Friday 16 December 2016

Festive Fishing on the Eden

Into a very good Grayling
Although we had already caught a few Grayling by the end of October, the November Grayling fishing did start a little slow as the river couldn't make it's mind up whether it wanted to rise or fall, and as you know, Grayling can be a bit fussy on unsettled water, but it also has to be said that temperatures for November have been very comfortable indeed, and this trend has certainly continued into December as the river begins to settle down. However, this doesn't mean that you don't need your warm gear, (preferably layered) or that the water isn't cold, but it does mean that if you fish in sensible short spells, the days are relatively pleasant, not always the case in December!

Now that's a proper Grayling
At this moment in time time the river is in great condition for Grayling fishing, although earlier on in the week we did have to chop and change tactics between heavy flies and light ones. Whilst on the slightly heavier water the heavy nymphs worked best as the fish hugged the river bed, but as the water receded it was the spiders once again that saved the day, in particular the Water Hen Bloa, and it also became very apparent that the better stamp of fish were more interested in this approach as shown in the picture above.

A long range catch
There has been some very sparse hatches of fly, and believe me very sparse is the phrase, however, when this does occur, it is very easy to ignore it and show preference for the heavy stuff, don't do it, because with these small hatches come small windows of opportunity when the Spiders come into their own. Give it a try!

Merry Christmas
We will be continuing to target the Eden Grayling for as long as conditions permit, which makes a pleasant change from the washed out winters we have experienced over the past couple of years, we are even experiencing short spells of sunshine. Long may it last!

In the meantime I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and all the very best for the coming 2017 season, and to those of you who are not out Grayling fishing with me in the next couple of weeks, I look forward to seeing you on the river again next year!