Arctic Grayling “The Fly Fisherman’s Fish”

Since moving to Alaska, Arctic Grayling have fast become my favorite fish to target with the fly rod. With their stunning, vastly oversized dorsal fin, they stand apart from any other freshwater fish. Strong for their size, they put up a good fight, preferring to hold their ground and bulldog toward the creek bed rather than make runs and go airborne. While mostly being a catch-and-release species, they are decent eating having white, delicate flesh. I have only eaten them fresh, having been told they will not hold up having been put in a fridge overnight or frozen. I believe this advice to be true as I have yet to see the meat hold together through the cooking process. The few I’ve eaten have been ones that have swallowed a hook deep while I’ve been on a camping trip. Often the dinner to end the day is just the continuation of the fun rather than a chore. Therefore, having a grayling to add to the feast is a welcomed addition. However, in normal circumstances, I’d never keep one, why eat grayling when we are spoiled with fresh sockeye salmon and halibut? Besides, a moose steak on the grill is better than any fish.

I am very lucky to have grayling as the target species on most of the open-water trips I guide during the summer season. They make me look better than I actually am. I can take a total beginner who has never held a fly rod and have them reeling in fish in no time. I remember a trip on the Chena River where I asked the client if she had ever fly-fished before, she replied, “What’s fly fishing?”. Within five minutes of having that rod in her hands, she had brought 3 to the net. Some days they practically hook themselves.

In my mind what makes these the “fly fisherman’s fish” is the ability to catch them at ALL times during the open water season. Sure the hot hole or whole river for that matter may change depending on conditions, but I am convinced there is always good fishing to be had from early April through October. I have experienced great fishing after struggling through 5t of snow to reach a tiny sliver of open water, freezing my toes and fingers in sub-freezing temps well after moose season, and while floating rivers at near flood stage with water so brown you’d swear it was chocolate milk. Often the trick is finding where the fish are. Whether that be when they’re stacked up waiting for the spring spawning run, gorging on the eggs of late run silvers, or backed up out of the current in a side pond that is only ankle-deep most days of the summer. They flat-out will eat the right fly if it is in front of them.

I’ve had the pleasure to handle thousands of grayling and target them in many different systems and situations. I’ve had days where my arm has gotten sore reeling so many in. Had clients catch so many I stopped counting, at 116. Seen trophy specimens with grand fins and lengths stretching past 20”. Even after all this I still haven’t gotten enough of them, I probably never will. While there are many other fish that hold higher rankings in the minds of those who dream of fishing in Alaska, there isn’t an angler alive who wouldn’t have the time of their lives wearing out flies while catching dozens of feisty grayling. They truly are “the fly fisherman’s fish”.