Damo’s just returned from his first flyfishing trip to Tasmania — and it turned into one of those trips that’ll stick with him forever.

In this episode of Behind The Counter, we unpack the Tassie mission from start to finish. From rolling into Miena country and getting pointed in the right direction by Jim Allen, to early lessons at Little Pine, time on the boat at Penstock, and a foggy morning on Great Lake where everything finally lined up and the trout started sipping midges everywhere.

We also chat about how good the Victorian trout fishing has been lately, give Mick from the Yea store a shoutout for his CFA work protecting the catchments, and run through some new gear that’s landed in-store — including new Sage reels, fresh rod releases and the latest Airflo lines.

If you’ve ever wondered what Tassie flyfishing is like for a first-timer, this episode gives you a pretty honest look.

Queensland’s sand flats are one of Australia’s great fly fishing assets — and right now, they’re under real pressure.

In this episode, Andrew is joined by Chris Burgess (FlyLife contributor and Inshore Flats Project advocate) to dig into tunnel nets: what they are, how they work, and why many anglers believe they pose a serious threat to flats fisheries from Hinchinbrook to the Whitsundays and beyond.

We get into:

• What a tunnel net actually is — and why it’s so effective
• Localised depletion: cleaning out a flat and the big question of how long until fish return
• What’s been observed during trials, including stress, crowding and mortality concerns
• The risk to iconic flats species like permit, golden trevally, GTs and queenfish
• The broader impact on guiding, tourism and why net-free flats matter
• What you can do right now to help protect these fisheries

If you love saltwater fly fishing — or you’ve ever dreamed of a Queensland permit — this one’s well worth a listen.

Get involved / learn more: Search Inshore Flats Project and follow their channels for updates and ways to support, or head to www.inshoreflatsproject.com.au

On this episode of Behind the Counter, Peter and Damien give an update on the recent fires and the lucky break that saw our key catchments spared — meaning the fishing is still firing and conditions are about as good as you could hope for. They dive into what’s fishing well right now, from Tassie to New Zealand, plus all the chatter from inside the shop. There’s plenty of new gear hitting the shelves, including the much-anticipated Atollas fly boxes, and a few surprises that have the crew buzzing. A solid listen if you want to stay across what’s happening on the water and in-store at The Flyfisher.

In this episode, Peter and Damien sit down for a proper catch-up on everything happening in-store and out on the water. The lads run through the latest gear that’s been working well, fresh products hitting the shelves, and recap a stack of recent adventures — from New Zealand trout missions to Cocos chaos and Hinchinbrook flats sessions.

It’s a laid-back wrap of a big year at The Flyfisher, with plenty of stories, laughs, and a look toward more pods (and more fish) in 2026. Thanks for tuning in all year — we’re just getting warmed up.

In this episode of The Flyfisher’s Podcast, we pick up where we left off with Peter Hayes — one of Australia’s most influential flyfishing guides and casting instructors.

Peter dives deep into:

• The importance of line management
• How loop shape ties directly to body mechanics
• What (and how often) to practice, including the three key stages of practice:
  1. Loop control
  2. Casting stroke angles
  3. Water landing effect

We also chat rod design — why Peter has a soft spot for fibreglass and bamboo rods, and how the kinetic whip effect in bamboo could inspire modern rod designs.

Plus, we cover:

• Why slack in your leader is essential for long, natural drifts
• How angling pressure and degraded waterways challenge us to become more skilful — and why the harder you work, the more rewarding those fish captures become.

If you’re serious about improving your fly casting and fishing, this is one you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, Andrew sits down with one of Australia’s most influential flyfishing figures — Peter Hayes. Known for his sharp teaching style, deep understanding of casting physics, and decades of guiding experience, Peter has helped shape the way we fish, and how fly casting is taught across the country.

From his early days representing Australia in both flyfishing and competition casting, through to building Hayes on Brumbys — a purpose-built flyfishing school in Tasmania — Peter’s journey is one of passion, innovation, and commitment.

Recorded while Peter was in Ballarat running casting clinics and guiding on Lake Wendouree, this chat dives into his career, the evolution of fly fishing in Australia, and his thoughts on where flyfishing is headed, both good and bad.

This is the first half of a long conversation — in Part 2, Peter shares practical tips to help you become a better fly caster and flyfisher.

In this episode of The Flyfisher’s Podcast, we catch up with legendary flyfisher and author Philip Weigall to wrap up what was, for many, a seriously tough season. Despite the low water and all the usual challenges (yep, including those bloody cormorants), Phil found ways to not just cope—but thrive. He shares how thinking a bit differently about where and how to fish in dry years can lead to surprisingly good results… in fact, some of his days were all-time bests. It’s an insightful chat packed with practical takeaways. Enjoy the listen!

In this episode of The Flyfisher’s Podcast, we dive deep into the adventure, challenges, and conservation efforts behind fly fishing in the Amazon with Rodrigo Salles of Untamed Angling. Rodrigo has pioneered access to some of the most remote fisheries on Earth, working alongside indigenous communities to create sustainable, world-class fly fishing lodges. He shares his journey, insights on Amazonian species, and what makes these waters so special. Plus, longtime client Ray Malone joins us to reveal why these trips are truly life-changing. If you’ve ever dreamed of casting a fly in the heart of the jungle, this episode is for you!

Fly fish the Amazon with Untamed Angling https://www.uangling.com/