Freshwater · Short northern summer; June through September
Amur Grayling
Thymallus grubii
A small, sail-finned grayling of mountain streams in the Heilongjiang system. Critical care: its close congeners — the Lower Amur grayling, Yalu River grayling and the Chinese population of Arctic grayling — are nationally protected (Class II) in China, but this species, Thymallus grubii, is NOT on the national list. The species are hard to separate, so if you cannot be sure which grayling you have caught, release it, and obey local closed seasons strictly.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Enlarged, sail-like dorsal fin with rows of dark spots — smaller than an Arctic grayling's sail
- Silvery-blue body with scattered small dark spots, denser toward the head
- Small mouth with fine teeth and a forked tail
- An adipose fin is present, as in all grayling and trout
- Separation from its protected congeners rests on dorsal-fin spot pattern and drainage — if in any doubt, treat the fish as protected and release it
Habits
- Feeds in groups in clear, cold mountain streams on insects and larvae
- Rises to surface insects in pools and riffle tails through the long summer day
- Spawns in spring in shallow gravel riffles
- Strictly a cold, clean-water fish — disappears from warmed or polluted reaches
Distribution
Regional coverage expanding
Where to find them
- Slow pools and eddies in Heilongjiang-system mountain streams
- Riffle tailouts where insects collect
- Creek mouths and cold tributary junctions
Where they live
How to catch them
Stream fly fishing River
Rig: Light fly rod, floating line and small dry flies and nymphs, sizes 14-18
Bait/lure: Adams, caddis dries and small nymphs
Key tip: Fish pools and riffle tails, drop a fly size after a refusal, and keep only fish you are certain are this species and in season.
Micro spoon lure River
Rig: Ultralight spinning rod with tiny silver spoons on 4 lb line
Bait/lure: Tiny spoons and micro spinners
Key tip: Cast across pools and retrieve slowly just under the surface.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Light fly rod or ultralight spinning rod
- Line: Floating fly line / 4 lb mono
- Terminal: Small dry flies, nymphs and micro spoons
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 8-12 inches; large specimens about 14 inches
On the table
Good — delicate flesh best eaten fresh; given the protected look-alike congeners, many anglers release all grayling they cannot identify with certainty.
Similar species
Arctic GraylingArctic grayling has a larger, more colourful sail fin and Arctic-basin distribution — and its Chinese populations are nationally protected (Class II); if you cannot separate the two with certainty, release the fish
Rainbow TroutRainbow trout has a pink lateral band, a small ordinary dorsal fin and heavier spotting over the whole body; Amur grayling's sail-like spotted dorsal fin is unmistakableRegulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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