG F Mark Johnson beating a weary ATIV ORM E PL , path back to the Bryn The Grayling Society ACES TO STAY 41st Symposium and AGM – 21st & 22nd October 2017

40 years old! The Grayling Society is still going from strength to strength! For our 41st Symposium we will be visiting the valley of the Welsh Dee. Based at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Wrexham, the weekend will follow our traditional pattern of :- Symposium during the day on Saturday followed by the AGM and then the Gala Dinner in the evening. Fishing on Sunday will be on a several beats on the Welsh Dee, courtesy of various clubs. PLEASE NOTE that there is a cut off date for booking for the Symposium – October 7th. Any bookings received AFTER this date cannot be accepted. Dee brownie taken on elk hair sedge This restriction will be strictly applied – so BOOK EARLY! ACCOMMODATION PRICES FOR THE HOTEL ARE:- _ Ramada Plaza Hotel SINGLE ROOM inc. BREAKFAST £75.00 Ellice Way DOUBLE ROOM inc. BREAKFAST £85.00 WREXHAM LL13 7YH !: 01978 291400 PLEASE NOTE E: [email protected] Several alternative hotels, guest houses and B&Bs are listed W: www.wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/wrexham on the reverse of this booking form NOTE: 1. WHEREVER YOU STAY YOU MUST BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION DIRECTLY WITH THE VENUE. 2. THE RAMADA PLAZA WILL ONLY GIVE US PRIORITY OF BOOKING UNTIL THE 1st SEPTEMBER 2017. FROM THEN ON THE ROOMS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ALSO - SO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION WITH THE HOTEL EARLY! 3. WE CAN ONLY TAKE BOOKINGS FOR THE SYMPOSIUM UNTIL 7TH OCTOBER 2017. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL WE ACCEPT BOOKINGS AFTER THIS DATE! ALL BOOKINGS MUST BE ON THIS FORM. SYMPOSIUM GALA DINNER Delegate Fees for Symposium - £38.00 per delegate £28.00 per person (This includes –tea/coffee on arrival and mid- morning, lunch and afternoon tea) FISHING – (Allocated to Symposium/AGM delegates only “Dee-brief” PACKED LUNCHES FOR SUNDAY Fishing on Sunday 22nd October - £15.00 per person These will be available for those staying at the Ramada Plaza for the guys and watch them drift, or stagger, back Thanks to all the members that supported and at a cost of £7.50. Book this directly with the hotel on arrival.

up the hill after a busy and fruitful day. made the day a success, Bala Angling Please would all members indicate, when booking, if they are travelling Solo/Shared and would like to fish with a colleague Over a beer we reflected on the highlights and Association for the use of their waters and all at If you have any special requirements [medical or otherwise] that will need to be catered for please ensure you tell us NOW. challenges, talked tactics, spun a few yarns, had the ‘Bryn’ for their hospitality. For details of alternative accommodation PLEASE TURN OVER. a few laughs and tallied up the day’s take, which I’m planning a return visit in September. Booking Form for the 41st Symposium and AGM averaged out at just over 9 fish per angler (you (Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS and post with your payment to Barrie Davidson at the address below) do the math!). Photos by Barrie Davidson and John Walker Name…………………………………………….. Address……………………………………………………………………………

………………………………… Post Code………… !: ……………………… E-mail: …………………………………………...

CORRESPONDENCE I shall be travelling Solo/Shared – my companion(s) is/are…………………………………………………………...... …………….

Bob Milne's experience of being stuck in the And Steve Skuce's encounters with animals Special Requirements………………………………………………………………………………………...... …………………….. (e.g. vegetarian, medical, fishing access or choice of fishing partners(s) etc.) mud (Grayling vol. 27, no.4, Spring 2017) will did not include crocodiles. It was disconcerting resonate with many of us. It prompts a fourth to see a large one lurking just where I had been I am interested in the “Partners Day” on October 21 / 22. Please give name of partner…………………………………… benefit of using a long-handled landing net, in wading waist deep in a Mozambique dam NO bookings accepted after 7th October - Cheques to made payable to: The Grayling Society AGM addition to reaching fish from a high bank, where they had not been seen before; that's Number in Symposium Fee Gala Dinner at Fishing at Please indicate Total Enclosed

serving as a wading aid, and reaching branches the end of the story, fortunately. And the best Party at £38.00 each £28.00 each £15.00 each your preference £ to release flies: probing through the mud to use I have made of an AK47 was to adapt the No. of Persons Fly Fishing release the suction around the soles of our sights as a rod rest while ledgering for vundu Amount Due £ £ £ Bait Fishing £ boots which inhibits dragging them out. With in the Zambezi. When completed, please send this form, with your payment made out to The Grayling Society AGM, two squelches I was free after expecting to Tight lines, Anthony Wilson escape barefoot. Lichfield, Staffs to: Barrie Davidson, 31 Parkfield Drive, HELSBY, Cheshire WA6 0BL !: 07776 391196 E: [email protected] 20 Grayling – Summer 2017

The Grayling Society

Notice and Agenda of the 41st Annual General Meeting of The Grayling Society The 41st Annual General Meeting of The Grayling Society will be held at 4.00 pm on Saturday 21st October 2017 in the Ramada Plaza, Elice Lane, Wrexham LL13 7YH All members are welcome to attend.

AGENDA

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of 40th Annual General Meeting

3. Matters arising from the 40th Annual General Meeting Minutes

4. Chairman's 2017 Report

5. Treasurer's 2017 Report and Audited Accounts

6. Election of Honorary Auditor

7. Election of Chairman The Chairman is willing to stand for another year. Candidates wishing to stand as a volunteer the above post should lodge their willingness to do so, together with a short résumé of their credentials for the post, with the General Secretary by 12 noon on Saturday 21st October 2017.

8. Election of Officers The following are willing to be re-elected for another year as Officers of the Society Pat Stevens Vice Chairman Rod Calbrade General Secretary Steven Kavanagh Treasurer * Membership Secretary Bob Male Editor Ross Gardiner Scientific Officer Richard Cove Conservation Projects Officer Brian Clarke Sales Officer Kristian Kent PRO Karl Humphries Marketing Officer

• We are currently in the process of appointing a new Membership Secretary, their name and details will hopefully appear in “Grayling” in December.

• Candidates wishing to stand as a volunteer for any of the above posts, including Membership Secretary, should lodge their willingness to do so, together with a short résumé of their credentials for the post, with the General Secretary by 12 noon on Saturday 21st October 2017.

9. Any Other Business at the Chairman's Discretion

10. Date and Venue of Next Meeting

PLEASE BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION DIRECT AND MAKE YOUR OWN PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS Poet’s Corner The Buzzard A FEW ALTERNATIVE HOTELS, GUEST HOUSES & B&Bs. These have NOT been visited by Grayling Society personnel and no special rates have been agreed. The room rates shown here are those which we obtained in January 2017 and may have changed by October 2017 Found to gently soar and glide up overhead, There are many more Hotels, Guest Houses and B&B’s in the area which can be found via the internet or guide books The Dry Fly Fisher Large and brown and be hardly ever red. Miles from B&B Prices per Room in January Name & Address Phone The bird high has excellent acuity of sight. Ramada Plaza Hotel 2017 But, as it swoops down low so fast hard, Premier Inn, Wrexham Town Centre An angler standing by the river’s edge Jacques Way, Wrexham LL11 2BY Book On-Line 1 Vary tremendously – bargains often Peering over a flowering sedge We realise it’s the ever present buzzard. www.premierinn.com available for advanced bookings Sees the Lady on station, fins in rotation The Lemon Tree Casts up- stream the hand tied fly With a huge wide apart and broad wing span, 29 Rhosddu Rd, Wrexham LL11 2LP Book On-Line 1.4 Single – from £70 B&B The buzzard is a vast spectacle for any one, www.thelemontree.org.uk, Double – from £75 B&B A little mucilin to keep it dry Cast up in the sky so high and a rabbit seen. The Wynnstay Arms Glimpses the rise within a staring eye Yorke St, Clwyd Wrexham LL13 8LP Book On-Line 1.6 Double – from £70 A lift, the fish is hooked and darts across the You then glee a vicious raptor, so very mean, [email protected], moving stream! After a fast talon-led fall, the rabbit is dead. Grove Guest House, Chester Road, The angler his catch not yet seen Wrexham LL11 2SD 01978 354288 1.7 Single – from £59.00 B&B Struggles to subdue the foe Again, when settled, a ravenous tearing starts. [email protected] Double – from £81.00 B&B But with time and careful thought, to the net The buzzard powerfully rips out all the parts. The Woodhey Guest House Looking, search far across the field a bit 9 Sontley Rd, Wrexham LL13 7EN 01978 262555 1.8 Single from £27.00 she’s brought! [email protected] Double from 52.00 Admired, pictured and then let go, You will see, torn apart, that very rabbit. Once more to sit within the rivers flow. This strong bird has very rapacious arts. Premier Inn, Chester Road ,Gresford G Stevens Ginger Quill Wrexham LL12 8PW Book On-Line 2.8 Vary tremendously – bargains often www.premierinn.com available for advanced bookings [email protected] Travelodge, Rhostyllen Across Wrexham LL14 4EJ Book On-Line 2.9 Vary tremendously – bargains often CROSSWORD www.travelodge.co.uk available for advanced bookings 1. Salmo trutta is the quarry. (5,5) Holt Lodge Hotel By Dr Iain Gibb 6 A roll cast for a premier salmon Wrexham Rd, Holt, Wrexham LL13 9SW 5.8 Double – from £67.00 B&B www.holtlodge.co.uk 01978 661002 river. (4) The Bryn Howell Hotel 12 3 4 5 7. The lure of L’Espana was a Trevor, Llangollen LL207UW 01978 860331 9.8 Double £115 Vauxhall Victor invention! (4) [email protected] 8. Initially, a gold ribbed hare’s ear Gales of Llangollen does the trick. (4) 18 Bridge St, Llangollen LL20 8PF 01978 860089 12.1 Double from £85 [email protected] 10. Young trout are frankly small The Hand Hotel 6 7 from beginning to end. (3) Bridge St, Llangollen LL20 8PL 01978 860303 12.2 Double from £90 12. Dish for gin ruins an anglers [email protected] pride and joy. (7,3) Cambrian Llangollen Berwyn St, Llangollen LL20 8NB 01978 861418 12.3 Double from £72 Down [email protected] 8 9 10 2. Holds water for a fishing spot. (9) The Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa 3. Asking for a reason, say, for a Berwyn Rd, Llangollen LL20 8AD 01978 860629 12.7 Double £80 Book on-line Derbyshire river. (3) 11 4. Drive round holding the fishing The Chainbridge Hotel place for the lady of the stream. Berwyn Rd, Llangollen LL20 8BS 01978 860215 13.7 Double from £110 (5) [email protected] 5. Takes blue and silver but is out of a duck! (4) 12 9. Height loses first, to take sides with the octagon. (5) 10. A mark on the envelope leads us to the father of the nymph. (5) 11. Electronic footwear for a freshwater predator? (4)

Grayling – Summer 2017 21 The Educated Grayling Entomology The students learned how to kick sample for aquatic insects and how to identify them with Game Angling In 2016 a three-way partnership between the use of an insect identification chart, The Grayling Society, Get Hooked on Fishing Within Game Angling the students learnt microscope and magnifying pots. and Thomas Adams School, Wem, Shropshire how to:- was formulated, and was funded by The Tackle up a fly fishing rod Fly Dressing Grayling Society. Tie a fly onto a tippet The students learned how to tie a fly and then The partnership was to engage with students Cast a fly fishing rod identify the difference between the sorts of flies from Thomas Adams School to learn all aspects Select the right fly they would be using, eg. dry, wet, nymph etc. of angling with the emphasis on monitoring Net a fish All photography was done by the students European Grayling in the Welsh River Dee at Unhook a fish safely and with care which I am sure you will agree is of a good Bangor on Dee. Some 91 Grayling ( Thymallus Measure a fish quality, as the photographs are being used in thymallus ) were caught and released back to the Release a fish back into the River this article. River unharmed. The students themselves Game Angling Whilst delivering the project, which took place measured the Grayling in measuring units that in a twelve month period, the students caught they had made in School. Within Coarse Angling the students learnt 91 Grayling which were measured, weighed and how to:- Please note that some of the students who took released unharmed. part in the project have learning difficulties and Tackle up a coarse fishing rod Grayling Statistics medical issues, just to mention a few, such as: Attach a float, shot and hook length Plummet the depth EBSO (Emotional Behavioural Social Difficulties) 8 fish 15cm or less Attach a maggot MLD (Moderate Learning Difficulties) 23 fish between 15 cm and 20 cm Use a fixed spool reel 38 fish between 20 cm and 25 cm SEN (Special Educational Needs) Use a centre pin reel ADHD (Attention Deficity Hyperactive Disorder) 15 fish between 25 cm and 30 cm Net a fish Children in Care 7 fish between 30 cm and 35 cm Total 91 fish Unhook a fish with a disgorger The partnership enabled students to learn the Measure a fish different skill sets associated with Angling and The project has been an overwhelming Release a fish back into the river increase their awareness of the environment. success by:-

22 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 23 I Delivering fun and interactive training I Using Angling to create interesting activities FlyTek Fly Fishing for young people I Demonstrating there are viable alternatives Marryat Tactical Rods and the new Tactical Peacock Eye Quills , stripped and dyed, packs to crime and anti-social behaviour Pro Nymph Special 10ft 6in #3wt in stock. of 25 in natural, brown, crimson, ginger, golden I Educational development by working olive, olive, orange, pink, red, yellow, £3.10 alongside the School curriculum Bidoz tungsten shrimp bodies in 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm in gold metallic Varivas hooks, tapered leaders and tippets. I Increasing awareness of the environment grey, olive, orange. I Showing the need to protect our countryside HMH vices and accessories. Tungsten beads in 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.4mm, and its indigenousness species 2.8mm, 3.3mm, 3.8mm diameter in black, Petitjean and Marryat fly tying tools and I Developing partnerships copper, gold, silver, chartreuse, light green, olive, CDC. orange, pink, red, white and 4.6mm, 5.5mm in All the delivery was done by UK CC Level 2 black, copper, gold, silver. PARTRIDGE Coaches who carried all the relevant qualifications, such as First Aid, DBS and Child Metallic colour finish brass beads in NEW Patriot barbless ranges of 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.4mm, 2.8mm, 3.3mm, 3.8mm, Safeguarding, etc. 4.6mm diameter; colours blue, brown, green, Trout/Grayling hooks stocked and Tippet I would like to thank The Grayling Society on pink, purple, red. Rings in 1mm, 2mm & 3mm behalf of Get Hooked on Fishing and Thomas Adams School for giving us the opportunity to Benecchi threads, head cement and micro chenille, Enrico Puglisi fibres take part in this project and hopefully we can look and eyes, Hareline superfine and ice dubbings and a lot more…. WEBSITE forward to being supported by The Grayling NOW ACTIVE Society in the future. To order or to check further details contact Pat AGAIN Karl Humphries 01695 359935 • email: [email protected] • www.flytek.co.uk Get Hooked on Fishing 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 The trophy will be held for ONE YEAR then discuss the merits with anyone, or with the returned to the PRO of the Society for Committee, that remains his sole decision. safekeeping and all applications must be received The trophy will be presented at each AGM. by 31st July in the year of award.

Robin Mulholland OBE, Knapp Cottage, 38/3 9 Corton, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 OSZ

24 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 25 Ruoktu, who in the last three years hasn’t seen Reminiscences of Grayling in 2016 the leeches on the whitefish in Lake Aksujärvi, although previously they were present on almost By Stanislaw Cios every fish. The issue of strong changes in the population size of the leech merits special attention, In 2016 my creel was full of various since it is an unknown aspect of its biology. observations related to grayling. By the way, when I fished in a stream called Grayling and the parasitic leech Aksujoki I caught one grayling which had a big Acanthobdella peledina hook in its throat, with the shank directed For several years I have been paying towards the stomach and the point having special attention to this rare leech present pierced the gullet. I was greatly surprised that in in a few waters in Finland, Sweden, such a place in the middle of nowhere I would Norway and Russia (see Grayling, 2010, encounter such a phenomenon. I enclose a photo vol. 26/1/). So far I was able to ascertain of the hook. its presence only in two areas. The first one, close to a place called Muotkan Ruoktu (Lake Inari and White Sea drainage area), consists of the affluents of the River Kammasjoki. I collected the leeches there on grayling in June 2001 and 2009. The second one is the River Piteå in Sweden, in a place called Skuppe. I collected the leeches there in July and August in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Probably nowadays I am one of the very few persons in Europe that is collecting this small plastic bottle and explained that inside Although this leech is known to occur in on the website: parasite (for many years no scientific paper was there are a few leeches in a fluid that preserves several rivers in Sweden, I couldn’t find it there. http://www.suomenkalakirjasto.fi/all-of-finlands- published on the basis of European material). them. The lady looked at me suspiciously, like at a The problem lies in the fact that several waters books-on-fish-under-one-roof/. In the meantime This spring Michael Tessler from the American ghost. Probably never in her life she encountered (or just stretches of rivers), where the leeches may Ari has published in 2012 and 2015 two volumes Museum of Natural History in New York such a strange consignment. She wanted to know be found, are private or with no access (private of Finnish fish bibliography called Kalakirjat . contacted me. He needed some specimens of this more about the fluid – what is it? Do I have any roads). Therefore I would be extremely grateful to Ari has also a big collection of beautiful old leech for RNA research. According to recent certificate? It told her it is RNAlater, which I have Swedish Readers, who had seen the leeches on the postcards with fishing elements. Maybe someday molecular studies this parasite, a living relict, is an recently received from the Museum in New York fish, for information on such waters and how to it be possible for us to join our collections (I also extremely interesting object for the study of the by Fedex (I even had with me the Fedex get there and where to obtain the fishing licence. have a huge one) and find a publisher for an album. evolution of worms. I proposed Michael that I document). Then she called the Fedex head- Grayling dry fly fishing in winter would collect some specimens in the River Piteå quarters in Warsaw. After about 15 minutes she Ari Savikko and the Finnish Fisheries conditions in August and send them to him immediately, finished and told me that I cannot ship the bottle Library while at the end of August the two of us would to the US, because it contains dead animals and When I was in the Inari Fisheries Research On 11-13th November I have spent a few days go to Muotkan Ruoktu to collect them. such imports to the US are prohibited. I told here I Station in August I met Ari Savikko, an grayling fishing in the River Wda, Northern In Sweden the leeches were abundant on am not sending a cow or any other animal for ichthyologist working there. To my great surprise Poland, together with many friends. The grayling. On almost every fish (≥ 30 cm) there commercial or consumption use, but only a few Ari is a book-worm and collector of fishing books, temperature during the night was down to minus were at least a few specimens. I preserved 49 preserved leeches for scientific research. No good. as well as a great fan of grayling and a member of 4°C, while during the day it remained below 0°C. specimens. Some of them I have sent in a small She remained unshaken like the statue of Buddha. the Grayling Society. This is visible even on his To my surprise dry fly fishing was quite successfu l plastic bottle by priority mail from Sweden, so Later Michael picked up the leeches and took car, in which horsepower has been substituted by in such conditions, already from the morning hours, Michael could quickly look at them (it took the them home without any trouble. graylingpower. A grayling is even lurking through when there were no rises on the water. Later on letter two weeks to reach New York!). Another At the end of August we flew to Finland. In the the car’s window. in some places the fish were rising quite well. sample was supposed to be shipped by Fedex Muotkan Ruoktu region we checked several dozen Ari’s book collection is enormous – over 22,500 I checked the stomach contents of 17 fish. Three from Poland, just after my return from Sweden. grayling, whitefish and trout, but we did not find books, on shelves ca. 200m long. The oldest book fish were indeed taking the food from the surface, To speed up the delivery I dropped at the Fedex even a single specimen. According to the is from 1730. His collection will be available to the almost exclusively bugs and stoneflies. There office in the city of Elblag, on my way from Fisheries Research Station in Inari the leech has public in Kemiläisenvaara near Muonio (close to were together 118 stink bugs (family Gdansk to Warsaw. The lady in the office asked become rare in recent years. The same fact was the Finnish-Swedish border) probably in 2017 or Pentatomidae ), 11 other bugs ( Heteroptera ) and me what did I want to sent. I showed her the confirmed by the owner of the camping in Muotkan 2018. More information on the library is available 75 stoneflies ( Leuctra fusca ), among which 19

26 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 27 males and 56 females. For several years I have biologists do not take into account the fact that been studying the food of grayling caught in the many of these small streams are still under strong middle of November in the River Wda (November human impact. For example, in some streams 11th is Independence Day, so it is a good there is a practice of complete stop of flow of opportunity to celebrate it by the river), but never water at a weir. The result is death of all fish, By Baz Reece did I encounter such weather conditions. In either due to lack of water, or predation by birds, previous years grayling were also rising, especially mammals and poachers (I have documented such during sunshine and warm weather, when they cases occurring in the River Świder). Trout Peter Cockwill once came down and did a talk man and indeed he achieved that goal by fed on this stonefly. But the bugs were never population may be rebuilt fast, due to stocking. for us at our local flyfishing club and after a catching one of 5lb 2oz! A massive fish by any present. Hence probably low air temperature The water remains clean, but the fish population great talk about his exploits on still waters there standard and reward for perseverance. knocked the bugs from the trees and rendered has suffered. was a ‘Question and answer’ session. Over many years of Grayling fishing with the them available to the fish. Such views are even becoming law here. For One question offered was ‘What is your best fly I have never set a target but have had some As regards the stoneflies the dominance of example, in a recent law from 2014 on the fish’? Peter paused and answered with a lovely fish. Based in the South East we are females may be attributed to oviposition. protection of the River Rawka in Central Poland it question. ‘I assume my biggest’. With an starved of Grayling fishing although there are a However of interest is also the relatively large is stated that among threats to the bullhead, like affirmative from the questioner he stated that it few rivers that do contain a very limited number of the males. In the case of other sewage pollution, artificial fertilizers from was a twenty plus rainbow from Avington. population. stoneflies I have never seen so many males. agriculture and various hydrotechnical Indeed a huge fish. Peter continued and gave a I have to travel and have covered many miles. constructions (like weirs), is also stocking with Grayling and trout as vermin in Poland very thoughtful answer to the original question. My first catch on the fly was down on the Lydd Salmonids (especially brown trout), eel and Members of the Grayling Society will be ‘What was your BEST fish’. in Devon fishing the Arundel Arms waters. It burbot. In other words, the bullhead, which all surprised to learn, that the virus of unfounded wasn’t a big fish but was a first. That was back over Europe is a typical component of the trout- He recalled fishing a river in Devon and there criticism of grayling, as a vermin in the UK (where in the eighties. zones, in Poland may cease to exist as a result of was a fish rising under some trees. It was a it has been successfully put under control), has the presence of trout. I need not state here, that challenge to him and he had to get the cast right . Since then I have caught on some of the spread over to Poland. A part of the biologists the eel is currently treated as a critically The cast was executed and the fly landed exactly Northern rivers, Wye, Eden, Wear, Tees, Wharfe here consider trout (as well as other Salmonids, endangered species by the IUCN, while burbot is where he wanted it and the fish took it. He landed and the Welsh Dee. The best I can recall were including grayling) as a threat to the so called also extremely vulnerable (in fact in the UK it is a brown of around three quarters of a pound. A over 40cm. “small fish species”, including gudgeon, stone considered as an extinct species). large fish for that small river and a personal best in Further afield I have caught Grayling in Poland, loach and the common minnow. These biologists more ways than one. The whole experience was Czech Republic, Slovakia, Norway and Sweden, claim that stocking trout in streams in Central If the previous information didn’t knock the such that this was his best fish to date. The finest Grayling were ones I caught in Poland is responsible for the decline of these reader from his armchair, then the following one It really was something that struck a chord fishes, what is contrary to the goal of increasing will probably do it. In another draft law for the Norway which measured up to 46cm. Long dark with me and stayed with me since. Peter is also biodiversity. The problem with such a view is that protection of the nature in the so called Puszcza fish with huge dorsal fins. a Grayling fisher and spent time in Alaska it does not take into account two elements. The Solska (Solska Forest), through which flows the My more regular rivers are the Avon and the first one is that trout is an autochthonic species in River Tanew with its affluents, it is stated that fishing for salmon and Trout in the myriad of Itchen and, on occasion the Test. I have had a many streams. In some of them the natural brown trout, by eating up invertebrates and rivers. He also found good Grayling fishing too, Salisbury and District ticket for twenty years or populations have survived, in other ones – they vertebrates, may cause a drop in population of which was never on the guides minds became extinct (in general before the beginning two rare and protected birds – the grey wagtail as they were not considered fish any of the 19th century) due to man-made changes in (Motacilla cinerea ) and the black stork ( Ciconia one would go for. Peter made a point of the environment, but in the last 35 years there nigra ). For me it is difficult to imagine that trout trying for these fish as he realised that were several attempts to reintroduce trout. The would eat up all the invertebrates and vertebrates the Arctic Grayling grew big. second one is the methodology – the first census in the water. Secondly, if trout would be so Over a period of years he found rivers of fish populations was usually done in the last common, than these birds could eat many trout, that contained some good fish. I have 30-50 years, when the streams were degraded contributing to the well-being of the birds. been to his shop and have had some and without any substantial population of These cases show that some researchers here lovely conversations with Peter about predatory fish. In such streams the population of are ignorant of the biology of trout and other Grayling. At one time he had two these small fishes reached high levels (in one Salmonids, especially regarding their feeding replicas on a sculpture of two water even the world record of 740 kg/ha of stone biology and relation to the environment (including magnificent specimens he had caught. loach). When trout was reintroduced the situation the Allen Paradox). Even more, such criticism is Both well over two pounds. He often became balanced, but this was no good for the not directed towards stocking with other said that he believed there were biologists, who after contemporary electrofishing predatory fish, especially pike, an obligatory fish- Grayling over five pounds! censuses even claim, that trout is responsible for eater, whose presence is even considered Was this an impossible dream? If the complete absence of these small fishes. These beneficial. anyone could do it then he was the Avon grayling

28 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 29 more and have fished the Lower Itchen fishery a probably heavier than the former. Most of the hatch. Surely this would lot over the years. others were good fish. The Norwegian fish had stir the fish. I sized right The Itchen does contain some big Grayling as some girth and were probably in excess of two down to a size 14 Nymph does the Test. One year on the Itchen one in five pound. under a sighter. I went to Grayling was over 40cm! The best at 48cm! I recall an account of a Salisbury member who the shallower stretches. I The best I have ever caught was a 51cm caught what was a good Grayling on the River started to catch Grayling. specimen from the Test – a couple of casts later Bourne. They weighed it on scales they had and Typical Avon size from I had one of 46cm! it was over three pound, which was a club about 23cm to 30cm. In amongst were a couple The Avon is more modest and for quite a while record. The sad fact was the fish was killed and of Trout. Another cast the best I had was 42cm which was mirrored by when taken home it was re weighed on and a good take from a one off the Wylye at the same size. In the last calibrated scales and weighed just over two lively fish. A trout? I couple of years I have managed to get to 46cm. pound – under the record. The scales they used couldn’t see much until I The thing is I have never weighed any of at the waterside were calibrated to use a net saw the tail when it them! It’s quick to measure – if I remember to weighing a pound. Sadly that fish had been swirled. It was a take a tape with me. killed and was no record. Grayling I landed the A three pounder is quite an exceptional fish So what weight were they? I have viewed fish and stood aghast. It and few waters will hold them. Scotland’s River 48cm Avon grayling many charts that will give a rough guide. I have was big. I had no Tweed and Teviot were two that did hold these been told they must be well over two pound and They were trialling braid leaders and I had measure but my phone fish and I was lucky enough to go with two some three pounders! Yes they could be but I rigged up accordingly. The sensitivity of takes camera. Looking at the net length 21” this fish exceptional anglers, Paul Davison and Howard am realistic. It’s not the magic length it’s the was astounding. We were catching a few was around 18/19”. So around 46cm. The girth Crowston for a few days fishing on those rivers. girth. The 51cm fish from the Test was long and Grayling and on one cast the line stopped and I was good on this fish. It was definitely my lean. The 46cm I caught after had girth and was It was cold, very cold, -9C cold! lifted into a nice fish. This was a lump of a personal best on the Salisbury waters. I returned Grayling. On landing I lifted it and it measured it and was happy. I knew this fish was around 48cm. The thing that was so different was the the two pound mark. huge girth. It was like a pickle barrel and was The thing is amongst all the magnificent indeed a fish in excess of 3lb! The next trip on Grayling I have had the honour of catching the Teviot I changed to upstream nymph on a which is the best? standard set up and repeated the feat by catching another 3lb plus Grayling. So these are personal bests that I doubt I could repeat. Anything I have had south of there are of a similar length but not three pounders and I doubt even two pounders. At the end of the 2016/2017 season I went down to the Avon for a final fling. The river was up and had a bit of colour from recent heavy rains. I tried heavy bug in deep stretches that I knew would hold Grayling. Nothing. By lunchtime the sun was up and it had warmed. No fish Itchen grayling River Avon rose but there was a small

30 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 31 River Tees

Undoubtedly the Scottish Grayling will be there. But then I was so chuffed at catching a Teviot grayling gold marked 25cm Slovakian Grayling from a mountain river in bear country. Or perhaps those magnificent Norwegian Grayling in stunning surroundings on dry flies? PHOTO Perhaps sight fishing nymphs for feeding Grayling in deep clear water or conversely FEATURE taking Grayling from a rapidly rising clouding river? Above: Certainly I can boast my biggest but Peter’s Little Durnford interpretation is the more appropriate because Bridge (Bob Male) the biggest isn’t necessarily best. I have been lucky to have fished in many countries and to say which Grayling was the Left: best is too difficult to call as they are all special Yorkshire Grayling in their own way. (George Lockhart)

There is always a need for material for the Society’s publications. The editor will ARTICLES welcome anything that relates to your experiences of grayling and their habitats. Perhaps there have been improvement works on a river in your area, or problems WANTED with the creation of better habitat; perhaps some notable or not so notable catches – just a good day’s fishing that you would like to share. Contact the Editor, Bob Male, by any means you wish. All contributions are gratefully received.

32 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 33 Area 4 - Hereford, Worcestershire, Area 11 - Co. Durham, Tyne & Wear Paul Frid OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, & Northumberland 1 Riverside President Sales Officer Holland Shropshire & Powys Stuart Wardle Wellington Robin Mulholland OBE Brian Clarke Hans van Klinken Roger Smith 14 Claypool Farm Close, Somerset,TA21 8LJ Knapp Cottage, 38/39 Corton 21 Corve Way, Holme Hall Wormgoorlaan 33, 176 Upper Welland Road Hutton Henry, Co Durham TS27 4QZ Tel: 01823 664084 Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 OSZ Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 4YA 6732 CB Harskamp, Holland Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 4LA Tel: 01429 836793 Email : [email protected] Tel: 01985 850450 Tel: 01246 271324 Tel: +31 (0)318 456474 Tel: 01684 560690 Mobile: 07904 278889 Email: [email protected] Mob: 07711 905776 Email: [email protected] Mob: 07810 411272 Email: [email protected] Dr Malcolm Greenhalgh Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 2 Brignall Grove, Lowton Chairman Italy Vacant Area 12 - Scotland Warrington Rob Hartley Conservation Projects Officer Norway Area 5 - Leicestershire, West Chris Thomas Cheshire WA3 2HU Hartley House, Galveston Grove Richard Cove Ole A. Bjerke Midlands, Staffordshire, 9 New Winton Cottages Email : [email protected] Fenton, Stoke on Trent 20 Peel Crescent, Ashton Hayes Johan Bojersveg 8, 2816 Gjovik, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire New Winton, nr Tranent Staffordshire ST4 3PE Chester, Cheshire CH3 8DB Norway & Suffolk East Lothian EH33 2NH Dr Les Jervis Tel: 07976 222227 Tel: 01829 759376 (home) Mobile: +47 40 43 61 76 Paul Deaville Tel: 01875 613861 15 Barnacre Drive, Parkgate Email: [email protected] Tel: 03000653897 (work) Email: ole@gamefish.no 21 Beckenham Close Mob: 07508 602 529 Wirral CH64 6RJ Mob: 07867 908700 off Caverswall Lane Email: [email protected] Tel: 07837 628588 Vice Chairman Email:Richard.Cove@cyfoethnaturiol Poland Stoke on Trent Email : [email protected] Dr Stanislaw Cios Pat Stevens cymru.gov.uk Staffordshire ST3 6HW Area 14 - Dyfed, Gwent, West, Mid ul. Stryjenskich 6 m 4 Taenross, Orchard Close, Tel: 01782 396806 & South Glamorgan Hans van Klinken Public Relations Officer 02-791 Warszawa, Poland Geoff Bevan Wrea Green, Preston Mob: 07805 823488 Wormgoorlan 33 Kris Kent Email: [email protected] Fishweir Farm, St. Mary Church Lancashire PR4 2NH Email: fl[email protected] 6732CB Harskamp 5 Mildenhall Court, Oxford Street Cowbridge,Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7LT The Netherlands Tel: 01772 684003 Lambourn, Hungerford, Spain Mob: 07788427560 Dr. Vincenzo Penteriani, Area 6 - Gwynedd & Clwyd Tel: 01446 774223 Tel: 0031 318 456474 Berkshire, RG17 8XP Email: [email protected] Email : [email protected] [email protected] Mob: 07793 652039 Research Unit of Biodiversity - UMIB, John Walker Email: [email protected] Edificio de Investigación – 5th floor, Ty Cerrig, Fron General Secretary C. Gonzalo Gutiérrez Quirós s/n, Caernarfon TRUSTEES OF THE Dr Martyn Lucas Rod Calbrade 33600 Mieres (Asturias), Spain Gwynedd LL54 7PT GRAYLING RESEARCH TRUST School of Biological and Biomedical Marketing Officer Sciences 19 Sherwood Way, High Crompton Karl Humphries Email: [email protected] Mob: 07900 844752 Chairman Durham University, South Road Shaw, Oldham OL2 7LX 3 Cheswardine Road, Bradwell Email: john@flyfishinginstructors.co.uk Sweden Robin Mulholland OBE Durham DH1 3LE Tel: 01706 842890 Newcastle, Staffs ST5 8SG Harry Salmgren Knapp Cottage, 38/39 Corton Tel: 0191 334 1345 Mob: 07749 917667 Tel: 01782 615780 Email: [email protected] Area 7 - Wirral & Cheshire Barrie Davidson Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 OSZ Email : [email protected] Email: [email protected] Mob: 07724 461450 Telephone: 01985 850450 Email: [email protected] USA 321 Parkfield Drive Chris Terry Email : [email protected] Steve Rhodes Treasurer Helsby, Cheshire WA6 0BL Apple Tree Cottage Steven Kavanagh 5237 E.41 Ave, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA Tel: 07776 391196 Secretary 9 Moorber Lane, Coniston Cold Aeolian House, Piccadilly OVERSEAS SECRETARIES Tel: 907-764-6044 Email: [email protected] Ross Gardiner North Yorkshire BD23 4EA Llanblethian, Cowbridge Email: [email protected] Belgium Scottish Government Telephone: 01756 748378 Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7JL Area 8 - Derbyshire, South Pedro Guridi Marine Scotland Science e-Mail: steve@goflyfishinguk.com Tel: 01446 771326 Land van Waaslaan 84 Bus 201 Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Freshwater Laboratory Mob: 07814 518467 9040 Sint-Amandsberg, Belgium UK AREA SECRETARIES Lincolnshire & Norfolk Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5LB John Roberts Email: [email protected] Tel: +32 486 559898 Brian Clarke Telephone: 01224 294400 (work), 64 School Lane, Fulford Email: [email protected] Area 1 - Devon, Cornwall, Dorset & 21 Corve Way, Holme Hall 01796 472157 (Home) York YO10 4LS Membership Secretary [email protected] Somerset Chesterfield, Email : [email protected] Tel: 01904 400720 Tim Taylor Mark Hamnett Derbyshire S40 4YA Mob: 07724 049145 86 Rushmore Road Czech Republic Tel: 01246 271324 Treasurer Highview House, Middle Ridge Lane David Mee Email : [email protected] London E5 0EX Jitka Rutkayova Corton Denham, Dorset DT9 4LP Mob: 07711 905776 Tel: 0207 2543704 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 61 Stepney Road, Cockett Tel: 01963 220151 Swansea SA2 0FT Dr Michelle Smith Mob: 07818 427350 Mob: 07917 543392 246 Moorhouse Road Email: [email protected] Finland Area 9 - West, East & North Tel: 03000 653280 (work), Matti Rantanen Email: mark@fishingmatters.biz 01792 589504 (home) Hull HU5 5PL Yorkshire Mob: 07527 405204 Editor Tohlopinranta 25C 12, Steve Rhodes Mob: 07770 435339 FIN-33270, Tampere, Finland Area 2 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Email : Email : [email protected] Bob Male Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Apple Tree Cottage,9 Moorber Lane Tel: +358 3 3441 931 [email protected] 24 Victoria Road, Wilton West Sussex & Wiltshire Coniston Cold Dr Steven Weiss Salisbury, Wiltshire SP2 0DY Mobile: +358 40 501 5212 Alex Adams North Yorkshire BD23 4EA Karl-Franzens University Graz Email: raitane@sci.fi Dr Jonathan Bolland Tel: 01722 503939 62 Cressex Road, High Wycombe Tel: 01756 748378 Hull International Fisheries Institute Institute of Zoology Mob: 07982 824944 France Bucks HP12 4TY Mob: 07717 533177 University of Hull Universitätsplaz 2 Email: [email protected] Jean-Pierre Coudoux Tel: 07730 203382 Email: steve@goflyfishinguk.com Cottingham Road A-8010 Graz Email: [email protected] Mob: 01494 521801 Hull HU6 7RX Austria Scientific Officer Email: [email protected] Area 10 - Lancashire, Merseyside, Tel: 07815 064735 Tel: 0043 316 3805599 Ross Gardiner Germany and Austria Cumbria, Greater Manchester & Email : [email protected] Email : [email protected] Scottish Government Andreas Schumacher Area 3 - London, Kent, Essex, Isle of Man Marine Scotland Science c/o Spiess Schumacher Schmieg & Middlesex, Hertfordshire, East Sussex Alan Swann Rob Dings John Wieja Freshwater Laboratory Partner Gavin Keegan Cross Fell View, Brampton Bunderstraat 21A Burnierstraat 28 Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5LB Märkisches Ufer 34, 10179 Berlin Hurstfields, Allington Road Appleby 5555CM Valkenswaard 2596 HW The Hague Telephone: 01224 294400 (work), Tel: +49 (0)30 440 133 00 Newick, Lewes, East Sussex BN8 4NA Cumbria CA16 6JS The Netherlands The Netherlands 01796 472157 (Home) Fax: +49 (0)30 44 01 01 44 Tel: 01825 722045 Mob: 07879061268 Tel: 0031402045766 Telephone: 0031652000380 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] e-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected]

34 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 35 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 [email protected] or ring 01543 689117

GUIDED TROTTING ON THE WELSH DEE with George Ashton One to one or two person share Tackle & bait provided Full day or half day tuition Advice on tackle, rigs & tactics

Tel: 0151 548 5741 For more information, contact: Email: [email protected] 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 – Summer 2017 37 Area 12 - Chris Thomas Scotland

Area 11 - Stuart Wardle Co. Durham, Tyne & Wear & Northumberland

Area 10 - Alan Swann Lancashire, Merseyside, Cumbria, Greater Manchester & Isle of Man

Area 9 - Steve Rhodes West, East & North Yorkshire

Area 8 - Brian Clarke Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire & Norfolk

Area 7 - Barrie Davidson Wirral & Cheshire

Area 6 - John Walker Gwynedd & Clwyd

Area 5 - Paul Deaville Leicestershire, West Midlands, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire & Suffolk

Area 4 - Roger Smith Hereford, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Shropshire & Powys

Area 14 - Geoff Bevan Dyfed, Gwent, West, Mid & South Glamorgan

Area 3 - Gavin Keegan 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

38 Grayling – Summer 2017 Grayling – Summer 2017 39 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 E-mail: [email protected] Prospective members can obtain further Web Site: www.acgameangling.co.uk details via www.tanatfishing.com

Till Fishing Holidays Holidays in Wales Northumberland GLASLYN - RHAYADER Comfortable cottages, beautiful River Wye Estate. 1 mile of grayling, sea trout and salmon fishing on the River Till. 3.5 miles salmon, trout, and specimen grayling. 4 star centrally heated orchard cottage available. Fishing, birdwatching, walking, relaxing. Brochure – 01597 810258 Contact Lucy Carroll: 07974 416692 Email: fish@till-fishing.co.uk www.glaslynestate.co.uk

Go Fly Fishing UK Phil Fly Fishing Specialists in the best of the UK’s Phil Ratcliffe offers guided fishing River Brown Trout and Grayling fly fishing on the Welsh Dee and Severn ONE-TO-ONE GUIDING/TUITION AND TAILOR-MADE SHORT BREAKS Phone: 07875 718718 Web: www.philratcliffeflyfishing.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1756 748378 Protect the future Email: [email protected] Mail: [email protected] www.goflyfishinguk.com APGAI & IFFF MCI of your shing.

3V]L`V\YÄZOPUN&;OLUOLSW\ZWYV[LJ[P[(UNSPUNPZ\UKLY ARTICLES WANTED [OYLH[MYVTWVSS\[PVUWVHJOPUNV]LYWYLKH[PVUYLZ[YPJ[PVUZ There is always a need for material for the Society’s publications, both the Newsletter and the Journal. [VHJJLZZO`KYVWV^LYIHKSLNPZSH[PVUHUKTVYL The editor will welcome anything that relates to your experiences of grayling and their habitats. Words or pictures are welcome, concerning places fished, new or familiar flies tied and used, tales of anglers from the past, or your own 1VPU\Z[V\UP[LHSSHUNSLYZZ[HUK\WMVYV\YZWVY[ÄNO[MVY observations on grayling and grayling fishing in general. P[ZM\[\YLHUKNL[WLVWSLÄZOPUN Contact the Editor, Bob Male, by any means you wish. All contributions are gratefully received.

40 Grayling – Summer 2017 Join the Angling Trust today Call: 0844 77 00 616 www.anglingtrust.net