The Grayling Society
Blog
Thymallus
The Grayling Society Blog
Grayling Society President Feargal Sharkey OBE chats to conservation officer Ron Taylor on 8th February 2023 about his life, work, and motivation.
Grayling conservation and the need for collaboration
Three Unusual Dry Flies for Grayling
The Gulf of Bothnia is the only known habitat for the threatened sea living Grayling
River Nadder, Teffont Fishing Club
... the last time I wrote anything for this blog I was more concerned about rain and rivers in flood to stop my fishing activities. How quickly our worries change. I hope that doesn’t sound flippant, these are unquestionably serious times we are living through. My thoughts go out to all those who are suffering health wise and those whose livelihoods are at risk. A massive shout out to all those people who are doing what must be a difficult job in looking after us all; carers, shop workers, delivery drivers, etc. and of course our wonderful NHS. It brings my worries of getting out fishing into sharp context and seem somewhat misguided. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, there always is. Whilst I can’t now one day I will be able to get into the river again where I feel at home and at peace and I’m positive many of you are feeling exactly the same. Hold onto that thought. In the meantime I have been using my allotted exercise time to walk the footpaths along the river near my home. These walks were the playground of my youth and the places I started this long education of my fishing life. The River Camel doesn’t hold any Grayling just Trout but in its heyday it supported great numbers of Salmon and Sea Trout, oh and what Salmon they could be. They are still there just not in the numbers they used to be and maybe not in the same sizes. I have just got back from today’s walk and this time of year all that can be seen are the small Brownies whizzing about the pools, running for cover as they feel my heavy footsteps approach the bank. Large Dark Olives and Grannom are trickling off the water’s surface. It may still be chilly but the sun is out and spring is certainly making its appearance. Some small pleasures. You all take care of yourselves and I will see you on the riverbank when we reach the end of this tunnel. Ian Elford, Area 1 Secretary Photos are of the upper River Camel, pretty much at the bottom of my childhood garden.
Area 1 at the South West Fly Fair The last weekend of February I was able to represent the Grayling Society at the South West Fly Fair. This annual get together at Roadford Lake in Devon and organised by the South West Lakes Trust is always a well-attended day with many organisations and trade stands in attendance. This year in my new role of Area 1 Secretary I wanted to promote the Society and our Lady of the Stream so in conjunction with Launceston Angling Association, of which I am also Vice Chairman this year, we booked our stand. The morning of the show was greeted with, what seems to have become the norm, heavy rain. Crossing the Tamar at Launceston the river had completely burst its banks and flooded the surrounding fields. Not boding well for the start of the trout season in a couple of weeks! I think we had every season in one day for the show when snow showers became storm force winds and then lovely sunshine. Thank you Storm Jorge. Luckily we were inside but I did feel for those poor souls trying to take casting demonstrations. The day went very well with plenty of interest in what we do as a society and I hope that those who expressed an interest in joining will have by now. I spoke with some of our existing members and it was good to put faces to names. I was ably assisted on the day by fellow Society member and Launceston President, Rod Dibble, who was busy handing out application forms for the Association but really wanted to just show off his newly purchased Trotting Centre Pin. To while away the hours and to give some interest I tied some Czech nymphs and a few bugs using different varieties of Chadwicks or Spindrift substitutes. Much discussion about their differing qualities ensued. The photo was taken at the end of the day after the crowds had subsided and a weary Rod Dibble offered to pose for the picture. Ian Elford - Area 1 Secretary
If you have any contributions to the blog please contact Kris Kent. his details are on the Contacts page
A Day With Myddleton Angling Club One aspect of the Grayling Society which is rarely mentioned but is always there, is the friendship (and fun) amongst many of the members. I have noticed over recent years particularly whilst organizing the Symposium, that there are a good number of members who wish to sit near or next to and fish with their Grayling Society pals, even though they may not have seen them since the last do. It is one aspect of clubs in general where like minds congregate that friendships are borne and flourish and is certainly true in the Society. The 'Derby Boys', for example, with Roger Walker occupy one Symposium Dinner table each year and, last year, it was good to see a new party of six including our new Area Secretary Ian elford, from the West Country, who made up another table. Recently I was invited by Steve Rhodes to a get together of some Yorkshire faces, most of whom I had not seen for some time on the lovely stretch of the Wharfe, just above Ilkley, where Myddleton Angling Club has a 3 mile stretch. It borders a short section of an 82 mile Dales Way to Bowness in the Lake district. It was good to bump into John Davison, the Myddleton Club President, from whom I took over as Editor of the Journal some 20 odd years ago, and be introduced to Steve Garner, the Club Secretary. Bacon butties, provided by Brian Clarke eaten, we set off for the river. The deadly twosome, Ade Bristow and john Roberts eagerly set off to their favourite spot whilst I then spent a pleasant few hours with the two Steves and Chris Lythe, the centrepin craftsman, watching him catch the first grayling, and then perfecting some long distance releases. Being the new boy and only armed with fly tackle I went with Steve Garner to a new stretch at the top of their beat, where the river was more suitable for fly gear. The high wind got the better of me so I went off to do some exploring of the beats. The Club has invested in a beautiful watercolour map which can be downloaded from the Club website and is excellent in pointing out all the named parts of the Club’s waters. However, I wish that I had read the Wild Trout Trust report on the fishery as it also pointed out some areas of the stretches which I did not get the chance to visit. The forecast of rain and high winds did not lend itself to flyfishing, but it turned not to be as bad as the forecast, and a good number of Grayling were caught, all on trotting gear. All in all I spent a very pleasant few hours spent in the company of fellow fishermen. I didn’t catch (but I didn’t lose any flies) but I was amongst fellow anglers who I had known for several years through the Society and as they say “ There’s more to fishing than catching fish.” Rod Calbrade - Symposium Coordinator
Find us on Facebook
© 2019 The Grayling Society.
Affiliated member of the Angling Trust and Fish Legal
