I am a licensed fly fishing instructor who took up the sport as a child in 1982.
I have years of experience in teaching the art of fly fishing. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and skills with those who want to learn this exciting sport.
The rewards from fly fishing are well worth the effort. It is more skilful than some other forms of fishing. However once mastered it is totally addictive. Believe me!
It was a fascination with fish in rock pools while on holiday as a kid that got me started. Soon after, I worked my way to watching them in streams and quickly bought my first rod for £2.25, which I still have.
My all important first fish was a brown trout on a turmeric flavoured maggot from a little burn near home. I still remember the bite and exactly where it took to the square inch. I hammered that spot to death for weeks after! My first fly caught rainbow was from Wylam Trout Fishery on a Jack Frost lure – after weeks and weeks of failure! The buzz when everything locked up was fantastic – I hadn’t thought about what happened when a fish took before this, but the take just made it better.
Based in Northumberland and living on the banks of the River Tyne, I’ve been fly fishing now for over 40 years. I took up trout fishing in 1982, and was never away from Derwent Reservoir, Wylam Trout Farm and Whittle Dene. Since 1988 and being so close to the Tyne, I have also been a passionate salmon and sea trout angler.
I am a full-time fly fishing instructor and a licensed Angling Trust Level 2 (Advanced) coach with full DBS Checks and First Aid training as standard. I am also a Brand Ambassador for Cadence Fly Fishing UK where I have made several YouTube videos at local fisheries, as well as many written fly fishing articles.
I specialise in teaching absolute beginners from scratch (including children) as well as existing anglers who want to take their skills to the next level. If you are just starting out in fly fishing and don’t have a clue where to begin, this is a good place to start. I will you teach everything you need to know, like how to cast a fly rod, reading the water, spotting fish and how to play the fish.
My simple aim of each lesson is to equip you with the knowledge and skills that you need make it enjoyable enough for you to confidently pursue this rewarding hobby. I have developed a style of teaching that aims to make your enjoyment the main factor. Please read the testimonials for some of my customer feedback.
I offer flexible scheduling options and can customise your lessons based on your specific interests, goals and experience. I am committed to providing the highest quality instruction in a safe and supportive environment.
Most lessons are taught at north of England stillwaters fishing for rainbow and brown trout. The fisheries I regularly visit are Chatton Trout Fishery (Northumberland), New Mills Trout Fishing Park (Cumbria) and Tunstall Reservoir (Durham). I also provide all necessary fishing tackle.
Thank you for considering me as your fly fishing instructor.
It is fly fishing on small waters and reservoirs for rainbows and browns that now forms my own personal day to day fishing. However as soon as the river has salmon and sea trout, I’ll be after those as well – living so close to such a great river!
I am happy fishing any method and have no preference over dry fly, indicator, buzzers or sinking lines and lures. It is the variety that makes it so interesting, and I couldn’t split the visual methods with the feel methods. Both are still electrifying to this day.
Aside from a few competitions a year, I mainly fish for pleasure and thoroughly enjoy helping out beginners.
