Arctic grayling are a Yukon treasure for light tackle enthusiasts. With their tall dorsal fin and eager nature, they are a joy to catch and hold. Kyle guides anglers on foot along clear rivers and lake shorelines near Whitehorse.
The arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is a cold-water member of the salmon family, easy to recognize by its oversized, sail-shaped dorsal fin flecked with spots and a wash of iridescent purple and blue. In the Yukon a good grayling runs 12 to 16 inches, and the largest fish stretch past 18 inches, which for a grayling is a real trophy. They thrive in cold, clear, fast water, which is exactly what the Yukon has in abundance, and they take dry flies readily, which makes them one of the most rewarding fish in the North to catch on light gear.
May and June are the headline months, when grayling stack into the rivers and the fishing is as good as it gets anywhere in the North. Through the rest of the summer you’ll find them spread through lakes and slower river stretches, willing right into the fall. Because they hold in clear moving water, grayling fishing doubles as some of the best scenery of any trip we run.
Access remote stretches of clear water with light gear.
Your choice of technique tailored to current conditions.
Catch and release practices to keep runs healthy.
Note:
Grayling can also be fished on nearby lakes by boat, giving you even more opportunities to experience this incredible fishery.
