The Fly Culture Podcast

Send us Fan Mail I talk about what fly fishing means to Michelle Werrett and how she has been captivated by the many streams that flow off of Exmoor in the West Country. I learn about her fly fishing history and and the rivers where she loves to cast a fly. Her passion for these places runs deep and as a result, she has written a book called Song of the Streams that takes us to the rivers that flo...

Send us Fan Mail Rodney Wevill can truly be described as a fly fishing allrounder.  He is equally at home on the trout streams and still waters of Devon and Cornwall, catching pike from the Somerset Levels, mullet and bass from the coast along with bonefish and permit from the flats of the Caribbean. I learn about his fly fishing story and how it helped him through a difficult time in his life.  W...

Send us Fan Mail Keith McDonell is a self-confessed streamer addict and in this podcast we get a good look inside his thought process on this method of fishing. From the patterns, how to approach the water as well as how to cast heavier flies there is a lot of information to pick up if you're streamer curious and want to try it in the coming season. We also talk about practice casting drills...

Send us Fan Mail It is the season to be merry, or is it? James Gilbraith joins me to talk about fishing, our shared hatred of festive decorations, Christmas TV,  music and AI. He tells us about throwing a computer out of a window and then making sure it is dead after finishing it with an iron, amongst other very amusing stories. He also reads a short section from his latest book that will have you...

Send us Fan Mail Steve Duda has an impressive CV. From editing a music magazine, writing for Rolling Stone and then editing The Flyfish Journal for many years. He helped define a culture of fly fishing that looked way beyond numbers or size of fish.  The Flyfish Journal had a profound impact on many in the US, along with people like me in Europe too. Steve now works at Patagonia where he heads Fis...

Send us Fan Mail I talk with Jim Curry about his fishing season, how fishing looks right now and the growth areas of our sport. He also talks what it is like to work for the fishing brand Guideline along with new products, the company ethos and how they prefer to stick with a range until they think there is a new technology that will help them improve upon it rather than just making cosmetic chang...

Send us Fan Mail Sometimes an event can have a profound effect on our lives and make us question the direction we are taking. I talk with Mark Roberts about such an event that made him quit a secure teaching job to follow his passion for fly fishing.  His day to day work involves selling flies, coaching and guiding but he is hoping this will develop into something extra that will help others to ge...

Send us Fan Mail I catch up with Adam to see how fly fishing looks through the eyes of an angler in his twenties. The conversation turned into something a whole lot more as I discovered that I was talking with someone who has a deep understanding of fly fishing, the behaviour of fish along with the environment too. I learn about why he likes to fish lighter flies for grayling, where to look for th...

Send us Fan Mail The term 'to influence' is used a little too easily these days although it is definitely correct to use this when describing my guest - Howard Croston. There is little doubt Howard has had an impact on us as fly anglers either directly or indirectly over the years. From designing rods for Hardy and Greys for a number of years to the articles he has written giving us an i...

Send us Fan Mail I catch up with Andy Taylor to talk about a wide range of fly fishing topics. We look at the state of small still water scene, grayling on dries, encouraging more people into fishing and the route he took into fly fishing which is a unique one after his father dug some commercial trout lakes. We talk fly fishing instruction, competition fly fishing and what Andy has learnt from it...

Send us Fan Mail I reached out to Mark Paterson after seeing him embark on a new venture in fly fishing retailing. I always try my best to support our community especially those trying something a little different. During this recording and a number of previous phone calls I discovered someone who believes in the highest level of customer service, has sourced interesting products and has a passion...

Send us Fan Mail There was quite a response from listeners after Martin Smith last appeared on the podcast. Previously he had talked about taking on water companies after the had continued to pollute his club waters.  I get an update  on what has happened since that should provide inspiration for the many others who are having to contend with similar issues. He also talks about fishing clubs and h...

Send us Fan Mail I've been asked many times if someone would interview me for the podcast. I've dodged this a number of times but after getting a call from Ben Jailler a few weeks back I finally agreed. Ben does an amazing job of taking the reins as we talk about fishing, the magazine, life changing events along with my interests away from fishing. I had no idea what the questions would...

Send us Fan Mail Fishing a stream with some rising trout, spending time with a friend or just being there alone. We all enjoy these moments and it turns out it doesn't matter where we are in the world, many of us feel the same. I talk with Ben Mackereth, who is based in Australia, about the fishing community and culture of Australia but also about what he discovered while he lived in British...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the 200th episode of the podcast! In this special edition I sit down with Peter Hayes and Don Stazicker to talk about about their latest book, The Flies That Trout Prefer. We discuss what they found from years of detailed observation and how they shared their findings with readers.  Peter and Don have drilled down into why trout behave in the way they do, their preferen...

Send us Fan Mail I often ask guests of the podcast for their dream fishing destination. Near the top of the list is, hardly surprisingly, Montana. I thought it would be interesting to get the inside track from someone who lives there, fishes and guides around the state. Eric 'Vern" Strader tells me about his love of the area, the fishing across a variety of waters, the hatches along with...

Send us Fan Mail I catch up with Geoff Hadley for this edition of the podcast. We look at the various species he likes to cast a fly at and some tips too. We discuss his fishing timeline and the recent article he has written for Fly Culture that looks at introducing his 2 sons to fly fishing. Geoff is hugely enthusiastic about fly fishing and loves to catch any species on the fly. I feel sure his...

Send us Fan Mail I talk with Dave Smith about his home river, the Monnow and learn a little about what it means to him. I plan rough questions for these podcasts as I prefer the conversation take the route it follows.  While recording this episode I discover a truly beautiful story about a difficult time that was aided by fly fishing. It is deeply moving. I also find out what a Raspberry Trout is...

Send us Fan Mail I talk with Gordon van der Spuy about his latest book, The Feather Mechanic II. I learn about how he views fly fishing and tying but also about his approach to life too. He is a fascinating guest who views fishing through a slightly different lens that will, without a doubt, have you thinking differently about your approach to fishing.   It is clear that he has poured part of his...

Send us Fan Mail I talk with Ben Perrin about the many hours of work that goes into hand making one of his fishing reels. Each one is unique and has a soul. I also hear about an event that was without a doubt life changing. Ben talks about it the way he does about his reels, with great modesty. This is a riveting listen that will give you an insight into the process of a true artisan.

Send us Fan Mail I have had many people contact me and ask if I will  get James Gilbraith back on the podcast. I am pleased to say he has joined me for this episode. We just talk about fishing, how the outlook for salmon feels, fishing clubs, the state of rivers, AI, how it might affect writers and fly patterns. As ever, James looks at things in a unique and humorous way that as ever, is a great l...

Send us Fan Mail It is great to be back in Italy with good friends, amazing guides and fabulous coffee. Join us for 3 days of fishing in a mix of streams. There are some amazing fish caught, plenty of laughs and of course, I manage to fall in! The trip proved that there is more to fishing than the fish. It is about friends, the places we go and things that we experience together. We'll be run...

Send us Fan Mail I'm joined by Lyn Davies to talk about the rivers he fishes in Wales and the close relationship with fishing that runs through his family. We talk about day time sea trout and rising trout along with his work as a designer and photographer for fishing books and magazines. Lyn is a kind and generous person who is extremely modest about his fly fishing career.

Send us Fan Mail Duncan Philpott lived just a short walk from his home trout stream.  A change in his life meant he now lives in Sweden where he has to travel to get his fishing fix. We talk about the differences in the fishing, a huge trout on a dry fly and his work that involves researching disease in trout. Duncan is also an accomplished photographer who has shot a front cover for Fly Culture a...

Send us Fan Mail I welcome James Waine back to the podcast. We talk about the strange fishing season we have had so far and what he has noticed about it. We also look at how to approach a feeding fish and discuss fly patterns too. He has also started guiding and we look at what went into the decision and how he has found it so far. We cover plenty of ground in an interesting and thought provoking...