Grayling
Thymallus Arcticus
Timothy Kusherets
Grayling fish are fantastically beautiful fish. There small but great fighters.
Many fly fishermen fly into Alaska to fish exclusively for them in the interior.
Graylings are fairly small and rarely get above six-pounds. The dorsal fin is
excessively large and fans out to look more like a sail than a fin. The entire
body has uniformed diamond-like scales with a greenish hue on the dorsal-lateral
area with a white underbelly. Intermittent black spots can be found throughout
the upper regions of the body that just barely touch into the gill plates.
The distribution of this fish is largely found in Canada, Alaska, and some northern
states of the U.S, and portions of the U.K. These too are coldwater fish that
thrive in well oxygenated rivers and lakes where small gravel can be seen. They
can be taken on small flies and spinners. This is a fish worthy of ultra light
gear and will battle to the end before coming in. Most anglers who fish for
them take photos and release them safely after spending time reviving them with
their head pointed in the direction of the current.
© Timothy Kusherets 2004/08
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