The Fly Culture Podcast

Episod

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  Fishing Bamboo with David Spencer 22.07.2026 58min

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 341 Fishing Bamboo with David Spencer I speak with David Spencer about his passion for bamboo fly rods. We look at the differing ways into this sub-genre of fly fishing via artisan builders like Luke Bannister, Edward Barder or Callum Gladstone among others or by searching auction sites or vintage tackle dealers to find a rod that might be perfect or needs some TLC if you are able to tackle the task. We also discuss fly line selection for your new rod and and al...
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  A Long Hot Summer 15.07.2026 27min

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 340 - A Long Hot Summer It's been a while since I've fished my home water, the Taw, due to the warm weather we've been having. Water temperatures have been too high to cast a dry to a trout so I've been standing in saltwater casting to mullet and after a conversation with my friend Warren, we decided to see if we could catch some carp on the fly. I made a last minute decision to pack the mic hoping I had enough battery power and share the day with you. It starts slow ...
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  The Italian Job 2026 08.07.2026 48min

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 339 - The Italian Job Friuli 2026 I'm thrilled to once more be back in Italy with a group of anglers. The weather is hot, the water is cold but the trout are rising and everyone is excited. You'll join us to hear about the fishing and how we experience the 3 days of fishing. I speak with the guides and also learn a little more about the Danubian and Marble Trout. For me, these trips are special and getting the chance to share all of the wonderful moments is special. S...
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  Marnie Lovejoy - Chair of The Grayling Society 01.07.2026 1j

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 338 - Marnie Lovejoy - Chair of The Grayling Society I catch up with Marnie who is fresh from the river after catching a few fish before we recorded this episode. I speak with her about her new role as Chair of the Grayling Society, her passion for this fish and what her plans are for the future. Marnie talks me through her fishing timeline, the mentors she has had and what fishing means to her. I learn that The Grayling Society is run totally by volunteers and why su...
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  Mayfly Road Trip 24.06.2026 35min

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 337 = Mayfly Road Trip I load the van with a sleeping bag a few rods and head off to fish the Test, stay at a campsite and fish the Wylye the next day. It is early June and the mayfly are still about but the weather has shifted from the mini heatwave to wind and rain. On the Test, I fish with Neil Mundy who invited me along for the day. He tells me about his passion for stalking trout in clear water on both rivers and lake and the incredible charity work he does. The ...
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  Emilie Björkman - A Life in Fishing 17.06.2026 1j

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 336 - Emilie Björkman - A Life in Fishing Today, I’m excited to share my recent conversation with the incredibly talented angler, Emily Björkman. As a skilled fly angler who has traveled the globe with a fly rod, Emily brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for fishing, particularly for salmon. In this episode, we’ll explore her journey into the world of fishing from a very young age, the community around it, and her advocacy for salmon conservation.&nbs...
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  Neil Smith - A Passion for Rivers 10.06.2026 1j

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 335 - Neil Smith A Passion for Rivers In this episode, I catch up with Neil Smith an angler and guide based in the North West of the UK. I learn about the fishing he enjoys and why along with hearing about the rivers he likes to fish. Neil also talks about the issues with cormorants and how he was involved with the reintroduction of grayling into a local stream and how they are thriving. You'll sense the passion and love for fishing that Neil has that will come ...
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  Catching up with an old friend 03.06.2026 30min

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 334 - Catching up with an old friend. I first met Duncan Wilcox 12 or so years ago. He hired me as a guide but we got on so well that we ended up fishing a lot together. At the time, he was based in Devon but moved to Spain and has had a base in New Zealand for 25 years. In this episode, you'll hear us catch up, talk fishing and I hear a little about Duncan's fishing exploits. This was an impromptu recording that happened on the river during a hatch we had high hopes ...
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  A Revisit to Amwell Magna to Fish the River Lea 27.05.2026 43min

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 333 - Amwell Magna and the River Lea What only feels like yesterday but was a number of years ago now, I was a member of Amwell Magna Fishing Club based on the River Lea in Hertfordshire. I made the long drive and was lucky enough to catch the mayfly hatch. I speak with members about what has changed since I last fished there and catch a few fish too. Feargal Sharkey was there and tells me what anglers can do to protect their waterways, we had lunch provided by Michel...
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  A Day in the Life 20.05.2026 30min

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 332 - A Day in the Life In this episode I take you with me for the day in my new role at Trout & Salmon. You'll join us on a rod test on the river with Rod Hardy and guest for the review, Roger Fagan. Without giving too much away, you'll hear what goes into the test and how it is put together. I get to spend a few hours fishing with Rob before heading over to the Orvis store in Stockbridge to host one of our gatherings. I catch up with Ollie from the store and som...
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  Steve Bircumshaw - A Passion for Fly Fishing 13.05.2026 1j 4min

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 331 - Steve Bircumshaw - A Passion for Fly Fishing I catch up with Steve to talk about his fishing time line right up to the present. I learn about when he first picked up a fly rod and the impact it had on his life. Steve also does some guiding and works in the Mallon and Green tackle shop and often appears on their social media. He is a skilled angler who shares some great tips about fishing and fly tying. He also tells me about his life as a musician that you'll en...
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  Being A Guide for the Day 06.05.2026 35min

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 330 - Being a Guide for the Day In this latest episode I come out of retirement to take Malcolm fishing after I was persuaded to offer a Lot in the Wild Trout Trust Auction. The day takes place on my home water, the Taw in Devon. Malcolm and I talk about the fishing, his fishing career and the places he likes to cast a fly. As ever, this is recorded exactly as it happens with no re-takes or edits. Come and join me for a day on the river!
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  Tweed Salmon Festival 2026 29.04.2026 54min

  Send us Fan Mail 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 encouragi...
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  Pit Stop Fishing 23.04.2026 35min

  Send us Fan Mail 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...
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  Will Shaw & Mark Surtees on Fishing, Fly Casting and Instruction Part 2 16.04.2026 1j 9min

  Send us Fan Mail 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...
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  River Exe Fishing Day 08.04.2026 36min

  Send us Fan Mail 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 ju...
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  The Fly Fishing Community 01.04.2026 52min

  Send us Fan Mail 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 ...
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  Dan O'Neill - Fishing, Guiding and Life 25.03.2026 1j 4min

  Send us Fan Mail 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 ...
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  A Day Trip to Glasgow 18.03.2026 40min

  Send us Fan Mail 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 Ar...
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  There's No Place Like Home Water 11.03.2026 29min

  Send us Fan Mail 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.