Did you ever get the feeling that much of the best fishing was hidden behind “private fishing” signs in expensive, members only waters? It can be a particular issue in fly fishing, which is why I’m always keen to share low cost and free fishing waters in the South West, both in my guiding and… Read more

In what is still a tense and strange world at present, being able to fish again has at least helped to get a little normality back in the picture. With house move preparations, childcare and ongoing restrictions, though, it has been a case of making the most of what’s local and most likely to produce… Read more

If you want to see how much someone misses their fishing, there’s an easy way to find out. First, stop them from any fishing for six weeks. While this is going on, insist they leave their home only once a day for a walk, usually around the same crappy park. Next, let them attempt to… Read more

Even for someone who enjoys an unexpected turn or three in life and fishing, recent times have been baffling. Not just unusual, but Donald Trump press conference level weird and stupid. The fishing has often been a right slog, too, or meant tearing up existing plans just to get a bend in the rod. So… Read more

Fancy stumbling upon a completely free archive of angling and natural science works? I know what you’re thinking- it sounds too good to be true. But this month, I’ve made a discovery that is simply too brilliant not to share. In fact, for anyone with an interest in the art, history and literature of fishing… Read more

After another twelve months of remarkable captures, not to mention a lot of head scratching among the judges, it was Ian Gould’s perfect crucian capture, closely followed by Stuart Watson’s magnificent fly caught catfish which topped the 2019 Fly For Coarse contest. In an exciting seventh year for the pioneering competition run by yours truly… Read more