We first met Gary Butcher, Vice Chair of the Grayling Society, at this year’s Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival - proving that passion for fish and river conservation runs well beyond any single species.
Founded in 1977, the Grayling Society has grown into an international community dedicated to protecting grayling and the rivers they depend on.
We caught up with Gary to learn more about the Society’s work, the challenges facing this remarkable fish, and how anglers everywhere can play a part in its future.
Hi Gary, can you give us a short introduction about yourself and the Grayling Society?
My name is Gary Butcher, and I am the Vice Chair of the Grayling Society. I joined the Grayling Society after meeting the team at the BFI show. I have been fishing for Grayling on the Welsh Dee and as anyone will know they are a great fishing to catch as when they get the dorsal fin up in a strong flow, they become a challenge to land.
The Grayling Society is a Not-for-Profit Organisation, formed in 1977 by a small group of enthusiastic game fishermen who wished to conserve and establish the Grayling as a true, wild, game fish.
From very modest beginnings in 1977 and a handful of original members, the Society has grown. We now over 900 members in a total of 18 countries around the World, with Overseas Secretaries in Europe and America. More than 250 of our members live or regularly fish for grayling outside of the United Kingdom.
How does the Grayling Society support the species and its habitats?
The Grayling society makes conservation awards to fishing clubs throughout the UK with specific attention to the needs of Grayling. We also supply free of charge kits to monitor water quality to any interested clubs, organisations or even individuals. We have supported legal action against polluters with the biggest donation so far of £10,000. The biggest problem for the Grayling is that it is more sensitive to pure water quality than any other UK fish. It is the river equivalent of the Canary in the mine
The other issue that the Grayling has is that when fish eating birds such as cormorants or Goosander locate a shoal of Grayling, unlike most of the fish they will not dash into tree roots or overhanging banks but will shoal up. This makes them a very easy target for fish eating birds. Because of these two issues, it is essential that Grayling numbers are monitored, and the Grayling society has a free to use catch return on its website for any Grayling Fisher in the UK.
What projects or partnerships is the Grayling Society currently involved in?
The Grayling Society works closely with the Angling Trust and Fish Legal. The Grayling society also provides grants to various campaigns. In January 2025 we made our largest donation to a single campaign, £10,000 was donated to Fish Legal for the “Every River Counts”.
The Grayling Society were part of the working group that updated the Angling Trust Best Practice Guide. This compliments the Grayling Angling Code in promoting the handling of Grayling as the mortality rates are significantly impacted if the fish is removed from the water, even if it’s a short time.
The Grayling Society works closely with the Grayling Research Trust, and we have just awarded the GRT a grant to conduct further studies on the river Wylye. This study has been looking at the Grayling population and impacts of the environmental conditions. This study is building on some previous work that was funded by the Grayling Society. There has also been a campaign to get more catch and release data inputs from the fly fishing community to help us build a larger database across the UK to enable better understanding of the Grayling population across the UK. Anyone who would like to get involved can contact the society and we will share the code for the system that can be incorporated into the club’s website.
Looking ahead: what’s the biggest challenge or opportunity for grayling conservation?
The biggest challenge that we face is the water quality in our rivers. The Grayling Society President and prominent river campaigner, Feargal Sharkey told the membership at their A.G.M. in September 2024, “We are in the midst of a river crisis and it is time for everyone to stand up and support the Every River Counts appeal.” Ron Taylor, the Grayling Society Conservation Officer added, “The Grayling Society wanted to support Fish Legal’s appeal because our members recognise the importance of the Costa Beck case, not just for that river but for populations of grayling and other fish across the country.”
In March 2025 the Grayling Society assisted the Environment Agency by catching brood stock for the EA Grayling breeding program for the River Wharfe in Ilkley. The fish were taken away to a facility where they spawned and the fish were returned to the river. A few months later the Fingerlings were release back into the river to help fish population.
How important is community - anglers, societies, conservation groups - in ensuring grayling thrive for the next generation?
I cannot emphasis enough the importance the fishing community and the conservation groups. The commitment of the anglers to record their catches helps the research that we carry out to monitor the Grayling populations and identify areas of concern. The volunteers that carry out the water quality checks and feedback the results to help the conservation team’s analysis the river state.
The continual efforts of the Angling Trust, Fish Legal and the proactiveness of Feargal Sharkey helps to drive home the message that our rivers need protecting for future generations. The Grayling Society offers free membership to young anglers, under 18, is actively looking for a youth ambassador, and believes it's important for the sport to get more young people involved in angling and conservation.
Are there any traditional patterns or flies you always reach for when fishing for grayling?
Now there is a question, most anglers have their own preference, but the following patters are usual a good starting place:
- Pheasant Tail, Hares Ear, Pink Srimp, Gaga Gammarus, Black Spider, Pink Hot Spot
- Emergers and Caddies - Olive Emerger, Cased Caddies
- Dry Flies - Adams. Klinkhammer, Elk Hair Caddies, Griffiths Gnat