How to Winter Grayling Fly Fishing

Ever thought about trying something a bit different? The rise in popularity of Grayling fishing over the last decade has been huge in the UK. Once considered a pest in this country they are now a highly sought after game fish that provides the year round angler superb sport. In this video I go through some hints and tips for targeting this iconic species. The topic is subjective and much will depend on the types of river you fish.
This was filmed on the River Avon with kind permission from Manningford Trout Fishery. They now have access to nearly 4 miles of water that can be fished on a day ticket for £35. In comparison with other day ticket waters nearby this is great value for money. As you will see in the video the stamp of fish are excellent.
I mostly use double nymph to target these fish but they can also be targeted using the Duo or Trio method. Look out for a link in the information bar for more information on this method.

[@Fishwish]

What a great video. That must have taken some serious effort. Love it. Subd

[@lindsayiflyfish]

A lot easier than you would think buddy, thanks for watching.

[@Fishwish]

@@lindsayiflyfish well then it would be great if you could do a ‘how to make a fishing film!’, as mine take blooming ages and I still struggle to get the content and quality worth sharing!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@Fishwish The key to the whole shebang is planning. Before I even step out the door I make detailed notes of what I am going to need. Bullet points on what I want to get over as well as the b-roll footage I will need. I won't do a video on making films as I don't think enough folks would be interested.

[@Fishwish]

@@lindsayiflyfish thanks. sound advice. Winging it doesn't work so well does it! Do the planning...and just add fish. The bit that doesn't always go to plan, but in fairness they're probably more reliable and less demanding that Hollywood stars.

[@DedicatedAngler]

I had my first go on a river today. Whilst I wasn't successful in landing a Grayling, your advice was much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Most welcome Derek, I am sure you will get one next time.

[@leemowers9395]

Great outing with good suggestions on gear. Thank you.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks for watching Lee hope you got something from it.

[@tomharvey7436]

Thanks for sharing Lindsay it looked like you had a great day

[@lindsayiflyfish]

It was! Just hit the river right I think, dropping with a hint of colour.

[@Chrisowen1948Newbury]

Just found this video Lindsay on KZbin, what a great video, lots of very helpful tips and very enjoyable to watch, know Manningford lakes very well, must try the river, thanks for sharing, tight lines

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Chris will be revisiting this video over the Christmas break. Winter Grayling fishing can be very rewarding 👍

[@troutwithleigh4503]

Nice one Lindsay liked it well put together as always

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks pal much appreciated.

[@duderoony]

And another great day out Lyndsay. Those grayling were coming thick and fast by the looks of it. Thank you for another upload dude.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@finlayheatlie5087]

Thanks pal . Smashing vid .keep it up 👍

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks, will do!

[@RossDixonTeaching]

Very helpful thankyou for this lesson.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Ross glad it was of some use.

[@henriknielsen5759]

Thanks Lindsay ..👍 Great video 🎣 🥃🤫

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks for watching pal much appreciated.

[@ashcannon3066]

Brilliant video as always ! Really enjoying watching your content , you say about travelling to rivers that are high the rivers in Cornwall atm with all this rain are like the Colorado rapids , I’ve not seen them this wild in years , there is photo and video evidence of a salmon being hand caught in a shopping centre (trago mills) car park and being returned to the main river ! Never seen anything like it ! Have a merry Christmas and tight lines

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Ash, that can be a problem with fishing in the winter, rivers are unpredictable.

[@davidfraser4083]

Great video thanks Lindsay. As for our methods up north the nymphs do well. Sometimes the maggot or the worm is used with a bug dropper about 15 inches above the bait hook. I prefer the fly but sometimes the bait is essential I high waters. Tight lines and all the best. Stay safe, Big Davie

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks for sharing! I have only ever fly fished, would like to try some other methods.

[@leighbarnes2922]

Love that manningford section of the avon, caught my pb grayling out of there in the tight quarters it’s good fun, great vid, makes me think I might pop up and take a look how that beat has fared the low waters of this summer.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

It’s a cracking wee fishery not been for a while myself, need to get back for a day.

[@leighbarnes2922]

@@lindsayiflyfish yeah I couldn’t help myself popped over today, really over grown for a lot of it but snaking casts through the trees and bushes produced a herd of grayling ( and browns ) all on duo, water had a little bit of color which worked in favour. Thanks for the reminder info that beat :)

[@seandoyle1879]

Great film, very nice water!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Many thanks, hope you get a nice single malt for Christmas pal.

[@seandoyle1879]

@@lindsayiflyfish I wish! Only if I buy it myself...Likewise hope you get a good bottle too!

[@robertgreen5217]

That’s a great video.👍

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks 👍

[@jsboyle3459]

Nice wee video👍

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks 👍

[@grahamlong6870]

Since beginning fishing in the sixties I have always valued Grayling for the beautiful and sporting fish they are. Finding these pollutant intolerant fish shows that the water is of good quality, and just from that point of view they have to be highly welcome.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

My favourite species 👍

[@RhysFishes]

Impressive how close you can get to them in such a small stream and their are still willing to take the fly.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

They are pretty forgiving fish pal. Can be funny at times though won't do with sudden movement.

[@andrewchatterley7877]

Another great video chap👍is that the stretch that ends at the bridge at upavon? Think I fished it via Rushall organic or similar around 8 years ago. What make is your chest pack?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

It is the stretch just below Manningford. The chest pack is Umpqua👍

[@drummerleonard]

Great video Lindsay, please can you tell me about the rod rest you are wearing on your waist.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Leonard, it is the older version of this amzn.to/3eNmuoq I will be picking one of these up as the older version I have been using is not as tight as it once was.

[@NCA_Matt]

Nice video Lindsay. Can I ask about the laying of the line over the blank - I understand the principle whem comp fishing, but do you find it an issue if a larger than expected fish is hooked ie one that wants to take line?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Matt it is unusual for Grayling to take line even larger fish. That said it is easy enough to in wrap your line from the blank.

[@michaelshaw8370]

With the double nymph especially if both are weighted. When presented correctly will be equally just above the stream bed right in the feeding zone for the grayling. A fly in a tree is always preferable than in the creek without a paddle

[@lindsayiflyfish]

That's right!

[@ianspicer1529]

Lindsay, great and very useful video as ever - thank you. Where did you source the knee/shin protectors that you're wearing in this - these look essential!! Thanks, Ian

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Ian sorry they are not made anymore. You can use skateboard knee pads which are as good.

[@ianspicer1529]

@@lindsayiflyfish Good call Linsay - I'll look into a pair of those. Take care and stay safe.

[@wansak2977]

Nice fish all big n small , just out of curiosity , I wrote you once about catching grayling with a Royal coachman streamer size 12 hook , I couldn't keep um off my hook , caught 7 in a matter of minutes , I know y'all have your ways of doing things over there , but it's worth a try ya never know till ya try , right? Thanx again for the video can't wait to see the next one .

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks for watching buddy much appreciated.

[@markeaston487]

Great video pal how much indicator by colour do you use is it then a tippet ring and 3 ft to first fly then 3 to the next

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Usually about a foot of indicator. Then the two nymphs as you say Mark. 3’ the 3’ mostly.

[@markeaston487]

@@lindsayiflyfish cheers pal 👍

[@appsuccess]

Great footage. It would be nice when explaining technique to see a few seconds of flies, distance between droppers etc.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Thanks Roy, I will bear that in mind for next time.

[@latchmore666]

Morning Lindsay. Glad you did the one as I'm hoping to have my first go at grayling on the Manningford water but have a couple of questions. My 4# is only an 8 footer so would that be long enough or would I be struggling? I'm also waderless at the moment - (replacements on order) - is bank fishing a viable option at present or am I going to miss out not wading? Thanks Dave

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Dave, The river is not particularly wide, so you will get away with an 8' rod although it's not ideal. You have to start somewhere, right? For me getting into the river is part and parcel to the whole experience but I would not let the fact that you can't wade put you off. I caught plenty of fish from the bank while doing this video.

[@latchmore666]

@@lindsayiflyfish thanks Lindsay. Tbh I was looking at a 10ft 3# recently but decided I really couldn't justify yet another rod, having just forked out for new waders and boots, so it looks like I'll just have to do the best I can with the 8ft. If nothing else it'll be a nice day out by the side of a river. I can cope with that!

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@latchmore666 The 8' will be fine on the Avon pal. It will be perfect if you decide to go Duo fishing for the day. You could fish Duo all day and get plenty of fish.

[@latchmore666]

@@lindsayiflyfish 👍

[@NickThomasFlyTying]

Nice video was your daughter on the camera?. I'd not come across someone looping the line around the rod handle before - do you find that better than keeping the line between the fingers of your rod hand?

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Nick, She was supposed to come with me but woke up fun of cold. Malcolm Hunt was on the other end of the camera most of the day. I was shown that trick with looping the line from Andrew Croucher when I was out in Norway. It makes for great contact, some of my other pals prefer to have the line in their left hand. I guess its what you are most comfortable with.

[@peterwelsh9509]

Lindsay where did you buy the knee pads from please, alas I am at the scrambling up the bank age. Lovely video and beautiful Grayling.

[@lindsayiflyfish]

Hi Peter, they don't make these type anymore but these are similar amzn.to/37B3eEh I did use the strimmer type which were cheap but didn't last long.

[@sa-hz1bo]

Are u using a strike indicators

[@lindsayiflyfish]

It depends on what part of the video, I used multiple techniques including indicators.

[@sa-hz1bo]

It is because I was wandering abought how to fish nymphs

[@lindsayiflyfish]

@@sa-hz1bo This video will give you a general idea on how to fish nymphs.

[@sa-hz1bo]

@@lindsayiflyfish thanks very much your fly tying and tips are the best 👍👍

[@andrewchatterley7877]

Hi Lindsay, where did you get the knee protectors? Another great video👍

[@badcompany3303]

Lucky the Swan wasn't Rambo 😂😂😂

[@lindsayiflyfish]

lol.... thats one angry bugger of a bird!