Hero vs. Villain: topical debates in the spirit of fishing

Hero vs. Villain - Is the Environment Agency worth the cost of our fishing licence?

Do we increasingly live in a society where we define ourselves by what divides rather than unites? Politics. The environment. Nationality. Sexuality. Race. Social mores. I could go on. And on. But surely fishing is the last redoubt where division is firmly left outside the door? In most respects I hope, and think, that is true except on stocking. There are increasingly two tribes. The stockers who believe they have history and common sense on their side. And the wilders who are on a mission ...

Hero vs. Villain. Social media: good or bad?

Joined by Instagrammer Beaky Allesch- Taylor and Trout & Salmon editor Andrew Flitcroft we ask whether social media is good or bad for fly fishing.

Hero vs. Villain. Brown or rainbow trout?

With guests from as far afield as Chile, Alaska, California, Australia and South Africe we debated, as ever in the spirit of fly fishing, who was the more worthy adversary. Brown or Rainbow. Listen in  and hear the result of our live poll. Charles was to be very disappointed!

Hero vs. Villain. When is a fly not a fly? International edition

Do you fish the squirmy wormy? Charles and Simon debate, with contributions from Zoom callers around the globe, what truly constitutes fly fishing. 

Hero vs. Villain. The north/south divide

The north/south fishing divide. Which side of the divide are you on? Who has the better fishing? Is the divide real or imagined? Is it all about snobbery or even inverted snobbery? How do the greats of each region stack up against each other? What can we learn from each other? Is it really that different? Listen in with guests Marina Gibson and Phillippa Hake, two of the best young guides in the business, joining Simon Cooper and Charles Jardine. 

Hero vs. Villain? The stock fish

Charles Jardine leads the debate on how we view stock fish and stocking today.

Hero vs. Villain. Halford or Skues

Hero vs. Villain. Halford or Skues? Which was the hero? Who was the villain? Listen to Simon  and Charles  with a live Zoom audience debate the ever contentious dry vs. nymph, the issue that divides more than Brexit!

Winter dreaming

Charles & Simon are back! After a summer sojourn we are back at The Mill mulling over Charles' final marathon (methinks, how many times have The Eagles 'retired'?), Anglers Against Pollution, pick our top flies for grayling and have our wish list for the winter ahead.

Morning and evening rises

It's summer! Charles ventures out at dawn for the morning rise and Simon ends the longest day of the year fishing in the dark. A round out from around the chalkstreams and news of amazing times at Blagdon.

Fishing in back!

Charles and Simon tell you where they will be fishing today, on the much delayed, but no less anticipated start to the season. Why did HMG let angling get back so soon? Casting into the Thames from the roof of the Savoy Hotel. The secret to tying a good wet fly. What is the best fishing film ever?

The Educated Trout vs. The Educated (sic) Angler

Cooper & Jardine discuss the top 10 angling books of all time. The best knots for a tapered leader. And go back in time to review the BBC World About Us progamme, The Educated Trout.

The Educated Trout vs. The Educated (sic) Angler - trailer

Charles & Simon discuss the top 10 fishing books of all time. Reply to your emails. And review, 40 years on, the the BBC film The Educated Trout featuring Brian Clarke and John Goddard.

How to go fishing when you can't go fishing

Charles and Simon pick their top flies. Best books. Tips for improving your casting without using water. Fishing updates. How to help your local shop and fishery through the crisis.  And Simon has a rant about the fishing licence.

How to go fishing when you can't go fishing - trailer - April 2020

Simon previews the episode due out on Monday

The Fishing Cast April 2020: part two with Charles Jardine

Simon & Charles, from 'remote' locations bringing you all the latest COVID-19 news from fishing world, Simon's new book, Charles' trip to New Zealand and guess hwo is the new Commonwealth Casting Champion? #fishing #flyfishing #stories #chalkstreams #simoncooper #charlesjardine

The Fishing Cast April 2020: part one with Simon Cooper

Simon & Charles, from 'remote' locations, bringing you all the latest COVID-19 news from the fishing world Simon's new book, Charles' trip to New Zealand and guess who is the new Commonwealth Casting Champion? #fishing #flyfishing #chalkstreams #simoncooper #charlesjardine

Floods and the fishing year ahead - March 2020

Charles and Simon discuss the latest news from the world of fly fishing. How will the recent floods affect the fishing year ahead? Beavers: should they stay or should they go? The impact of social media on angling. Plus your views and comments.

Trailer for March 2020 edition

We have a World Champion - February 2020

Recorded at live Nether Wallop Mill! Howard Croston recently became the World Fly Fishing Champion, the first British victor since 2007. Charles asks is his victory in Tasmania something to celebrate or are there downsides? Simon reveals the results of his Angling Attitudes Survey on catch and release with some surprising results. And as we enter the last month of the grayling season we ask: grayling fishing. Curse or saviour?

Trailer for February 2020 edition

News of the upcoming February edition with Charles Jardine and Simon Cooper