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Episode 329 - Tweed Salmon Festival 2026

The drive from Devon to attend the festival was a long one but worth it.

I got the chance to meet some amazing people who care deeply about bringing people into fishing, caring about the fish and the waters they swim in.

I based myself in the Yeti bar, a converted removal lorry but also walked around the festival to speak with demonstrators, tackle companies and those attending too.

This isn't a trade show though. It is about encouraging youngsters to explore the world of fishing and to give them a taster of why we all love it so much.

Eoin Fairgrieve is an extraordinary man. Someone who has boundless enthusiasm, passion and drive for our pastime.

He has pulled off a wonderful event, made sure everyone had a good time and somehow also produced a journal to accompany the event.

I have done my best to capture a little about what it was all about that I hope you'll enjoy listening to.

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Episode 328 - Pit Stop Fishing

I had to head to Hampshire on a non-fishing errand.

I decided to pack my gear and if I got away in good time, I'd stop in Wiltshire and make a few casts.

I only decided to pack my mic at the very last moment and have recorded the few hours on the river exactly as it happened.

It is a stream of consciousness that talks about the fishing but ends up being a lot more and I think reflects how lifted we get by standing in a river catching a few trout.

I hope you enjoy this episode.

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Episode 327 - Will Shaw & Mark Surtees on Fishing, Fly Casting and Instruction Part 2

I'm pleased to be welcoming back Will and Mark back to the podcast for the 2nd part of their trilogy of interviews that circle around fly casting information for anglers but also for instructors too.

We start with an amazing story from Will on a huge fish he lost recently on a dry fly and how we cope with a loss like this.

We discuss about the difference between stalking fish and fishing the water and how that effects how we look at catching a good fish and whether we snip off and head home or not.

Our conversation moves into casting where there is some great tips for those wishing to improve but some ground-breaking theories on the teaching process when it comes to fly casting.

If you are an instructor or starting on this path, it is essential listening.

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Episode 326 - River Exe Fishing Day

Every fishing day should start with a catch up over breakfast and a visit to a tackle shop.

This is exactly how this day began when I caught up with friend and rod builder, Warren McCarthy, for a day's fishing on the River Exe and one of it's tributaries, the Haddeo.

We have a fry-up and then drop into Lance Nicholson's in Dulverton to see James who runs the shop and make a few purchases.

I start fishing with good intentions, sticking to just a dry fly before making a few changes.

Join us for a day's fishing on some beautiful streams.

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Episode 325 The Fly Fishing Community

Last weekend we hosted our first Trout & Salmon Gathering at the Fox and Hounds down in Devon.

The hotel has a special place in my heart as I spent 12 years of my life guiding the hotel's water.

I'm always a little nervous ahead of these events but there was no need to worry.

We kicked off with a film and went on to have talks, demos, tying, good food and even some music.

The big clue I had was when groups of strangers were sat together for dinner and continued talking long after the food had been cleared.

We were lucky to have some amazing guests to share their knowledge with attendees including Paul Procter, Simon Kidd, Gareth Lewis, Pete Cockwill, Jay Bartlett, Ed Thomson, Fred Brown, Harry Chance, Ed Noyes and many more.

In-between my various duties I got the chance to speak with some of the people there about fishing and to capture a little of what went on.

It was amazing fun and I hope you enjoy this episode.

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Episode 324 - Dan O'Neill - Fishing Guiding and Life

I caught up recently with Dan and was bowled over by his enthusiasm, passion and love for fly fishing.

I learn about his fly fishing story, how he saw someone casting on the river when he was a young boy and the direction it took him in.

He tells me about how determined he was to speak with the gillie at the hotel where he worked and how it led him into being a fishing guide.

I also get some great fishing tips from him for fishing rivers and hear a wonderful story about one of his guests who had a license to kill!

This is a really nice story that you'll enjoy hearing.

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Episode 323 - A Day Trip To Glasgow

I get up early, drive to Bristol airport to attend the Glasgow Angling Centre Open Weekend.

I catch up with attendees, friends from the trade and get the chance to speak with the man behind the store, Paul Devlin, to hear his story from a stall on a market to a 30,000 square foot store today.

I hear about some the latest products coming to anglers this year and talk fishing with all of them.

You'll hear from Eoin Fairgrieve, Gordon Armstrong, Simon Gawesworth, Steve Peterson, Rachel Brady, Jim Fearne, Jim Curry plus more.

As ever, I try hard to mix up each episode to ensure you'll have something different to listen to each week.

I hope you enjoy this one!

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Episode 322 There's No Place Like Home Water

In this episode I am joined by my wife Emma and our dog Montana for a morning on our home water, the Taw, in Devon.

We talk about some of the times we have experienced here and share stories of fish we have caught.

We didn't plan to do a podcast but thought it might be fun to take you fishing, explain a little about where we're fishing and what it means to us.