On The Bank

In the first episode of On the Bank with Andy Ford and Rob Hughes the pair begin by visiting the Nadder and the Avon, both Wiltshire chalkstreams, for some winter river fishing. They run into a few dace, lots and lots of grayling, and even a decent chub. Later on Rob heads to France to target his favourite species - carp - at a little known small stillwater; and Fordy meets the Angling Trust's volunteer bailiffs, to learn about their important work.  

This week Andy joins Des Ship at a causal weekday fishing match in sub zero conditions, to find out what it is that separates elite matchmen from the rest of us mere mortals. Rob's at the Carp Society's Winter Show, where he's catching up with all the latest innovations, gossip and controversy in the carp world. Finally Andy heads north, to the Derbyshire Wye, to try to capture his first wild UK rainbow trout, with the help of local expert Glen Pointon.  

This episode of On the Bank sees Rob meets up with Julian Chidgey for a spot of predator fishing on light lures on ditches and drains, before Rob and Andy go head to head in a fly vs. float grayling competition on the Itchen. Rob also heads to a carp farm to observe a harvest of carp ready to go to their new homes and find out what goes into carp breeding. Wayne Mansford takes on the PVA bag challenge.  

Its not so much On the Bank as On the Boat this time, and Rob and Andy are out on the Solent for a species hunt on the saltwater. But first Fordy heads to Rutland Water for some zander (walleye) fishing, and Andy Mytton, a champion zander fisherman, shares some tried and tested techniques. After last episode’s grayling head-to-head Andy’s taking part in the European Grayling Festival on the Welsh Dee. Karl Pitcher takes on the PVA challenge.  

Ever wondered if carp sleep or if roach swim in formation? Rob shares some fascinating underwater footage that should help any angler catch more carp. He then tries to put some of that into practice at a match venue, in the company of Mark Bartlett. Later on Tom Maker takes the PVA Bag Challenge, and Andy heads to a neglected stretch of the River Meon to conduct an electro-fishing survey, with some very exciting results.  

In the final episode the roles are reversed, and its Rob who's doing some fly fishing, and Andy sitting on the banks of a lake. Andy is at Broadlands doing some method feeder fishing in the company of his faithful hound Archie, targeting... whatever he can get. Rob's taking advantage of a waterlogged landscape to target the UK's toothiest predators: pike.