Qualified fly fishing instructor and professional guide
Member of the Game Angling Instructors Association

Welcome to my page, a far cry from the river bank but hopefully I can encourage you to take up fly fishing and enjoy a fantastic new hobby which may possibly (if you are really keen) take you all over the world meeting new friends and having an amazing time.

I've been fly fishing for about 15 years, I started out by following my husband to the river bank and then by accompanying our two sons fishing. I then became involved with the local Salmon & Trout Association and helped out on a volunteer basis for a number of years, organising Ladies' days and helping with the children's days. I was finally persuaded to qualify as an Instructor and as they say the rest is history. For the last 4 years I've worked at Timsbury as the main guide and on many other beats of both the Test and Itchen, as well as the Nadder, Anton, Dun,and Kennet.

Bonefishing is my absolute heart stopping passion. It is simply fantastic fun and there are so many saltwater species that I would love to catch on a fly. I could talk about it for hours. Being able to double haul and present a fly both accurately and in high winds is a skill essential for saltwater fishing.

Salmon fishing is a joy, and Scotland is where my heart is and where I grew up - until the weather turns, then I'm happy to be back on the chalkstreams. As you can see I love fishing, I dream of fishing; it is simply one of life's greatest pleasures and I would love to help you to feel the same. Casting should be safe, easy and fun and fishing should be accessible to everyone.

I am qualified at level 2 CAA as a fishing instructor/sports coach and I have passed the Game Angling Instructors Cerificate in casting. I hold public liability insurance, a valid first aid certificate, CRB checked and I have completed the good practise in child protection training programme.

Please do contact me on 07817 304232 or e-mail me at gillybate@hotmail.com for more information.

I look forward to speaking to you. Kindest regards, Gilly.