With current international travel looking uncertain we know everyone is as keen to get on the water as we. To that end, we are delighted to be able to offer more guided days at home by our hugely experienced team. As we have a range of beats across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Dorset as well as venue further afield; we are able to offer clinics and master classes, or simply a day to quiz us about our various fishing experiences. Whether you are looking to improve your chalkstream approach, discover the dark arts of modern nymphing techniques, double handed casting or looking to sharpen up your fishing at range as a transferable skill to the saltwater.
Meet the Team:
Peter McLeod
Peter has had a fly rod in his hand since he was seven years old, and has dedicated his life to the pursuit of different species on the fly. During the last 20 years he has fished extensively around the globe including Argentina, Belize, Christmas Island, Canada, Cuba, Hawaii, Mexico, Bahamas, Russia, Norway, Iceland, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Seychelles, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Mongolia. He has become obsessed with chasing giant trevally on the flats but has recently rediscovered his love of lighter rods, dry flies and our stunning English chalkstreams.
Specialist Topics: saltwater skills, trout dry fly and nymph fishing, river craft, new gadgets, photography, Labrador control
Charlotte Chilcott
Growing up in Malawi left Charlotte with an unshakable love of travel and particularly for searching out the little known and seldom travelled parts of Africa. Having travelled extensively through Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Morocco, South Africa, Turkey and Nepal, Charlotte added to the tally with fishing operations elsewhere in Africa, Seychelles, Iceland, India, Mauritius, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Belize. Whilst Charlotte specialises in the warmer climes and heavier rods, she has a wonderful knowledge of our English chalkstreams.
Specialist Topics: saltwater skills, trout dry fly and nymph fishing, how not to fall in
Alex Jardine
Alex was raised on a diet of fly fishing and we are pretty sure that Charles Jardine only gave him fly reels to play with instead of toys! He has travelled extensively, looking after groups of people and guiding them as well as giving numerous casting demonstrations alongside his father. From travelling around New Zealand with a couple of friends, a backpack, a gas stove and a fishing rod in 2008, Alex continues to travel in search of new adventures both at home and abroad. These adventures have seen him encounter fish both in freshwater and saltwater on six of the World’s seven continents. Alex utilises the knowledge that he has gained to teach others to fish at home and also leads hosted trips to foreign destinations.
Specialist Topics: trout dry fly and nymph fishing, the art of grayling, river craft, fly tying, hooking trees
Steffan Jones
Since the tender age of four Steffan could be found tickling the trout in his local streams. Thankfully he then progressed to a fishing rod, which became more than a passion in his life – some would say an obsession. His main passion remains with his much beloved sea-trout on his home waters in West-Wales, on which he has guided since he was 15 years old. However, since this time he has amassed an enviable roster of destinations to his experience and knowledge base both in the freshwater and saltwater arenas. Steffan specialises in South America, but also has great product knowledge in Iceland, Russia, New-Zealand, Slovenia, Bosnia, Seychelles, Cuba and Mexico, to name but a few.
Specialist Topics: trout dry fly and nymph fishing, sea trout fishing, salmon tactics, river craft, photography, finding the river after dark
Olly Thompson
The seed that started Olly’s love of fishing was a small stream set in the flatlands of Norfolk. A seed which spread its roots into a career in fly fishing, he has spent the last decade guiding on some of the world’s most remote and exclusive fisheries. Working in Iceland and then Norway steered a move to Northern Argentina in 2013 where he guided for Golden Dorado at Pira. He then travelled south to the Rio Grande in search of Patagonia’s sea trout and the world famous Kau Tapen Lodge. Following Argentina, Olly spent four seasons on the famous Russian fishery of the Ponoi. In an attempt to expand his angling acumen, he spent the winters sight fishing for New Zealand’s trophy trout. It was this passion for sight fishing that was to prevail and it developed into four years of guiding saltwater in the Seychelles for the Alphonse Fishing Company on Alphonse, Astove and Cosmoledo.
Specialist Topics: saltwater skills, trout dry fly and nymph fishing, grayling fishing, river craft, how to still fish after leaving half your kit at home
If you would like to join one of the team over the coming months please do contact us or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389 with your preferred dates and what skills you are looking to improve and we will hand select a stretch of water and build a package specifically for you and your group.