Reports from Grayling

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Simon is my other half who for his sins introduced me to the world of fishing. While it means he no longer has to worry about getting home on time it costs him in other ways, but together we are a good team enjoying a wonderful sport together.
For Christmas Simon wanted a Tankara rod which he started using as soon as it arrived in the post as he couldn't wait to go fishing with his new rod. After having a go with the rod I could see the benefits on our small river, especially the bow and arrow cast for some of those tight spots that can be troublesome to cast into. Now, while my birthday is not until June it seemed a waste of time loosing 6 months of the fishing year while there were grayling in the Dee to be caught even before the trout season starts on our little river. So the obvious thing to do was to order and enjoy the rod now while remembering in June that I already had my present.
I decided to make a couple of furled leaders ready for my new rods arrival so I made an olive green leader for the dries and a high visibility bright orange one for my wets. This weekend we went to Llangollen to pay our subs for the year and though the rivers have been high we checked out a few likely fishing spots as we were both itching to get on the river fishing again. Llangollen is an extremely beautiful place to go fishing and I can't ever imagine not fishing here as it has a special place in my heart, not just for the fishing but the amazing wild life I've seen and the breathtaking scenery. Getting ready for fishing I put plenty of layers on as it had snowed and if there is one thing I loath it is feeling cold while fishing. Everything was ready but it seemed strange going fishing and leaving our reels behind.
At Llangollen we got into our gear as soon as we could and there was a sense of freedom walking to the river with our tankara rods as they are small, lightweight and there is no reel to attach and no line to thread through the rings of the rod. As we got closer to the river the anticipation was enormous as I nervously started attaching my furled leader, extended the rod, tippet on, small weighted Hare's Ear placed on the end before looking at the water to decide where to start fishing. As soon as we got into the river it started snowing and I noticed I was overpowering my forward stroke, as it is a new way of casting I had to remind myself I wasn't casting a great distance and it needed a more delicate approach. I was in lovely looking water but not even a nibble so I changed my fly and continued fishing, again nothing. I moved on and this time I put a size 12 GRHE with pink fur tied behind the bead, thinking as it was cold weather maybe the grayling would prefer a decent sized meal instead of the snack I was offering. First cast and bang the line tightened and there was a powerful fish on the other end. I was amazed at the bend in the rod and the way it was capable of dealing with what seemed a decent grayling. Simon was behind telling me how to get the best out of the rod and he had his net to hand which was reassuring. Having looked at the tankara web site and seeing how they landed fish it still didn't prepare me for the fact adrenalin was pumping through my veins at a rate of knots and I was desperate not to loose my stunning grayling, so Simon giving instruction of playing the fish with my new rod was helpful. It fought well as it moved its great sail of a fin against the current, I was in awe of this wonderful creature I just love fishing for grayling and seeing them in their environment is a privilege I never tire off. Finally we had the prize in the net the hook was quickly removed as I only use barbless hooks, Simon's net can also weigh the fish which was 2lb and after gazing at the beautiful colours and markings of the stunning grayling it was released. Continuing along the run another grayling of 2lb was netted and this time after being released the fish headed towards the shallows of the bank and it was great seeing the shape and colours of the grayling against the backdrop of the river bed before it headed into the deeper water with no more than a swish of its tail. After lunch we decided to try another area to fish so the rods were collapsed and we headed for the car. Rods set up again we were back to fishing and this time I had a smaller grayling of a pound in the net again the fish was stunning. Pretty soon it was time to leave, the weather wasn't getting any better and we had fished in the snow and hail storms and I had 3 extremely beautiful fish, time go home so the dog can have a walk before it gets too dark, then the household will be content and settled for a quiet evening after a wonderful return to the river Dee.

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We decided to try fishing a different section of the Lower Alyn as it takes time to get to know and understand a river. Again it was clear and the water was running fast, this meant that getting my nymphs down to where the fish were I was going to start using the heavier beaded flies. After looking at a piece of water looking for the likely runs I noted the depth of the water and the likely places to get out, as the lower Alyn seems to have lots of steep banks some with erosion I presume from anglers getting in and out of the water. Then there is the issue of not getting your waders caught on the barbed wire on the more easily accessible areas, not to mention the stiles. Getting into the water I fished the most likely areas but without a single nibble I changed fly and again no fish were found. The Tanaka was great for getting into tight spots and close to the bank where I find many fish lurk, as I was running out of water and the stile on this side is almost usable it was time to find Simon, have a drink and wander lower downstream on the other side which looked as if the stile was easier to get over. At the car Simon was talking to a fellow angler who suggested we don't only use the water for the grayling season as they have some nice fish in the river. After a chat it was time to continue fishing and Simon and I went further downstream. I started fishing when Simon radioed saying he had fallen from one of the stiles but his rod was fine, at the third time of asking he admitted he didn't bounce as easily as he use to. Then to added insult to injury as I called him to let him know I had caught a very nice 14in strong, fighting beauty of a grayling. I do love fishing for these stunning fish as they give the angler a battle and when I see that sail of a fin and the delightful colours my heart if lifted for the rest of the day. The other angler was upstream he was catching a few smaller grayling by doing one thing that I couldn't with the tenkara; he was casting a long line upstream enabling his nymphs to get deeper for longer and pulling it quickly towards him due to the current. Simon had returned to my position looking a little sore and we decided it was time to walk the dog or at least it was time for me to walk the dog while he got over his fall and lit the BBQ to roast our leg of lamb.
Today we returned to the Alyn and getting out of the car while it was cold and windy it was still fishable. But by the time we walked downstream and got into the water the bitter wind was getting colder and stronger making life with the tenkara a real pain. We started fine with casting not being too difficult but the cutting wind was starting to get to my hands and face even Simon said he could feel the cold and that is very rare. Then the gusts became a continuous howl and the leader was D shaped and the fly was very close to the surface and not where I wanted it. Simon had got caught in a tree while casting and it was becoming a chore not a pleasure so after an extremely short outing Simon headed upstream suggesting I not linger in one spot too long as it was getting time to think of leaving. I continued fishing until my hands felt numb and as I climbed into the field I could see Simon very close to the car. As the wintry sleet/rain fell he radioed to say he was at the car and as neither of us were enjoying the conditions why not go home and eat at lunch time - a miracle for us as we are usually out and about if not fishing doing other things.
Sonia.

[pedros]

You must be taking quite a sizable aggregate lead over Simon in fish count for 2010 Be interested to know which is the offending style. Now only fit for firewood I suppose ;D
I think a lot of the 'erosion', if not most, on the lower Alyn is due to cattle. The cattle have a knack of getting through the barbed defences.

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Finally the day has arrived when we can go fishing for grayling on this section of the Alyn. By the time Simon arrived home and I'd finished doing the things I needed, we arrived eagerly at the sewage works. We hurried to get into our waders before heading in different directions to see what the winter weather had done to the river, as the last time I was in this field the water was following its old course and debris was rushing downstream. Looking at the water nothing was rising so the tenkara was quickly set up with a GRHE and I wandered down towards the cornfield. The first glorious sight was of a kingfisher with its vivid colours flashing downstream which put a smile on my face and it felt great to be home. I slowly got into the river and started fishing only to have the smile taken off my face when I noticed I was being watched by a brown mink who kept his beady eye on me for a few moments before moving upstream. The beauty of fishing tenkara is its simplicity and getting into tricky areas for longer can be helpful but you have to me mindful of your surroundings at all times as trees can be a hazard when lifting your rod while under a tree. Having fished most of the likely runs without a bite but getting stuck on bottom and having to retrieve my fly a few times it was time to move upstream behind the sewage works. The first thing I noticed was the amount of clearance that had taken place over the winter months and I quickly gained access to parts of the river seldom fished without having to wade from further downstream. Again I started fishing and as I flicked the rod before starting a new cast I had a tiddler only just bigger than my hand at the end of my line. As I wet my hands to release the beautiful grayling I noticed just how cold the water was so I put my gloves on to warm my hands, yes I am a wimp that feels the cold. Moving through the run I could feel the change in depth from the previous season due to work done on the river and I moved carefully through the run where I had another nibble which was self releasing as I was bird watching at the time, always fatal. Simon and I moved further upstream at willow islands where the only thing I caught was willow as I tried to cast close into the bank. There was no way I was going to lose one of my favourite flies if I could help it, so I started to collapse my rod to protect the delicate tip and headed waist deep to retrieve my fly. Fly back in hand it was time to get out of the water and head for home as I had completely ruined the run besides it was starting to get very cold as the wind increased. The Grayling are still in the river and hopefully next time I will have a few more and of a larger size, but I can't grumble it was great being back on the river hearing the bird song and being reminded that spring will soon be with us.
Sonia.

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We decide to go fishing locally, as even though Wales aren't playing their best Rugby this season we are going home to suffer the match after fishing, who knows miracles may happen and they could hold it together. As I loath being cold I prepare to get into my many layers to keep my legs warm in the cold water and we set off. Eager to get into the upper part of the river where there were cracking fish last year and by Simon's experience yesterday they have only improved, I get into my waders, grab my rod and head towards the river. Simon wants to start in the lower run which was one of my favourite places last year, he hardly gets into the river when I can see the typical bend in his rod and the smile on his face. I wandered into a run where I usually had decent fish last year and where Simon caught yesterday. As I worked my way through the run I was amazed to have caught not a single fish and as Simon came along side with his camera he was also stunned I hadn't had a bite as he was hoping for a little more footage of the beautiful grayling we are so lucky to have in our river. Simon then noticed that my casting wasn't quite as good as it could be as I was tending to keep too much of my leader in the water and that day I seemed to be almost dragging the rod up and behind me instead of lifting it as I should. I also tried Simon's rod and there is a considerable difference in the two, with his seeming lighter in the hand and more flexiable and delicate in casting. Simon went further upstream and I got on with the task of improving my casting and concentrating on keeping in touch with only having a couple of inches of leader in the water. Now it was time to continue fishing for grayling and I naturally decided to go lower down where I knew there were fish. I went lower than the run Simon had his fish and after a few casts bang the line stopped dead before moving towards branches of a tree in the water. By the way the rod was moving and the feel I thought I had a really good fish on and as the sail of his fin moved majestically through the water I called Simon letting him know I had not only caught a grayling but a very nice grayling for our waters. As the fish got closer I had a better idea of size and my heart was beating faster and my mouth was starting to feel dry as I kept telling myself to play the fish and not to loose him as he needed to be measured. He put up an amazing fight on the tenkara and I bought the fish to net as quickly as I could, with my other hand I grovelled for my tape measure as he was a decent size. Sure enough it was my largest grayling on the Alyn measuring a little over 42cms I was elated, and after looking at the fish in the water and seeing the colours and shape of a wonderful specimen he dashed off home to fight another day. I had to steady myself after that and I took a few moments to look at the birdlife and ponder what had just taken place, I had a very broad smile on my face that would remain for the rest of the day!! Having composed myself and still feeling a tingle in my soul it was time to try the run where Simon caught a couple of fish, I started fishing and within minutes the line moved and I tightened into a decent grayling which made the rod bend and me extremely happy to see the fish to hand before being released quickly, again the small tungsten GRHE was taken. I was feeling great with the fish I had caught so I decided to have a few more casts in different runs of differing speed keeping in touch with the leader and paying attention to accurate casting close to the bank and along the food lanes. I called Simon who had tried the first run I fished and he also blanked before moving into another run where he caught fish. It was time to take the leader off, collapse the rods, and wander towards the car to get out of our waders and go home with smiles on our faces.
Sonia.

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After what seems to have been an almost endless week I am feeling shattered; while the head is suggesting it may be a good idea to have a rest the heart decides to go fishing and if it gets too much I can relax and watch the world go by. We decide to go to Worms Wood where we get kitted up, say hello to the horse who is on the other side of the fence we need to climb over and we go our separate ways. I start at the beginning of the field while Simon goes upstream, I start fishing what looks like a lovely, deep run but nothing is interested in my nymph so I have a change and still the same result – nothing. Simon suggests it may be a hard day as he hadn't caught a thing either. Moving upstream trying different runs and flies I'm struggling to connect with a fish, the sun feels wonderfully warm on my back, olives are steadily coming off the water but not a single fish is interested in them. Getting a little too close to the bank I ended up getting my fly in some vegetation in the water much to my annoyance as I am going to have to retrieve my fly ruining the rest of the run, time for a drink before moving on. Simon has now caught a trout as I keep moving and searching another deep run that gave me some wonderful fish in the past, but it was fruitless today, so yet again it was time to move upstream. I started fishing a fast flowing, deep run where I have never had a fish, after a few casts I decided to use a heavier, larger GRHE and after another few casts I thought I had hit the bottom again but as I lifted the rod it bent and moved with force. The trout briefly came to the surface where I could see the very dark ochre of a stunning brown trout, then it headed straight for the bottom of the pool before deciding to change direction. My rod was bending as I tried to bring the fish close so I could get hold of the leader, the fish had other ideas and there was no way it was interested in coming anywhere near me, one look and it headed off towards the bank. I had the feeling it was going to take some time to get the fish under control and it felt and looked like a decent fish. Moving my rod backwards I was finally able to get hold of the leader and the fish was scooped into the net at last, where I quickly removed the hook before having a longer look at my first brownie. The fish was truly stunning with deep ochre underneath and beautiful large spots, it was fin perfect and feisty, when released he darted off in a flash and I was left in need of a drink to revive my parched throat. Moving a little further upstream again the leader halted and I lifted into another brown trout but this time after a short fight it was self releasing. Feeling a little drained I decided to call it a day, I collasped my rod, put my fly and leader away before getting onto the bank and walking downstream. Crossing the river I settled down to listen to the bird song and watch the birds while enjoying the warmth of the sun after a dreadful winter. Time to go home.
Sonia.