Valentines Delight in bonny Scotland

Mother Nature’s definitely testing us die-hard winter anglers this year. It’s rained virtually every day so far in 2026, which has wiped out most of my river plans. On the odd occasion conditions have looked reasonable, I’ve struggled — and from what I’m hearing, plenty of my angling mates have too.

Last week the rivers in England were bursting their banks, so heading north of the border felt like the only real option. Snow and sub-zero daytime temperatures were forecast, but that wasn’t enough to put me off. The target was grayling — the “Lady of the Stream” — a proper cold-weather species that will still feed when everything else seems to shut down. They’ve become increasingly popular with travelling, like-minded anglers who enjoy this kind of winter graft.

The drive up was rough, with heavy snow showers and temperatures dropping to minus seven, but I eventually reached the river a bit later than planned. I was surprised to find the stretch empty, so I took my time getting the gear sorted and fine-tuning the float setup before getting started.

I’d be fishing with a 13ft specimen Acolyte from Drennan paired with a centrepin loaded with 4.4lb Float Fish and a 6g Titanium Trotter float. A small quick-change swivel helps cut down line twist and gives me a neat connection to the low-diameter fluorocarbon hook-link. For me, the standout pattern for this kind of fishing and one I’ve relied on heavily over the last couple of seasons, especially for grayling, its the Specialist XT Maggot hook.

Now I’m not being biased, but this range really is top drawer. Grayling have a nasty habit of dropping off mid-fight and I’ve had more than my fair share of disasters over the years, playing a proper one for ten minutes only for it to come adrift right at the net. I’ve tried just about every pattern going: different brands, barbed, barbless, wide gape and they’ve all let me down at some point. These maggot hooks have been a different story. They stay sharp all day, even when you’re fishing over depth and ticking bottom across a gravelly riverbed. The beaked point keeps that needle-sharp finish, which is vital for pricking those bony mouths and, more importantly, keeping them pinned.

I started at the bottom of the beat in the deeper pools and picked up a couple around the 2lb mark in the first few hours before moving into shallower water around midday. Once the sun pushed through the cloud cover, bites became hard to come by, so out came the Betalin Liquid Gold Spray from Hinders Bait. It’s something I only reach for when bites are scarce, particularly in cold winter conditions. It’s an easy-to-apply attractant that can be used on any hookbait and gives off a sweet, oily aroma that really helps draw fish in — and being Valentine’s weekend, it felt like the right touch for any passing Scottish lady of the stream.

By 3pm the sun started to dip and everything looked spot on. I eased into the river and began feeding half a dozen maggots every couple of minutes, keeping it going for around fifteen minutes before making the first cast. The glide was no more than four feet deep, tapering up to around three at the back of the run-off about forty yards downstream. Double reds were once again given a boost with the Betalin before going out. First trot through, I let the float run at the river’s natural pace.... nothing.

Next cast, I added a touch of resistance on the centrepin with my thumb, just enough to slow things down and hold the float back so it crept steadily along the crease. A tiny dip saw me strike far too quickly and hit fresh air like a proper muppet. On the retrieve the maggots were smashed, so I shallowed up by four inches. Another pinch of maggots went slightly upstream and seconds later the rig followed in behind them. This time the bite was positive and I felt it through the tip. After a short scrap, a solid cock fish of 2lb 2oz slipped over the net.

As I was about to slip it back, a huge fish rolled further downstream. That was enough for me — I moved down onto it. No loose feed this time, just three white maggots nicked onto the size 14 and a couple of pumps of Betalin Liquid Gold. Ten seconds into the trot the float buried and I hit into something very serious that tore off downstream like a scud missile. On light gear I briefly thought sea trout. Eventually I eased her into slacker water where she sat deep and stubborn. In the fading light I caught a flash of that unmistakable red dorsal..... a grayling, and a big one.

After a minute or so she powered upstream, kiting across the swim and nearly into the next run. All I could do was hang on and hope the hook stayed put. A couple of tail walks later she finally slid over the net cord.

With the light going fast, I kept her in the net while I sorted the scales and camera. One look told me she was special. The needle settled at 3lb 6oz...... a new personal best and a cracking Valentine’s weekend result. Hard to see that being beaten before the season closes, but you never know.

Busta 



For more information on the tackle products used please check out the links above or visit Drennan Tackle