Symposium update
Will Millard, our principal speaker at this year's Symposium, is presenting a new TV fishing programme called Go Fish. He will cover species from sea trout to shark and is set up with some of the best anglers in Wales, hoping to catch some of Wales' most iconic species. He will fish with Hywel Morgan and Nina Pritchard MBE and show some of the rigged coastline, wild rivers and lakes in Wales in their pursuit of these fish. It starts on June 21st on BBC Wales and the BBC iPlayer nationally. Will has previously featured in earlier TV programmes about the Rivers Taff and Wye.
Bookings are steadily coming in for the Symposium, look for the booking form in the Journal and Newsletter. If you have any difficulties contact Rod Calbrade, Telephone 01706 8429890, Mobile 07749917667 or email
rod@calbrade.demon.co.uk
Members Area on the Grayling Society WebsiteWe recently added a members only Members Area to the Grayling Society website. This secure facility allows members to access:
- Personal Details - view and update your personal contact details.
- Events - view details of upcoming events, make bookings for the annual Symposium.
- Payment - pay annual subscription.
- Publications - access Grayling Society publications. We are in the process of adding back copies of Grayling.
- Membership Card - print your membership card.
- Change Password - change your password.
Symposium 2019 Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October 2019The fishing
We last fished in this Area in 2012 and at that Symposium the then Area 4 Secretary Roger Smith launched his book 'Flyfishing the Welsh Borderlands'. It is an excellent read and has all the information you could want for fishing the Welsh border rivers from the Dee in the North to the Usk and Wye in the South. Naturally, a large part of the book covers the area around Llandod and, as Louis Noble says in the foreword, “Nothing has been omitted - we see a wide array of books which hold valuable information on the region, the fishing, and fly dressing characters, a truly impressive collection of pertinent fly patterns and historical notes on the region's fishing. As if that wasn't enough, we have been given a list of flyfishing opportunities, materials for dressing the important patterns and, to my great delight, a selection of poems relevant to borderland Streams”. It is published by Coch-y-Bonddu Books and, as usual, Paul Morgan will have stand at the Symposium, although you may want to buy a copy beforehand to come well armed for the fishing part of the visit. As many of you know Paul runs an excellent on-line operation (www.anglebooks.com) although a visit to the shop is Machynlleth is well worth it.
The rivers we'll be fishing are mainly the Wye, Irfon and Ithon plus some rods on the Arrow and Lugg with much of the water under the control of the Wye and Usk Foundation.
The River Wye
Rising on the slopes of Pumlumon at Plynlimon in the Cambrian Mountains, the River Wye (Afon Gwy in Welsh) flows for approximately 152 miles in a generally south easterly direction. It is the fifth longest river in the UK passing through Builth Wells, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, before joining the Severn Estuary at Chepstow.
The river is host an array of wildlife and is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for most of its length. The Wye's main tributaries include (in a downstream order) the Elan, Ithon, Irfon, Lugg and Monnow.
The Wye was voted the nation's favourite river in 2010. However, like most rivers in the UK, it has faced an increasing array of issues and threats in recent years. Extensive work has been carried out by the Foundation and its partners to tackle these.
The River Irfon
The River Irfon flows from the slopes of Bryn Garw in the Cambrian mountains, through the Abergwesyn Valley, past Nant Irfon National Nature Reserve, and down to Llanwrtyd Wells before joining the River Wye at Buith Wells. Source: Wye and Usk Foundation.
Oliver Burch, a local Angling Trust game angling coach and a Wye and Usk Foundation recommended guide, has written a good piece on tackling these waters which will be in the next issue of 'Grayling'. Also, you can follow his excellent monthly 'Trout and Grayling Report' on the Wye and Usk Foundation website for reports on catches and successful methods and, as it goes back quite a few years, it will help in planning your trip and telling you what you may expect, in terms of tactics and fly selection.
If you need to get in touch with him, he can be contacted on 07825 410800 or at his website:
Wye & Usk Foundation Fishing Passport Scheme
This well known and excellent service has 200 plus waters to fish on a day ticket basis which can be accessed through the Fishing Passport website or on 01874 711714 if you are planning to organize some fishing before or after the Symposium.
https://www.fishingpassport.co.uk
2019 Grayling Society Symposium - Everything Welsh.
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th October 2019
This year's Symposium will take place in Llandrindod Wells, or Llandod as it is known locally. The beautiful River Wye and Irfon are the predominant grayling rivers in the area. We recently had a change of Areas, combining Area 4 (South West Midlands) with Area 14 (South Wales) to create geographically, the second largest geographical Area - re-named just Area 4. This was brought about by the resignation of Roger Smith, the original and well-known Area 4 Secretary and the planning of this year's Symposium, by the equally enthusiastic Area 14 Secretary Geoff Bevan, which was to have been in South Wales. Putting them together and making Geoff Bevan into Area 4 Secretary, made a lot of sense as there is nowhere near enough fishing in South Wales for the Symposium's needs and we would have had to use the Area 4's rivers.
Therefore, we return to the Metropole Hotel in Llandod, a hotel which we visited 7 years ago, although it has undergone a great deal of modernisation since our last visit. Its conference facilities are excellent, and its 110 rooms will provide more than enough accommodation for us. And we are only paying £10 per night more for a double room, than we paid in 2012. There is an extra discount for those booking 2 or more nights. However, within walking distance, there are a few lower priced alternative hotels.
Our aim this year is to keep everything Welsh. Our principal speaker is Will Millard a presenter of TV programmes for the BBC. Although born in the Fens, his home now is in South Wales. So far he has done several adventure / anthropology programmes in various parts of the world but of more interest to us were his programmes about Welsh fishing - “Go fish”, four programmes covering sea trout, monstrous pike, huge carp and sharks off the coast; “The River Taff” about a walk down the revitalised River Taff from which it is possible to catch a grayling next to the Millennium Stadium; a trip on the River Wye, entitled “Source to Sea” and in late 2018, his series of “Hidden Wales” treasures. His first book “The Old Man and the Sand Eel” which was published in early 2018 has had many plaudits.
Secondly, we will have a very familiar face at our Symposia, Paul Morgan owner of Coch-y-Bonddu Books who will take on a Question and Answer session. So, if there is anything you have wanted to know about the world of books, particularly of the Game and Sporting variety, now is your chance to ask him. For those of you who do not know him, Paul is based in the small mid-Wales market town of Machynlleth. They are a leading international dealer in new and out-of-print books about angling, game shooting, sporting dogs and falconry. The ever-increasing mail-order business led to the acquisition of shop and storage premises in the centre of Machynlleth, the attractive stone-built shop is now a place of pilgrimage for anglers and sportsmen from all over the world.
Thirdly, we have Ray Lockyer who describes himself as a passionate angler, having been a member of Pontardawe & Swansea Angling Society from the age of six, its secretary since 1972 and life president since 1998. In his early years he dabbled a little with both sea and coarse fishing. His main interest since the mid 1950's has been in trout, sea trout and salmon fishing and he has fished in two Welsh teams at loch style fly fishing internationals; the first time was in 1969 and then again in 1992. Over the years he has lost his enthusiasm for competition angling but his angling interest remains undimmed; fishing two or three times a week during the season, mainly with the fly on his local River Tawe. Ray says “I've been a fly tier since my early teens and have run a fly-tying class each winter for the past 46 years. I guess you will have already deduced that your interest group species does not featured highly in the above testimonial; in my defence, I'll just state I've caught lots of different species of fish and the list includes the odd grayling. I'm an enthusiastic entomological amateur whose interest dates back to the 1970's and I have had to develop the necessary photographic skills to help with recording and identifying the insects I find on water I fish.”
Finally, we will have a member of the team from Wye and Usk Foundation updating us on the work done by the very ambitious Foundation.
With input from Rich Cove and the GRT team we will as usual have a well packed day of interest and entertainment.
There will be our usual selection of Trade Stands, including Coch y Bonddu Books, FLYTEK, Durham Flyfishing, and the very gifted artist David Miller who has been to our Symposia in the past, painting a grayling during the course of the day!
We will have our Partners' Day, visiting Powys Castle. Situated near Welshpool, it is a fine National Trust property, which was built in the mid-13th century and in its earliest years much fighting took place in and around its environs. It is the seat of the Earl of Powys and is known for its attractive gardens and landscaped estate. They care for one of the world's greatest collections of art and historical items. Visit us and discover exceptional statues, furniture and textiles from Europe, India and the Orient.
See
www.nationaltrust.org/powis-castle-and-garden
for more details. Being a National Trust property, all facilities will be available for lunch etc.
Llandod itself was originally a small farming community which developed quickly during Victorian times following the rush to the waters of Chalybeate Spring in Rock Park. There is still some tremendous Victorian Architecture found mostly in the hotel buildings around the town and at certain times of the year there is a Victorian Festival, as there was when the Committee visited last August. It was most strange seeing many people dressed in Victorian clothing looking very much the part, walking around the town, and dining in the hotel.
For more information visit:
https://llandrindod.co.ukSituated 12 miles away just outside the nearby town of Rhayader is the well-known Red Kite Centre and Feeding station at Gigrin Farm. Over the years this site has created a spectacular feeding display for hundreds of Red Kites during its hour long feeding in the early afternoon.
The evening Gala Dinner will be rounded off with our ever popular and successful auction, which has a mighty £3,000 plus to beat this year although we hold the auction for its entertainment value as well as a way of generating money for the GRT.
The fishing on the Sunday will be largely on the waters of the Wye and Usk Foundation on the Wye, Irfon and other nearby beats as well as on waters of a couple of local clubs. There will be more information in a subsequent issue of 'Grayling'. Suffice to say that there is some excellent grayling in these rivers as the accompanying pictures show.
We are certain that this Symposium will give a true taste of mid Wales and its grayling and we look forward to seeing you in October.
Peter Cockwill Symposium ArticleHere is Peter Cockwill's article from the latest edition of Trout Fisherman where he discusses his experiences of presenting at the 2018 Grayling Society Symposium.
Download the article
Committee and Area changesRod Calbrade is retiring as General Secretary but is taking up a new role as Symposium Coordinator, a job that is becoming more demanding as the Society grows. John Walker is stepping down as Area 6 Secretary and will take over as General Secretary. The Committee extends its appreciation to Rod for all his hard work and effort as General Secretary and thanks John for stepping up to the plate.
As Barrie Davidson has retired from the role of Area 7 Secretary the committee has agreed to integrate Area 7 into Area 6 and for Glyn Williams to take up the role of Area 6 Secretary. The committee would like to thank Barrie for his contribution and to welcome Glyn on board.
John Walker - General SecretaryWith time to spare I wanted to get more involved with the things that matter to me, fishing, environmental issues and conservation.
I've always been impressed at how friendly and professional the Grayling Society is, so was pleased to be able to get more involved as it fit perfectly with what's important to me.
As Area 6 Secretary I met several fellow members, made new friends, and became re-acquainted with a few old ones. It was always a joy to share experiences, tips and tales during our days out and fish alongside likeminded people.
I'm moving on the take up the role of General Secretary and handing Area 6 over the Glyn Williams, who I know will excel, but I'll still look forward to seeing friends and fellow members during Area 6 events.
Angle with poise, John
Glyn Williams - Area 6 SecretaryI first joined the Society back in the 1980's and at that time enjoyed the Welsh Dee immensely. I was brought up in North Wales and spent many years of my working life there and whilst I now live in Worcestershire I should, by the time you read this, be living in Denbighshire close to the Dee.
I have been lucky to have fished in many Countries both in fresh and saltwater but now, in retirement, I will concentrate on game fish. Like many of you who read this, grayling are a particular favourite of mine and I never tire of fishing for them and enjoying the places they take me to.
I look forward to contributing to the activities of the Society as Area 6 Secretary and to meeting faces old and new. I have two stalwart members to assist me, if needed, in John Walker and Louis Noble and look forward to meeting many of you on stream during our arranged events.
Tight lines, Glyn
Paysubsonline renamed Loveadmin
Could members please be aware that the Grayling Society's membership system provider Paysubsonline has changed it's name to Loveadmin.
Members usernames and passwords remain unchanged.
European Grayling Conservation, Ecology & Management - A Practical Conservation Guide for the United Kingdom
The Grayling Research Trust have published 'European Grayling Conservation, Ecology & Management - A Practical Conservation Guide for the United Kingdom'
The guide has been produced with the intention of informing clubs, fisheries and conservation organisations about the need for grayling conservation as pressures increase on UK aquatic ecosystems. It describes some of the management techniques that can be adopted to protect the future of the European Grayling and its fisheries.
Contact Rob Hartley for copies.
Email:
rob@pfemedical.co.uk
An early warning for those attending the Grayling Society SymposiumThe Highways Agency have notified of roadworks being done on 6 stretches of the A66 over the next 7 weekends from Fridays 10pm to Monday 3am. They are stating that diversions are in place. We would recommend that you avoid that whole M6 Junction 40 / A66 area.
The website
highwaysengland.co.uk
should keep you up to date with progress.
Symposium Booking Update
Grayling Society Members
The weekend of the Grayling Society Symposium - October 20th and 21st is approaching very quickly. We already have in excess of 80 members and partners coming, but a delay in printing the recent copy of "Grayling" may have deterred some of you from booking.
We WILL be taking bookings until October 10th. all the details are in "Grayling" and it promises to be a great weekend.
We have lined up 3 excellent speakers who will take you from huge Alaskan grayling, to the delicacy of North Country flies to the intriguing underwater world where grayling and other fishes live!
There will be the well known faces on our Trade Stands, so please, if you are coming do not be shy, spend freely with them, there is a wide range of merchandise for sale and you wil lbe met with a cheery smile!.
We are still looking for a few high quality Auction lots - if you have any questions, email Pat Stevens - pat.e.stevens@outlook.com. The money raised at the auction helps the work done by the Grayling Research Trust.
And partners are offered a day's trip into the City of Durham with its cathedral, castle, university and a wide range of shops and restaurants.
Book your room direct wuth the Redworth Hall Hotel, saying that you are a G.S. member; the hotel is honouring the rates quoted on the booking form. Then book the Symposium events through our website or with the booking form in "Grayling".
The Committee of the Grayling Society and the Grayling Research Trust hope to see you at the Symposium, we are sure it will be an excellent weekend.
Symposium Final Update
All is very well underway for this year's, our 42nd, Symposium and AGM, the first we have had in the North East of England for over 20 years.
Start planning your Symposium weekend now as it is taking place on the weekend of October 20th and 21st. We are going to beautiful County Durham and the valleys of the Rivers Tees and Wear amidst some of the most stunning countryside in the UK. Based at the Redworth Hall Hotel, it will accommodate the increasing number of members who are attending the Symposium and will offer us all the facilities we require. It will ensure that we have close proximity of presentation and Trade Stand rooms, with all the feeding and drinking needs close at hand.
The hotel is also close to the A1, which itself has had major works in recent years and is no longer the A1 of old, but has been changed into a motorway standard road giving access to all of us whether from North, South or West, or the odd one from the East.
Running through the activities taking place over the weekend; several keen members like to get a bit of fishing in prior to the weekend and will come up to the area to have a scout about taking in the sights or getting some fishing in. If you fancy a day or more fishing contact Stuart Wardle the Area 11 Secretary who will be glad to give you advice and help on where to go and tactics to use.New Paragraph
If you are after a bit of sightseeing view:
www.thisisdurham.com
for the sights in and around the lovely and historic City of Durham.
Generally, most members arrive on the afternoon or early evening of Friday to meet up with old friends or make new ones in the bar and restaurant. It is an evening of hustle and bustle whilst everything is being prepared for the following day. The G.R.T. also hold their annual meeting on that evening in the hotel although that is reserved for their Trustees.
An early start on Saturday will have all the Trade Stands open from 8.30am with eager buyers ready to pounce. The day's Symposium will start at 9.15am with the Chairman Rob Hartley opening proceedings. At this time also the Partners will venture out on their day, returning at 4.00pmish.
During the course of the Symposium morning and afternoon, we will have the 3 speakers: Peter Cockwill, Jack Perks and Rob Smith delivering their presentations, with coffee and lunch breaks in between, enabling more time at the Trade Stands.
Sadly Howard Croston who was originally due to speak had to pull out due to business reasons. We are delighted that Jack Perks is able to speak to us, many of you will remember his presentation at the Mickleover Symposium some years ago and his career has come on leaps and bounds since then. Jack has specialised in filming freshwater fish for most of his career as a wildlife cameraman. He's filmed for various wildlife and angling series including “Springwatch”, “Countryfile” and “Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing”. Having filmed 54 out of the 57 species of freshwater fish in Britain its taken him from Shetland to Cornwall and just about everywhere in between. By far his favourite fish is the grayling which he spends many hours filming in the Peak District. This talk will explore the methods, fish behaviour and of course plenty of grayling.
As mentioned in earlier issues of “GraylingNEWS” and “Grayling” we are delighted to have the holder of the Alaskan grayling record Peter Cockwill who will tell us of his trips to Alaska and to catch true Arctic Grayling and Rob Smith the author of the much acclaimed book “The North Country Fly”.
We are also pleased to have Dr Martyn Lucas from Durham University, who has worked for many years with the GRT on various grayling research projects and he will be giving us an insight into his work.
Finally we will have Stuart Wardle who will be providing details on Sunday's fishing plus other thoughts from the North East.
We are promised a very varied and interesting set of presentations from these gentlemen and we are sure that you will find them interesting and entertaining.
One occasionally overlooked part of the Saturday proceedings is the Annual General Meeting.
The Society's Annual General Meeting takes place at 4.00pm prompt for those who wish to hear what the Society is planning to do in the future. As well as hearing from the Chairman and Treasurer on how well the Society is doing, it gives you the chance to question or comment on the Society's activities.
Immediately following the AGM, we have presentations of the Righyni Roose Trophy for this year's Photography competition by Chairman Rob Hartley and the presentation of the President's Reel by President Robin Mulholland to the person who Robin feels has contributed most to the Society this year.
The Grayling Research Trust will have their usual spot at which they will be updating us on the work being carried out by the Trust.
Partners Day
The idea of the Partners Day, organized by the Symposium team, is for those partners who come along and find themselves with little or nothing to do.
Last year was the first time we had undertaken the day and it was a great success.
This year we will be looking at trips into historic Durham with its imposing cathedral, university and castle and / or boat trips on the River Wear which loops around the city.
Please tick on the on-line booking form or on the enclosed booking form if you have a partner who would like to go on the “tour” and we will make contact with you nearer the time. We already have 9 partners showing interest.
Gala Dinner and Auction
We gather in the Bar from 6.30pm for the pre dinner drinks and we will be announcing more details of the dinner nearer the time, but suffice to say it will be of the usual high standard.
As those of you who have attended our annual Symposium know, we have held an Auction immediately after the dinner on the Saturday night. This auction normally raises around £2,000 which is donated to the Grayling Research Trust. In an attempt to maintain this donation level but to shorten the time of the auction (so that we can all spend a bit more time drinking and chatting!), we are continuing with idea successfully carried out at last year's Symposium.
We will limit the auction items to either sets of flies or guided fishing days, or items which add “something special”. The beauty of these is that we can send advance details so that those who cannot attend the Symposium can submit an email bid to our auctioneer Pat Stevens. The lots are in a separate article in this publication. They will also be on the website where they will be updated as further lots come in.
Pat's email address is:-
pat.e.stevens@outlook.com
Trade StandsDuring the Symposium we hope to have our usual array of Trade stands:
- The Grayling Society, for unique Grayling Society badged gear
- Coch y Bonddu Books with well known book expert Paul Morgan on hand
- FLYTEK for tackle from Partridge hooks, Varivas, Benecchi, Marc Petitjean, Marryat rods
- Fishing Matters for Partridge of Redditch, Cox and Rawle, Varivas and Marryat Rods
- Luke Bannister for his range of cane rods and furled leaders
- Barbless Hooks a company producing a wide range of patterns all tied on barbless hooks – vital in these days of conservation.
- And photographers, do not forget during the coming weeks to submit your prints to the Chairman for entry into the Righyni Roose Trophy competition.
Start planning your weekend now, put October 20 / 21 in your diary, book on-line via the website or send the booking form to Rod Calbrade and book in at the Redworth Hall Hotel for a truly Graylingious weekend!Or stay longer if you wish to find more of the delights of the North East of England.
What a great couple of days it promises to be!
A second booking form is included in this issue of “Grayling”.
Please use the usual Paysubs On Line website to you're your place or send the send the Symposium Booking form to Rod Calbrade with your cheque to his address on the form and make your hotel booking direct with the hotel, mentioning that you are a Grayling Society member; both as soon as possible.
Gala Dinner and Auction
We gather in the Bar from 6.30pm for the pre dinner drinks and we will be announcing more details of the dinner nearer the time, but suffice to say it will be of the usual high standard.
As those of you who have attended our annual Symposium know, we have held an Auction immediately after the dinner on the Saturday night. This auction normally raises around £2,000 which is donated to the Grayling Research Trust. In an attempt to maintain this donation level but to shorten the time of the auction (so that we can all spend a bit more time drinking and chatting!), we are continuing with idea successfully carried out at last year's Symposium.
We will limit the auction items to either sets of flies or guided fishing days, or items which add “something special”. The beauty of these is that we can send advance details so that those who cannot attend the Symposium can submit an email bid to our auctioneer Pat Stevens. The lots are in a separate article in this publication. They will also be on the website where they will be updated as further lots come in.
Pat's email address is:-
pat.e.stevens@outlook.com
Trade StandsDuring the Symposium we hope to have our usual array of Trade stands:
- The Grayling Society, for unique Grayling Society badged gear
- Coch y Bonddu Books with well known book expert Paul Morgan on hand
- FLYTEK for tackle from Partridge hooks, Varivas, Benecchi, Marc Petitjean, Marryat rods
- Fishing Matters for Partridge of Redditch, Cox and Rawle, Varivas and Marryat Rods
- Luke Bannister for his range of cane rods and furled leaders
- Barbless Hooks a company producing a wide range of patterns all tied on barbless hooks – vital in these days of conservation.
- And photographers, do not forget during the coming weeks to submit your prints to the Chairman for entry into the Righyni Roose Trophy competition.
Start planning your weekend now, put October 20 / 21 in your diary, book on-line via the website or send the booking form to Rod Calbrade and book in at the Redworth Hall Hotel for a truly Graylingious weekend!
Or stay longer if you wish to find more of the delights of the North East of England.
What a great couple of days it promises to be!
A second booking form is included in this issue of “Grayling”.
Please use the usual Paysubs On Line website to you're your place or send the send the Symposium Booking form to Rod Calbrade with your cheque to his address on the form and make your hotel booking direct with the hotel, mentioning that you are a Grayling Society member; both as soon as possible.
GEO-Intelligent Fly Selection
A New FREE Web Service is Launched for Fly AnglersWe've all been there - you get to the water's edge and just tie on the same fly which worked the last time you were out - hoping that the fish will still be interested. Well, how about using a little bit of modern technology to help you decide which fly to use?
With that exact scenario in mind, Barbless Flies have been working on a project for the last 8 months and after extensive user testing, it's finally ready to release. It's a website (accessible on any device) which shows you which flies should be hatching on your river (or stillwater) based on your location, date and time of day. It retrieves all of these details automatically from your phone/tablet/computer and then references them against a database behind the scenes, to display:
Insects which should be hatching at that time of day, for that month, in your location (for both rivers and stillwaters)
For each insect it gives you details of the fly imitation to use, including hook sizes and photos
You even get the option to have the results emailed to you
The website is being launched with the support of the Wild Trout Trust, as Barbless Flies assist with best practice catch and release. The service covers England, Scotland, Wales, Northern & Southern Ireland, and best of all, it's free of charge (with no annoying adverts)!
Using your phone, tablet or computer, just access
www.which-fly.co.uk
this will take you to the website (if asked to share your location, please accept - don't worry, no personal or location details are stored and your location is only used to reference which flies will be hatching in your local area)
Let us have your email addressMembers, have you let us have your email address?
If not please send them to our Membership Secretary at:
membership@graylingsociety.net
Symposium UpdateThe planning for the Symposium is continuing at a pace. The bookings at the hotel are looking good; 40 of the 70 rooms we have reserved initially have already been taken by G.S. members.
As an update on the Symposium; our three speakers will give very differing presentations each on a specific aspect of grayling flyfishing and each in his own distinctive style. From Peter Cockwill on Alaska to Rob Smith on North Country fly tying. and Howard Croston on the UK and other countries.
We already have 8 partners requesting details of the special Partners' Day which is being planned by the organising committee.
Under the guidance of Chairman Rob Hartley and our Auctioneer Pat Stevens, we will, as last year, be asking for higher value items to auction. More about this in the next issue of “Grayling”.
The Trade stands will include our own Grayling Society stand plus those from Barbless Flies, FLYTEK; Coch y Bonddu Books and Durham Fly Fishing.
For those of you new to the area, there are two principal rivers - the Tees and the Wear. If you are one of those people who had always meant to visit the North East rivers, maybe the descriptions of the two principal ones will whet your appetite even more.
Thought to take its name from the old word for boiling or surging the River Tees rises on the North Pennine Moors, the highest point on the Pennines, at 2930 feet, flowing south through Cow Green reservoir, over Cauldron Spout, the highest waterfall in England, snaking its way east to England's biggest waterfall High Force, which is the upper limit of the grayling. Force is a name of Viking origin and a number of other falls on the river are in this area. It flows swiftly onwards to Middleton-in-Teesdale from where the main grayling fishing is found. It then flows downstream through Barnard Castle, “the capital of Teesdale” where the castle itself sits on a high bank and has been home to many historic figures over the middle ages. At Rokeby Park, the River Greta joins it and made famous by Sir Walter Scott's poem, are all passed, carrying on and bypassing Darlington, Croft on Tees and down to the sea at Seal Sands.
The River Wear rising high in the Pennines, it flows mostly through County Durham, via Bishop Auckland, where Auckland Castle the home of the Bishop of Durham and its deer park can be found.
Leaving that area it flows past the Roman fort of Binchester and down to the cathedral city of Durham where it passes through a deep wooded gorge and digs deep into the Cathedral sandstone bedrock. From there it flows downstream to Chester-le-Street and finally to Sunderland and the sea.
------------------
Sir Walter Scott, novelist, playwright and romantic poet, wrote an epic poem about a particular spot on the Tees, near where the River Greta joins it - Rokeby Park just outside Barnard Castle., where he was a regular visitor.
Rokeby
“When Denmark's raven soared on high,
Triumphant through Northumbrian sky,
Till. hovering near, her fatal croak
Bade Reged's Britons dread the yoke;
And the broad shadow of her wing
Blackened each cataract and spring,
Where Tees in tumult leaves its source,
Thundering o'er Cauldron and High Force, To Odin's son and Spifia's spouse,
Near Startforth high they paid their vows,
Remembered Thor's victorious fame
And gave the dell the Thunderer's name.”
Sir Walter Scott, 1771 - 1832
Members can book for the Symposium, Gala Dinner and Fishing Day either through our on-line “paysubsonline” site or with the booking form in the last issue of “Grayling NEWS”
If you have mislaid your copy and booking form contact: Rod Calbrade at
rod@calbrade.demon.co.uk
or call him on 01706 842890.
New Area 4 Secretary
Roger Smith, who has been Area 4 Secretary for many years, has decided to retire from the position. We would like to thank Roger for all his work, particularly for his arranging Area 4 fishing days and his excellent organization of the Llandrindod Wells Symposium in 2012.
Rob Hartley would like to add his thanks “I am sure most of you know Roger, he will be missed from our regular committee meetings, he never said much ( unlike some ! ) but when he did it was always worth listening to. We all wish him happy days on his beloved Border streams”.
He is being replaced by Geoff Bevan, the current Area 14 Secretary and we will be merging Areas 4 and 14 together.
Geoff has done a tremendous job in recent years in managing Area 14 and we are sure that he will carry on with his usual enthusiasm in the new larger area which will now just be Area 4. The name “Area 14” will be put into abeyance.
New Area 3 Secretary
Gavin Keegan, who has been Area 3 Secretary for any years, has decided to retire from the position. We would like to thank Gavin for all his work, particularly for his presence at Area 2 and 3 shows.
He is being replaced by Geoff Wood.
Geoff describes himself as a passionate fisherman with a particular fondness for fly fishing for wild grayling and trout. Although much of his fishing takes place on the southern chalk streams, his heart is really in the spate rivers and small streams in the Welsh borders and West Country. In both the chalk streams and wilder rivers he has landed grayling nudging 3lb. He is a close associate of Area 2 Secretary Alex Adams, with whom he fishes regularly, although he couldn't lay claim to a fraction of Alex's euro-nymphing skills! He believes that they would cooperate extensively on events in their areas.
He is also a keen stillwater trout fisherman, preferring nymph and buzzer techniques, only deploying lures under duress!
He is now Fishing Specialist at Orvis Amersham, where he supplies tackle to fly fishers from much of the Home Counties. He also runs beginner's fly fishing and fly tying sessions from the store, and works occasionally as a private fishing guide.
New Area 3 Secretary
Gavin Keegan, who has been Area 3 Secretary for any years, has decided to retire from the position. We would like to thank Gavin for all his work, particularly for his presence at Area 2 and 3 shows.
He is being replaced by Geoff Wood.
Geoff describes himself as a passionate fisherman with a particular fondness for fly fishing for wild grayling and trout. Although much of his fishing takes place on the southern chalk streams, his heart is really in the spate rivers and small streams in the Welsh borders and West Country. In both the chalk streams and wilder rivers he has landed grayling nudging 3lb. He is a close associate of Area 2 Secretary Alex Adams, with whom he fishes regularly, although he couldn't lay claim to a fraction of Alex's euro-nymphing skills! He believes that they would cooperate extensively on events in their areas.
He is also a keen stillwater trout fisherman, preferring nymph and buzzer techniques, only deploying lures under duress!
He is now Fishing Specialist at Orvis Amersham, where he supplies tackle to fly fishers from much of the Home Counties. He also runs beginner's fly fishing and fly tying sessions from the store, and works occasionally as a private fishing guide.
General Data Protection RegulationThe General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a legal framework that sets guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information of individuals within the European Union (EU). The GDPR will come into effect across the EU on May 25, 2018.
The Grayling Society is currently reviewing and updating its practices and privacy policy to ensure it remains compliant with these new regulations which are designed to safeguard members information. The new membership system is key to this. The Grayling Society currently holds personal information including member's full name, address, telephone and email in its membership database. This information will only ever be used for legitimate membership and administration purposes and never be divulged to third parties. The Grayling Society's service provider, Gocardless, holds direct debit information and will also comply with the regulation. More information on Gocardless's policy can be found at:
https://gocardless.com/blog/gdpr/
42nd Symposium and AGM
“I have always meant to go and fish those North East rivers, but have never quite got round to it”.
We have heard that phrase so many times over so many years so this year is your chance to fulfill that promise. As it was 20 plus years since we last had a Symposium in that beautiful part of the U.K. - the North East of England, so this year we are going there, and in some style! The weekend will be Saturday October 20th and Sunday 21st and we will be at the Redworth Hall Hotel, in the village of Redworth, in County Durham.
Download this word document to read more about the upcoming Symposium and AGM
.
New Area 3 Secretary WantedWe are looking for a new Area 3 Secretary as a replacement for Gavin Keegan who after many years wishes to retire from the post. The Committee and Area 3 Members would like to thank Gavin for his contribution to the Society.
Area
3 covers London, Kent, Essex, Middlesex, Hertfordshire and East Sussex and the Area 3 Secretary is an important position within the Society, for whilst Area 3 has probably the least number of grayling rivers, there is a large number of members residing in the Area.
If you would be interested in taking on this role or would just like a chat about what is involved, please contact the General Secretary, Rod Calbrade, by phone on 01706 842890 or by email:
rod@calbrade.demon.co.uk
New Payment System
Before you pay using the new system make sure you have cancelled your old standing order and that payment hasn't already been taken. A number of members have paid twice, because they failed to do this. It will be February before we can process refunds due to the limitations with our old bank.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
The Grayling Society would like to wish all of its members, friends and supporters in the UK and all over the world a very merry Christmas and all the very best of luck and good health for 2018.
Grayling Fishing InfographicGrayling Society Trade Member Barbless Flies have produced a great infographic on Grayling Fishing.
Click here to view.There is a fantastic selection of barbless flies and lots of other useful resources available on their website:
www.barbless-flies.co.uk
New website for Grayling Society HollandHans Van Klinken, Overseas Secrtary for Holland, proudly announces that Grayling Society Holland have a brand new website. Bert Vosters, Activity Secretary, has done a marvellous job since the annual meeting. He is also the webmaster from the new website. It's in Dutch but google translate is used by many nowadays, just in case you wanna have a peek
https://graylingsocietyholland.com
New Membership System
Click here
to download a guide on logging in for the first time.
Area 11 Grayling Day at Willington
Area 11 Secretary Stuart Wardle hosted a Grayling Day on the River Wear courtesy of Willington & District Angling Club. Access to their Club Water near Willington, a small town between Durham and Bishop Auckland attracted 36 participants including anglers from the Grayling Society, Durham Fly Fishers, Willington and District Angling Club, and a few extra who came along to see how it is all done.
The day was bright from start to finish bringing out some of the best Autumn colours in the trees although the recent lack of rain meant that the river was running low and very clear. Despite the conditions 120 Grayling were caught by those who fished providing an average of 4 grayling per angler. A lot of the Grayling were under 15cm but there were a good few above 25cm with 5 above 35cm, showing a good variety of lengths in the beat and a healthy Grayling fishery.
Tea, coffee and mugs of soup were available during the day courtesy of Shaun O'Dowd (Club Secretary) and his wife Debra & son Cieran. Some excellent pies and quiches were supplied by Trevor Conway.
Stuart managed a very creditable 3 new members to the Society on the day and gave several of us a view of some of the beats which we hope to fish following the 2018 Symposium which will be hosted by Area 11.
A Big thanks to Willington & District Angling Club for their support and to the anglers who all enjoyed the day.
Biology of Fly-Fishing by Grayling Society member Axel Wessolowski, Ph.D.Your chance to purchase a limited and signed edition of 'Biology of Fly-Fishing', a book that brings together latest scientific knowledge and practical aspects of fly-fishing.
In addition The Wild Trout Trust will benefit from your order.
So, watch out for the crowdfunding campaign, which will be launched in December 2017 (crowdfunding platform to be determined!).
Axel is looking forward to your support. For further information
contact@whitethymallus.net.
Hard and soft cover editions, original sketches, signed photographs and a framed classical salmon fly will be available.
General Secretary WantedThe Grayling Society is looking for a new General Secretary.
Rod Calbrade joined the Grayling Society Committee in 1997, firstly as the Society's Editor and for the last four years as its General Secretary. He is looking to retire from his General Secretary role next year. He is happy to carry on in the near future in handling part of the General Secretary's tasks of helping to organise and run the annual Symposium and thus he will be around at Committee meetings to help settle the new person in.
So we are looking for someone who can take over the organising and reporting of the four Committee meetings and the Symposium & AGM which takes place every year.
In recent months we have made great strides in minimizing the amount of work which the General Secretary does by re-structuring the way in which we run the Committee meetings. Thus it takes much less time for them to do it, and the Minutes can be distributed that much more quickly to the Committee.
The other duties include looking after the Area Secretaries and general administration.
If you feel that you would like to be involved with the running of the Society in these exciting times, with an energetic and enthusiastic Committee, contact Rod on 01706 842890 or email:
rod@calbrade.demon.co.uk
River Annan Winter Grayling EventsFor the past 10 years the River Annan has been working with anglers to monitor the status of Grayling stocks on the river. This is has created an important data set that can inform fishery management on the river. To help is simple, join one of the dates below with either a fly rod or a float rod and enjoy a days fishing on one of the fisheries allocated to you.
They meet at Lockerbie Lorry Park, DG11 2SL, between 8am and 9am. Have a chat and a cup of coffee while you receive your beat allocation and then it is off to the river. All they ask is that the length of every fish (whatever species) is recorded and if people have accurate scales for the weight to be recorded. They request that anglers submit their catch returns to RAT within 48 hours of fishing to allow data to be collected promptly.
The cost of fishing is just £10 per angler with all proceeds going to the River Annan Trust.
When is it?
This year's dates are as follows: Sun Nov 19th 2017; Sun Dec 10th 2017; Sun Jan 14th 2018 ; Sun Feb 11th 2018; Sun Mar 11th 2018.
For more information about fishing or accommodation contact Tony Donnelly on 01576 470600 or visit
www.facebook.com/fishannan
for updates.
If you are planning to attend one of the grayling days please let RAT know by emailing
director@annanfisheryboard.co.uk
Grayling Society members - do we have your email address?Please email Tim Taylor with your current email address so that we can make sure our records are up to date and so the regional secretaries can be in touch with the programme of local events the are planning for the winters season.
membership@graylingsociety.net
New Membership Secretary
Unfortunately Dyfan Morris has had to step down as Membership Secretary. The Committee would like to thank Dyfan for all his hard work over the last year.
We would like to welcome Tim Taylor to the committee as the new Membership Secretary.
Tim is a father of three living in Hackney East London for the past 25 years. He is a Chartered Engineer by profession and works in the Management consulting industry delivering business and IT change for banks.
He has been fishing since a child on holiday and on the Leeds Liverpool canal and took up flyfishing in 2000 and has been hooked. He's fly fished all over the UK and Ireland, Norway France, Slovenia, Russia, Spain and Portugal and New Zealand. He has been a member of clubs on the Teise, Tewin, Great Stour in Kent at Chilham, Great Stour at Godington and currently on the Loddon and Lyde and S&DAC waters. Whilst in the Godington Piscatorals he helped undertake restoration of 2km of the Great Stour above Ashford. His regular fishing is now on the Loddon and Lyde for trout, S&DAC for grayling and the Taff in Cardiff. He is a life member of WTT and joined the Grayling Society a couple years ago.
You can contact Tim at:
86 Rushmore Road , London, E5 0EX
Tel: 02072 543704
Mob: 07818 427350
taylor.timothy.john@gmail.com
Total FlyFisher FliesDownload the tying instruction for the flies featured Steve Skuce's article in the July issue of Total FlyFisher.
Click
here to download
The Committee
Ever wondered what the Grayling Society Committee looks like?
The Grayling Society on FacebookAs well as the main Grayling Society Facebook Page we now have pages for some of our UK Areas with more coming soon.
The Grayling Society -
https://www.facebook.com/thegraylingsociety/
Area 1 (Devon, Cornwall, Dorset & Somerset) -
https://www.facebook.com/graylingsocietyarea01/Area 2 (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex & Wiltshire) -
https://www.facebook.com/The-Grayling-Society-Area-2-1671228302893322/Area 5 (Leicestershire, West Midlands, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire & Suffolk) -
https://www.facebook.com/graylingsocietyarea5
Area 6 - Gwynedd & Clwyd & Area 7 - Wirral & Cheshire
https://www.facebook.com/The-Grayling-Society-Areas-6-7-647876972071861/about/
Rossett & Gresford Flyfishers day tickets available through The Fishing PassportRossett & Gresford Flyfishers have over 2 miles of fly fishing on the river Alyn in North Wales about 7 miles south of Chester. The river is a tributary of the Welsh Dee, but is very different in character. Apart from size, the pH is about 8.0 and the invertebrates are very different from those in the Dee with gammarus pulex forming a lot of the biomass. The river has a good head of grayling as well as wild brown trout. The grayling are of a good average size with fish of over 2lb.
http://www.rossettandgresfordflyfishing.co.ukThe club waters have recently been opened up to day tickets through The Fishing Passport:
https://www.fishingpassport.co.uk
Willem Ridderbeks Obituary
Sadly, I have to inform you that one of our dearest Dutch members, Willem Ridderbeks, has died suddenly.
In early April his inseparable buddy Johan Engelen was in touch with me explaining that Will, who was a dedicated and talented veterinary surgeon, died from a heart attack whilst doing what he liked best - helping a cow to give birth to her calf.
He and Han were staunch supporters of the Society for many years and they have attended several Symposia including those in Dumfries 2000, Ashbourne 2004, Coniston Cold 2005 and both of the latest ones in the South of England.
They attended the Symposium last year when they stayed on for a few days afterwards and I had the immense pleasure of fishing with them again, feeding them, chewing the cud and even visiting London for a lecture on fish smartness at the Royal Zoological Society. Â We all had a great time fishing the Wylye and Test and lots of fun on our trip to the Smoke.
In fact, you always had lots of fun when with Will and Han. The two of them were so inseparable that you wondered sometimes if they were joined at the hip!
Will was only 55 and is a massive loss to the Society and to the world.
He was a great fisherman, wine connoisseur, food gourmand and exceptional friend and possessed that lovely sense of laid back dry humour that many Dutchmen seem to possess.
Han will miss him. I will miss him. His friends in the Society will miss him. The world will miss him.
Our thoughts go to his family and friends.
Steve Skuce
The President's ReelThis trophy is presented to an individual, or group, whether members of the Grayling Society or not, from any worldwide location, who have carried out outstanding works for the Grayling Society or the benefit of Grayling. The idea is to recognise the efforts of the 'unsung heroes' - members, conservationists, students etc. It is also a great opportunity to promote the Grayling Society and its aims.
Any Grayling Society member can nominate, so long as they are not the sole participant or beneficiary. Once again this can be a member or not. The nomination should be in writing, with supporting evidence, in order that the President can make a credible decision.
Nominations should be sent to the Grayling Society President, Robin Mulholland OBE.
Tel: 01985 850450
Email:
mul.cort@btinternet.com
If he considers he needs to discuss the merits with anyone, or with the Committee, that remains his sole decision. Applications must be received by 31st July in the year of award.
The trophy is presented at the Grayling Society's AGM and held for one year, then returned to the Grayling Society for safe keeping.
41st Symposium and AGM
For our 41st Symposium this Autumn we are returning to one of the great grayling rivers in the UK - the Welsh Dee - on the weekend of October 21st and 22nd 2017.
Venue - We have had a number of Symposia in the past based on the Dee and we have usually held them in the area around Llangollen, but to accommodate the increasing number of members who are attending, we will be based this year at the Ramada Plaza Hotel just outside Wrexham.
It is on the A483, the main road which runs south from Wrexham towards the Dee. The hotel is only 12 miles from Llangollen, 8 miles from Trevor and from these centres the roads to the beats on the river can be easily accessed on the Sunday. This hotel will also give us a good combination of inter-connecting rooms close together for the Symposium itself, catering for the Conference, and the Trade stands. The hotel has a large number of bedrooms so that most, if not all, members can be accommodated there.
It has all the facilities for which the Ramada hotels are famous and will enable members to congregate and mingle. For the really energetic there is a gym and Jacuzzi!
Guest Speakers - This year's speakers will include:
- Dave Southall will telling us about his 'Versatile Approach to Catching Grayling'
- Mark Lloyd will be talking about agricultural pollution and what can be done about it
- Alan Roe will be giving a demonstration of Wallis casting
- Karl Humphries will be telling us about his work on the “Get Hooked on Fishing” scheme
- The Grayling Research Trust will have their usual afternoon spot at which they will be updating us on the work being carried out by the Trust.
Partners Day - At this year's Symposium we are introducing a “Partners' Day” for those partners who come along and find themselves with little or nothing to do whilst the Saturday Symposium and AGM and Sunday fishing are in progress. At this stage, we are just asking for the names of any partners who would like to avail themselves of this, by putting their names on the Booking Form and we will make contact later in the year.
The places we are considering going to are Erddig Hall, a National Trust property in Wrexham which has a treasure trove of items, “upstairs and downstairs”, plus gardens and a variety of lunches and teas, and the famous Steam Railway from Llangollen up the Dee valley to Corwen. Please tick on booking form if you have a partner who would like to go on the “tour” and we will make contact with you nearer the time. For those Partners wishing to do their own thing on Saturday and Sunday, the historic City of Chester, Chester Zoo, the Blue Planet Aquarium, Chirk Castle and trips on the Llangollen canal are all nearby.
Gala Dinner and Auction - We will be announcing more details of the dinner nearer the time. As those of you attending the Symposium know, we traditionally have an Auction to raise funds, principally for the GRT. It is noticeable in recent years that the two items that are the most popular are fishing days and boxed flies. At this Symposium, we are trying something a little different. Instead of bringing old low value books, tackle and other sundry items, we are asking those talented enough to tie flies that all look the same to tie up a selection of your favourite flies. We might keep these as one item or combine with others to make an instant collection. Good quality books and tackle will still be accepted. We have found that the low value items we have had in the past have taken too much time in the auction and so, to keep within our one hour time slot we are looking for quality, not quantity in the items.
For those with some special fishing, would you consider donating a day, ideally guided? With maybe a lunch thrown in as part of the day? These days are very popular, a chance to fish new waters, meet fellow GS members and share a great day. They are also easy for the Committee to administrate and the Auctioneer to “sell” on the night. The GRT funds research and conservation projects specific to Grayling, and the Auction funds contribute to its success, so all contributions welcomed, regardless of whether you are coming to the Symposium or not!
Righyni Roose Trophy - Fly tyers, do not forget during this coming year to put a set of flies together and send it to the Chairman for entry into the Righyni Roose Trophy competition. The theme of this year's Trophy competition is Fly-Tying. Members are invited to tie three of each of the following three flies, and submit their entries to Rob Hartley, the Society's Chairman, for his adjudication. Entries must reach Rob by 1st September 2017.
- The Ginger Tom
- The Peek-a-boo Caddis
- Supa pupa (original or Christian Mohr variant)
All tyings are to be found in “Grayling Flies” by Steve Skuce, and on YouTube, where the American tyer, John Zimmerman, has recorded videos of all Steve's patterns. Other sources may, of course, be used.
Trade Stands - During the Symposium we hope to have our usual array of Trade stands:
- The Grayling Society, for Grayling Society badged gear
- FlyTek for tackle from Partridge hooks, Varivas, Benecchi. Marc Petitjean, Marryat rods
- Cookshill Flytying for full skins, hackle feathers, hair and fur products generally as well as silks, threads and capes
- Fishing Matters for Partridge of Redditch, Cox and Rawle, Varivas and Marryat Rods
- Coch y Bonddu Books with well known book expert Paul Morgan on hand
- David Miller artist famous for his stunning fresh and saltwater fish paintings
- Luke Bannister for his range of cane rods and furled leaders
- Gary Mills Centrepin Reel manufacturer.
Fishing - This year the Sunday fishing will be solely on the Welsh Dee, which is fed primarily by Lake Bala (Llyn Tegid) and reservoirs Brenig, Alwen and Celyn. These ensure a regular flow even in the driest conditions and the cool water is one of the reasons why the Dee is rated as one of the top grayling rivers in Europe.
Fly life is healthy, particularly caddis which contributes to excellent nymph fishing. The Dee runs through very attractive countryside and the sight of steam trains in the Llangollen/Corwen areas will surely stir nostalgia in many of us. If the river is in condition and the weather kind I'm sure we can all look forward to an enjoyable day.
Please, help the organising Committee and the hotel, by making your bookings as soon as ever possible. What a great couple of days it promises to be.
Download booking form here.
Grayling Society Members - Symposium Fishing Pricing Error
You will no doubt have received your copy of the Grayling News which has the Symposium booking form included within it. Please note that there is an error on the booking form.
It should have read for the Fishing £15 not £18, so please do your calculations based on £15.
New Grayling Society OfficersThere have been a number of changes to the team here at the Grayling Society.
Pat Stevens has stepped down as Area 10 Secretary but has agreed to take on the role of Vice Chairman. Alan Swann has volunteered to take on Area 10 and fill Pat's large shoes, thank you Alan.
MIke Tebbs has now stepped down as Membership Secretary. We would like to thank Mike for all his hard work over the years and we wish him a happy retirement. Dyfan Morris has agreed to take on the Membership Secretary role. Thank you to Dyfan for taking on this very important role.
Louis Noble has stepped down as Area 6 Secretary and is being replaced by John Walker. Bob Perrett has stepped down as Area 12 Secretary and is being replaced by Chris Thomas. We thank Louis and Bob for their contributions and welcome John and Chris to the Committee.
The new teams contact details are as follows:
Vice ChairmanPat Stevens
Tel: 01772 684003
pat.e.stevens@outlook.comMembership SecretaryDyfan Morris
58, Ffordd Estyn, Garden Village, Wrexham, LL11 2TB
Tel: 01978 310790
dyfanmorris@hotmail.com
Area 6 - Gwynedd & ClwydJohn Walker
Mob: 07900 844752
john@flyfishinginstructors.co.uk
Area 10 - Lancashire, Merseyside, Cumbria, Greater Manchester & Isle of ManAlan Swann
Mob: 07879 061268
alanswann@doctors.org.ukArea 12 - ScotlandChris Thomas
Tel: 01875 613861
Mob: 07508 602529
cwtgeo@gmail.com
KeepemwetThe Grayling Society is proud to become a Conservation Partner of Keepemwet.
Keepemwet is about releasing fish in the best condition possible. It's a motto for minimizing air exposure, eliminating contact with dry surfaces, and reducing handling. It's a movement to empower anglers to take small, simple steps to responsibly enjoy and share fishing experiences. Their goal is to reduce angling impact on fisheries by uniting conscientious companies, organizations, and anglers to promote science based practices for handling fish that are caught then released.
www.keepemwet.org
Grayling Flies on YouTube
John Zimmerman is tying all 70 flies from Steve Skuce's book Grayling Flies.
Grayling Flies by Steve SkuceCoch-y-Bonddu Books, H/B 207pp full colour illustrations. £19.95 from
www.anglebooks.com
Members may well have heard of this new book, as it was launched at the 2016 Symposium with a certain amount of fanfare from the author!
I can't be wholly objective about Grayling Flies - Steve is a good friend, and I have followed the gestation and delivery of the book with great interest.
Objectivity aside, I will say that the book is a very good one, and it has claimed a niche in the angling literature. There are many books about salmon flies, trout flies and all kinds of regional variations and traditions, but no serious wide-ranging book, up to now, about flies intended for grayling.
Steve has aimed for completeness and the book begins with well-researched summaries of the grayling's distribution and natural history, and of the wide range of fly-fishing techniques that may be employed to catch them. There are fishing tips and anecdotes - a personal touch that adds to the overall appeal of the book.
But the "meat" of the book is the flies themselves, and the people and stories behind them. Each fly has been tied, either by Steve himself, or sometimes by the fly's originator, and meticulously photographed. There is a full description of the tying procedure and a materials list for each fly, with respect for the correct materials and techniques specified, so far as they can be determined. Seventy patterns are included, all well worth their place and covering most, if not all, of the traditions of grayling fishing. There are hackled dries, North Country spiders and modern "plastics", weighted nymphs and delicate CDC creations.
A very good overview of the field, I think, and reflecting much thought and careful research by the author.
The presentation and overall quality of the book is excellent. Coch-y-Bonddu have, once again, produced a proper, substantial book on fine matt paper, with clear well set text and excellent printing. Increasingly, as I need better light and stronger glasses to read comfortably, I am inclined to praise the books that pay attention to such issues; small pale text on coloured backgrounds may look smart, but it is hell to decipher.
Grayling Flies is a reference volume, but a good read too, as Steve is not afraid to put in his opinions, and to regale us with some stories (look out for the one about Pearsall's orange silk - you couldn't make it up). All in all a very good book indeed, to be kept and revisited many times; and it would make an excellent Christmas gift too.
Bob Male
Freshwater Fishes of Britain by Jack PerksPublished by Reed New Holland
Hardback £16.99As it is going to be some time till the Spring Journal is published we've decided to publish this book review online.
The thing that first struck me about this book was the quality of the photography, almost all of which is shot underwater. But I guess I should have expected this given Jack Perk's reputation. Jack has a passion for wildlife and in particular freshwater fish. A few years back he challenged himself to photograph and film all the British freshwater species. An impressive challenge given Jack's other work writing and photographically illustrating articles, contributing to a number of television series, running photographic workshops and short courses, organising the recent vote for Britian's National Fish (Jack was hoping the Grayling would win) and lecturing at the University of Nottingham. Busy guy.
The book is more of a reference book rather than a field guide. It covers 56 species with each superb photograph supplemented with a general description, maximum length and weight, distinguishing features, breeding and habitat information. It is also peppered with interesting facts, such as why the Tench is sometimes called the 'doctor fish'. You'll have the read it to find out. In the introduction Jack sets out that there maybe some contention over the species included, some not being British and some being sea fish. You can argue these things till the cows come home but drawing a line can often be adifficult task. I think Jack has made an appropriate choice of species and that the book is a useful reference for both naturalists and anglers alike.
This isn't the sort of book you're likely to sit down and read cover to cover, more a coffee table work for dipping into as and when. Jack's writing style is informal and informative and alongside the species guides there are a number of useful pages on such things as 'Fish Twitching', fish terminology, collective terms for fish plus insight into the background to the book. You'll be pleased to know the Grayling features large in the book reflecting Jack's love for the ladies.
Kris Kent
More information can be found on Jack's website:
http://www.jackperksphotography.com/fishbook
River Annan Grayling Fishing Events - Winter 2016/2017For the past 9 years the River Annan has been working with anglers to monitor the status of Grayling stocks on the river. This is has created an important data set that can inform fishery management on the river. To help is simple, join them on one of the dates below with either a fly rod or a float rod and enjoy a days fishing on one of the fisheries they allocate you.
They meet at Lockerbie Lorry Park, DG11 2SL, between 8am and 9am. Have a chat and a cup of coffee while anglers receive their beat allocation and then it is off to the river. All they ask is that the length of every fish (whatever species) is recorded and if people have accurate scales for the weight to be recorded. They request that anglers submit their catch returns to RAT within 48 hours of fishing to allow data to be collected promptly.
The cost of fishing is just £10 per angler with all proceeds going to the River Annan Trust.
This year's dates are as follows:
- Sunday November 20th 2016
- Sunday December 11th 2016
- Sunday January 15th 2017
- Sunday February 12th 2017
- Sunday March 12th 2017
For more information about fishing or accommodation contact Tony or Michael on 01576 470600 or visit
www.facebook.com/fishannan
for updates.
If you are planning to attend one of the Grayling days please let them know by emailing
director@annanfisheryboard.co.uk
New President and Chairman
Following Saturday's AGM the Grayling Society would like to announce that Robin Mulholland is replacing Alan Ayre as President and that Rob Hartley is taking over as Chairman from Steve Skuce.
We would like to thank Alan and Steve for their long and dedicated service to the Society and wish them all the best on the back benches.
Rob Hartley presents Alan Ayre with a set of Salmon Bookends.
Rob Hartley presents Steve Skuce with a Charles Jardine picture.
River Annan Trust Winter Grayling DaysThe River Annan grayling days have been announced for this winter with the first date in November.
- Sun 20th Nov 2016
- Sun 11th Dec 2016
- Sun 15th Jan 2017
- Sun 12th Feb 2017
- Sun 12th Mar 2017
There is a new meeting place for this year at:
TLockerbie Lorry Park, DG11 2SL
Between 8am and 9am.
Lockerbie Lorry park is just south of Johnstonbridge just off the A74 at junction 16.
For more info on fishing and accommodation contact Tony or Michael on 01576 470600.
New Area 11 SecretaryWe would like to welcome Stuart Wardle as Secretary for Area 11 (County Durham, Tyne & Wear & Northumberland). Stuart's contact details are as follows:
Home: 01429 836793
Mobile: 07904 278889
wardlestuart@btinternet.com
Membership Secretary requiredAfter 20 years or so, Mike Tebbs our Membership Secretary is retiring from the post due to increasing family commitments.
We would like to thank Mike, who many of you will know or have had dealings with, for all his hard work in creating and running successfully the system which we now have in place.
The Membership Secretary is a member of the Society's managing Committee and is responsible for managing the data for all members. This involves:-
a) maintaining the Society's master database; and keeping it up to date;
b) responding to new member applications; and
c) answering member's queries.
If you feel that you would like to join the team running the Grayling Society in this role, contact Rod Calbrade, our General Secretary on 01706 842890 or email:
rod@calbrade.demon.co.uk
or if you would like to speak to Mike to gain more insight into the role contact him on 01985 841192 or email:
miketebbs@btinternet.com
Articles for next edition of Grayling: The Journal of the Grayling SocietyWe are looking for contributions for the next edition of Grayling: The Journal of the Grayling Society.
Perhaps there have been improvements made to your local river, some notable or not so notable catches or just a good days fishing that you would like to share. Words and/or pictures are welcome - places fished, flies tied and used, tales of anglers from the past, or your own observations on Grayling and Grayling fishing.
Deadline for the next edition Monday 7th November. Please contact the Editor Bob Male at
rmale123@virginmedia.comAll contributions gratefully received.
Arctic grayling spawning videoThe Alaska Department of Fish & Game has posted a short video of Arctic grayling spawning in Alaska. It can be viewed at the Alaska Department of Fish & Game Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ADFGSportFishingInterior/
https://www.facebook.com/ADFGSportFishingInterior/videosThey affixed an underwater camera to the substrate in an area where the grayling were spawning and let it record for over an hour. They ended up with 59 minutes 30 seconds of completely useless footage, and 30 seconds of sheer brilliance.
Further information can be obtained from:
Erik Anderson, Alaska Department of Fish & Game
1300 College Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
email:
erik.anderson@alaska.gov
Riverfly Monitoring Workshop on Friday 13th....A Good Day after all!
By Paul Deaville, Grayling Society Area 5 Secretary
Well, I must admit there were times when I wondered if this plan would ever come to fruition, contact had been made with various conservation bodies over the preceding 24 months only for emails to be either ignored, or answered in a manner that did not inspire. Then I heard that a local conservation scheme had run 2 or 3 'Riverfly Monitoring Workshops' that I hadn't heard about (so much for the grapevine...). But they had sadly come to the end of their funding stream.
As Stuart Crofts has supported me up from the start with this idea, I contacted him once more and although reluctant at first due to it being 'out of his area', I informed him that this was a personal invite to Staffordshire both from me as a friend, and as Grayling Society Area 5 Secretary, how could he refuse!
Now I needed to consider finance, I approached JCB Angling Club of which I am a life member. The committee immediately agreed to support me and suggested that if I needed a venue for the workshop, why not enquire at the JCB Lakeside Club. Were things really starting to fall into place? On making my enquiry the Lakeside reaction was "if the JCB AC are supporting you, there will be no charge for the room.....but we will have to charge you for lunchtime refreshments".
So, with many thanks to JCB Angling Club and JCB Lakeside Club the plan was in place.
As Friday 13th May approached the level of the river Dove had continued to drop and it was on a dry bright morning that several members of the Grayling Society gathered at the Rocester venue. Rod Calbrade our Gen Sec attended in his official capacity of photographer, James Rowlinson represented the Environment Agency, as did Mick Buxton our local EA Fisheries Officer, although sadly Mick was called away early to a reported fish kill. Nick Mott from the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust was also in attendance.
Following the obligatory Health and Safety section, which I believe we all need a reminder about occasionally, Stuart proceeded in his own inimitable style through the Introduction to monitoring, The target groups - Life History & Ecology were covered in that order, before we all proceeded to the river Dove where we were instructed on how to take samples correctly.
A very nice lunch was laid out for us on our return to the Lakeside Club, during which we were able to chat with people whom some had not met before, and generally weigh up the course so far. We then came to the most interesting section, sorting and recording the samples. Stuart had provided two microscopes which gave us all a much closer look at the invertebrates that live in the rivers we fish. (And we never saw anything that resembled UV Orange Fritz, or a 4mm Tungsten bead!)
Following a data overview and guidance in establishing a monitoring programme on our own river where we fish, there was a far from usual Q & A session. The presence of Nick Mott and James Rowlinson was invaluable, as along with Stuart there was an extremely good interchange of information.
Without exception each participant went away fully enthused about 'Riverfly Monitoring', and that cannot be a bad thing! Thank you to all involved in making this day happen.
I view this day as having been a very successful pilot for what could easily be rolled out to other Grayling Society members in all areas. Stuart Crofts has stated that he would be honoured to be asked to carry out any future workshop's for the GS.
Participants on the day: Rod Calbrade, Iain Baddeley, Chris Salmon, Neil Chandler, Karl Humphries, John Green and myself Paul Deaville Grayling Society Area 5 Secretary.
New report on riverflies - many rivers 'poor'A landmark report, published 13 May, highlights the work of S&TCUK and Dr. Nick Everall of Aquascience Consultancy Ltd, looking at the diversity and abundance of aquatic invertebrates in 120 sites on 12 English rivers; 14 sites are described as 'pristine'. Phosphate enrichment and sedimentation in combination seem especially problematical. Some iconic rivers such as the Itchen, Lambourn, Test and Wensum, rank “poorly” in the census. Shrimp (Gammarus) numbers were very low across many of the sampled rivers relative to historic, Environment Agency records.
S&TCUK plan further research, including water quality testing to zero-in on the causes of water quality problems. S&TCUK stress that the “message is that action, not talk, is now urgently needed”.
The full report, Riverfly Census 2015, is available through the S&TCUK website:
http://www.salmon-trout.org/pdf/Riverfly_Census_2015.pdf
New Area 2 SecretaryThe Committee would like to welcome Alex Adams as secretary for Area 2 and thank him for his support.
His contact details are as follows:
62 Cressex Road,
High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire
HP12 4TY
Mob: 07730 203382
Tel: 01494 521801
Email:
alex.adams1969@gmail.com
Wild Trout Trust AuctionThere are some fantastic Grayling fishing opportunities available through the Wild Trout Trust auction with the monies raised going to improve habitat for Grayling as well as Trout.
Get bidding.
http://www.wildtrout.org/content/auction-0
Area 8 March NewsletterAll the latest news from Area 8, click
here to download. (2.1MB)
BFFI success again
The British Fly Fair International was held, as usual, at the Staffordshire County Showground over the weekend of 13th & 14th February.
It was as spectacular as always with a host of highly skilled international fly tyers, some well known others less so, demonstrating their prowess with everything from a massive saltwater creation to the most microscopic - to me at least - nymphs and dry flies.
There seemed to be a bigger than normal number of exhibitors this year and it has become, without a doubt, the place to go if you want to buy any fly tying materials or tools as well as rods, reels etc. There was even a stand selling sweets and fudge this year!
Our members were well represented on stands with Rodney Dibble making furled leaders for the Luke Bannister stand; Bob Lomax tying some exquisite flies on the Hemingway stand; Keith Passant working hard as always on the Casting for Recovery stand; Richard Ellis tying on the Fly Dresser's Guild stand; Louis Noble purposefully manning the GAIA stand; Pat Stevens buried in customers, as usual, at Flytek and Paul Morgan, similarly, up to his eyes selling books with both Peter Hayes and Phil White busy signing their new books on the Coch y Bonddu stand. And our own John Green was the resident fly tyer for the Society stand. I am sure there were other members who I have missed and, if so, then I offer my apologies guys and I'll catch up with you next time round!
The weather was reasonably kind in terms of being sunny and dry but there was a bitterly cold wind both days. On the first morning as we assembled just before opening time it was arctic inside the halls. Fortunately the heating was switched on and, from then on, conditions were pretty comfortable. Steve Cooper, the show's organiser and all-round nice man even if he does try to hide that fact, did confess that the low price of heating oil was a possible contributing factor in switching on the heating!
Is is difficult to go to the BFFI without a few pounds in your pocket and even more difficult to leave with them still there! I know I reached a desperate state by the end with just a couple of bob left in my own pocket. I even had to raid the car where I always keep a few pounds emergency money. The location does not lend itself easily to the processing of credit and debit cards because of the poor mobile signal and several retailers, wise old men that they are, brought along the old fashioned paper slips to swipe your card details onto. However, I noticed that Phil Holding at Fly Tying Boutique had a great system involving an iPad and PayPal. It worked magically and pretty well instantly for my purchase of a battery powered vice mounted lamp.
I always urge my students at the Fly Dressers Guild branch to ensure they can look at and feel any cape or saddle they buy and this show is a great place to do that. I wanted a saddle grizzle and had a great choice to pick from with all the relevant retailers quite happy for me to open the pack and feel the hackles.
The visitor numbers were pretty good I guess and Saturday was really buzzing. It was a bit quieter on Sunday, probably because, being Valentine's Day, some guys were under a three line whip to be at home or the local restaurant or pub. However it never seemed empty until the last hour on Sunday.
On the Society stand we had a consistent stream of visitors and signed up 5 new members on the day plus 2 subsequently as well as taking a couple of subscriptions. Veniard joined at the show as trade members and this is a most welcome addition to our membership. Sales of Society items went well and we ended up with another £XXX to add to our funds.
Brian Clarke, the Sales Officer, was a trojan as normal, setting up on the Friday and being present on the stand virtually all the time, except for the occasional little spending trip to other stands - just like the rest of us.
We didn't have our usual 'crew' this year but Brian, John and myself were supported by our wives, Janet and Honor, and Geoff Bevan and Steven Kavanagh helped look after the stand on the Sunday.
Next years' show promises to be even larger and Steve Cooper showed us the plans which clearly indicated that there will be 3 halls instead of the usual 2. It promises to be yet another spectacular show.
Steve Skuce
Grayling Society 40th Symposium and AGM
When Ron Broughton, Rig Righyni, Norman Roose and the other founding members formed The Grayling Society 40 years ago, they must have merely hoped that it would still be around and working for the grayling all these years later.
To help us to celebrate the fact that it is still a thriving organisation we are holding this year's Symposium at the Marwell Hotel near Winchester in the South of England, based on their famous chalkstreams, on the weekend of 29th and 30th of October.
We last visited the Marwell in 2003. Members who were there will remember seeing badgers wandering through the undergrowth, very close to the windows of the hotel corridors and, as it is adjacent to Marwell Zoo, there were strange animal sounds of far away places as you go about your business at the Hotel. A fascinating venue and one which looked after us very well on our last visit.
The speakers on the Saturday will include Neil Patterson who has been a regular contributor to fly-fishing magazines for over 30 years. Along with being awarded "Angling Writer of the Year" and "Travel Writer of the Year" by the Angling Writers' Association, he was nominated "Columnist of the Year" in the Scottish Magazine Awards for his column, "The Wild Trout's wish List". His first book, Chalkstream Chronicle was acclaimed as a modern classic by The Field Magazine. His most recent book Flyfisher's Chronicle - In Search of Trout and Other Fishes is a later companion book and covers Neil's flyfishing exploits and over 70 flies which he has used around the world for a variety of species. Neil lives on the banks of the Kennet in Berkshire, and the Rio Carrileufu in Central Patagonia, Argentina.
We will be joined by two leading young anglers; Alex Jardine and Lewis Hendrie. They will be delighted to discuss all things graylingius and show you some of their secret patterns and methods that they have worked on over years of friendship and fishing together.
Alex is well known on the chalkstreams having actively guided on them for the past 10 years for both trout and grayling. He has worked for notable fishing establishments such as Partridge of Redditch and Robjents in Stockbridge, and is now at Aardvark McLeod offering fishing trips to wonderful locations both home and abroad. Even after fishing many great rivers around the world Alex still takes huge enjoyment chasing grayling in the clear waters of his local streams and rivers.
Lewis is one of the most technical young anglers in the country, he is a member of both the English home international and European fly fishing teams. When he is not on international duty he can be found teaching and guiding on his local streams and rivers in Devon for the Devon School of Flyfishing. Lewis' main passion is targeting grayling and his focus and dedication has spurred him to land many notable fish including several over 4 lbs, and one even tipping the scales at 4 lbs 5 oz. A potential British record, but without a witness Lewis was happy to admire the special lady of the stream before slipping it back quickly to be found another day - he is said to have recovered now.
Dr Mark Everard is a scientist, author and broadcaster with interests in water systems in both the developed and developing world. Fish are a particular passion. Mark is well known as an all-round specimen angler - from roach and dace to grayling and pike, salmon, mahseer and fly-fishing for bass - as well as a regular contributor to angling media. Ten of Mark's published books deal with fish, ranging from a focus on specific species to guides on general identification and on habitat management for the benefit of fish as well as other aquatic wildlife. Much of Mark's other work relates to the relationship between humans and the aquatic ecosystems that sustain us, and with which we need so urgently to develop a more symbiotic relationship. Our relationship with fish - environmentally, economically and culturally - is part of this bigger picture.
Stephen Gregory has recently taken over the running of the Wylye Project and he will be updating us on its progress.
Trade stands will include our trade members FlyTek, Cookshill Flytying and Fishing Matters, plus Coch y Bonddu Books. Returning this year will be the outstanding artist David Miller who enthralled us with his use of the brush. New on the Trade Stands this year, is master cane rod builder Luke Bannister.
Fishing on the Sunday will be exclusively on the chalkstreams and will include the Wilton Club's stretch of the River Wylye, the Piscatorial Society's water on the Avon and the Portsmouth Services Itchen beats amongst several others. Provision will be made for trotting but, to really benefit from superb clarity and stalking possibilities of the chalkstreams, it is recommended that you fly fish.
For those coming down but not attending the event Winchester and all its history, including Izaak Walton's grave in the cathedral, is very close at hand, as are other attractions such as Stonehenge and the glorious Wiltshire countryside in the autumn.
Rod Calbrade, General Secretary
River of Two Halves
Grayling Society Area 5 Day, Sunday 17th Jan 2016
Well, after my first ever Area 5 day coming together reasonably easily, getting the second area day under starters orders was definitely more challenging. Originally the day was scheduled for November 13th 2015, but due to numerous cancellations, which were all controlled by the rain gods who had caused more high waters than the Dove had seen for at least 12 months or more, Sunday 17th January was to be the day.
During the days preceding the Dove steadily recovered from the last high water 1 week before and was looking good, if a touch above normal winter level. On the Saturday evening we received about two and a half inches of snow (just for a little added travelling excitement).
Travelling to Ashbourne on the Sunday was fairly safe, as the councils had been out and done their bit. Following a chat from the river keeper on the Royal Oak car park 13 members, one of which had travelled 2+ hours from Cambridgeshire to be with us, and another member who had a two and a half hour drive back to North Wales after the day, set off onto various sectors of the 'Birdsgrove FFC' beat's of the river Dove. That's a measure of what not being able to get out fishing does for us.
The day was cold but it was good to be out fishing after 8 or so weeks, and apart from a snow flurry in the afternoon the weather was kind to us. Walking the 'Birdsgrove' waters to ensure everyone was safe and enjoying their day, it started to become apparent that it was a river of two halves.
Below 'Hanging Bridge' most members struggled to find the fish with all but one reporting one's and two's, there always has to be one to stand out (Gary). Above the bridge was a very different story with most members catching a few nice fish and again, some catching more than others...ahem, no names etc., etc.
The day ended with all members happy with their day on this exceptional beat of the dove.
Below are the figures for the day:
49 Grayling, the majority 12"to 16", and 8 OOS spotties, best 21"
On behalf of the Grayling Society and especially the members on the day, a very big thankyou to Mr Peter Hilliard and the Birdsgrove FFC.
Paul Deaville, Area 5 Secretary
New Overseas Secretary for Germany and AustriaWe would like to welcome Andreas Schumacher as the new Overseas Secretary for Germany and Austria.
His contact details are as follows:
Andreas Schumacher Spieß Schumacher Schmieg & Partner Rechtsanwälte
Märkisches Ufer 34
10179 Berlin
Germany
Tel: +49 (0)30 440 133 00
email:
schumacher@spiess-schumacher.deAndreas takes over the role from Christian Mohr. We would like to thank Christian for all his help and support during his tenure and we wish all the very best for the future.
Andreas has provided the following introduction:
Dear All,
It is a great honor for me to have been chosen as the Grayling Society´s secretary for Germany.
To introduce myself to you, I would like to share the following with you:
I am 50 years old, married and a father of 3.
I am a lawyer by profession and have founded a law firm in 2000 that is specialized on intellectual property.
Since I picked up fishing in my home town Hamburg at the age of 8 I have been hooked on the sport. I discovered fly fishing quite late – coincidently just around the time when I met my wife and started my firm. All good things come in threes (my wife and partners of dissenting opinion…).
Soon after I found a group of soulmates in the Berlin flyfisher´s club Fario eV. – a club that is very active in conservation - I became a member of their board. I have been the club´s vice chairman for over 10 years now. The club manages a nice little trout stream located between Berlin and Hamburg. We run our own hatchery, mainly for seatrout and salmon and helped to reintroduce these migratory fish to the river Stepenitz, also located in the Prignitz area. We also breed brown trout. Unfortunately previous attempts to reintroduce grayling to our river had failed. Under the special direction of our incumbent riverkeeper, who grew up with grayling fishing in Thuringia, the current program which started about 5 years ago has been a great success so far.
I have fished quite a few places in Europe and abroad. I love the great grayling rivers of Austria and have also found many good waters holding grayling all over Germany. Apart from my home rivers I particularly fell for the wonderful chalk streams of Southern England to which I was introduced by hospitable and generous members of the Grayling Society.
Over the years my general fondness for the magnificent grayling became a passionate love affair and I would feel honored if I could continue the good work of Christian Mohr as secretary of the German section of the Grayling Society.
I would like to intensify and deepen contacts between UK and German/Austrian members. I know that it is said to be difficult to fish in my country due to bureaucracy and obscure rules and regulations. I would enjoy to convince foreign grayling anglers that in reality it actually is quite easy to pursue our common passion over here and invite them to come fish with me and with other German members of the Grayling Society.
With the very best wishes for the coming year and fishing season.
Andreas
New Marketing Officer joins the Committee
The Grayling Society Committee would like to welcome Karl Humphries who is joining the committee as Marketing Officer. We thank him for his support and look forward to working closely with him in the coming years.
New TreasurerThe Grayling Society is pleased to announce that Steven Kavanagh has taken on the role of Treasurer. We wish Steven all the best in his new role and thank him for his support.
His contact details are:
Tel: 01446 771326
steven.kavanagh@aims.co.uk
Winter Grayling Fishing packages on the River Tees at Wodencroft Holiday Cottages & B&B.Grayling Fishing breaks on the River Tees at Wodencroft Holiday Cottages, December 2015 to March 14th 2016.
Stay on a B&B basis, £65pppn including a hearty farmhouse breakfast. Three rooms all with en-suite bathrooms. Second guest sharing a room £35pn including breakfast. Minimum 2 night stay, maximum 6.
Contact Debbie Benn
Tel: 01833 650909
email:
info@wodencroftholidaycottages.co.uk
http://www.wodencroftholidaycottages.co.uk
My First Grayling Society Area Day
On the days running up to Sunday November 1st, I must admit that I was a little apprehensive having never organised anything of this nature before. With grateful thanks to Norbury FFC we were able to fish their excellent beat of the (real) river Dove.
During the Thursday/Friday prior to the weekend we had our first rainfall for quite some time, so that didn't help my run-up nerves. Checking the river on the Saturday morning the level had dropped back and was clearing, so no need to text everyone as it was all systems go.
Sunday morning arrived with quite patchy fog in places, but having said that 12 GS members were at the meeting point at 09:00 and raring to go. Following the usual formalities some members ventured down to the Rocester end of the beat, while the rest decided to start at the top and progress down. Soon the sun started to burn off the fog and blue skies were on the menu (for most of us).
After a slow start, most anglers chose to fish the nymphs and were soon finding the ladies here and there. It wasn't easy, but as the day progressed the fly life started to increase and one or two ventured with a little success on to the dries. When I drove down to Rocester the sun had not burnt though, but the 5 anglers at the lower end of the beat were reporting quite nice numbers, with the majority caught on nymphs, but also a few coming to the dries... which was nice for November. On my return to the top of the beat a few members were reporting better numbers, but here the nymphs were the catchers.
At 4 O'clock (ish) everyone I spoke to was very happy with their day and their catch and was ready to head home. Many compliments were paid and I have passed them all on via Mr Jeff Body to Norbury FFC.
On behalf of Grayling Society Members, thank you NORBURY FFC.
Total for the day: 147 fish to 12 rods, incl o.o.s. spotties.
The remaining Area 5 GS days for 2015 are:
Sunday November 15th at Birdsgrove on the river Dove. (Full)
Sunday December 13th at Norbury on the river Dove. (Full)
Area 4 Fishing day - Saturday 14 November 2015 Report
Ten Area 4 Members of the Society assembled at the café of Morrison's in Leominster between 9.00am - 9.30am. The weather forecast was not great for the day with a cold front due to cross the region by mid- morning bringing with it some heavy and persistent rain!
After completing the customary routine of reading and signing the Risk Assessment members dispersed to their allocated beats - five rods on three beats on each of the two rivers, the Lugg and the Arrow.
At the start of the day both rivers were running at surprisingly modest levels despite the recent rainfall and the weather did exactly as predicted even with a little bit of sun before some very heavy and prolonged rain, and people got very wet indeed!
About twenty grayling, and a few trout, were caught on all but one beat in pretty challenging conditions, especially towards the end of the day.
It was so wet that some went home to dry out and so missed meeting up again at the Morrison's cafe. Despite the adverse weather conditions an enjoyable day was had by all and our thanks go to the Wye & Usk Foundation for enabling us to fish the beats.
Party members at the Morrison's Cafe in Leominster
Glyn Williams netting a 16” grayling on the Lugg at Mortimer's Cross
Steve Moore with an offering from the Arrow
Area 4 Fishing DayDate: Saturday 23 January 2016
Venue: Caer Beris Manor Hotel with beats on the river Wye and Irfon
Any member of the Society wishing to take part in this event (either fly-fishing or trotting) should contact Area 4 Secretary: Roger Smith by email:
roger.sd.smith@gmail.comThere are places for about thirty rods and the cost will be in the region of £20 - £25. Full details of time, place and cost, will be given to those who apply for a place.
Fishing data from Grayling Society fishing day on 11th October 2015
River Annan Trust report that 168 fish were recorded in the returns showing a good average weight of grayling. Of the 8 fish caught over 40cm four weighed 2lb plus. The majority of the fish were caught on dries during some excellent afternoon hatches of olives.
Thank you to the River Annan Trust and all the riparian owners for allowing us to fish the wonderful Annan.
View the catch return graph
Grayling Society awards Righyni-Roose Trophy to Roger SmithEach year The Grayling Society runs a national competition on a topic which changes from year to year. This year it was for the written word.
This years winner was Roger Smith for his poem
An ode to the Lady of the Stream.Roger received the trophy, a bronze sculpture of a Grayling created by David Hughes, from Steve Skuce at the annual Symposium and AGM held at the Dryfesdale Hotel near Lockerbie.
River Annan Grayling DaysInterested in grayling fishing on the River Annan? For the past 8 years the River Annan has been working with anglers to monitor the status of Grayling stocks on the river. This has created an important data set that can inform fishery management on the river. To help is simple, join them on one of the dates below with either a fly rod or a float rod and go and fish on one of the fisheries they allocate you.
The dates are:
- Sunday November 29th 2015
- Sunday December 13th 2015
- Sunday January 10th 2016
- Sunday February 7th 2016
- Sunday March 6th 2016
They meet at Café 91, Lockerbie High Street for between 8am and 9am.
For more information visit:
http://www.riverannan.org/#!grayling-fishing/cha0
Area 14 Fishing DayGeoff Bevan, Area 14 Secretary, has organised a fishing day for Grayling Society members on the River Ewenny in South Wales on Saturday 14th November. Grayling Society members from other areas are very welcome.
For details contact Geoff:
Geoff@Bevanmc.co.ukTel: 01446 774223
Cheshire Game and Angling Fair
Despite earlier forecasts of rain, August 16 dawned bright and sunny ready for the re-invigorated Fair. Known colloquially as the Peover show, there was a wide range of stands covering most country sports. The Angling Fair Marquee was home to the Grayling Society, Prince albert A.S., Fly dressers' guild, Marton Heath Trout Pools and Stockport Angling Association plus several others.
Manned by Barrie Davidson, our Cheshire Area Secretary, Vice Chairman Rob Hartley and General Secretary Rod Calbrade, there was a good amount of interest at the stand, meeting some members and angling friends as well as selling several of our floats and other tackle plus hopefully gaining a few new members in the future. One potential members subsequently signed up - result!
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Grayling Society Area 11 Fishing DaysPaul Firmin, Area 11 Secretary, is organising fishing days in the North East of England on the following dates:
October 4th and 25th
November 22nd
December 6th
January 17th and 31st
February 20th
and March 12th
Contact Paul for further details.
Mobile: 0796 9733508
p.firmin.pf@googlemail.com
2015 Symposium and AGMPreparations are almost ready for this year's Symposium. The speakers this year will be Ronnie Glass, Dr. Steven Weiss, Kenny Galt and Fin Wilson.
Ronnie Glass is 60 years old (young), has lived in, or around, Kelso all his life. In younger years he mainly fished the River Teviot until moving to a house overlooking the Tweed in 1986. He remembers having his leg pulled on many occasions as he preferred to fish for Grayling rather than the freely available Salmon fishing back in the 1970's. Currently he is Chairman of Kelso Angling Association and Vice Chair of The Tweed Commission. For the last 8 years he has been the Fishing Manager of the Orvis shop in Kelso. He has tied all his own flies from age 14 and paints landscapes in watercolours as well as modelling replica fish. When time allows !!!??? - he also carves fish that have been returned to the river, either from the UK or abroad. He now also contributes the “Trout Surgery” to Trout and Salmon magazine. At 29, he entered his first competition and has now represented Scotland in 13 Lochstyle Internationals and 3 Rivers Internationals, captaining 2 Lochstyle teams and one on the Rivers. “Top Scottish rod” 4 times and he is the only Scotsman to have won both the National and the Rivers National Championships. We are also pleased to welcome Dr. Steven Weiss from Austria who gave an excellent presentation at the GRT's York Symposium some years ago and who has recently become a GRT Trustee. His talk will encompass Grayling of the World.
Kenny Galt is employed as a Trout & Grayling Biologist by the Tweed Foundation. He has been with the Foundation for just over 10 years and his job is to work with the local Trout and Grayling fishing Associations to get them to help him to gather the information needed to sustainably manage the Brown Trout and Grayling fisheries on the Tweed. They are about to start a study into post spawning recovery in Tweed Grayling using scale samples and condition factor.
Fin Wilson began fishing as a young boy on the Mill and Castle lochs in Lochmaben where he grew up. His passion for fly-fishing began on the River Annan fishing for trout, grayling and particularly sea trout at night. He now lives on the Upper Tweed at Stobo where he runs three miles of river. He is a professional guide/instructor and a regular contributor to Trout & Salmon magazine.
The excellent “Fisherman's Guide to the River Annan” available on the Annan Fisheries website will give invaluable information for the fishing day:
http://www.riverannan.org/#!fishermansguide/c24d6The Trade stands will include Coch y Bonddu Books, FlyTek flytying materials.
The Lunchtime raffle will be run as ever by Greg Payne and the evening's Gala Dinner will be finished off by Pat Stevens running the Auction, so if you have any suitable items for the Auction, bring them along.
We have deliberately held the Symposium a little early this year so that, hopefully, we can get some good river levels beautiful early Autumn weather, with golden hues on the trees and maybe even some dry fly fishing for the grayling.
NOTE that as you are driving to and into Lockerbie, you may see signs for the Dryfesdale Lodge this is NOT the Symposium hotel, which is the Dryfesdale Hotel.
The Essential FlyWe would like to welcome The Essential Fly as a trade member.
They offer Grayling Society members a 15% discount when using discount code graylingsoc in the voucher box at the checkout.
The discount applies to any flies (all species) plus Semperfli fly tying materials.
http://www.theessentialfly.com
Grayling StockingTwo recent stories regarding the stocking of Grayling into English rivers by the Environment Agency.
River Rother:On the 25th of June the Environment Agency stocked 3000 0 to 1 year class Grayling in the River Rother at Chesterfield. This is the first of three stockings planned (3000 Grayling in 2016 and 3000 more in 2017).
For several years Grayling have been caught by local angler in small numbers but this stocking program by the Environment Agency will add to the existing small population but also shows the EA's confidence in the improving quality of the river.
Grayling Boost for the North East:Rivers in the north east are being stocked with grayling this week in a bid to boost natural populations of the species.
The Environment Agency will stock the Clow Beck near Darlington and the Rivers Blyth and Pont in Northumberland with 3,000 grayling - 6,000 in total.
These rivers have suffered from poor water quality and habitat degradation in the past, but efforts by the Environment Agency is helping to turn them around. The Clow Beck, which flows into the River Tees near Darlington, was hit by pollution incidents last year and again this year and it is thought that these new grayling will start to put the stream back on course for recovery.
The stocking on the Rivers Blyth and Pont will start near Matfen and are aimed at boosting fish stocks following previous pollution incidents and as part of ongoing work to improve habitat.
Environment Agency Fisheries Officers Paul Frear and Robbie Stevenson will be introducing the grayling to their new homes. Robbie said:
“We're pleased we can help with the restoration of these watercourses and it's now time to help fish stocks recover. It is good news for local anglers and conservation alike as there should be a wider variety of healthy adult fish in our rivers.”
The grayling being introduced are one-year-old fish, sourced from the EA's Calverton Fish Farm, and the first of them should begin to spawn in the spring of 2017 - hopefully helping to return the population of grayling in these rivers and streams will to healthy numbers.
http://www.flyfishing.co.uk/news/news/6966-grayling-boost-for-the-north-east.html
Events for your diaryThe Grayling Society will be attending the following events during 2015 and 2016. We look forward to seeing members at these events. If you aren't already a member why not come along and join.
The Bakewell Show, Bakewell, Derbyshire - 5th & 6th August 2015
http://www.bakewellshow.orgCheshire Game and Angling Fair, Peover, Cheshire - 16th August 2015
http://www.cheshiregameandanglingfair.co.ukiFish, Ardingley, West Sussex - 22nd November 2015
http://www.ifish.org.ukBurton 5th Game fishing and Fly Tying Festival, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire - 18th October 2015
http://www.burton-on-trentgamefishingandflytyingfestival.co.ukBritish Fly Fair International, Staffordshire County Showground - 13th & 14th February 2016
http://www.bffi.co.ukSportfish Show, Reading, Berkshire - dates tbc, May 2016
http://www.sportfish.co.uk/visit-our-fly-fishing-stores/reading-fly-fishing-store
Trade membership fee reducedThe Grayling Society has reduced the cost of Trade Membership from £112 to £56 with immediate effect.
Trade Members receive one set of publications posted to one address. One member of the Trade organisation may attend the Symposium and Annual General Meeting, or any Extraordinary General Meeting which may be called. Each Trade member has just one vote at any AGM or EGM. A Full Page B&W or Colour advertisement may be placed in one issue of 'Grayling' free of charge (artwork to be supplied) and the names of all Trade Members are included in the Friends of the Society section of Grayling and on the Society website.
For details on how to join as a Trade Member go to:
http://www.graylingsociety.net/join/
Area 4 Fishing Days
Sat 26 September 2015
Venue: River Severn at Caersws
Meeting at The Red Lion Inn, Caersws SY17 5EL between 9.00am and 10.00am at which point the Grayling Society Risk Assessment for the fishing day will be signed by those participating.Day tickets (£13) are available from the Spar Shop in Caersws or from Bradley's Garage in Caersws, both close to The Red Lion. Fishing - principally will be with fly but there is some water where trotting a worm is possible on parts of the river. There are places for TWELVE RODS on this occasion and if you wish to take part in this event please contact (first come - first served!) Roger Smith by email: roger.sd.smith@gmail.com indicating the method of fishing you propose to use.
Sat 14 November 2015
Venue: Rivers Lugg and Arrow beats close to Leominster
We will meet at the cafe in Morrisons store Barons' Cross Rd, Leominster, HR6 8RN between 9.00am and 10.00am at which point the Grayling Society Risk Assessment for the fishing day will be signed by those participating. Fee £15.00 to be paid in advance to Roger Smith Area 4 secretary. Fishing - principally will be with fly but there is some water where trotting a maggot or corn is possible on parts of the river. There are places for TEN RODS on this occasion and if you wish to take part in this event please contact (first come - first served!) Roger Smith by email: roger.sd.smith@gmail.com indicating the method of fishing you propose to use.
Sat 23 January 2016
Venue: Rivers Wye, Irfon and Ithon beats
We will meet at The Caer Beris Manor Hotel, Garth Rd, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3NP between 9.00am and 10.00am at which point the Grayling Society Risk Assessment for the fishing day will be signed by those participating. Fishing - principally will be with fly but there is some water where trotting is possible - will be on WUF beats. Fee approx. £25 to be pid in advance (precise details later to those who apply) There are places for TWELVE RODS on this occasion and if you wish to take part in this event please contact (first come - first served!) Roger Smith by email: roger.sd.smith@gmail.com indicating the method of fishing you propose to use.
Grayling Competition on the Teviot
Jedburgh Rotary Club is resurrecting the competition they ran every winter on the Teviot until a few years ago. It will be on 5th December 2015 and the entry fee will be £10. See
attachments
for further details.
Grayling Prints
Maria Gonzales has finally finished her watercolour painting of a Grayling. Signed prints will be available for sale from next week. Contact Maria for your nearest stockist - info@mayflyart.com
http://mayflyart.com
Area 11 Fishing DaysArea 11 Secretary Paul Firmin arranged three fishing days for his area members this winter, with more to be arranged.
January was the best attended day with fifteen members fishing and forty-two fish caught and released.
If you are interested in attending you need to be a member of the Grayling Society, to join go to:
www.graylingsociety.net/join/You can contact Paul Firmin at:
101 Edge Moor Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 4QE
Mobile: 0796 9733508
p.firmin.pf@googlemail.com
39th Grayling Society Symposium and AGMThe annual symposium and AGM will be held on the weekend of Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October 2015 at The Dryfesdale Hotel just outside Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire.
We are very much looking forward to seeing members for the Symposium, AGM and Gala Dinner on the Saturday and fishing on the River Annan on the Sunday.
Full details and booking form are included with the Spring edition of Grayling News.
The event is only open to members. If you would like to join go to:
www.graylingsociety.net/join/
Meon Springs Country Experience Day
Greg Payne will be flying the flag for the Grayling Society at The Meon Springs Country Experience Day on Sunday 19th April.
See their website for more details on the event:
http://meonsprings.com/country-day
Grayling Fishing Opportunities in the Wild Trout Trust AuctionThe Wild Trout Trust auction has some superb grayling fishing lots.If you are keen on grayling fishing then these lots I know are worth a look:
- Dorset Allen (lots 238 and 233)
- Derbyshire Dove (lot 188)
- Hampshire River Anton (lot 173)
- Dorset Frome at Casterbridge (lot 172)
- Welsh Wye (lots 103 and 85)
- Welsh Dee (lot 92)
- Tweed (lot 60)
- Annan (lot 50).
Find these lots easily using the search facility on the PDF versions of the catalogue.
Start here:
http://www.wildtrout.org/content/auction-0
New range of floats
Brian Clarke has been working hard to update the range of floats available through the Grayling Society Shop. They look fantastic.
New Czech Republic Overseas Secretary
We would like to welcome Jitka Rutkayova as Overseas Secretary for the Czech Republic.Jitka is a professional ichthyologist, university teaching assistant and keen angler. We wish her the best of luck in her new role and thank her for her support.
Jitka Rutkayova
Sokolska,
Ceske Budejovice,
Czech Republic
Her email address is:
jitka.rutkay@centrum.czIf you are interested in becoming and Area or Overseas Secretary for The Grayling Society please contact the General Secretary -
rod@calbrade.demon.co.uk
Dates for the DiaryGreg Payne, Area 2 Secretary (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Sussex & Wiltshire), has organised the following events for 2015.
- Area Fishing Day - Wherwell - Saturday 31st October
- Area Fishing Day - Wherwell - Sunday 27th December
He will also be at:
- iFish, The South of England Show Ground, Ardingly on Sunday 22nd November 2015. www.ifish.org.uk
- West Country Game Fair, Royal Bath Showground, Shepton Mallet on 21st & 22nd March 2015
Drop by and say hello.
Contact Greg for further information.
Tel: 01985 213023
gregpayne214@gmail.com
The Angling Trust Team England Fly Fishing Auction 2015The TEFF Auction is now 'live' and appears on the TEFF website and the Angling Trust website. This is a significant part of the TEFF fund raising effort so dig deep and get bidding.
http://te-ff.orgView the TEFF Auction flyer
British Fly Fair International 2015The Grayling Society will have a stand at this years British Fly Fair International, 7th and 8th February. We look forward to seeing you all there.
Venue: Staffordshire County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford, ST18 0BD
Opening times: 9.30am - 4.30pm
For full details go to the BFFI website:
http://www.bffi.co.uk
Area 14 Grayling DayGeoff Bevan, Secretary for Area 14 - Dyfed, Gwent, West, Mid & South Glamorgan, reschedules his area Grayling day on the River Ewenny in South Wales for Sunday 18th January.
If you are interested in attending please contact Geoff:
Geoff Bevan
Tel: 01446 774223
geoff@bevanmc.co.uk
Symposium Fishing ReturnsCould members who attended the Symposium & AGM and fished on the Sunday please remember to email their returns to either Rob Hartley or Paul Deaville.
Rob -
rob@pfemedical.co.ukPaul -
flyman.paul@gmail.com
Grayling T-ShirtsFine artist Rob Olsen (www.thefineartoffishing.com) has launched a range of fishing t-shirts including some of Grayling.
The shirts depict his illustration works and are available either through the Togsbox website or via Amazon UK by typeing rob olsen fishing t shirts into the browser.
http://www.togsbox.co.uk/collections/fishing
Leek & District Fly Fishing Association have places available.
Leek & District Fly Fishing Association have places available for the 2015/16 season.
Their fishing includes the gin clear streams of the Bentley Brook and River Hamps, the stuff of angling folklore in the majestic Dovedale, the spectacular scenery of the Churney valley and the stunning natural beauty of the upper Dove.
Contact LADFFA for more details:
http://www.ladffa.com.
