Thymallus thymallus
Season calendar
- Season
- May–October
- Water temperature
- 4–17 °C
- Spawning
- March–April
- Behaviour
- Cold water, feeds on the drift
Techniques
- Fly fishing
- nymphing
- ultralight tackle
Rules
- Minimum size 30 cm; the closed season is 1 December to 15 May in the Danube basin and 1 December to 31 March in the Adriatic basin.
- Many beats require barbless hooks and catch and release.
Timing
- June to October is the prime window, especially the afternoon hatches.
- Cool overcast days reduce its wariness in clear water.
Where
- Smooth, medium-paced gravel glides 0.5-1.5 m deep.
- Unlike trout it holds in the open current, close to the bottom.
Technique
- French nymphing: slim perdigons with 2.5-3.5 mm tungsten beads on a long fine leader.
- Dry fly: size 18-22 CDC patterns cast accurately onto the feeding line.
- 0.10-0.14 mm tippet; it spots a heavy leader at once.
- The mouth is soft, so a hard strike pulls the hook; use a soft-tipped rod.
Frequently asked
- When is the best time to catch grayling?
- The productive window for grayling runs May–October. March–April is the spawning period; releasing your catch during these months is strongly advised.
- What water temperature does grayling feed in?
- Grayling is most active between 4 and 17 °C. Outside that band its feeding rate drops off.
- How do you fish for grayling?
- Common methods: Fly fishing, nymphing, ultralight tackle.