Firstly, I'd like to thank all of you who bought one of our Depth Charge Jig Selections on Tuesday - we sold out of them in just over 4 hours - thank you so much for your continued support, it really means a lot to both Jack and I, especially at this time of year!

Secondly, as we are now well into October, today's email concerns two patterns which are really special (and very successful) to tempt your local Grayling.

But first, a short interlude ...

Our Reel Recovery UK Auction is drawing to a close tomorrow lunchtime, and there are quite a few bargains still to be had (including Lot 29 - ours "Design & Name Your Own Barbless Fly (with full commercial production)", with a starting bid of only £180):

There are loads of other great value lots available, here's a few selected highlights:

Lot 1 - A Day’s Guided Fishing with Justin Connoly for Six Rods at the Llanover Estate, River Usk, South Wales for only £260

Lot 21 - An Exclusive Day for Four Rods on Hobby Lake at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre, Berkshire - The entire lake to yourself and 3 friends, for only £260

Lot 39 - A Guided Day with Dave Green for Two Rods, boat fishing for trout on Chew Valley Lake or Blagdon Lake in Somerset for only £220

Lot 53 - A Day’s Fly-Fishing Tuition for up to Eight Adults in Norfolk, a perfect team-building or club experience - for only £220

In total, we have 74 lots available to bid on, covering guided days, equipment, tuition, clothing and "money can't buy" experiences - only in this case, money can buy them!

Please Note: Our auction closes at 12:00 tomorrow (16th October) - get your bid in before it's too late.

I know that times are pretty tight for all of us, but any help you could give us to support this great charity (full disclosure - I am a Trustee) would be really appreciated.

Interlude over ...

I always eagerly look forward to the start of the Grayling season and, just like the salmon season is welcomed in with a dram of Whiskey, I always like to welcome in the Grayling season with an offering to the fish - in this case, a nice card to Mr & Mrs Grayling - I know it's sad, but it hasn't let me down yet!

"To Mr & Mrs Grayling,
Hope to hook up with you soon.
From
Barbless Flies"

As the Grayling season is only just getting underway, I thought that a few tips specific to fishing for early-season Grayling were in order:

• Go Searching - Fishing for Grayling at this time of year (Autumn) is all about finding the fish. Grayling will be spread out across the length of the river; the best places to start are exactly where you would find trout. But bear in mind that Grayling do not necessarily like any structure, so run your nymphs in any likely looking riffle and seam.

• Fly Colour - When first approaching the water, I always use 2 wildly different colours for my nymphs. I will generally use a colourful heavy fly on the point (Pink Squirrel), and then a small drab pattern on a dropper (usually a Jack Daniels Jig). Once you have had a few takes, you can refine your fly choice to match what the Grayling are targeting - I have found that white-beaded flies seem to be very successful in the early part of the season.

• Dry Fly - Last week, there was a window of about an hour where a hatch of very small midges took place. I changed to a dry fly (size 18 Griffith's Gnat) and took some really nice Grayling. So don't be afraid to change your setup (even if it is just for a short period of time).

Please Note: Towards the end of this email, you will also find some more tips to help you when searching a river for Autumn Grayling.

As you would expect, we already have loads of different Grayling-specific nymphs available, including some brand new patterns.

I want to start this 'grayling season' by showing you the 2 (or 3 - you'll have to scroll to the very end to see the final one) early-season Grayling patterns which have been the most successful for me over the years.

Starting with ... The Pink Squirrel v2.1:

The Pink Squirrel Nymph was designed by John Bethke and to those 'in the know' is probably one of the most popular Grayling (and Trout) nymph patterns available today (especially in the USA).

These flies are now available as a selection - three each of sizes 12, 14, 16, and 18 (a total of 12 nymphs).

We now benefit from 'economies of scale' and can now provide a much higher quality Grayling fly for the same price, due to the quantity we now order with our tyers.

*** If you only buy one set of flies for Grayling, our Pink Squirrels & Jack Daniels are virtually guaranteed to be successful ***

And, talking of the Jack Daniels ...

When American guide Cory Cuje (Old Dominion Trout Bum) needs a fly that works on clear water, sunny days, and pressured streams, he reaches for The Jack Daniels. This is the pattern that earned its name on a 21-inch brown trout on Pennsylvania's Little J - a proper "whiskey" fish in Troutbitten terms.

The Jack Daniels shines for early-season Grayling on a Euro nymphing rig in sizes 12-18. Use it as your point fly for maximum depth, or on a dropper above a lighter pattern. The bead gets it down fast, while the CDC keeps it looking alive in the drift.

These flies are now available as a selection - three each of sizes 12, 14, 16, and 18 (a total of 12 nymphs).

*** If you only buy one set of flies for Grayling, our Pink Squirrels & Jack Daniels are virtually guaranteed to be successful ***

Go on, you know you want to!

I've also updated our River Master Series of Grayling Articles 2026 - they act as a great intro to Grayling Fishing for all you who'd like to extend your fly fishing season.

You can access the series by clicking on the image or button below:

So, you've got the flies ... now what?

Right, you've got all the gear, where do you find Grayling:

1. Before the winter frosts, Grayling will not be shoaled up, therefore its important to fish where the grayling are - I know it sounds obvious! Therefore, the likely spots are exactly where you would find trout:
   1. Gravel bottoms
   2. In the seam of two currents
   3. In the foam line – Remember “foam is your home”
   4. Just off and around weed beds
2. Grayling have an underslung mouth; they are bottom feeders. If you cannot see them rising, you need to present your flies on (or very near) the river bed.
3. Look for deeper, slower water. Grayling do not like structure, so look for uniform flows of water.
4. Look for creases, especially slow water which is just off a faster crease.
5. Grayling are long, thin, delicate fish; they do not like to sit in the river flow, due to the energy expended. The grayling has a thin wrist, which means they do not have a lot of power in its tail to fight against the flow.
6. Grayling are very tolerant of anglers; they do not spook as easily as trout. I’ve even had grayling take insects off my waders whilst standing in the river fishing!
7. Grayling are a shoal fish in the main. Once you’ve caught one - stand still and cast again – you’re more than likely to catch another.

TOP TIP: If using a team of 2 nymphs, try putting the heaviest on a short dropper about 12" above the point fly; this will then allow you to fish both nymphs tight to the bottom. 

Tight lines, have fun & keep warm!

P.S. If you're looking a for a more 'left field' light(ish) nymph for early-season Grayling, you cannot go far wrong with the Utah Killer Bug:

The Utah Killer Bug was first developed by the Tenkara Guides in Salt Lake City. It's a variation of the Sawyer's Killer Bug, developed by Frank Sawyer. Frank was the riverkeeper on the Wiltshire Avon, where a part of his duty was to control the population of grayling. We now have these flies available individually in sizes 12, 14, 16 & 18.

Fill Your Boots!