I was born in Scotland and soon after moved to the Middle East with my family. I lived there for several years before returning to Edinburgh in the late 80’s. Here we made our home again in my mother’s birthplace before we upped sticks and came to live in my father’s home county of Lincolnshire and that is where I have called home for the past 15 years. As a boy I used to spend time with my father and brother coarse fishing around Lincoln and into Norfolk, often spending time on a boat travelling through the Broads. It was during these years that I fell in love with fishing in general and the outdoors. When I was around 9 years old I asked to try fly-fishing, which always seemed a very strange and difficult pastime in comparison to fishing with bait. On my very first trip out with my new starter kit I was lucky enough to land my first fish - not just any fish but a perfect 5lb 8oz rainbow. I was hooked!
I spent most of my free time tracking down places to fish, reading any piece of fly-fishing information I could, and developing the skills that I had already picked up on the brick pits and rivers of Lincolnshire. I soon discovered fly-tying, and at any opportunity would be behind a vice creating all sorts of bright and interesting patterns. I soon had my first casting lesson from Robert Gibson-Beavan, a well-known and very talented fisherman, and it was he who recognised that I had a natural gift when it came to throwing a fly line. I was offered the chance to fish a river in the Lincolnshire Wolds called the great Eau, and it was here that I developed my skills further.
I began to travel to shows, and to pick the brain of anyone who had the time to spare! I entered the first of many casting competitions and happened to win. I continued to win at both junior and senior levels and it was here that I was asked if I wanted to have a go at qualifying for the England Youth Fly- Fishing team.
In my first national at Draycote reservoir in 1995, I finished just outside the qualifying spots - not bad for my first time on a reservoir or in a match! That was it. I was determined that the next year I wouldn’t miss out, and I didn’t – I gained my first cap.
The next year was a big one! Not only did I go on to fish for England and be part of the gold medal winning team, I also began working as a field tester and consultant for Bruce and Walker based in Upwood. As well as this I started to demonstrate both casting and tying around the country at various shows such as The Chatsworth Angling Fair and the Lincolnshire Show.
1998 saw the inaugural World Youth Fly-Fishing Championships which were held in Wales. After a selection procedure I was picked and given my second cap. The championships were a great success: Team England returned with Team Bronze and I was placed individual 5th in the world. In the same year I became one of the youngest qualified instructors when I achieved my S.T.A.N.I.C. in both fly- tying and trout casting. I also picked up my biggest domestic win by clinching the Haningfield Masters title, the youngest ever to do so!
1999 was one of my proudest years. This time the world championships were going to Ireland and I wanted to make sure that I was on the plane. An eliminator was organised, I practised hard and ended up winning the two-day match and confirming my place for the trip to the Emerald Isle. I was given the honour of captaining my country in my final year as a youth and it was not to be a disappointing one. Team England won the Championship and came away with the title and the coveted Gold Medal.
After three such fantastic years I was asked to join the Rutland Water Kingfishers, one of the best and most consistent fishing teams in the country. Here I spent three seasons during which time we achieved every major team title.
After studying Outdoor Recreation Management at Lincoln University, I started working for Orvis at their new outlet in Spalding. In April 2006 I relocated to the new Bakewell store in the heart of the Derbyshire peak district. I am currently working as assistant retail manager and fishing manager in the store where i spend 5 days a week. I have recently been selected to become one of the founding members of the 'Orvis Endorsed Guide' programme in the UK. I spend my days off teaching or guiding clients, fishing or producing features for Trout Fisherman magazine.