Post date: Monday, March 5, 2012 - 14:48
Updated date: 7/7/17
Arctic Grayling Thymallus arcticus

 

The arctic grayling is halfway between the coregonids and the salmonids; it is not a trout and not a whitefish, but has characteristics of both. Arctic grayling around found in the northern regions, worldwide. Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, and Russia contain most of the good arctic grayling habitat in the world. Small populations can be found in the northern rocky mountains of the United States, usually at high elevations. They are one of the most beautiful fish of the northlands, delicious and easy to catch on almost any small lure.

 

Description

 

Grayling are among the most beautiful of all fishes. Mature male grayling sport the tall, sail-like dorsal fin that the species is famous for. Theis sail-fin is often edged with electric turquoise, with wild spangles and spots of white, purple, and red. Females and juveniles do not develop this pronounced sail. The electric purples, blues and chartruese colors just cannot be captured adequately by a photograph, so you will need to go catch one to understand the grayling's beauty. Grayling are also very good as a food fish. They have white, flaky meat that is very mild in flavor.

 

 

 

Tactics

Grayling are eager biters and can be caught on light spinning or fly tackle.  A flyrod is a great way to present small lures, and lets the spunky fight of the fish come through.  Often grayling will become surface-oriented in lakes they inhabit, and at these times a small dry fly will be the only thing they will be taken on.  Small, dark dry flies like adams, black caddis or mosquito patterns are known grayling treats.  In streams, dry flies will also work but subsurface patterns like small wooly worms and nymphs will also take a lot of fish.  Grayling are mainly insectivorous.  Becasue of this flies work better in general but small lures like #0 spinners and tiny spoons cast on a light spinning rod should bring strikes.  Also, where salmnon are present in a system the grayling will key in on their eggs so drifting egg patterns will be extremely effective.

 

Links

 

 

Range Map