October marks the beginning of the winter river season for many UK fly anglers. As the trout season closes across most areas, attention naturally turns to grayling. Having recovered from spawning earlier in the year, grayling are back in good condition and can feed hard throughout autumn. Cooler water, steadier flows and increasing aquatic life make October one of the best months to target them.
Nymph fishing dominates. Grayling spend much of their time close to the river bed, intercepting nymphs, freshwater shrimp and other drifting aquatic invertebrates. Modern Euro nymphing is extremely effective because it keeps direct contact with the flies and helps present them naturally at the correct depth. Whether fishing a tight-line approach or under an indicator, the aim is the same: a natural dead drift close to the river bed.
Traditional Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Hare's Ear Nymphs still catch, but October is a good month to introduce shrimp and hotspot patterns. The Peaks Fly Fishing High Voltage Nymph is an excellent autumn point fly. The Peaks Fly Fishing Euro Shrimp gives a slim, natural presentation in clear water, while the Peaks Fly Fishing Epoxy Back Shrimp offers a slightly bolder profile when the river carries colour.
Recommended fly selection:
- Peaks Fly Fishing High Voltage Nymph
- Peaks Fly Fishing Euro Shrimp
- Peaks Fly Fishing Epoxy Back Shrimp
- Pheasant Tail Nymph
- Hare's Ear Nymph
- Tungsten Jig Nymph
- Partridge and Orange
- Snipe and Purple
- Large Dark Olive
- Kite's Imperial
On the river:
October teaches that depth is usually more important than changing flies. Once you are fishing close to the river bed, small changes between High Voltage Nymph, Euro Shrimp and Epoxy Back Shrimp can make the difference between occasional takes and a memorable grayling session.
