The grayling – sometimes called “The Queen of the Currents” – is a wonderful and highly appreciated fly-fishing species, and for good reason. It prefers flowing water and feeds mostly on insects, often at the surface, making it a perfect target for a fly angler. Even though it lacks spots and looks quite different from trout and salmon, it’s still part of the salmonid family. You can tell by the small adipose fin behind the large, tall dorsal fin. In Europe, grayling are mainly found in the northern parts of Scandinavia, usually in running water. There are also healthy populations in lakes and ponds, but most of us connect grayling with rivers and streams.
A weighted nymph on a thin tippet, with the section nearest the fly line greased, is all you need. Cast upstream and let the nymph sink while making sure the line drifts freely without drag. The greased section will float and work as a strike indicator when the tippet pulls down or sideways. Caddis larvae or case-building imitations are very effective for this style of fishing.
In this video Håkan Karsnäser will demonstrate one of his favorite flies for nymph-fishing - the Gold Bead Johnson Pupa.
Hook: Ahrex FW530 or 531, size 12
Thread: Brown 8/0
Bead: 3 mm gold bead
Ribbing: Oval silver tinsel
Rear body: Green-olive or peacock Woolly Sparkle Dub, or similar
Front body: Hare’s Ear dubbing
Hackle: Partridge
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