Stephen Dewhurst 3lb 1oz Grayling

After spotting a large grayling patrolling close to the bank under a willow tree, Stephen Dewhurst employed a tactic rarely seen in modern fishing to catch it.

Stret-pegging involves fishing a float well overdepth on a river, allowing a hookbait to be fished almost static or tantalisingly eased through the swim. It’s deadly in the right situation, as Steven proved with this gorgeous 3lb 1oz River Test grayling.

He’d introduced half a bait dropper of maggots under the willow tree and presented his hookbait accurately over the top. Watching the fish move over the baited area he saw his olivette, which was sat on the riverbed, bolt forward as the fish picked up the bait.

Well done Stephen!