In this first episode of the series, Paul and Bob travel with their trusty terrier Ted to Wales to fish the Rivers Irfon and Wye in search of chub. The Wye is one of our angling pair’s favourite rivers, but they have yet to visit its lesser-known neighbour, the Irfon. The countryside which surrounds them is largely unspoilt, with the source of the Irfon found in a region often called the ‘Desert of Wales’ due to the lack of roads and towns surrounding it. This is ideal Gone Fishing territory, so Paul and Bob excitedly set off to find a large chub\n\nTo reach the Irfon, they pass St David’s church, which dates back to the Middle Ages and was where Prince Llywelyn, the last native-born Prince of Wales, took refuge the night before he was killed in battle against the English in 1282. This is Paul and Bob’s first trip to the Upper Wye - they have fished the middle and the lower Wye before, and it has always proved fruitful. This stretch is famed for its fast waters and plentiful fish, so expectations are high. Steve McQueen used to fish here at the height of his fame, knowing he could fish incognito for as long as he liked. The boys settle in to hide away from the world and peacefully fish.\n\nAfter a lengthy drive through the beautiful countryside, they stay at the Red Kite Barn, which is set within 80 acres of a wild and remote Welsh valley. Wild ponies roam in the woods while buzzards and red kites circle above them. It’s an ‘upside down’ property with the bedrooms downstairs and the living quarters upstairs, making the most of the incredible views which surround them.\n\nIt is also Ted’s birthday, and he decides to throw a little party in the accommodation, but Paul and Bob are reluctant to join him, knowing how Ted’s parties have had quite the reputation in the past. Ted puts on his best birthday hat and waits for his guests to arrive.\n\nOn the Upper Wye, Paul and Bob meet with David Lyons, the founder of charity Tackling Minds. David started the project in 2020 to help people with depression and anxiety or who are recovering from addiction to get out on to rivers and lakes to fish. As a result of his efforts, fishing has now been added as an official option for health care professionals to give to those who might otherwise be prescribed anti-depressants.\n\nThe episode finishes with a spectacular catch from Paul, which he achieves against all the odds, leaving both him and Bob grinning from ear to ear.
Source: BBC 2
Series 7: 7. Thornwood Springs, Essex - Rudd
Paul, Bob and Ted travel a short distance to Thornwood Springs Fishery in Essex, a complex of three lakes on the edges of Epping Forest, in search of a big rudd - although there ...
03-11-2024
BBC 2
Series 7: 5. Blakeney Point - Bass And Sea Trout
Paul, Bob and trusty terrier Ted travel to Blakeney Point in north Norfolk for a sea-fishing adventure. \n\nBlakeney Point is a four-mile spit of shingle and sand beach bank, wi ...
01-11-2024
BBC 2
Series 7: 6. River Ouse, Bedfordshire – Perch
Paul and Bob head to the beautiful River Ouse in the heart of Bedfordshire. The river was once famous for barbel, but has recently become renowned for its big perch instead, a f ...
27-10-2024
BBC 2
Series 7: 4. River Trent, Nottinghamshire - Barbel
Paul and Bob travel with their trusty terrier Ted to fish the mighty River Trent in Nottingham in search of barbel. In the large, wide river, they can sense the presence of big ...
25-10-2024
BBC 2
Series 7: 3. Driffield Beck, East Yorkshire – Brown Trout
Paul, Bob and Ted travel to one of the UK’s most northerly chalk streams, Driffield Beck at Mulberry Whin in East Riding of Yorkshire. The river has a constant temperature ...
18-10-2024
BBC 2
Series 7: 2. The North Of Ireland – Salmon
Paul and Bob arrive in the Republic of Ireland, and they're kicking off their all-out Irish fishing trip on the River Finn. It's their first time fishing the rivers of both the ...
11-10-2024
BBC 2
Series 7: 1. Rocklands Mere, Norfolk – Tench
Paul and Bob are fishing for tench - a fish they have not targeted since the first series. They arrive at Rocklands Mere, a secluded hidden gem in the quaint village of Rockland ...
04-10-2024
BBC 2
Series 3: Episode 1
In this first episode, Paul and Bob return to Scotland to fish for salmon once more - this time on the mighty River Tweed. After their agonising last-ditch attempt to catch a sa ...
13-06-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: Episode 5
Paul and Bob travel to the heart of the English countryside to fish a lake deep in the Surrey Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They hope to catch some carp and barb ...
03-06-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: Episode 4
Paul and Bob set off in a punt to fish for perch on a weir pool on the River Thames - leaving poor old terrier Ted forlorn on the river bank, as he is not allowed on the boat wi ...
20-05-2024
BBC 2
Series 7: 4. River Trent, Nottinghamshire - Barbel
Paul and Bob travel with their trusty terrier Ted to fish the mighty River Trent in Nottingham in search of barbel. In the large, wide river, they can sense the presence of big ...
25-10-2024
BBC 2
Series 5: Episode 4
Paul and Bob set off in a punt to fish for perch on a weir pool on the River Thames - leaving poor old terrier Ted forlorn on the river bank, as he is not allowed on the boat wi ...
20-05-2024
BBC 2
Series 7: 6. River Ouse, Bedfordshire – Perch
Paul and Bob head to the beautiful River Ouse in the heart of Bedfordshire. The river was once famous for barbel, but has recently become renowned for its big perch instead, a f ...
27-10-2024
BBC 2
Series 4: Episode 5
Paul and Bob travel to Mid Wales, to fish for wild carp in some equally wild and wonderfully picturesque lake locations. They've had success catching both mirror and common carp ...
08-04-2024
BBC 2
Series 6: Episode 4
Paul and Bob venture to Sutton Lake - a sequestered lake in Shropshire. They have their eyes set on catching a fish that has proved elusive over the years - the crucian carp.\n\ ...
29-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 1: Episode 3
In the beautiful Monsal Valley in Derbyshire, Paul teaches Bob how to fly-fish for wild rainbow trout. While fishing, they discuss their humble beginnings in show business and h ...
04-12-2019
BBC 2
Series 6: Episode 3
Paul, Bob and trusty terrier Ted travel to the Hampshire Avon, where the leaves are turning to red and gold as autumn begins to set in.\n\nThe Hampshire Avon has one of the UK&r ...
24-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 7: 5. Blakeney Point - Bass And Sea Trout
Paul, Bob and trusty terrier Ted travel to Blakeney Point in north Norfolk for a sea-fishing adventure. \n\nBlakeney Point is a four-mile spit of shingle and sand beach bank, wi ...
01-11-2024
BBC 2
Series 6: Episode 1
In this first episode of the series, Paul and Bob travel with their trusty terrier Ted to Wales to fish the Rivers Irfon and Wye in search of chub. The Wye is one of our angling ...
10-10-2023
BBC 2
Series 6: Episode 2
Paul and Bob head to a hidden pike lake in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. They have had mixed fortunes in their past quests for pike so are eager to get fishing and land one n ...
17-10-2023
BBC 2