Here’s a few pictures of my new PB grayling of 2lb 13oz caught from the River Test in Hampshire yesterday on double red maggot.
This was the biggest of about 20 grayling (five over 2lb), half a dozen brown trout (to 6lb 8oz), and three good chub from the river all caught trotting using a 5BB Avon float on 4lb main line to a 3lb hook length and size 16 hook. It was also a good opportunity to test a prototype Peg One medium power 13ft float rod, coupled to my trusty Shimano Stradic 3000GTM reel.
This was actually my first day on the River Test after being lucky enough to get a place on the syndicate for this Winter and I dropped lucky the river carrying about six inches of water with a little colour. As usual, the tactic for sorting out the bigger fish was to really slow the float down and inch the bait through the swim.
It has been quite a while since I have fished seriously for big grayling and the beauty and power of the fish on light tackle really is amazing. I can’t wait to get back for some more action, even though it is a mega-long day out for me, as it is a 4AM start to get on the river for dawn and a 280 mile round trip!
Dr. Paul Garner
Catch up with Paul’s angling exploits at www.drpaulgarner.co.uk
