Catching A MASSIVE Test Grayling! Specimen Series

The River Test is a legendary chalk stream, known for its stunning historic surroundings and hard-fighting wild fish. Conditions were spot-on when we arrived, with the water running clear if a little high after some overnight rain. The plan was simple - trickle in a steady flow of maggots and trot the float through the most promising spots. Then hold our breath for a big grayling.

I started strong with a few solid bites, but as always, the challenge with grayling fishing is getting past the ever-present trout. The first swim was packed with them. In these stretches there must be ten trout for every good grayling. They’re fun to catch, but they weren’t the target so I did my best to avoid them. Then, after a few more trots, and a few more beautiful browns, it was time to move. 

I decided to head upstream to try another promising spot, this swim looked absolutely perfect. My favourite places to fish for grayling are areas where there is a smooth and steady glide. This makes it so much easier to feed and build up a swim because you know exactly where the maggots are going to go.

It didn’t take long before my decision paid off. A perfectly placed trot through a smooth glide resulted in that unmissable thump on the rod tip. There were a tense couple of minutes while I tried to get a look at the fish and figure out if it was a grayling. It was, and far bigger than I had ever caught on film before. One tricky scoop with an ever so slightly too short landing net later, I had a very special grayling on the bank. A stunning 2lb 7oz. 

After taking a moment to appreciate what had just happened I was straight back after more. I was eager to see if the swim held any more surprises. I continued trotting the float through the same line, feeding maggots steadily, knowing that swims like this can often get better with time. 

I struck another fish that felt every bit as powerful. For a few heart-stopping moments, it held deep in the current, it didn’t feel like a trout at all but just as I started to gain the upper hand, I had a hook pull. Had I just lost an even bigger grayling? It’s always hard to say for certain, but that one will definitely haunt me for a while! On the very next trot down I had a nice chub, so maybe I had only bumped off on one of those. Let's hope so. 

My go-to rod for this session was the Drennan Vertex 14ft Float Rod, a perfect balance of sensitivity and power, essential when using small hooks to avoid those dreaded hook pulls. Paired with a 4000 size Fixed Spool Reel loaded and 5lb Mainline, it allowed me to control the float and cast to the far bank where a lot of the best looking lines were.

The rig consisted of a 5g float, held in place with float rubbers, running down to a 5g Olivette and a 3.5lb hooklength. A couple of small dropper shot ensured a natural presentation. On the end, a size 16 hook, which might seem a bit small for such big fish, but when the setup is balanced like this, it can handle even the largest grayling.

The next day, with the water level slightly lower, I worked some of the faster runs that hadn’t looked quite right on day one. A swim near an overhanging old willow tree caught my eye. It took me quite a while to get a bite in this next swim but eventually  I hooked into another strong fish. Yet another trout...

A few handfuls of maggots later I was in again and I knew this one was different. The way the fish used the current, staying deep and pulsing against the rod, it had big grayling written all over it. As it neared the net, I got my first proper look, and my heart nearly stopped. This was no ordinary fish; this was a true giant.

What a session! I came to the Test hoping for a 2lb grayling, but I walked away with a 3lb specimen, a truly special fish. Huge thanks to Ollie Johnson for the invite to fish this incredible stretch of river. 

If you fancy a shot at some big grayling yourself, guided days on this section are available, well worth it for the chance to go for these massive fish. For us, it’s time to hit the road back to Norfolk. If you enjoyed this adventure, make sure to like, subscribe to our channel, and drop a comment. I love hearing your thoughts! Until the next one, Tight lines!