The Fly Culture Podcast

Send us a textEpisode 258 - Aaron Day from Vintage Fishing TackleIn 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 fishing near his home in Northampton.I learn about his business ethos, the huge range of rods he sells and the resurgence of bamboo too.He has boundless enthusiasm for what he does and enjoys everyday of work. If you've not seen the amount of rods and reels he has on offer you'll be amazed!As ever, this is a free podcast to download and enjoy.

Send us a textI 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 put everything to the test using some experience, water craft, gut instinct and a little bit of luck too.I also talk about my worries and concerns over social media and the affect it can have on a fishing day.Recorded exactly as it happens, I hope you enjoy this edition of the podcast.

Send us a textI 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 the trout fishery and why he had to do it.His fishery recently appeared on the Mortimer and Whitehouse TV show and I learn what goes into making just 13 minutes of TV.We also talk about his yearly pilgrimage to South Uist, a place that means so much to him.James is an interesting, open and engaging guest who speaks with great insight into fishing.

Send us a textI 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 depth and clarity and I'm pleased we have someone like him in our community. It is a better place as a result of it.Free to download and advert free.

Send us a textI 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 the good and the not so good times and how a newspaper article made a huge difference to the business.Now in his 80s he is still deeply involved with the fishing there and shares his deep knowledge and understanding of the river that means so much to him.I had some rough questions planned but I just pressed record and let the conversation flow in whatever direction it took.

Send us a textIn 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 the importance of family in the business and the joy of introducing guests to the beauty of Alaska's fishing environment.

Send us a textI 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 contributor, Ben Jailler, who was captain of the good ship Fly Culture and knows the lake a bit.Join Ben and me in the boat as we talk, fish and have some fun.Tune in to find out whether or not I enjoyed trying to be a competitive fly angler.Free to download and enjoy.

Send us a textIn 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 guiding and the journey to becoming a guide, and the importance of skill development. We also touch on tackle preferences, the significance of fly lines and leaders, and dream fishing destinations, particularly in the American West. Hope you enjoy listening to this episode.As ever, the podcast will remain free to download!

Send us a textIn 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, highlighting memorable moments at the Half Moon Hotel. The discussion also touches on the impact of Airbnb on fishing accessibility and the thriving Dorchester Fishing Club, which boasts a long waiting list. Richard concludes with a musical recommendation, showcasing his diverse taste in music.Free to download!

Send us a textIn 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 experience for fly tiers. Our conversation also touches on the importance of community, the decline of local tackle shops, and the growing interest in fly tying among younger generations.

Send us a textTim 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 trout and the thrill of sight fishing. He also discusses his preference for bamboo rods and the personal connection he feels with them. Tim enjoys guiding both experienced anglers and beginners, and he emphasizes the importance of putting the client's experience first. We look at the process of writing his book and story of a man going to Montana without a serious plan and the adventures that unfold. We talk about the emotional experience of writing the book and the nervousness of releasing it to the public. Tim reads an excerpt from the book, highlighting his quest to catch a grayling in the Big Hole River. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as me.

Send us a textJoin 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 that passed far too quickly as John and I talk about the stream he has known for 40 years and what the fishing in this area means to him.I hope you'll enjoy coming for a day with us.Totally unscrpted and unedited, everything is recorded as it happens.

Send us a textAlex 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 as his involvement in the Ukrainian fly fishing community. I learn about his experience with Arctic Silver Fly Fishing rods and the unique concept behind them. He explains how the rods are designed to use minimal energy while still allowing for high-quality casting. Alex also talks about his scientific background and how it influences his approach to fly fishing. He shares his love for observing fish and how he likes experimenting with fly patterns.This a wonderful talk with a fascinating person.

Send us a textOur 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 sun was shining, the water low and clear and not many fish were rising.Join us as we share our day on the water and remember our friend.

Send us a textJoin 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 busy rod building schedule.Does it work having 3 people fishing on the river together and do we catch any fish?Tune in to find out.The podcast is recorded exactly as it happens with no edits or re-takes. We just talk about subjects that crop up as we walk along the river.

Send us a textIn 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 tying and tells me about her experiences at the British Fly Fishing Fair. We talk about her time as a fishing lodge manager in Norway, and her participation in the Big Fish TV program. She also talks about the importance of fishing as a form of relaxation and escape, and her desire to pursue coaching and guiding in the future. This was a great insight into someone who loves fishing and promotes it in a friendly, positive way.

Send us a textIn 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 talks about his recent project of fishing with streamers and the success he has had with large brown trout on rivers and lakes. We reflect on the success of his fly pattern, the Deer Hair Emerger, and the creativity and collaboration that goes into fly tying. We discuss the importance of essential triggers in fly fishing and the techniques developed through experimentation and observation of trout behaviour. Bob also touches on the challenges of salmon farming and the efforts to protect wild salmon populations. He mentions his books, 'Trout Hunting' and 'What Trout Want,' and recommends the song 'Boulder to Birmingham' by Emmylou Harris for the Fly Culture Road Trip Mix playlist.As ever, Bob never disappoints and this episode is a great insight into his fishing life.

Send us a textAlex 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 fly fisherman. He emphasises the joy of using and enjoying fishing gear, rather than keeping it in pristine condition. We also talk about the current state of the fly fishing landscape, the power of social media in connecting fly fishers globally, the art of writing about fly fishing and dream fishing destinations.

Send us a textThe 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 refurbishing old cane rods so that they can be used back out on the water again.Was the long walk worth it? Tune in and find out!

Send us a textI'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 a thinking angler in the introduction and you'll see why when you tune in!Free to download and enjoy.