"An Arctic Grayling of this size is truly a trophy."

Author's Photo

By BRIAN O'KEEFE

To Saskatchewan anglers the Arctic Grayling (Thymalus arcticus) is a very rare game fish, highly prized for its beauty and for its fighting ability. It is readily distinguished by the large sail-like dorsal fin. The dorsal fin of the male is the larger - the female's dorsal is not only shorter, but it is high in front and low in back. The male's dorsal is reversed, starting low and sweeping high in the rear. It has irregular but distinct rows of dark spots, and is often tinged with pink or white on the upper edge. Male grayling grow larger than the females, which is opposite to most species of fish.

The present world record is a 21-inch, 5-lbs. 15 oz. (21/2 kg) fish from the Katseyedie River in the North West Territories. This is probably close to its maximum growth. A 2 lb. (1 kg) grayling is considered a good catch, although 3 to 31/2 lb. (11/2 kg) are not uncommon in some water.

Saskatchewan grayling fishing is available in Lake Athabasca, Black Lake, Careen Lake, Cree Lake, Cree River, Fond du Lac River, Geikee River, Hatchet Lake, Reindeer Lake, Tazan Lake, Wapita Lake, Waterberry Lake, and Wollaston Lake. Generally speaking, nearly all oligotrophic lakes and their tributaries in the far northern region contain grayling. They are also stocked in Berna Lake, Downton Lake and the Bow River in the Lac La Ronge area, and in one of the borrow pits at Estevan. This means that there is grayling fishing available to most fishermen in Saskatchewan.

Unlike trout, grayling run in schools. They are a gregarious species, and where you find one, there are certain to be more. They are an excellent food fish; the flesh is white with a very delicate flavor. There is only one problem -they do not freeze well, so eat them fresh or smoke them. Do not freeze them, even overnight, or they will be soft and have no flavor. Try them pan fried, poached in a bouillon with herbs, broiled or smoked. I prefer them either pan fried or smoked with birch smoke.

Grayling feed on insects and aquatic forms of other groups, such as worms and crustaceans. They are the easiest fish there is to catch on dry flies, and they also readily take small spinners or spoons. 1/8  to 1/4 oz. wobbling spoons, 1/8 to 1/4 oz. spinners in brass, gold, silver, and red and white finishes are the most popular baits. Use an ultralight outfit with 4 to 6 lb. test line and be prepared for a fight.