Fish and Game

SideCountry Network
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

A SideCountry Network podcast about British fishing, shooting, hunting, wild food, working dogs and life in the field.  Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf. Fish and Game: https://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/fish-and-game/ Presenters: Avian Sandercock: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/avian-sandercock/ Sam Turner: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/sam-turner/ Jake Woolf: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/jake-woolf/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fishandgamepodcast/ More from SideCountry: https://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/ Support SideCountry: https://www.patreon.com/c/SideCountryNetwork

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    From Zero to Salmon - sort of.

    What exactly is fly-fishing? Is it the refined art of matching the hatch and delicately presenting an artificial fly to a feeding fish - or is it simply “fluff chucking”: standing beside a body of water, waving a rod around and hoping the fish do not laugh at you? Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner attempt to get to the bottom of it after Jake has won himself three days of salmon and sea-trout fishing in Scotland.There is only one slight problem: he hasnever really fly-fished before. So Sam and Avian are attempting to give him a crash course in the sport, covering what a fly rod actually does, dry flies and nymphs, matching the hatch, rods, reels, leaders, casting and the difference between trout and salmon fishing. They also get into why people become so obsessed with it: the escape, the challenge, the satisfaction of a perfect cast and the strange appeal of deliberately making catching a fish more difficult. Jake discovers that his salmon trip will involve bigger rivers, bigger rods and Spey casting, while Sam and Avian explain why a few lessons on a small trout lake may be a better starting point than heading straight for Scotland.There is also Jake’s plan to make fishing a family pursuit - with the added possibility that getting Mrs Woolf interested may make future permissions considerably easier. Plus sucky fish, Shakespearean nymphs, casts that sound like horse whips, cupboards full of unnecessary tackle and Avian’s ever-present sage advice. In this episode: What fly-fishing is and how the cast worksDry flies, nymphs and matching the hatchWhy fly-fishing feels more like huntingThe difference between trout and salmon fishingRods, reels, lines, leaders and basic beginner kitWhy timing matters more than strength when castingOverhead casting and Spey casting explainedWhere beginners should go to learnWhy a good instructor can save a lot of frustrationGetting children and families involvedWhy you probably do not need to buy quite as much tackle as you thinkThis is just the beginning of Jake’s journey from complete beginner to salmon fishing in Scotland. Useful links: GOV.UK — Rod fishing licencesGOV.UK — National rod fishing byelawsFisheries Management Scotland — Catch and release guidanceScottish Government — Wild salmon conservationPlease note: Fishing licence and permit requirements, close seasons, catch-and-release rules and salmon conservation measures vary between countries, rivers and individual fisheries and can change. Always check the current rules for the water you intend to fish. Part of the SideCountry Network. DISCLAIMER Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.

  2. Sep 2

    A Beginner’s Guide to Wildfowling

    What exactly counts as wildfowling? Is it any pursuit of wild ducks and geese, or does it only become wildfowling once you are cold, wet, deep in estuary mud and questioning your life choices? Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner attempt to get to the bottom of one of Britain’s oldest and most demanding forms of shooting. They look at the traditional world of foreshore wildfowling: early starts, evening flights, shifting tides, slippery mud, quarry identification and the importance of joining a club whose members know how to get safely onto and off the marsh. The conversation also covers the dogs, guns, cartridges, calls, decoys and clothing involved; why a synthetic semi-automatic may be more useful than Grandfather’s best gun; and whether a muddy Labrador is easier to clean than a spaniel. There is also a look back at the formidable punt guns once used by commercial wildfowlers, before attention turns to the most important question of all: what should you do with a duck or goose once you have brought it home? Plus duck cooked over coals, smoked goose, wildfowl burgers, questionable jerky experiments, Teflon Labradors, baritone chickadees and the familiar suggestion that a badly cooked Canada goose may be less appetising than the brick beneath it. In this episode: What wildfowling is — and whether mud is an essential part of the definitionWhy traditional wildfowling is closely associated with marshes, estuaries and the foreshoreHow clubs manage access, sporting rights, mentoring and local safetyThe importance of understanding tides and learning an unfamiliar marsh from experienced membersRecognising legal quarry before taking a shotWhy Labradors are so closely associated with wildfowlingCalls, decoys and attracting ducks and geeseWhy electronic bird calls cannot be usedChoosing a robust shotgun and suitable non-lead ammunitionWhy an inexpensive synthetic semi-automatic may be a practical choiceThe history and extraordinary scale of punt gunsClothing, communications and emergency planning on the foreshoreWhy newcomers should not venture onto unfamiliar tidal ground aloneKeeping both wildfowler and dog warm in difficult conditionsCooking duck and goose over fire, in a wok, as burgers, smoked or made into charcuterieWhy Avian may finally have talked himself into trying wildfowlingBASC introduction to wildfowlingBASC wildfowling permits, handbook and code of practiceBASC guide to quarry species and open seasonsUK Government guidance on hunting and shooting wildlifeThe Crown Estate — wildfowling and foreshore sporting rightsPlease note: Wildfowling law, quarry lists and local restrictions can change. Always check current government guidance and the rules of the club or land over which you are shooting. Part of the SideCountry Network. DISCLAIMER Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.

  3. Aug 28

    What The Hell is SideCountry?

    What connects baking sourdough, climbing mountains, keeping chickens, deer stalking, forestry, fishing, farming and knowing how to sharpen a chainsaw? In this episode - broqadcast across every show on the SideCountry Network - Richard Prideaux and George Browne attempt to explain what SideCountry actually is, why it was built, and where the network is heading. They start with George’s idea of the “sourdough pipeline”: the idea that apparently unrelated countryside interests are often connected by the same desire to learn, make, understand and do things for yourself. From there, they look at how SideCountry brings those worlds together - not as one enormous general-interest podcast, but as a network of shows, articles, films and resources covering different parts of life in the British countryside. They also explain why SideCountry aims to occupy some of the ground between the usual rural tribes and echo chambers; bringing farmers, foresters, anglers, shooters, walkers, conservationists, climbers and others into the same wider conversation without insisting that every subject needs a simple good-versus-bad answer. Richard and George discuss plans to establish SideCountry as a Community Interest Company, how the project will be funded, why commercial income will be reinvested into the network, and the importance of maintaining editorial independence. There is also a look at what’s already here - SideCountry, Countryslide and Fish and Game - and some of what is coming next, including Wild Food People, a forestry show, How the Countryside Works and Land Girls, alongside articles, gear guides, practical resources and films. Plus drive-by agronomy, aggressive protein acquisition, Kevlar kilts, Heath Robinson smokers, professional explaining and the continuing possibility of a company yacht. This episode is being published across the SideCountry podcast feeds as an introduction to the wider network.Find out more, sign up for the newsletter or get involved at sidecountry.co.uk. CreditsPresented by George Browne and Richard Prideaux Produced and edited for SideCountry by Amy Green. DISCLAIMER Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.

    What The Hell is SideCountry?

  4. Aug 26

    The Uniform of the Field

    What are you actually supposed to wear for a day in the field? Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner work their way through the strange mixture of tradition, practicality and unwritten rules that governs sporting clothing. They start with driven shooting: tweed caps, ties, cravats, breeks, plus fours, shooting coats, estate tweeds and the question of whether matching tweed is smart or simply too much. From there they move onto fly fishing, where technical clothing, waders, polarised glasses and enormous pockets full of flies take over, before looking at stalking, camouflage and wildfowling. Along the way they ask whether function should come before fashion, why so many countryside traditions survive long after their original purpose has disappeared, and whether worrying about the “right” clothes risks putting newcomers off altogether. Plus inappropriate fishing shorts, the Chelsea life jacket, technical tweed, self-propelled Barbour jackets and why wildfowling in tweed is probably something you only try once. In this episode: Why clothing and presentation still matter on a driven shooting dayWhether function should come before fashion in the fieldTweed caps, ties, cravats, breeks, plus fours and shooting coatsWhy traditional shooting clothing developed the way it didEstate tweeds, keeper uniforms and camouflageWhy clothing should not become a barrier for newcomers to shootingWhat to wear for river and salmon fly fishingWaders, fishing vests, fly boxes and polarised sunglassesThe idea of “matching the hatch” when choosing fliesTechnical fabrics versus traditional outdoor clothingModern shooting clothing and the rise of technical tweedWhy women’s shooting clothing is finally becoming more practicalClothing for lowland and hill deer stalkingCamouflage, concealment and breaking up the human outlineWhat to wear for wildfowling on the foreshoreThe importance of staying warm, dry, windproof and able to moveMatching the Hatch by Pat O’Reilly — the fly-fishing guide mentioned by AvianFrederic M. Halford — influential writer and pioneer of modern dry-fly fishingRiver Test fishing — the Hampshire chalk stream discussed in the episodeBarbour — traditional waxed outdoor clothingDubarry of Ireland — country boots and outdoor clothingGORE-TEX — waterproof and breathable technical fabricsPart of the SideCountry Network. DISCLAIMER Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.

  5. Aug 18

    Bitey Fish, Sucky Fish and Charter Boats

    What actually happens when you book a fishing charter — and how much do you need to know before stepping aboard? This week, Jake, Avian and Sam head to sea. Or, more accurately, Jake heads to Suffolk Yacht Harbour to meet charter skipper Garry Wicks, while Avian and Sam contribute varying degrees of useful knowledge from dry land. Garry has spent a lifetime around boats and fishing the waters off the Suffolk coast. From his boat Dawn Raider, he explains what a charter skipper actually does, why local knowledge can matter more than a fish finder, what complete beginners should expect, and how tides, wrecks and changing fish populations shape a day at sea. They also get into bass, spurdog, conger eels, smoothhounds and tuna; why fishing further offshore doesn't necessarily mean catching more fish; the realities of seasickness; what you should bring on your first charter; and why the skipper knowing a particular patch of sea is a large part of what you're paying for. Back in the studio, Avian recalls catching a 50lb conger eel off Cornwall, Sam reveals his surprisingly successful history as a mackerel fisherman, and Jake attempts to divide marine life into the scientifically rigorous categories of bitey fish and sucky fish. And then there are the important maritime questions: should you tip the skipper, why should you never take a banana on a fishing boat, and exactly what has the rabbit done wrong? Featuring Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner, with special guest Garry Wicks of Dawn Raider Charters. Produced by George Browne and edited by Avian Sandercock Part of the SideCountry network. Garry Wicks operates Dawn Raider from Levington Marina at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, offering river and inshore fishing trips from the Felixstowe area. Dawn Raider Charters Fish and Game Podcast Fish and Game on Instagram SideCountry Website DISCLAIMER Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.

  6. Aug 11

    Big Plans and Small Dreams

    The season begins with British bluefin tuna, breeding woodcock in Cornwall and three very different shooting calendars. In the first full episode of Fish & Game, Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf set out their plans – and rather smaller personal ambitions – for the months ahead. Sam wants to tackle Atlantic bluefin tuna off the South West coast, prompting a look at the boats, tackle and controlled fishery behind one of Britain’s most remarkable sporting recoveries. Jake is preparing for the opening of the partridge season at Warter Priory and a walked-up gundog training day, while Avian hopes to investigate reports of woodcock breeding close to his Cornish farm shoot. There is also the proper place of elevenses in a shoot day, fried partridge and pheasant, forgotten wellies, a prospective 20-bore over-and-under, barefoot boots, beginner fly rods and the hosts’ continuing move towards non-lead ammunition. It is an opening look at the fishing, shooting, dogs, food and field adventures Fish & Game will follow through the season – with several promising rabbit holes already waiting. In this episode – Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing in British waters – The tackle, boats and teamwork involved in targeting tuna – Early-season shooting plans and Warter Priory – Looking for breeding woodcock in Cornwall – Why elevenses matters to the rhythm of a shoot day – Fried game, venison and improving shoot-day food – A 20-bore over-and-under and a first fly-fishing outfit – Experiences with non-lead game cartridges Links Bluefin tuna fisheries in 2026 — Marine Management Organisation Breeding Woodcock Survey — Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Woodcock species information — British Trust for Ornithology Warter Priory Estate Bioammo Blue 12-bore cartridges — Just Cartridges River Lynher Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf. Edited by Avian Sandercock. Produced for SideCountry by Richard Prideaux. DISCLAIMER Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.

  7. Aug 11

    Introducing Fish and Game!

    Meet the Hosts of Fish and Game! - Fishing, Shooting and What to Expect from Fish and Game Short summary SideCountry founder Richard Prideaux introduces Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf. They compare their fishing and shooting backgrounds, explain what has brought them together and set out a podcast built around learning, community, conservation and getting more people into the countryside. Episode description Meet Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf, the three hosts of Fish and Game, as SideCountry founder Richard Prideaux asks how they came to fishing, shooting and the countryside - and what they intend to do with a podcast. Avian talks about his Cornish roots, lifelong fishing and the small club shoot that brings his local community together. Sam explains how farming, fly-fishing, clay coaching and simulated game days fit into his working life. Jake traces a route from falconry and gundogs to shooting at Branches Park, KuduRiver Gundogs and the TWENTY10 Club. Along the way, the three give an honest assessment of their fly-fishing ability (or inability) and discover that enthusiasm may be more useful than elegance. This short introduction sets out the ground Fish and Game intends to cover: coarse, game and sea fishing; driven and walked-up shooting; deer stalking; gundogs; falconry; conservation; habitat and land management. More importantly, it explains the spirit of the show - breaking down unfamiliar language and barriers to entry, learning in public and showing the people, places and work that surround a day in the field or on the water. In this episode - Who Avian, Sam and Jake are, and the parts of Britain they call home - Their very different histories with fly-fishing, coarse fishing and sea angling - Why fishing and catching fish are not necessarily the same activity - The overlap between fishing, shooting, food, conservation and land management - The importance of community in club shoots, sim days and days on the river - Jake's route from falconry and gundogs to KuduRiver and TWENTY10 - How Fish and Game plans to explain terminology and make unfamiliar sports easier to approach Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf, with Richard Prideaux. Edited by Avian Sandercock. Produced for SideCountry by Amy Green. DISCLAIMER Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.

  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A SideCountry Network podcast about British fishing, shooting, hunting, wild food, working dogs and life in the field.  Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf. Fish and Game: https://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/fish-and-game/ Presenters: Avian Sandercock: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/avian-sandercock/ Sam Turner: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/sam-turner/ Jake Woolf: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/jake-woolf/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fishandgamepodcast/ More from SideCountry: https://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/ Support SideCountry: https://www.patreon.com/c/SideCountryNetwork

Information

  • Creator
    SideCountry Network
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © SideCountry Network with Sandercock, Turner and Woolf
  • Show Website
    Fish and Game