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If You Love Sport, You'll Love Fly Fishing

In terms of participation rather than watching, it’s often said that angling is the most popular sport in the UK. Some might argue fishing is less a sport and more a hobby, that a sport should involve a high degree of physical activity.

Last year’s Olympic Games in Paris included physical sports like athletics, swimming,  hockey, tennis,  football and rugby as well as many of a  less physical nature such as archery and numerous shooting disciplines. Fishing has only once featured at the Olympics, by a strange coincidence also at the Paris games of 1900 (which also featured cannon shooting).

Is Fly Fishing a Sport?

There are many less physical activities that arguably are still sports because they require skill, precision, technique, strategy and mental ability yet don’t require athletic prowess. Think chess, snooker, bowls. And of course fishing.


Fishing at the 1900 Paris Olympics on the river SeineFishing at the 1900 Paris Olympics on the river Seine
Fishing at the 1900 Paris Olympics on the river Seine (Image credit: Wikipedia)
David Beckham with a brown troutDavid Beckham with a brown trout
David Beckham with a brown trout (Image credit: David Beckham Instagram)
David Beckham with a salmonDavid Beckham with a salmon
David Beckham with a salmon (Image credit: David Beckham Facebook)

There are a large number of “physical sport” stars who also have a love of fly fishing. David Beckham, Sir Ian Botham, Paul Gascoigne, David Seaman, Vinnie Jones, Mo Salah, Anthony Joshua, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Aguero, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, John Terry, Phil Foden, Paul Merson, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus to name a few.  

What is it about fishing that attracts people who compete at the highest level of sport?

To help find out, I spoke to a hat-trick of Farlows friends who fly fish and are or have been elite rugby players.

Jamie Noon playing for NewcastleJamie Noon playing for Newcastle

Jamie Noon, 45, played centre for England from 2001 to 2009, scoring a memorable hat-trick of tries in the 2005 Six Nations game versus Scotland at Twickenham. He went on to play in France where he is now retired from rugby. 

Adam Radwan, 26, is a winger who also scored a hat-trick playing for England at Twickenham in 2021, former Newcastle Falcons player and currently plays for Leicester Tigers. (Image credit: Chris Lishman photography)

Adam scoringAdam scoring
Josh Hodge, waming up for Exeter ChiefsJosh Hodge, waming up for Exeter Chiefs

Josh Hodge, 24, is a full back currently playing for Exeter Chiefs, has played for England Under 18s and was top scorer in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina. Josh is also a talented decathlete, finishing fifth in the Under-19s national championships in 2017.

Jamie Noon playing for NewcastleJamie Noon playing for Newcastle
Jamie Noon, 45, played centre for England from 2001 to 2009, scoring a memorable hat-trick of tries in the 2005 Six Nations game versus Scotland at Twickenham. He went on to play in France where he is now retired from rugby.
Adam Radwan scoring a close cut tryAdam Radwan scoring a close cut try
Adam Radwan, 26, is a winger who also scored a hat-trick playing for England at Twickenham in 2021, former Newcastle Falcons player and currently plays for Leicester Tigers. (Image credit: Chris Lishman photography)
Josh Hodge, waming up for Exeter ChiefsJosh Hodge, waming up for Exeter Chiefs
Josh Hodge, 24, is a full back currently playing for Exeter Chiefs, has played for England Under 18s and was top scorer in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina. Josh is also a talented decathlete, finishing fifth in the Under-19s national champio

HOW DID YOU GET INTO FLY FISHING?

Jamie:

I got into fly fishing through a friend of a friend who started taking me with him to some local lakes around Newcastle. I had done some fishing before but up until then it was mainly coarse fishing and sea fishing. Fly fishing was totally different and so much more technical, but I enjoyed it straight away. 

Josh:

Fishing has been a part of my life for a long time. Back at the family home where I grew up we have a stretch of the River Wenning.  From a young age I’d find myself out fishing with my mother and father with nets until I moved onto fly fishing at the age of 10-11. I did all sorts of fishing with nets/floats and lures but fly fishing has always been the most interesting.

Adam:

Growing up I spent most weekends with my Grandad and depending on the time of year, it was always either fishing or shooting. He was a very keen fisherman and taught me to fish when I was around 4 years old. Since then I’ve been hooked trying my hand at all different types of fishing. Over the years I have definitely come to the conclusion that fly fishing is my absolute favourite, and regardless of what I’m fishing for if it can be caught fly fishing then I will give it a go.

Jamie with a grayling from a French riverJamie with a grayling from a French river
Jamie with a grayling from a French river
Josh with a lovely wild brown troutJosh with a lovely wild brown trout
Josh with a lovely wild brown trout
Adam into a decent fish Adam into a decent fish
Adam into a decent fish

WHAT IS IT ABOUT FLY FISHING THAT YOU LOVE?

Jamie:

I have now moved away from lake and reservoir fishing and have been really enjoying river fishing. Fly fishing for me is about escaping the noise of life and getting back to nature. I love the outdoors and the quiet that it offers, enabling me to fully relax and destress. 

Josh:

Personally I think fly fishing is the hardest of them all. There are so many challenges that you face while trying to catch a fish with a fly. Variations of cast, weather, fly, lines and of course the river. There is never an obvious option so it always keeps you very focused. The challenge is what keeps me going back to the water and there are many good rivers in the UK.  It takes you to some of the most scenic places that you probably never thought of visiting or even knew about. 

Adam:

Fly fishing is active and visual, it’s not just a case of chucking a bait out and waiting for a fish to take it. You’re constantly looking for fish moving and or pulling various flies trying to tempt a fish into taking it. It’s also a constant puzzle trying to work out which fly will work, there are so many variables to think about. One day a certain fly will be all the fish want and the next time you use it they won’t even look at it. Also, typically whenever I’m fly fishing it’s in a lovely setting, so even if you can’t tempt a fish to take your fly you still usually see some pretty impressive wildlife.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE THINKING OF TRYING FLY FISHING?

Jamie:

Everybody has to find their own path in life and this is also true for fishing and that's also part of the fun. I’d suggest as with any skill acquisition, practice is crucial and time on the water fishing as much as you can is hugely beneficial especially to beginners. Try to practise all types of casting such as the catapult cast because those crafty fish will be in the most difficult of lies and you will need to learn different ways to present your fly drag free to give you the best chance to catch them. 

Josh:

My advice for someone starting their fly fishing journey would be to get proficient at casting. There are different variations of cast in the fly world and each one has its benefits. When fishing rivers you tend to find yourself in places with a lot of trees/bushes around you. So having multiple ways you can cast without causing too much disturbance is key. Many times I have found myself tangled up in trees wasting valuable fishing time!

Adam:

My best bit of advice would be DO IT! There is so much more to it than you’d imagine, it’s a great way to relax and unwind from the stress of work. It takes you all over the country and indeed the world, and most of which are breathtaking places to spend the day. 

Jamie fishing a French river with blue skyJamie fishing a French river with blue sky
Jamie fishing a French river
Josh ready for some fly fishing action, walking to the riverJosh ready for some fly fishing action, walking to the river
Josh ready for some fly fishing action

WHAT MISCONCEPTIONS ARE THERE ABOUT FLY FISHING?

Jamie:

It's perceived as a sport for the wealthy and you have to spend lots of money to get into it. There's lots of deals to be had on fly fishing gear and the second hand market is a great place to start looking. There are some good day ticket schemes in the UK and free fishing with a licence here in France. 

Josh:

Personally before I got into fly fishing I always believed it was a very difficult form of fishing, and picking up all the tips and tricks to make it easier and more enjoyable was hard going. I found that as I started to meet more fly fishermen and gathered more equipment/tackle I gained more knowledge and now I feel I could go out on the river/sea and do a half decent job. There is just something about putting a plan together and it not working and then coming up with another plan and it working that’s very pleasing, and with fly fishing that can always be the case.

Adam:

I’d say the biggest misconception is that fly fishing is old fashioned and boring. For me this couldn’t be further from the truth as I’ve found you can fly fish these days for pretty much every fish, not just the traditional trout or salmon, and the challenge and electric thrill of catching them is absolutely not boring. It’s extremely visual and often you can watch the fish take your fly. It doesn’t matter if you’re fishing a dry fly for trout or stripping a sunray for salmon, there’s something about seeing the fish engulf your fly that really gets the heart pumping. 

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE FISHING MOMENT AND WHY?

Jamie:

I’m hopeful that it is still to come but so far it would have to be the time I went with my rugby club captain at Brive to his cabin in the Pyrenees mountains. We had a great couple of days fishing pocket water and small crystal clear mountain streams. We ate some amazing food, in good company and with quality wine. It was awesome for my integration into life in France. 

Josh:

My most memorable fishing moment must have been when I was around the age of 7, I was very lucky growing up having a river running around the edge of the family home. My father and I set out one evening before the light went, We headed down to the river just off the garden. The water levels had risen due to rain and we found ourselves casting under a railway bridge up against a log that was trapped on the other side. My dad had always been into his fishing growing up so he had some idea where the fish would pass/lay. We casted over this log a few times and then bang, fish on. My first salmon weighing around 3-4lbs. That’s what got me hooked.

Adam: 

Over the years I’ve had some incredible days fishing and made some unforgettable memories so it would be extremely difficult to pick one. However, there is one from this season which is my most recent special fish. I’d been fishing pretty hard early season fishing in February, March, April and May and I’d not even seen sign of a salmon, let alone caught one. June came around and still nothing, so my regular fishing companion Richard and I headed out for an afternoon on the north Tyne, as conditions looked perfect. I’d been fishing for around 15 minutes when I felt that trademark salmon take. The fight was spectacular and was by far the most exciting fight from a salmon I’d ever had. Once netted, we soon realised it was a belter, one of those fresh fish that’s so silver it’s almost blue. Soon after Richard landed another excellent fish. On our next run down the pool we got a double up, both of us hooking salmon at the same time. Amazing. Unfortunately, mine came off, so I got out of the river and ran downstream just in time to land Richard’s second fish of the afternoon. Soon after we realised that these fish were the first caught on the beat that season. Considering we had only been fishing for a couple of hours, we were both in complete awe. 

Adam with his salmon and good friend RichardAdam with his salmon and good friend Richard
Adam with his salmon and good friend Richard

WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO GO FLY FISHING WITH?

Jamie:

I have been working hard on trying to get my kids involved in fly fishing so a big family fishing day would be the jackpot. Ideally in somewhere idyllic like Alaska or New Zealand. However I think my fishing would definitely benefit from time with a guide or professional which would also be good fun. Maybe a day with the World Champion Howard Croston somewhere special would be pretty cool.

Josh:

A lot of the time when I’m back at home I go fishing with my father. We have done a few days on the River Lune and it’s just great time spent together. Now I’m living down south I have a few friends I go out with which is a good escape. I’m part of a fly fishing club down in the South West, Ottery Fly Fishing Club.  A few members I regularly go out with that are very keen fly fishermen are Colin and David and they travel all over and are great people to learn from.

Adam:

If I could pick anyone to go fishing with me, I’d probably choose Gino D’Acampo. I have no idea if he’s ever fished before but I think he’d be great value as a fishing companion. Not only is he hilarious he’s also a very, very good chef, so chances are he’d be cooking up a pretty impressive lunch. 

WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD BE DONE TO GET MORE PEOPLE INTO FLY FISHING?

Jamie:

I think the popularity of fishing is on the rise but we really need to work harder to target the younger population. Shows like Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse have done wonders to increase fishing popularity and to make it more mainstream. The fishing and non-fishing population have really got behind the show and it showcases the benefits that fishing has to offer. I also like to listen to the Fly Culture magazine podcasts which champion fly fishing and its many benefits. We need to have more exposure to fishing and the joys it can offer everyone. 

Adam:

I think the perception of fly fishing is that it’s an old persons sport and it’s really boring. But for me this couldn’t be further from the truth, I think if people were educated more on it or shown that actually that isn’t that case then people would be much more eager to have a go at it. Also important to how accessible it is…you don’t need to spend a fortune on going to big rivers, there’s so many stillwaters as full of fish to have a go at.

Josh:

Fly fishing is one of my favourite hobbies. I was very fortunate growing up living next to a river so for me fly fishing was very accessible but for some people it isn’t. I feel that to grow the sport we have to find a way of making it accessible for everyone. Open days where people can go and try fly fishing without diving in and  purchasing all the equipment. To really grow the sport I feel there needs to be more events so that people can get eyes on it. Fly fishing needs screen time and promoting. 

AS AN ELITE SPORTSMAN, WHAT IS IT ABOUT FLY FISHING THAT APPEALS TO YOU?

Adam:

While it’s active, fly fishing isn’t particularly strenuous, so even after 80 mins of getting beaten up on a rugby pitch it’s still something you can do the day after or during the training week. It’s also a great way to relax or get away from the pressure that is professional sport. When you’re on the river trying to catch a salmon for example that tends to be the only thing you think about and it’s a great way to unwind. As previously mentioned, it takes you to some beautiful parts of the world so it’s hard to have a bad day really.

Jamie:

There’s so many things that appeal to me within Fly fishing as an ex sportsman. As I've already mentioned, I like to be in nature and the great outdoors because it’s great for health and the mind. It’s a good way to escape the pressures of sport and life's stresses. I love the complex nature of fly fishing whether that's the casting, fly choice or just fooling the fish to take a piece of fluff you have tied yourself. I’m not one to worry about numbers of fish caught or lengths and weights, maybe because my kids prod fun at the sardine sized fish I catch. One element that flyfishing offers is its social interaction. I’ve been lucky to have days fishing with lots of different people and some of whom have become great close friends. It has helped me feel more settled in France since arriving here and is a great talking point.

Josh:

The challenge. Being a sportsman you tend to come up against a lot of challenges and overcoming those challenges is what keeps me focused. I find that fly fishing is the same in some contexts, for instance, flies. Having the correct fly on the end of your line is very important and can make fly fishing much easier.  Also taking into consideration the weather and water colour helps. But all the little obstacles that you come across in fly fishing makes you think that little harder and it enables me to be focused on the job at hand.

Jamie with a lovely wild brown troutJamie with a lovely wild brown trout
Jamie with a lovely wild brown trout
Josh with a beautiful rainbow troutJosh with a beautiful rainbow trout
Josh with a beautiful rainbow trout

So if you know someone who loves playing sport, or even just watching it, chances are that they’ll enjoy fishing too, and especially fly fishing. Not just for the challenge of a new sport, and the lifetime of learning and enjoyment, but also for the mental health and wellbeing benefits it brings:

Chart showing Farlows customers agreeing 97% that fly fishing improves mental healthChart showing Farlows customers agreeing 97% that fly fishing improves mental health

If you’re interested, or know someone who might be, you can find lots of helpful articles and videos from our experts with tips and techniques for catching different species, fishing different types of water, casting tutorials for every level, and practical buying guides over on the Farlows Blog & Advice area!

Tight lines!

2025-01-24 11:14:00
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Graham Hey
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Fly fishing not physical??? Try wading parts of the North Tyne-the bits that Hadrian had left over,he threw in the river!
John Reynolds
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Although I'm English, you omitted the Welsh, ie Sir Gareth Edwards!
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