The Flyfisher's Podcast

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:Loop control
Casting stroke angles
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.