MAKE A DATE WITH THE LADY OF THE STREAM!
ARGUABLY our most beautiful native species and willing winter feeders, grayling are a popular target for coarse anglers in the final month of the river season
So for some serious fun on the float, grab a rod and a tub of maggots and head to one of these hand-picked venues.
RIVER WHARFE, WETHERBY, WEST YORKSHIRE
The grayling fishing around Wetherby comes into its own in winter, so much so that the EA uses fish caught by Wetherby and District AC members for brood stock at its Calverton Fish Farm. Head downstream of the weir at Grange Park, where big fish are on the cards to trotting tactics. This is members-only water, but the winter ticket running until the end of the season is only £15 (it’s just £30 for the whole year!). There are also grayling to be had upstream of the weir towards Collingham, which can be fished for on a £5 day ticket.
MORE INFO: www. wetherbydistrictanglingclub.co.uk
RIVER TEST, TIMSBURY, HAMPSHIRE
If you fancy a special day on one of England’s finest chalk streams, then this attractive 2.5-mile long stretch of the River Test could be just the ticket. It holds stunning grayling alongside roach, perch, dace and pike, all of which can be targeted by coarse anglers between now and the end of the season. Also various carriers and side streams to fish.
It’s far from cheap, at £35 per angler per day, but you’ll struggle to find a more enjoyable place to trot your maggots!
MORE INFO: 07759 331385/www. timsburyfishing.co.uk
UPPER RIVER SEVERN, POOL QUAY, POWYS
The Maesydd and Rhyddesgyn stretches at Pool Quay offer no shortage of deep pools and steady glides, making this the perfect place for a day’s roving for grayling with either trotting gear or a light feeder set-up. Secure parking is available. The fishing is controlled by the Birmingham AA, which costs just £40 a year to join and will give you access to loads of stretches on 11 more rivers as well as numerous stillwaters and canals. Seniors are £30, juniors £15. Membership runs from January 1 to December 31.
MORE INFO: www.baa.uk.com
Back goes a scale-perfect grayling.
RIVER LUGG, EYTON, HEREFORDSHIRE
A productive 1.5-mile long winter grayling beat in idyllic countryside just upstream of the market town of Leominster. A light stick or Avon float set-up is the best way to go, staying mobile and loosefeeding maggots into any likely-looking areas. Fishing is from the bank only (no wading), to protect salmon spawning sites. Must be booked in advance online, and not cheap at £22.50 a day (via the Wye and Usk Foundation’s Fishing Passport scheme), but you’re likely to have the whole stretch to yourself. MORE INFO: www.fishingpassport. co.uk
RIVER TEES, GAINFORD, COUNTY DURHAM
An impressive bit of river running through stunning countryside from St Mary’s Well (below St Mary’s Churchyard), upstream to Barforth Wath, adjacent to the downstream cemetery fence line. Good numbers of fish present and abundant wildlife. You’ll catch on both float and feeder. Search for the deeper pools and glides, where the better fish tend to shoal up.