If you’ve never cast a fly line across a Lake District tarn at dawn, with mist rolling off the fells and not another soul for miles, you’re missing out on something special. This corner of Cumbria offers some of the finest wild fly fishing in England, though it’ll make you work for every fish. Gear […]

The River Test has earned its reputation as one of England’s finest chalk streams, and after spending countless days on its banks, I can tell you the hype is absolutely justified. This Hampshire treasure has been kicking out trout to selective anglers for centuries, and it still manages to humble even the most experienced fishers

I’ll be honest, for years I walked straight past perch swims on my local rivers, eyes fixed on likely trout lies or chub holes. What a muppet I was. British perch on the fly is absolutely brilliant sport, and I’m frankly amazed more fly anglers don’t target them deliberately. Gear Used in This Article View

There’s something properly addictive about watching a pike absolutely nail your fly. I’m not talking about the gentle sips we’re used to with trout. I mean that violent, explosive take that nearly rips the rod out of your hands. If you’ve only ever caught pike on deadbaits or lures, you’re missing out on what might

There’s something brilliantly perverse about fly fishing in winter. While most sensible anglers have packed away their gear until spring, those of us chasing grayling are wading into freezing rivers, watching our breath hang in the air, and having some of the best sport of the year. Gear Used in This Article View on Amazon

I’ve spent enough wet mornings on Derbyshire streams and Scottish lochs to know that your fly line matters more than most anglers think. While we obsess over which size 18 CDC dun to tie on, we’re often fishing with a line that’s completely wrong for the conditions. The truth is, having the right fly line

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched a decent fish slip away at the net. Sometimes it’s because I’ve rushed it, sometimes the hook just falls out at the worst moment, but more often than not, it’s down to using the wrong net or no net at all. After thirty-odd years fishing rivers

I’ve spent enough mornings stood thigh-deep in the River Usk to know that cheap waders are a false economy. The first pair I bought lasted three trips before springing a leak right in the crotch seam. Not ideal when you’re two miles upstream and the water temperature is hovering around eight degrees. Gear Used in

The first time I properly understood river currents, I was stood knee-deep in the River Usk, watching my dry fly drag across the surface like a tiny speedboat. I’d been fishing for three seasons and catching the odd fish, but mostly through luck rather than judgement. An old boy wading past stopped and pointed at

Right, let’s talk about leader setups because I reckon this is where a lot of anglers make their fishing harder than it needs to be. You’ll see blokes on the river with all sorts of complicated rigs, and half the time they’re not entirely sure why they’ve set things up that way. The truth is,