Whilst trotted maggots are the default for many grayling anglers, there are other baits that can tempt the species, as David Pearson proved when he caught this fish of 3lb 2oz on bread!
The specimen was landed during his first trip to Scotland this year, in which suddenly dropping temperatures and low river levels made for tricky fishing. Having started on maggots beneath a homemade elder pith float, David landed three grayling around the 1lb 8oz mark.
When bites slowed, David decided to change bait – something he often does when grayling fishing – and switched to a piece of bread flake. After a series of missed bites, he changed to a larger piece and immediately hooked a solid fish, which turned out to be the 3lb 2oz specimen. That afternoon, he changed bait again, this time to sweetcorn, and landed fish of 2lb 8oz, 2lb 6oz, and four around the pound-and-a-half mark.
On the second day of his adventure, temperatures dropped below freezing and David only managed a few small fish. However, after his memorable first day, he made the long drive home a happy man.
Well done David!