Send us a text Episode 283 - Scottish Road Trip I packed the van and made the long drive from Devon to Aberdeen with my dog Monty along for company. We fished the Don at Tilliefoure, a beautiful beat owned by Jason Bone who was a wonderful host. I met some of the people are are involved with the Don on many different levels and learnt what this riv…

Send us a text Episode 282 - Sandy Nelson - Home Water I meet up with fly angler, rod builder and Fly Culture contributor, Sandy Nelson to fish for the evening on his home water, the Don. I speak with him about the approach and the tactics he uses as we search for rising trout on the river. This was an impromptu edition that started with us talking…

Send us a text Episode 281 - Pete Cockwill - The Fish, The People and Places Pt3 In the latest instalment of Pete's story he tells us about the work that he undertook at the estate he managed including the carp and trout on the lakes. There is a very amusing story about how he had to bury a recently deceased donkey which will have you laughing out …

Send us a text Episode 280 - Road Trip This is an episode that is a little different. I pack the van and head off for a couple of days fishing. There is no plan other than to see if I can find a few rising trout. I share a few things that I use to catch some fish, talk about an old rod that means a lot to me and reflect on life and fishing. This is…

Send us a text Episode 279 - Paul Gaskell - Fishing Tips, Observations and Flies I'm really pleased to have Paul back on the podcast. You'll need your notepads at the ready as I talk with him about fishing small streams and then he how adapts his approach for bigger rivers too. We look at the casts needed along with leader lengths for different wat…

Send us a text Episode 278 - Pete Cockwill - The Fish, People and Places Part 2 Pete Cockwill is taking over the podcast again for part 2 in a series of podcasts that cover his life in fishing. In this episode Pete tells us about his 20lb rainbow trout, king salmon, hunting squirrels and falling in lakes and rivers. The stories are all told in Pete…

Send us a text Episode 277 - Tom Bird - Making the Changes In this episode I cover a lot of ground with Tom. If you know Tom, you might think he is mainly from a still water fishing background but he has a foot in rivers too. You'll find out which he prefers. We look at the pressures of being a guide and how to manage working in fishing along with …

Send us a text Episode 276 - The Tweed Salmon Festival This was the chance for me to hop in the van, pass over some rivers I've dreamed about and make my way to Scotland for The Tweed Salmon Festival. I catch up with friends old and new, talking with them about fishing, what it means to them as they walk around the show. This is a new show run by g…

Send us a text Episode 275 - Keeping it Real I meet up for some early season fishing with my friend Luke. We're on the Usk, a river know for early season hatches and rising fish. I step into the first pool and see a riser. Do I catch it? This is an as it happens, unedited podcast of how the day unfolds. I include some fishing tips and advice and a …

Send us a text Episode 274 - Pete Cockwill - The Fish, The People and the Places I'm excited to be bringing you something a little different on this weeks podcast. I'll be hosting a short series of monthly podcasts that chronicles the life of one of my fishing heros - Pete Cockwill. I doubt there will be many who don't know of Pete he has done so m…

Send us a text Episode 273 - Lucy Bowden-Croston and Lucinda Ewin on Fishing I catch up with Lucy and Lucinda to take a look at fishing and what it means to them both. Lucy is most at home with stillwater trout while Lucinda is primarily a salmon angler although I discover they do a whole lot more that this too. We talk about how fishing is looking…

Send us a text Episode 272 - Last Gasp Grayling Online friendships are one thing but what if you decide to meet up, are you going to get on? I'd been talking with Mark from Shady River for a while now and we decided to eat a big breakfast and see if we could find some grayling. I took my microphone on the spur of the moment and we ended up talking …

Send us a text The Fly Culture Podcast Episode 271 Jay Bartlett on Char, Salmon, Music and Tying Flies I catch up with Jay who was fresh from the vice and talk with him about production tying and getting ready for the fishing he has planned for the year. We look at our pastime and I ask about the 'we need to bring more people into fly fishing' deba…

Send us a text Episode 270 - Rob Mason - The Journey North In this episode I talk with Rob Mason about leaving the streams of Devon and settling near Aberdeen. We compare fishing between the two places and how he has settled in. It is the time of year when new tackle is on the agenda along with fishing plans too. He tells me about how fishing bring…

Send us a text Episode 269 - Luke Kozak on Fishing, Friends and the EA I sat down and chatted with my friend Luke after eating a good breakfast and casting a few rods. I talk with him about his fishing career, when he used to guide with me, the places he likes to fish and the people he has met along the way. We also talk about the conservation work…

Send us a text Episode 268 - The BFFI 2025 - All the Fun of the Fair Join me as I make the long trip from Devon to Staffordshire to spend the day at the British Fly Fair International Show. I catch up with friends old and new, hear about fishing plans, new products, books and what it is like to tie at the show. This is a series of short interviews …

Send us a text Episode 267 - Eoin Fairgrieve and Colin Macleod Talk Fishing and Festivals I catch up with Eoin and Colin to see how they feel fishing is looking, what their plans are for 2025 and their passion for salmon. We also take a look at the previous season, how it compared with the last few years and why as anglers, we are the eternal optim…

Send us a text Episode 266 - Andrea Larko on Fishing and Art I caught up with Andrea to learn a little about her life and how it revolves around fishing. We look at the streams she fishes in Pennsylvania, the joy of blue lining, brook trout and making sure you pick the right fishing friend. I talk with her about her art and get an understanding of …

Send us a text Episode 265 with Caspar Killick My guest for this episode, Caspar Killick, lives close to his local stream in Wales and tries to get there most days during the summer. He will also pack his Land Rover with his rods and a tent and might head to the far north of Scotland or even further in search of fishing adventures. He tells me wher…

Send us a text Episode 264 with Peter Arfield I catch up with Peter to talk about a wide range of subjects that he answers in his own, inimitable and humorous way. He talls me about how he first started fishing the Wye in Derbyshire and the lessons he learnt while observing the trout in the clear water. We talk casting and why he decided to take a …

Send us a text Episode 263 - Alex Brown on Fishing, The Mountains and Van Life In the latest episode, I speak with Alex Brown from his home high in the Pyrenees about fishing in the area, how it ties in perfectly with his camper van and how he ended up in Spain. We look at how a camper van can work perfectly with fly fishing and I make a confession…

Send us a text Episode 262 - James Gilbraith - Anarchy Pie It's become a nice little Christmas tradition where I catch up with writer and fly angler James Gilbraith about the state of the fishing world. We look at seasons past, present and look to the future too. I talk with him about fly selection, fishing clubs why fishing should be fun. He also …

Send us a text Episode 261 - Zoe Dupuy on Trout, Grayling and Bonefish In this episode I welcome Zoe Dupuy along to the podcast. We look at Zoe's journey from Scotland to Hampshire and her love for both sailing and fishing. We explore the similarities between the sailing and fishing communities, the challenges of accessing prime fishing locations i…

Send us a text Episode 260 - From Wales to Siberia and Beyond with Robin Smith In this episode of the podcast, I speak with award-winning documentary director of photography Robin Smith. We discuss Robin's journey from life in London to rural living in the lower Wye Valley, his experiences with fly fishing, the iconic River Wye and the Monnow, as w…

Send us a text I welcome Steve Cullen back for this episode to discuss the evolving landscape of fly fishing. We explore innovations in rod design, the importance of camaraderie in fishing, and the impact of social media on anglers' perceptions and behaviours. We also touch on ethical considerations in fishing and the changing dynamics of fishing p…

Send us a text Episode 258 - Aaron Day from Vintage Fishing Tackle In this episode, I talk with Aaron Day from Vintage Fishing Tackle about his journey from training to be a butcher to a business owner in the fishing tackle industry along with everything in between. We discuss Aaron's fly fishing career from fishing a stream in Kent to reservoir fi…

Send us a text I felt the need to spend some time standing in a river. I'm joined by my dog and look at what it means to have him along, the compromises you might have to make but how you can easily make it work. I talk about the set-up I use, how I make it work and how I might adapt it as the day progresses. It doesn't have to be complicated and I…

Send us a text I welcome James Harrold along to this episode where he shares his experiences of owning and running a trout fishery, the challenges faced, and the entrepreneurial spirit required to adapt and thrive in the fishing industry. He tells me about the transition from moving away from trout to coarse fishing, the emotional impact of closing…

Send us a text I met Ben on a river recently. I was taken by his great skill as I watched him work his way along the water. I asked him along to the podcast to find out a little more about his fishing career and to pick up some tips too. We ended up discussing a lot of topics that are both thought provoking and interesting. Ben talks with great dep…

Send us a text I make the drive over to visit Charles Innis at the Half Moon Inn, Sheepwash in Devon. We talk about his relationship with the inn that goes back to the 1950s when his family took it on as a fishing hotel. He tells me about his love for the Torridge, looking after guests and running the inn with his brother. Charles is honest about t…

Send us a text In this episode, I speak with Wayne McGee, a fishing guide and lodge owner in Alaska. Wayne shares his journey from a childhood passion for fishing to operating a fishing lodge in the pristine wilderness of Alaska. He discusses the various species of fish available and the challenges of running a remote lodge. Wayne also reflects on …

Send us a text I made a promise to myself never to fish competitively after trying it over 25 years ago. This changed when I entered a friendly competition run by my friends Jethro and Rodney from Fluffchuckers. The event was run at Chew Valley Lake and the idea was to try and catch as many species as possible. I'm joined by author and Fly Culture …

Send us a text In this episode of the podcast, I welcome Trevor Hayman, a seasoned fly fishing guide, to discuss various aspects of fly fishing, particularly on Chalk Streams. We explore the challenges of the current fishing season, the intricacies of hatch patterns, and Trevor's guiding philosophy. The conversation delves into the psychology of gu…

Send us a text In this episode of the Fly Culture podcast, Pete engages in a captivating conversation with Richard Miller, exploring his extensive fishing experiences, the evolution of fishing hotels, and the current state of river hatches. Richard shares his journey from fishing small streams in Dorset to targeting sea trout and salmon, highlighti…

Send us a text In this episode, I speak with Barry Ord Clarke about his journey in fly fishing and tying, the balance between passion and profession, and the evolution of fly fishing culture. We discuss Barry's new book, 'The Featherbender's Advanced Fly Tying Techniques', which combines print and digital resources to enhance the learning experienc…

Send us a text Tim Schulz, a fishing guide and author, talks with me abut his experiences fishing in Michigan and Montana along with his latest book 'A Cast Away in Montana' We talk about the diverse fishing opportunities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, including trout, salmon, and steelhead. Tim shares his love for fishing with dry flies to rising …

Send us a text Join me and my friend John Aplin for a days fishing on a chalkstream in Dorset. This is a tiny stream where landing your fly in some tricky areas is a fun challenge. The bow and arrow cast is the easiest way to get your fly in the right spot. Careful wading, a slow approach and you might be in the game. This was a fun days fishing th…

Send us a text Alex Redhat, a Ukrainian living in Germany, shares his passion for fly fishing and his experiences fishing for various species. He discusses how he got into fly fishing and the different types of fish he targets, including trout, grayling, pike, carp, and asp. He tells me about his fishing experiences in Germany and Poland, as well a…

Send us a text Our community is small and tightly knit. We might not have met everyone but we still share the same common passion for fly fishing. We lost our friend Kris Kent recently and many of us were deeply affected by it. The day after the funeral Adrian Grose-Hodge and I headed to the river as we felt we wanted to catch a fish for Kris. The …

Send us a text Join me and my friends Jim Williams and Warren McCarthy for a day on the river. As ever, I turn up early and do some fishing alone before I sit down and talk with Jim about why he stepped away from fishing for a few years but is now back enjoying it once more. Warren joins us a little later after we managed to drag him out from his b…

Send us a text In this episode of the Fly Culture podcast, I speak with Jo Stephenson, an experienced angler and fly tyer. We discuss Jo's appearance at the recent Game Fair, the current state of fly fishing, and her transition from lure fishing to fly fishing. Jo shares her favourite techniques for pike fishing and talks about her passion for fly …

Send us a text In this episode I catch up with Bob Wyatt who tells me about his recent fishing trips to New Zealand and the rivers he fishes near his home in Scotland. We look at the changing fishing landscape in New Zealand along with the impact of tourism on local rivers, and the decline in water quality due to industrial dairy farming. Bob also …

Send us a text Alex Thrift talks to me about his love of fly fishing and the importance of simplicity in the sport. He shares his experiences fishing in Wales and North Sweden, as well as his favourite rivers, including the Usk and the Monnow. Alex also talks about the significance of fishing friends and how they have influenced his journey as a fl…

Send us a text The walk was a long one but worth it to get to a special little stream. I've a new cap, some dry flies and a rod I'm looking forward to christening. I'm joined by my friend Warren and as ever, we talk fishing and so much more. He also tells me about his new fly fishing venture that involves building great value glass rods and refurbi…

Send us a text I'm joined by Richard Tong to talk about his approach to targeting large trout on dry flies. The conversation turns out to be more than this as we look at his fly fishing career, talk tackle and the mental approach to making a cast to a fish. We also talk about the loss of a fish and fishing in New Zealand too. I describe Richard as …

Send us a text It was great as always to be back in the mountains fishing pocket water with dry flies for fast, rising fish. Before the trip I'd experienced a blip in my relationship with fishing and wanted to see if I could fully reconnect with it. As ever, the fishing lived up to expectations but it was so much more than that. I speak with the gu…

Send us a text In this episode I talk with Dave Wiltshire who is a well known fly tyer and angler who has written numerous articles for Fly Fishing and Tying magazine. We cover a vast range of topics looking at how fishing fits into his life and how he has changed how he approaches fly tying. We deep dive into what fishing means to him and uncover …

Send us a text I caught up with Howard Thresher at the tackle shop he runs in Crediton, Devon. I've known him quite a few years now and I really wanted listeners to hear the story of a river that was completely fished out until he was lucky enough to buy the fishing rights and nurse it back to health. It now holds some pretty special fish. We also …

Send us a text I catch up with Dom Garnett to talk about coarse fish on the fly. Our conversation ended being a whole lot more as we ended up covering some interesting ground. Dom is open, honest and isn't afraid to share how he feels about fly fishing, how it is seen and what could be done to more attract more people into it. One not to miss!…

Send us a text I got talking with Damian at a recent Fly Culture event. His story is a really interesting one that saw him leave the streams of the Peak District when work took him to Bozeman Montana. We discuss how he coped with the challenge of moving to a new country, settling in and of course the fishing that he discovered while there. An engin…