In article .com, cg
wrote:
I am taking my son for a day on the Wharfe at Bolton Abbey next week.
I havn't done much of this myself, so would like to keep it simple.

I don't know the Wharfe but I've caught a few grayling ;-)

would we catch by trotting a maggot?

Probably. Atm the water is still warm so they'll still take worm/bread and
other larger baits too.

any tips on tackle would be appreciated.(floats, shotting etc.

OK. In ideal (overcast) conditions concentrate on shallow, streamy water.
If v bright & clear water then deep water and under banks\ early and late
and shallow only when it's getting hard to see.

Bait a fast run with -three- maggots or one small worm at a time. Throw in
bait at least once a minute, more frequently in fast water. If you can wade
above the swim and shuffle your feet in the gravel then so much the better.
Set float with bulk shot just above bottom, a small telltale shot (about #3)
and up to half a metre (18") trail to the hook - but if the swim is
shallower than that keep the trail shorter than the drop. Hold back hard
(ideallyGuse a centrepin) and strike promptly but not violently. If at all
possible lay the rod on one side and get the fish out of the main bait
trail as quickly a possible. Keep up the groundbaiting during the fight and
the unhooking process.

Grayling are not float shy though they can be picky about hook sizes. In
really fast swims you might use a float carrying 3 swan shot in 35cm (14")
water with a #16 hook... But use a bigger hook if they'll take it.

I you are returning fish put them back at least 20 metres upstream so
they've recovered before they return to the shoal - else they'll be off with
the rest following. Despite what people say you *can* keep grayling in a
keepnet - imo they survive better that way. The net must be pegged out in
shallow water with the the closed end upstream and the net just breaking the
surface, scatter some grass on the top to give the fish some cover. If one
goes belly up it will drift back to the entrance where you can gently right
it and it will recover. I have seen fish returned straight to the water
which have floated to the surface ten minutes later. By then they've had it
as for some reason unless turned the right way up they die and by now
they're out of reach...

But if you hang a keepnet straight down in a deep pool you'll kill or damage
more than half of 'em.

Once you've taken a few the shoal will drop back and bites will slow. If you
have plenty of water stop before the fish decide to evacuate and go on to
another swim - give your fish holding water a wide berth as you go. Come
back a couple of hours later and they should have settled in again.

When the water cools you may do better ledgering with a maggot feeder.

Hth, Cheerio,

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