Graylings, with their iridescent scales and elusive behavior, offer an exciting challenge for fly fishing enthusiasts. In this guide, we'll dive deep into the art of dry fly and nymph fishing for graylings, including where to find them, the right gear, the best spots, and the most effective flies.
Where to Look for Graylings
Graylings thrive in cold, fresh, clean water. This makes rivers, streams, and lakes in mostly Europe their ideal habitats. The most important spots on the rivers and streams that you can’t missed are:
- End of Calm Water: As the water transitions from calm to rapid, graylings often swim around this juncture, making it an ideal spot to cast your fly.
- Shallow Rapid Water: Graylings use these areas to hunt for food, especially the insects that fly fishing mimics.
- Classic Deep Holes (After Rapid Water, before Calm)- those are hot-spots always, but it really depends on the river. Those places are also the best-spots for trout which in autumns is during spawning season - you should avoid intentionally fishing for that speciment to give them option for calm, succesful spawning.
nice take of a grayling in mighty, autumn day.
The Essential Gear
Dry Fly Set
For dry fly fishing, you'll need:
- Rod: A 8 or 9-foot rod with a 3,4 or 5 weight line is optimal for dry fly fishing for graylings.
- Line: A floating fly line pairs best with dry flies.
- Leader: A 9-foot tapered leader ending in 5X up to 8X tippet will allow your dry fly to present naturally.
Nymphing Set
Nymphing - czech, polish, french, european - whatever you called it, the set up of the gear is very similar. Only exception is “classic” nymphing, where you still use normal flyline that fits weight of your rod.
- Czech/Polish/French/European Nymphing Set :
- Rod: A 10-foot or longer rod, 2 - 4 weight. Best rod in our opinion 10’6 #3
- Reel: Light, Full-frame with a proper brake.
- Line: Special Nymphing Fly Line (like Rio Euro Nymph) + long tippet/leader
- Leader: Use a longer leader, about 14-20 feet, tapering down to a fine tippet.
- Tippet: 6-8X
- For Calm Water with Small Nymphs:
- Rod: A 9 to 10-foot rod, 3-5 weight.
- Reel: One that fit your rod in terms of weight with good brake.
- Line: Standard floating fly line.
- Leader: 9-12 feet leader tapering to a 5X or 6X tippet.
Often when fishing with small nymphs it might be a good idea to use different indicators to have better control on the set and see bites better.
it's on! Big Grayling take a Mini CDC Black Sedge during warm, early autumn day.
Choosing the Best Flies.
- Dry Fly Fishing: Go with small flies first. Our killer fly is Mini CDC Black Sedge and any combination of something dark/black with CDC on a hook size #16-18. You also should have few of klinkhammer flies in your pocket. The body of that fly is under the surface, which might be sometimes extremely effective for most cautious graylings. The key is to match the hatch, meaning use flies that resemble the natural insects in the water at that time. Sometimes there might be more than just one type of insect on the water - then it’s up to you to try different flies and hope that you have the one “that works” in your box.
- Nymphing on Rapid Water (French Technique): Heavier nymphs like the Tungsten Jig Pheasant Tail, Bead Head Olive Czech Nymph or Hot Head Orange Bead Pheasant Tail. They sink quickly, getting into the feeding zone of the graylings. Don’t underestimate also more classic, lightweight patterns, like Czech Nymph Bibio or The Prince Nymph
- Nymphing with Small Nymphs on Calm Water: In calmer water, smaller and more delicate nymphs like classic Gammarus or Black Pheasant Tail Green Thorax should work great.
In conclusion, grayling fishing with dry flies offers a mesmerizing experience. The thrill of seeing a fish rise to your fly is unparalleled. But sometimes conditions are just not right for dry fly fishing. Then the right choice is nymphing set up. With the right knowledge, gear, and techniques, you can enhance your chances of catching this beautiful fish. Tight lines and happy fishing!