As a lady fly fishing guide and casting instructor, life hasn’t always been a bed of roses. Gilly Bate explains
Many have suffered near apoplexy at the mere thought of a female guide on the English chalk
streams. After all, this is the hallowed ground of Izaak Walton, Halford and Skues and new
territory for the traditionalist. But why does gender matter when it comes to spotting fish,
recognising our different fly life and teaching casting skills? In reality it makes no difference
at all.
I still remember my first fish. No it wasn’t on the chalk streams with a Greenwell’s Glory.
I was around 8 hanging over a bridge above a tiny stream in Scotland and we used jam jars
with holes cut in the lids, slung into the water on string. We filled the jars with bread and the
fish simply loved it. We caught hundreds and I found them mesmerising; such beautiful little
creatures. There was an old iron bath in the field and we would fill it with water and see how
many we could catch. Even then I wanted to catch more than the boys.
Fishing at home in Hampshire was initially on lakes and I rather embarrassingly caught
everything on a Montana for about a year. Then I fished on the beautiful Nadder in Wiltshire
and everything changed. Something touched my soul; stalking along the riverbank, seeing that
lovely golden flash of a fin turning over and that gentle sip on the surface.
Becoming a guide was through a series of lucky breaks and hard work put in to pass several
casting exams. Fine casting is akin to ballet and seeing the loop dance through the air for a
perfect presentation onto the water is simply heaven. Better presentation means more fish,
in more inaccessible places, in all sorts of weather conditions, wherever you are in the world.
I was fortunate to be taken under the wing of Orvis and the amazing tutelage of some of the
best guides on the chalk streams. I am still indebted to John Slader, Graham Woods and the
lovely Brian Robinson who taught me that it is about so many other skills besides catching
fish. I do have some moments of embarrassment about the early days and how I was only one
step ahead of the fisherman. That said, guiding is something that you can only really learn by
doing it. There’s no text book out there and looking at photos of insects is never the same as
seeing them, first hand, on the riverbank.
Typically as a girl I was worried about what to wear as a guide/instructor - honestly. There is a
plethora of fishing clothing for the guys but very little for us. My first fishing footwear was an
old pair of riding boots with very long laces up the sides. Great, until one guy thought that
they were more suitable for the bedroom. Not good, they had to go. Now I wear what’s
comfortable, which is generally my waders as they look the part and give the fishermen
confidence. I am a fishing guide and instructor after all. Mind you I still fuss about what
lipstick to wear.
I feel extremely privileged to spend so much time in the company of extraordinary people in
some of the most beautiful countryside that Britain has to offer. The chalk streams are the
most magical place with fabulous wildlife, stunning locations and terrific fishing. My heart
still skips a beat at the sight of the first mayfly of the season. What wonderful creatures and I
was fortunate enough to see a hobby taking them on the wing over the water this June.
Nature at its finest.
The water clarity is usually gin clear and I never tire of watching fish darting around taking
flies. Once they are locked onto a species, they take full advantage. Pick the correct fly and
you are on to a winner. On the flip side, there are days when they eat absolutely nothing; a
guides worst nightmare. But don't we all love the challenge? It’s why we all fish. Trying to
put yourself into the fish’s head and trick them into taking. It’s such a glorious art and so
enormously satisfying when it all comes together.
Clients vary enormously. Gone are the days of everyone in Harris Tweed. We’ve had naked
ladies swimming when it gets too hot, drunken men who have had to be removed from the
riverbank, helicopters landing and lunches that would have been at home in a Michelin starred
restaurant. Most things I can cope with but lures being hurled downstream fill me with horror,
I do insist on upholding the traditional chalk stream etiquette. Apart from some amazing fish
landed, it’s all been the most incredible amount of fun with many of my fishermen becoming
life-long friends.
Some people want to catch fish, some want to cast to eternity, some just want a friend for the
day but most are after a wonderful time in a very special place, so really my day is easy. The
scene is set, the characters arrive and the rest writes itself. I just love it.
Chalkstream Girl by Ian May from Ian May on Vimeo.
Gilly Bate is an AAPGAI Provisional Instructor and guide based in West Sussex/Hampshire, teaching single handed game angling disciplines for trout & grayling.
She can be contacted at Gilly Bate Fly Fishing www.gillybate.com