Peaks Fly Fishing Podcast

After a long winter off, David's back on the river. The sun's out, but the water's still cold and the fish aren't giving much away. In this episode, he's out searching for his first trout of the season. Covering water, keeping it simple, and making the most of being back out there. No fuss. Just early season fishing, cold water, and the chance of a wild trout.

In this episode David ventures back on to the river as the trout season draws to a close. After a recent big lift of water, conditions looked prime. Torn between taking the dry outfit or the nymphing gear, he opts for the Euro nymphing setup – but will it pay off? David shares how he approached the freshened flows, reading the water, and why staying in touch with the flies is the key to feeling those subtle end-of-season takes from trout and grayling.

In this episode David is saltwater fly fishing in Anglesey. It's an overcast day and the water is clear, perfect for exploring the rocky coastline with a fly rod. Bass are prowling the surf, pollack are lying deep in the kelp beds, and shoals of mackerel could turn up at any moment.

Join David as he talks through fly choice, presentation, and the excitement of hooking powerful saltwater fish on light tackle. It's about the fishing, the coastal wildlife, and the feeling of standing in the tide with the chance of a wild fish gracing the line!

It's early summer, and the river's carrying just a hint of colour. David's out working the fast water with a streamer - hoping for some heart-stopping takes… and maybe a surprise species or two. Grab your headphones and come along for the ride!

This year's Mayfly hatch is ahead of schedule, and David hits the river just as it begins. A few trout are showing—but will they fully commit to the dry, or just swirl beneath it?

On a spring day that feels more like summer, David ventures into the faster water to find some feeding fish. The duo seems to be the perfect method for the day, but will the fish agree?

The river has been high, and with some snow melt cooling the water (and toes), David ventures out for a final session on the Euro Nymph. It's a new year with new gear, but will the fish oblige?

It's early Autumn and with a falling river just losing its colour, conditions look promising! It's time for a little nymph fishing after a season on the dries but will the Grayling play ball?

It's a glourious summer's day with the wildflowers blooming in the meadows. Summer fishing can be tricky so will a stealthy approach and some small summer dries do the business?

It's May and there are a few fish sipping off the surface After the floods of Winter and early Spring, the river is finally back in order, but will the fish be up for it?

With some unexpected overnight rain, the river has risen suddenly. David breaks out his trusty euro-nymph outfit to try and target some Grayling in difficult conditions!

Winter is well and truly here. With freezing temperatures and a light flurry of snow, David heads out on to the river in search of that wonderful winter fish, the Grayling!

Fishing a streamer upstream and hooking trout on the dead drift is a super exciting method. In this episode, David fishes some ideal fast pocket water on a river flowing through a woodland gorge. It's a hot summers day, Will the fish be up for it?!

In this episode David has travelled north to fish for Salmon & Sea Trout. A passionate Salmon angler, David is fishing on the back of high water and hoping to hook one of these elusive fish. Will there be a running fish or a resident in one of the large holding pools, waiting to grab a fly? Listen to find out!

After a hot spell, the river has cooled down, and there is a bit of extra water. It sounds like great conditions for exploring some new bits of the river! Join David as he investigates a few new pools on a lovely summer afternoon.

In this episode, David explores a beautiful limestone stream in search of some Mayfly feeders. After a few tremendous prior evening rises, will the fish be up for another evening of epic Mayfly action?

After a small winter break, the Peaks Fly Fishing Podcast is back for a new fly fishing season! In this episode, David moves further north to try and tempt some wild browns on the dry fly.

The river is lapping onto the meadows and holding colour. In less-than-ideal conditions, David ventures out to try and catch his first fish of 2023, one of the good head of Grayling found in the river. Will the rod get bent or will it be a pleasant walk on a Winter day?!

Recorded in late summer during the Trout season, it's another day of tough conditions with low water and bright sunshine. This time David searches some of the likely Summer runs for Trout & Grayling with Euro tactics. It's a stunning day to be on the river, but will it be a day of bent rods?

In this episode David ventures onto the river with a streamer outfit to try and tempt some bigger fish. It is a cooler wet day but just after the summer heatwave - will the fish be back on form?

In this episode, David explores a more urban environment and discovers a stunning piece of river. The mayfly hatch has peaked but surely a few Trout will take an interest in his Grey Wulf!

In this episode, David ventures out on a cold, frosty morning just before Christmas in search of Grayling. The river is up a little and coloured but it's the perfect festive morning for a little nymphing for hidden silver treasures in the peak District.

The leaves are beginning to turn, which can only mean one thing - Grayling fishing! It's a stunning early Autumn day and David makes his way through the meadowland of the Peaks searching for Grayling in the clear limestone water.

In this episode, David fishes from a rocky headland on Anglesey. It's a perfect day for chasing Pollack and Wrasse with the chance of a bonus Mackeral or Bass. This deepwater mark looks stunning on a glorious summer day but will it reveal its secrets!

A spring challenge! A beautiful limestone stream, perfect conditions but nothing is rising. David faces the hard task of trying to tempt fish on dries when nothing wants to come to the surface. Will he find the right fly or will this be a victory for the fish?

The water temperature is cold and the levels high. David finally gets to fish a superb bridge pool he has been watching for the last 20 years. Will it be as good as it looks?

David is finally back out on the water, but there is a cold easterly blowing through the valley. Whatever happens, the beauty of this wooded gorge and the uplifting feeling of being outdoors after a long Winter inside will make this a day to enjoy.

It's a bitterly cold winter day, with snow-topped hills surrounding the river. David ventures to his favourite winter Grayling pool but with a swollen river will the Grayling be on the feed?

In this episode, It's a stunning Autumn day, David revisits an elusive pool which looks perfect but has never quite produced the goods on previous visits. Will it be any different this year when he fishes using czech nymphs and killer bugs.

In this episode, David sets out to the river on a perfect early Autumn morning. The intention is fishing some deep nymphs for Grayling but rising fish force a change of tactics!

It's a bright sunny day and David is out on the river chasing trout and grayling on a dry fly. The aromatic scent of wild garlic is in the air and the sunshine is glinting on the river like a thousand diamonds - a beautiful day to be out but not ideal for dry fly - will David succeed!

In this episode, David makes an early start to fish a small stream with a klink & dink set up. The woods are full of bluebells and it's a stunning spring day but will David manage to snare one of these crafty wild brown trout?

I will be recording and publishing some audiobooks of old fly fishing classics starting with Where The Bright Waters Meet by Harry Plunket Greene. Due to their age, these books are out of copyright.

The normal monthly fly fishing podcast will be back on as soon as the lockdown has finished and we are allowed out to fish...

In this studio-based podcast, David tackles the subject of fly fishing leaders and discusses the merits of different set-ups and materials.

I will be recording and publishing some audiobooks of old fly fishing classics starting with Where The Bright Waters Meet by Harry Plunket Greene. Due to their age, these books are out of copyright.

The normal monthly fly fishing podcast will be back on as soon as the lockdown has finished and we are allowed out to fish...

I will be recording and publishing some audiobooks of old fly fishing classics starting with Where The Bright Waters Meet by Harry Plunket Greene. Due to their age, these books are out of copyright.

The normal monthly fly fishing podcast will be back on as soon as the lockdown has finished and we are allowed out to fish...

I will be recording and publishing some audiobooks of old fly fishing classics starting with Where The Bright Waters Meet by Harry Plunket Greene. Due to their age, these books are out of copyright.

The normal monthly fly fishing podcast will be back on as soon as the lockdown has finished and we are allowed out to fish...

I will be recording and publishing some audiobooks of old fly fishing classics starting with Where The Bright Waters Meet by Harry Plunket Greene. Due to their age, these books are out of copyright.

The normal monthly fly fishing podcast will be back on as soon as the lockdown has finished and we are allowed out to fish again Take care and keep safe...

It's a beautiful winter morning and with the crunch of frost underfoot, David sets out to target Grayling in the cool, clear waters of the river. Which will come first, the sensation of a fish through the rod, or a lack of sensation in his toes?

After the devasting floods of last year, the river has finally returned to a more manageable level. David travels northward in search of winter Grayling. The high water has pushed around the gravels and moved the runs and pools, relocating the usual winter haunts of this lovely wild fish.

With the wet weather and high rivers, David lights the stove, settles the dogs on their beds and takes a look back at his favourite podcasts of 2019.

In this episode, David is out chasing Autumn Grayling. It's a beautiful Autumn day as the sun casts beams through the golden trees to ignite the mist above the river. What a day to be on the river!

In this episode, it's the hottest day of the year and David retreats to the cool shade of the river to fish for Trout & Grayling. An unexpected overnight thunderstorm has coloured the river but will a trusty killer bug do the business?

In this episode, David hits the reservoir in search of Pike on the fly. The weather is perfect and with a trusty 9 weight in hand, David explores the weed beds and snags looking for some toothy critters!

In this episode, David targets wild brown trout in a small woodland stream. Stealth is required to tempt these stunning fish. On a perfect Spring morning in the woods, the last of the bluebells are illuminated by the sun, it's just great to be outside!

In this episode, David is fly fishing for salmon on the Aberdeenshire Dee. The Dee is surrounded by beautiful woodlands with birds of prey overhead and red squirrels climbing the pine trees. There are Salmon running the river, but will David connect with the king of fish?

In this episode, David retreats from the swollen rivers to chase some rainbows in small lakes. It's a race against time as the rising sun starts to beat down on to the water!

In this episode, it's a beautiful Winters day. David is wading upstream and fishing the nymph for Grayling. David tries to unlock the secrets of an elusive pool. Will he succeed?

Just a quick update to let you know I've just had some routine hernia surgery so I will be out of action until the new year. The podcast will be back on the river bank in January 2019. I wish you a very happy Christmas & New Year.

In this episode David stokes up the woodburner, settles back in a comfy chair and looks at 5 of his favorite fly fishing books.

In this episode, David is searching for Grayling using Sawyers Killer Bug. On a fishy looking morning, all the signs point to a good days fishing but things don't pan out as he expected!

In this episode David gets out early before the Summer sun gets too high in the sky. Using a variety of nymphs, David explores some lovely riffles and pools in search of Trout & Grayling.

In this episode, David gets to fish a "never fished before" woodland stream. So small that you can step across in places, will this little gem of a water hold any treasure?

In this episode David talks to the CEO of Atlantic Salmon Trust - Mark Bilsby. In a wide ranging discussion about Atlantic Salmon we hear about the work of the Trust to tag and track Salmon in the Moray Firth, helping to uncover the reasons behind declining stocks of this majestic fish.

In this episode David gets stuck in to some saltwater fly fishing at Filey Brigg on the Yorkshire Coast. Small Coalfish are the order of the day with the chance of Bass Mackeral, Pollock & Wrasse. Listen as he explores the rocky gulleys and kelp filled pools on the incoming tide.

In this episode David is chasing wild brown trout in gin clear water and glaring sun. Stealthy tactics and difficult casts are required on this beautiful tree lined stream. Will the net get wet in these challenging conditions?

In this episode David takes his new 9 weight out for a play and throws some big flies for reservoir rainbows.

In this episode David attempts to czech nymph his way up a cold, flooded river. Will he catch his last Grayling of the season or will he fall in?

It's sleeting outside, the rivers are high and brown so David lights his woodburner and settles down to listen to his favourite fly fishing moments of 2017.

In this episode David experiments with a brand new fly pattern and fishes a static fly to midge sipping rainbows. It's a cold winters day fly fishing at Barlow Trout Fishery in North Derbyshire but the fish still seem to be feeding!

In this episode David catches plenty of Grayling whilst fly fishing on an Urban stream and finds there's a lot more to urban rivers than shopping trolleys and traffic cones!

In this episode David is fly fishing in the small Cornish village of St. Mawes. Targeting sea bass over rocky ground David explores this fascinating and growing branch of the sport.

In this episode David has a red letter day with perfect conditions in the heart of Swaledale. Whilst encountering some fine wild brown trout on the nymph, David also discusses the benefits of tweed caps and his love of miserable weather.

In this episode David heads out with a switch rod to practice his spey casting and catch a few bonus rainbows. A bonus visit from some low flying chinooks doesn't put the fish off!

In this episode, David gets lucky searching for perch on the fly at Damsflask fishery. Windy conditions and low water make it a challenging but successful day!

In this episode a sudden plummet in temperatures and late April hail & snow forces a change of venue. This turns out to work in David's favour as he discovers a pool full or rising fish in the cool, clean waters of the Peak District's river Derwent.

In this episode David discovers some beautiful water close to home. Fly fishing using traditional spiders and nymphs on the river Loxley in Sheffield. The season has just opened and insect life is still sparse so prospecting the stream, looking for the likely lies is the order of the day.

In this episode David visits Ladybower reservoir in the Peak District in search of early season rainbows. The deep mysterious waters of this large water are home to some jumbo rainbows as well as the mysterious sunken villages of Ashopton and Derwent.

In this episode, David blanks with style on a wet January day on the river Don. He discovers a perfect stretch of river for fishing dry fly and vows to return in the spring.