Grayling - Thumallide

Kamchatka grayling (Thumallus arcticus mertensii, Rus. - Kharius)

It is fresh water river species which lives in most of rivers of central and northern parts of Kamchatka peninsula from the Bolshaya river to the Paren on the west and from the Ozernaya to the Apuka on the east, and also to the north.

Kamchatka grayling has a typical very long and high back fin, big head and mouth. Its body is covered with large firmly set scales. Fish has monotonous color which gets darker with age.

Kamchatka grayling habits only in the middle current in rivers. Lower reaches but one almost cannot meet them in upper reaches and also in shallow and rapid streams. It stays under crossings near main jet, but not in fast current. There are good places to meet Kamchatka grayling such as sections with reverse current between the jet and bank and also lower snags and boulders. Big grayling can stay in deep pits as well.

Grayling can reach 50 cm (20”) of length, 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) of weight, and the age of 18 years. At average take fish is 30-42 cm (12-17”) of length and .6 kg (1.3 lb). Kamchatka grayling becomes mature in 5-9 years old. Spawning is in summer, in June (in the Kamchatka river, from the late June to the mid of September.

Kamchatka grayling is important for local marketing and is also good for sport fishing.