Nine years in. Still pretty hopeless.
Dry fly and nymph on wild rivers across France, Wales, Slovenia, England, Scotland and Ireland. Honest films for people who know how it feels to get it wrong.
Fly fishing as it
actually happens
Failed Fly Fisherman is a YouTube and Instagram channel documenting one angler's ongoing, largely unsuccessful attempt to become a competent fly fisherman.
No highlight reels. No expert instruction. Just honest films from beautiful rivers, made for anyone who has ever tangled their leader, spooked a rising fish, or gone home empty-handed — and loved every minute.
Watch the filmsFrom the river
The fisherman behind
the failures
Failed Fly Fisherman has been fly fishing for nine years. Primarily dry fly and nymph, primarily for trout and grayling, primarily on rivers that are too good for his casting.
The channel began as an honest record of what fly fishing actually looks like when you are not an expert — the tangles, the spooked fish, the beautiful days that end without a take, and the occasional, slightly miraculous fish that reminds you why you keep going back.
Based in Cheltenham, UK. Films are shot on location across France, Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland — wherever the rivers are good and the fishing is honest. The music is original, composed and performed by Andy Brotherton, guitarist, composer and thirty-year friend.
The name was suggested by his daughter. It stuck.
"The fish are always there. I am frequently not quite good enough to catch them."
Waters fished
YouTube
Full-length films, Shorts, and the complete archive. New films every Monday at 9am.
Watch on YouTubeBehind the scenes, river moments, and weekly teasers every Sunday at 4pm.
Follow on InstagramCollaborations
Failed Fly Fisherman is open to creative collaboration — with musicians, filmmakers, brands and anyone who shares a love of wild places and honest storytelling. Here is what that can look like.
When fly fishing
meets music
Andy has played guitar since age 9, performing and recording across Russia, Peru, USA, Canada, Australia, Europe and the UK. His style spans jazz, classical, flamenco, original composition and popular music. He has performed at Cheltenham and Manchester Jazz Festivals with recordings available on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp and Amazon.
As a teacher, Andy works privately in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, and online worldwide — classical, jazz, blues, rock, world and popular styles, music theory, songwriting, recording and composition. Free intro lesson for all new clients.
River Winding — a cinematic portrait of the River Dordogne — was scored by Andy. The collaboration between a fly fisherman and a guitarist produced something neither would have made alone. If you work in music, film, or any creative field and see a collaboration worth exploring, contact Andy or use the form below.
Collaborations &
enquiries
For brand partnerships, media enquiries, or if you just want to talk about rivers — use the form below.
I read every message. I reply to most of them.