Many of us can probably name a rock star who fly fishes but how about a rock star who fly fishes and is also a fly fishing instructor? Steve Kemp, drummer with the most excellent band Hard Fi is a unique example. I caught up with Steve recently.
You're three albums in, is album number four on the cards?
Number four is very much in the works so watch this space…
Is the process from album release, promoting and touring something that is continually happening until the next album or is there any down time?
It’s not really down time; it’s a different use of time. Touring and promoting turns into writing, rehearsing, and recording. This does give you a bit more “home” time of course, and enables me to get out with a fly rod a bit more often!
At what stage did you start to sense that something special was starting to happen with the band?
We always knew the songs were great, but you’re never sure what will happen. It all happened so quickly that it’s hard to pinpoint anything specific. One minute you’re packing your gear away after playing to fifteen people, the next minute you’re on the Top of the Pops Christmas special.
When you tour, do you take a look at the itinerary and think I might be able to cram some fishing in at a particular location?
Yes indeed! Any off day is analysed for fishing potential! Not just in the uk either. I’ve been lucky enough to find the time to get out with a rod in places as far flung as Australia and Tobago for instance.
Would you say there are some similarities between drumming and fly casting? You know, like rhythm and tempo or is that a little too tenuous?
Drummers must move all four limbs independently of each other often while having to pay attention to other factors, like is the bass player playing in time, or is my beer going to spill. After a while this becomes second nature and I think that comes in handy fishing more than anything else. Being able to adjust multiple different movements at the same time without looking is a difficult skill to learn!
The Lune is your home water, how would you describe it to someone who has never fished it?
It’s a classic rocky, beery, spate river.
Double hand rod or single hand rod, if you had to, which do you prefer?
Can’t I have both? If I was really pushed I’d say single.
Have you fly fished forever?
Pretty much yes!
What is the best fly fishing advice you have been given?
I honestly don’t know! I’ve had so much over the years I’ve probably forgotten it all!
What made you decide to want to become a fly fishing instructor?
I love teaching things I enjoy doing. It can seem like a funny choice to some people, but that really was it. I was approached for help several times by people on the bank when I was fishing, and I wanted to be better at giving it!
Are you pleased you did?
Indeed I am! I really love teaching it, and couldn’t imagine not doing it now. Obviously the process of becoming an instructor has improved my own game hugely.
Have you ever taught someone and they say they know you from somewhere or do you prefer to stay incognito?
I don’t mention that I’m a drummer in a band or anything, and certainly don’t expect anyone to care. However it has come up a few times, and a few people I’ve taught have been to our gigs before which is cool.
What is it you try and instil to a newcomer to fly fishing?
Patience. Anything worth learning takes time.
Do your band mates fly fish?
No one in the band does, but our manager is a dedicated fly fisherman. I’ve helped him polish up his loops before he’s been off catching bonefish a couple of times.
Have you fished with any other musicians, or any you’d like to?
Not really no, other than my own friends. As to any I’d like to, that’s a tough one! I would have liked to have gone catching cat fish with Elvis…
Is playing in front of thousands of fans who are singing your songs back at you as good as it gets or does the line going tight when you are fishing through a salmon pool get anywhere near?
Both fantastic and both very different! When you’re playing a gig, it’s a shared experience. You, your band mates, and everyone in the audience are all in the same moment. Fishing is something that I do alone, so on the river it’s a much more personal experience.
Getting geeky for a second, I know you share my love of the vintage Sage SP range of rods. What is it about them you like?
The feel! There is something about them that I can’t quite put my finger on.You don’t often find that in rods, and I’m usually ruthless about getting rid of them once they’ve served their purpose.
With fly casting it is good to practice, it must be the same with the drums. Do you get behind a drum kit every day to stay in shape and do you do similar with a fly rod?
I try to constantly maintain my level on the things that I’m good at, whilst trying to push the things that I think need work.
Something I have always wanted to ask. When you play a gig and have done the encore do you shoot straight out the door or wait til the crowds have left the venue?
Actually it’s nice to hang around and meet people a lot of the time. Plus if the bar is stocked I’m going nowhere.
One last day of fly fishing what would it be?
There is a hill tarn just over the Cumbrian border that I pretty much learned to fly fish on. I have so many memories of that place. If I had one last day, it’d be there in September; just as the leaves are starting to colour, and the daddy long legs are stumbling out of the grass and onto the water.
More from Hard Fi HERE
Steve offers fly fishing tuition. Contact him HERE