Fish and Game

Fish and Gamehttps://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/fish-and-game/
Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf.

Fish and Game:
https://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/fish-and-game/

Presenters:
Avian Sandercock: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/avian-sandercock/
Sam Turner: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/sam-turner/
Jake Woolf: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/jake-woolf/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/fishandgamepodcast/

More from SideCountry:
https://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/

Support SideCountry:
https://www.patreon.com/c/SideCountryNetwork]]>enWildernessSideCountry Network with Sandercock, Turner and Woolfhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/084c304076d53d144f34cc5404b30f6c.jpgFish and Gamehttps://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/fish-and-game/Wed, 11 Nov 2026 04:01:43 +0000SideCountry NetworkSideCountry Networkfishandgame@sidecountry.co.ukA SideCountry Network podcast about British fishing, shooting, hunting, wild food, working dogs and life in the field. Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf. Fish and Game: https://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/fish-and-game/...
Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf.

Fish and Game:
https://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/fish-and-game/

Presenters:
Avian Sandercock: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/avian-sandercock/
Sam Turner: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/sam-turner/
Jake Woolf: https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/jake-woolf/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/fishandgamepodcast/

More from SideCountry:
https://sidecountry.co.uk/shows/

Support SideCountry:
https://www.patreon.com/c/SideCountryNetwork]]>falsecad862d4-da85-521d-84e9-c039189bde0dfaa5fb40-959a-11f1-b795-2b9c267f210fepisodicMore Listener Questionshttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/more-listener-questions/Richard Prideaux is back with Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner for the second half of the listener questions.

First up: when do you admit the day simply isn’t working and pack up? From empty pigeon decoy patterns and blank riverbanks to fox control in fog, dangerous Cornish cliffs and woods that suddenly feel wrong, the conversation gets into sunk cost, FOMO and knowing when to trust your gut.

Then comes the harder question: how do you explain coming home happy after catching absolutely nothing? The answer involves working dogs, shoot days, dolphins, fox control, good company and the fact that field sports are often about far more than the final result.

In this episode

Knowing when to pack up instead of stubbornly carrying on
Pigeon decoying, blank fishing trips and the sunk cost fallacy
Fox control, fog, cliff fishing and trusting your instincts
Why some woods and wild places can suddenly feel wrong
Why catching nothing can still make for a brilliant day
Dogs, shoot days, fishing and the social side of field sports

Useful links:

- Support SideCountry on Patreon
- Fish & Game on Instagram

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/76269593Wed, 11 Nov 2026 04:00:02 +0000SideCountry Networkhttps://sidecountry.co.uk/people/richard-prideaux/ is back with https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/jake-woolf/, https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/avian-sandercock/ and https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/sam-turner/ for the second half of the listener...Richard Prideaux is back with Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner for the second half of the listener questions.

First up: when do you admit the day simply isn’t working and pack up? From empty pigeon decoy patterns and blank riverbanks to fox control in fog, dangerous Cornish cliffs and woods that suddenly feel wrong, the conversation gets into sunk cost, FOMO and knowing when to trust your gut.

Then comes the harder question: how do you explain coming home happy after catching absolutely nothing? The answer involves working dogs, shoot days, dolphins, fox control, good company and the fact that field sports are often about far more than the final result.

In this episode

Knowing when to pack up instead of stubbornly carrying on
Pigeon decoying, blank fishing trips and the sunk cost fallacy
Fox control, fog, cliff fishing and trusting your instincts
Why some woods and wild places can suddenly feel wrong
Why catching nothing can still make for a brilliant day
Dogs, shoot days, fishing and the social side of field sports

Useful links:

- Support SideCountry on Patreon
- Fish & Game on Instagram

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>1590falsefullAdvice, Jargon and Woodland tipshttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/advice-jargon-and-woodland-tips/Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner are ambushed with listener questions they haven't seen in advance.

First up: why is fishing and shooting full of experienced people confidently giving beginners completely contradictory advice? They get into the usefulness, or otherwise, of simply shouting "more lead", dads convincing children that talking scares the fish, jargon as a barrier to entry, why bluffing is usually a terrible idea and what actually makes somebody worth inviting back.

Then "Nick in the Woods" asks what game really wants from a woodland. That leads into woodland edges, coppicing, rides, warm banks, scallops, cover, roosting, woodcock, deer management and how to create a useful mosaic without forgetting that woodland may also need to produce timber and support everything else living in it.

There are also sausage rolls, fishing flies, the correct use of a hankie and a final reminder that all your careful woodland management may be for nothing if the grey squirrels get there first.

In this episode:

Why "just give it more lead" isn't particularly useful advice
Jargon, etiquette and learning without pretending you know everything
How to be the sort of guest people actually invite back
What pheasants need from woodland: light, cover, warmth and edges
Coppicing, rides and balancing game, deer, forestry and wider wildlife
Why grey squirrel management matters

Useful links:

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/76170333Wed, 04 Nov 2026 09:44:10 +0000SideCountry NetworkThis week https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/jake-woolf/, https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/avian-sandercock/ and https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/sam-turner/ are ambushed with listener questions they haven't seen in advance. First up: why is fishing...Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner are ambushed with listener questions they haven't seen in advance.

First up: why is fishing and shooting full of experienced people confidently giving beginners completely contradictory advice? They get into the usefulness, or otherwise, of simply shouting "more lead", dads convincing children that talking scares the fish, jargon as a barrier to entry, why bluffing is usually a terrible idea and what actually makes somebody worth inviting back.

Then "Nick in the Woods" asks what game really wants from a woodland. That leads into woodland edges, coppicing, rides, warm banks, scallops, cover, roosting, woodcock, deer management and how to create a useful mosaic without forgetting that woodland may also need to produce timber and support everything else living in it.

There are also sausage rolls, fishing flies, the correct use of a hankie and a final reminder that all your careful woodland management may be for nothing if the grey squirrels get there first.

In this episode:

Why "just give it more lead" isn't particularly useful advice
Jargon, etiquette and learning without pretending you know everything
How to be the sort of guest people actually invite back
What pheasants need from woodland: light, cover, warmth and edges
Coppicing, rides and balancing game, deer, forestry and wider wildlife
Why grey squirrel management matters

Useful links:

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>1689falsefullEverything's Fine Until It Isn'thttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/everythings-fine-until-it-isnt/Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner are joined by Richard Prideaux to talk about something everybody assumes they have covered until it all goes wrong: staying safe outdoors.

Richard spent years working in mountain rescue, outdoor safety and risk training, but this isn't about turning a day's fishing or shooting into a special forces operation. It's about working out what can realistically go wrong, what actually matters and what you can do about it before you leave the house.

They get into the difference between likelihood and consequence, why experienced people can become more complacent than beginners, the idea of thinking "left of bang", telling somebody where you're going, first aid, group dynamics and why sometimes the safest thing you can do is tell one of your mates to stop being an idiot.

There is also a beater who is specifically told not to go near a mine shaft and promptly goes to look at it, 25 people and 17 dogs wandering over to have a look, spaniel emergencies solved by mars bars and Richard explaining why the last time he nearly died was on a boat and definitely wasn't his fault.

In this episode:

Why experience can sometimes make you less safe
Likelihood, consequence and how we actually judge risk
Thinking "left of bang" before something goes wrong
What to think about when shooting, stalking or fishing alone
The mine shaft incident and the problem of secondary casualties
First aid for people and dogs in the field
Why group dynamics can make sensible people do stupid things
Near misses, shortcuts and learning from other people's mistakes

Why experience can sometimes make you less safe
Likelihood, consequence and how we actually judge risk
Thinking "left of bang" before something goes wrong
What to think about when shooting, stalking or fishing alone
The mine shaft incident and the problem of secondary casualties
First aid for people and dogs in the field
Why group dynamics can make sensible people do stupid things
Near misses, shortcuts and learning from other people's mistakes

Useful links:
- Support SideCountry on Patreon

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>2380falsefullWhat MeatEater Gets Righthttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/what-meateater-gets-right/
This week Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner are joined by SideCountry producer and conservationist Amy Green to compare British field sports media with one of America's biggest hunting brands.

They look at why MeatEater reaches beyond people who already hunt, how adventure, ecology, food and storytelling make field sports feel more accessible, and whether British shooting still presents itself through too much tweed, tradition and exclusivity.

The conversation also gets into wild food, rough shooting, conservation, the difference between explaining and defending field sports, and whether British media has forgotten to show why people enjoy doing this stuff in the first place.

In this episode:
- Why MeatEater works beyond an audience of hunters
- The difference between British and American field sports media
- Whether UK shooting looks too elitist and inaccessible
- Why adventure, ecology and food make a better story than just the kill
- What British field sports could learn from MeatEater
- Why shooting media may spend too much time defending itself
- Talking to the neutral majority rather than committed opponents
- Showing where wild food actually comes from
- How Fish and Game could tell better stories about the countryside

Useful links:
- Support SideCountry on Patreon
- Fish and Game on SideCountry
- MeatEater
- MeatEater Shows
- Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
- SideCountry

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/75872299Wed, 21 Oct 2026 03:00:02 +0000SideCountry NetworkWhy doesn't Britain have its own MeatEater? This week https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/jake-woolf/, https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/avian-sandercock/ and https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/sam-turner/ are joined by SideCountry producer and...
This week Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner are joined by SideCountry producer and conservationist Amy Green to compare British field sports media with one of America's biggest hunting brands.

They look at why MeatEater reaches beyond people who already hunt, how adventure, ecology, food and storytelling make field sports feel more accessible, and whether British shooting still presents itself through too much tweed, tradition and exclusivity.

The conversation also gets into wild food, rough shooting, conservation, the difference between explaining and defending field sports, and whether British media has forgotten to show why people enjoy doing this stuff in the first place.

In this episode:
- Why MeatEater works beyond an audience of hunters
- The difference between British and American field sports media
- Whether UK shooting looks too elitist and inaccessible
- Why adventure, ecology and food make a better story than just the kill
- What British field sports could learn from MeatEater
- Why shooting media may spend too much time defending itself
- Talking to the neutral majority rather than committed opponents
- Showing where wild food actually comes from
- How Fish and Game could tell better stories about the countryside

Useful links:
- Support SideCountry on Patreon
- Fish and Game on SideCountry
- MeatEater
- MeatEater Shows
- Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
- SideCountry

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>2617falsefullFindy Dogs, Flushy Dogs, Fetchy Dogshttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/findy-dogs-flushy-dogs-fetchy-dogs/
This week Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner get into the dogs that make a day in the field possible, from pointers and setters to spaniels, Labradors and the assorted pets that somehow find themselves in a beating line.

They look at the different jobs gundogs have been bred to do: finding, flushing, pointing and retrieving game, and why the perfect dog for one job might be completely wrong for another.But this isn’t really about perfectly trained demonstration dogs. Most people have a dog that spends far more time being part of the family than working on a shoot, so how much should we actually expect from them?

There are spaniels that won’t retrieve, Labradors that can apparently straighten corkscrews, dogs that know when there’s absolutely nothing in the cover you’re trying to send them into, and the occasional reminder that a badly behaved gundog can ruin a drive remarkably quickly.

They also talk about picking up, beating, peg dogs, steadiness, recall, trusting a dog’s nose and the work that goes into building a partnership between dog and handler.

And eventually it comes back to the reason most of us have them in the first place. They might be muddy, stubborn, expensive and occasionally embarrassing, but a day in the field is almost always better with a dog.

In this episode:

What actually makes a gundog
The different jobs of pointers, setters, spaniels and retrievers
Findy dogs, flushy dogs and fetchy dogs
The difference between a working dog and a family pet that also works
Why expectations matter when your dog only shoots a handful of days each year
HPRs and the hunt, point, retrieve combination
Cockers and springers in the beating line
Labradors and the art of picking up
Peg dogs and what makes a good one
Why recall and a stop whistle matter so much
Steadiness around game and other dogs
What makes a useful beating dog
What makes a good picking-up dog
Learning to trust your dog’s nose
Working dogs in water and on wildfowling days
Why some dogs are simply better suited to certain jobs
The reality of owning a spaniel
Why the relationship between dog and handler matters more than perfection
The memories you build with working dogs
Why a day in the field is nearly always better with a dog

Useful links:
– Support SideCountry on Patreon
– The Game Fair: Dogs and Gundog Events
– The Game Fair: Home International Gundog Competitions
– Royal Kennel Club: Field Trials and Working Gundogs
– Royal Kennel Club: New to Field Trials?
– Royal Kennel Club: Gundog Training Days
– The Gundog Club: Graded Training Scheme

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/75767887Wed, 14 Oct 2026 03:00:02 +0000SideCountry NetworkA gundog is not, as Sam points out, a dog with a gun. This week https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/jake-woolf/, https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/avian-sandercock/ and https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/sam-turner/ get into the dogs that make a day in the...
This week Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner get into the dogs that make a day in the field possible, from pointers and setters to spaniels, Labradors and the assorted pets that somehow find themselves in a beating line.

They look at the different jobs gundogs have been bred to do: finding, flushing, pointing and retrieving game, and why the perfect dog for one job might be completely wrong for another.But this isn’t really about perfectly trained demonstration dogs. Most people have a dog that spends far more time being part of the family than working on a shoot, so how much should we actually expect from them?

There are spaniels that won’t retrieve, Labradors that can apparently straighten corkscrews, dogs that know when there’s absolutely nothing in the cover you’re trying to send them into, and the occasional reminder that a badly behaved gundog can ruin a drive remarkably quickly.

They also talk about picking up, beating, peg dogs, steadiness, recall, trusting a dog’s nose and the work that goes into building a partnership between dog and handler.

And eventually it comes back to the reason most of us have them in the first place. They might be muddy, stubborn, expensive and occasionally embarrassing, but a day in the field is almost always better with a dog.

In this episode:

What actually makes a gundog
The different jobs of pointers, setters, spaniels and retrievers
Findy dogs, flushy dogs and fetchy dogs
The difference between a working dog and a family pet that also works
Why expectations matter when your dog only shoots a handful of days each year
HPRs and the hunt, point, retrieve combination
Cockers and springers in the beating line
Labradors and the art of picking up
Peg dogs and what makes a good one
Why recall and a stop whistle matter so much
Steadiness around game and other dogs
What makes a useful beating dog
What makes a good picking-up dog
Learning to trust your dog’s nose
Working dogs in water and on wildfowling days
Why some dogs are simply better suited to certain jobs
The reality of owning a spaniel
Why the relationship between dog and handler matters more than perfection
The memories you build with working dogs
Why a day in the field is nearly always better with a dog

Useful links:
– Support SideCountry on Patreon
– The Game Fair: Dogs and Gundog Events
– The Game Fair: Home International Gundog Competitions
– Royal Kennel Club: Field Trials and Working Gundogs
– Royal Kennel Club: New to Field Trials?
– Royal Kennel Club: Gundog Training Days
– The Gundog Club: Graded Training Scheme

Part of the 2206falsefullSo You Want to Get Into Country Sports?https://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/so-you-want-to-get-into-country-sports/
Listener James has recently moved from a major city to rural Wales with his young family. He wants to get involved in country life but has no shooting or fishing background and nobody locally to show him the ropes. So where do you start? Apply for a shotgun certificate? Buy a fishing rod? Book a shoot day? Join an organisation? Or simply find somebody who knows what they're doing?

Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner reckon the answer is much simpler: don't rush out and buy all the kit. Go beating.

They explain what a beating line actually does, how to find a local shoot, what you need for your first day and why listening to the keeper and watching the people either side of you is considerably more useful than trying to learn all the lingo beforehand.

But beating is also about much more than moving birds towards a line of Guns. For somebody new to an area, it can provide an instant community and a route into dogs, clays, game shooting, pigeon shooting, fishing and the wider rural world. It can also involve flags, radios, sausage rolls, chocolate-based bribery and, apparently, free sloe gin from 9.30 in the morning.

There are also stories of children disappearing into bogs, beaters quietly starting to support the pheasant after enough Guns have missed it, and the particular satisfaction of coming home wet, tired and covered in brambles after a day spent outside with good people.

And, as James has now proved, they really do read the emails.

In this episode:

How to get into country sports when you have no previous experience
Why you probably shouldn't buy a gun or fishing rod straight away
Why beating is one of the easiest ways into the shooting world
What a beater actually does
How to find a local shoot and introduce yourself
What to wear and what to take on your first day
Understanding the beating line and listening to the keeper
Taking children and family along
Beaters' Day and getting your first experience on the gun line
How beating can lead to dogs, clays, pigeon shooting and other country sports
Why chocolate, sausage rolls and port can make you surprisingly popular
The social side of joining a shoot
Favourite memories from the beating line

Useful links:

- BASC: Beating
- Fish and Game: From Zero to Salmon - sort of
- SideCountry Network

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/75597331Wed, 07 Oct 2026 03:00:02 +0000SideCountry NetworkHow do you get into country sports when you didn't grow up around them? Listener James has recently moved from a major city to rural Wales with his young family. He wants to get involved in country life but has no shooting or fishing background and...
Listener James has recently moved from a major city to rural Wales with his young family. He wants to get involved in country life but has no shooting or fishing background and nobody locally to show him the ropes. So where do you start? Apply for a shotgun certificate? Buy a fishing rod? Book a shoot day? Join an organisation? Or simply find somebody who knows what they're doing?

Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner reckon the answer is much simpler: don't rush out and buy all the kit. Go beating.

They explain what a beating line actually does, how to find a local shoot, what you need for your first day and why listening to the keeper and watching the people either side of you is considerably more useful than trying to learn all the lingo beforehand.

But beating is also about much more than moving birds towards a line of Guns. For somebody new to an area, it can provide an instant community and a route into dogs, clays, game shooting, pigeon shooting, fishing and the wider rural world. It can also involve flags, radios, sausage rolls, chocolate-based bribery and, apparently, free sloe gin from 9.30 in the morning.

There are also stories of children disappearing into bogs, beaters quietly starting to support the pheasant after enough Guns have missed it, and the particular satisfaction of coming home wet, tired and covered in brambles after a day spent outside with good people.

And, as James has now proved, they really do read the emails.

In this episode:

How to get into country sports when you have no previous experience
Why you probably shouldn't buy a gun or fishing rod straight away
Why beating is one of the easiest ways into the shooting world
What a beater actually does
How to find a local shoot and introduce yourself
What to wear and what to take on your first day
Understanding the beating line and listening to the keeper
Taking children and family along
Beaters' Day and getting your first experience on the gun line
How beating can lead to dogs, clays, pigeon shooting and other country sports
Why chocolate, sausage rolls and port can make you surprisingly popular
The social side of joining a shoot
Favourite memories from the beating line

Useful links:

- BASC: Beating
- Fish and Game: From Zero to Salmon - sort of
- SideCountry Network

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>2177falsefullThe Gentlemen: Shooting, Etiquette and CGI Duckshttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/the-gentlemen-shooting-etiquette-and-cgi-ducks/
Season two of Guy Ritchie's Netflix series opens with a grand shooting party at the Horniman family estate. There are aristocrats, international guests, matching guns, loaders, helicopters, business deals and some fairly questionable CGI birds.

Spoiler warning: this episode discusses the opening episode of season two of The Gentlemen.

But if this was your first glimpse of driven game shooting, how much of it resembles the real thing?Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner go through the shoot scene and separate the television flourishes from the surprisingly authentic bits.

They look at why shoot days are such social occasions, the difference between an invitation from a mate and the shooting equivalent of a corporate box, and why the gamekeeper remains in charge regardless of how wealthy or important the Guns might be.

There is also etiquette, loaders, picking-up teams, gun choice, hot pegs, the final bag and what someone going on their first driven day should actually expect.

And because a Guy Ritchie crime drama cannot be allowed to pass without consequences, Sam finishes with a quiz asking Jake and Avian to distinguish between varieties of pheasant and varieties of weed.

In this episode:

What The Gentlemen gets right about driven shooting
What television inevitably gets wrong
Why a shoot day is about more than pulling the trigger
Invitations, networking and the shooting equivalent of a corporate box
Why the gamekeeper runs the day
Shoot etiquette and knowing how to behave
Guns, loaders and picking-up teams
Greedy shooting and sporting behaviour
What happens at the end of a driven day
What to expect from your first shoot
Why syndicates can be a good way into game shooting
CGI birds and suspiciously summery shoot days
Weed or pheasant?

Useful links:

Please note: If you are new to game shooting, seek appropriate instruction, listen carefully to the shoot briefing and always follow current firearms law and safety guidance.

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/75418475Wed, 30 Sep 2026 03:00:02 +0000SideCountry NetworkWhat does The Gentlemen actually get right about a driven shoot? Season two of Guy Ritchie's Netflix series opens with a grand shooting party at the Horniman family estate. There are aristocrats, international guests, matching guns, loaders,...
Season two of Guy Ritchie's Netflix series opens with a grand shooting party at the Horniman family estate. There are aristocrats, international guests, matching guns, loaders, helicopters, business deals and some fairly questionable CGI birds.

Spoiler warning: this episode discusses the opening episode of season two of The Gentlemen.

But if this was your first glimpse of driven game shooting, how much of it resembles the real thing?Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner go through the shoot scene and separate the television flourishes from the surprisingly authentic bits.

They look at why shoot days are such social occasions, the difference between an invitation from a mate and the shooting equivalent of a corporate box, and why the gamekeeper remains in charge regardless of how wealthy or important the Guns might be.

There is also etiquette, loaders, picking-up teams, gun choice, hot pegs, the final bag and what someone going on their first driven day should actually expect.

And because a Guy Ritchie crime drama cannot be allowed to pass without consequences, Sam finishes with a quiz asking Jake and Avian to distinguish between varieties of pheasant and varieties of weed.

In this episode:

What The Gentlemen gets right about driven shooting
What television inevitably gets wrong
Why a shoot day is about more than pulling the trigger
Invitations, networking and the shooting equivalent of a corporate box
Why the gamekeeper runs the day
Shoot etiquette and knowing how to behave
Guns, loaders and picking-up teams
Greedy shooting and sporting behaviour
What happens at the end of a driven day
What to expect from your first shoot
Why syndicates can be a good way into game shooting
CGI birds and suspiciously summery shoot days
Weed or pheasant?

Useful links:

Please note: If you are new to game shooting, seek appropriate instruction, listen carefully to the shoot briefing and always follow current firearms law and safety guidance.

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>1988falsefullDeer, Deer Everywherehttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/deer-deer-everywhere/Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner take a look at the six species of deer living wild in Britain, with Sam bringing some first-hand experience from farming red deer.They work through red, roe, fallow, sika, muntjac and Chinese water deer, including where they came from, where you are likely to find them and the surprisingly complicated business of what to call males, females and young.Then the conversation turns to deer management. Why have numbers and ranges increased so much? What happens when neighbouring landowners take completely different approaches? And how do forestry, farming, road collisions and sporting management all fit together?Sam explains how management works on deer farms and in the Highlands, while the three discuss the differences between managing deer for sport, controlling numbers and producing healthy animals for the food chain.There is also the curious economics of venison, why wild deer can sometimes be worth surprisingly little at carcass level, some very straightforward ideas for cooking it, and a final test of whether Jake and Sam can tell the difference between a deer term and a medieval insult.In this episode:

The six species of wild deer found in Britain
Red and roe deer, our two native species
Fallow, sika, muntjac and Chinese water deer
Roe deer and delayed implantation
Why muntjac seem to be everywhere
Stags, bucks, hinds, does, calves, kids and fawns
Why deer numbers and ranges have increased
Deer damage to woodland, crops and new planting
Deer and road traffic collisions
Highland versus lowland deer management
The importance of managing females as well as males
Farmed deer and wild deer
The changing market for British venison
Simple ways to cook venison
Deer terms or medieval insults

Useful links:

Please note: Deer seasons, legislation and management requirements vary across the UK and can change. Always check current guidance for the species and location concerned before carrying out deer management.Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/75310817Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:01:58 +0000SideCountry NetworkWhat exactly counts as a British deer?Is it a red stag on a whisky bottle, a muntjac standing beside the A11, or a Chinese water deer that appears to have grown a pair of fangs?https://sidecountry.co.uk/people/jake-woolf/,...Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner take a look at the six species of deer living wild in Britain, with Sam bringing some first-hand experience from farming red deer.They work through red, roe, fallow, sika, muntjac and Chinese water deer, including where they came from, where you are likely to find them and the surprisingly complicated business of what to call males, females and young.Then the conversation turns to deer management. Why have numbers and ranges increased so much? What happens when neighbouring landowners take completely different approaches? And how do forestry, farming, road collisions and sporting management all fit together?Sam explains how management works on deer farms and in the Highlands, while the three discuss the differences between managing deer for sport, controlling numbers and producing healthy animals for the food chain.There is also the curious economics of venison, why wild deer can sometimes be worth surprisingly little at carcass level, some very straightforward ideas for cooking it, and a final test of whether Jake and Sam can tell the difference between a deer term and a medieval insult.In this episode:

The six species of wild deer found in Britain
Red and roe deer, our two native species
Fallow, sika, muntjac and Chinese water deer
Roe deer and delayed implantation
Why muntjac seem to be everywhere
Stags, bucks, hinds, does, calves, kids and fawns
Why deer numbers and ranges have increased
Deer damage to woodland, crops and new planting
Deer and road traffic collisions
Highland versus lowland deer management
The importance of managing females as well as males
Farmed deer and wild deer
The changing market for British venison
Simple ways to cook venison
Deer terms or medieval insults

Useful links:

Please note: Deer seasons, legislation and management requirements vary across the UK and can change. Always check current guidance for the species and location concerned before carrying out deer management.Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons,...]]>2524falsefullPartridge, Pear Trees and Small Boreshttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/partridge-pear-trees-and-small-bores/
JOIN THE PATREON HERE: https://sidecountry.co.uk/support

With the partridge season underway, Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner take a look at one of Britain's classic game birds.

Jake has already been lucky enough to shoot both red-legged and wild grey partridge this season, which leads into the differences between the two birds, why grey numbers declined so dramatically and the habitat and predator management required to restore wild populations.

They also get into the shooting itself, including walked-up versus driven partridge, why they somehow appear faster than pheasants, identifying greys and red-legs on the wing, and the particular challenge and privilege of shooting a sustainable surplus of wild English birds.

Then there are cartridges, small-bore guns, early season shooting in shirt sleeves and Jake briefly believing he had mastered the .410 before normal service quickly resumed.

Finally, they turn to the table and ask whether young partridge might actually be one of the finest game birds to eat.

In this episode:

Grey versus red-legged partridge
Why red-legs are known as French partridge
The decline and conservation of the wild grey
Habitat, chick food and predator management
What a covey is
Walked-up and driven partridge shooting
Why partridge can be deceptively difficult to hit
Identifying quarry before taking a shot
12-bores, 20-bores, 28-bores and .410s
Steel cartridges and lighter early season loads
Why the season begins on 1 September
Why partridge deserves a place on the dinner table

Useful links:

Please note: Grey and red-legged partridge seasons and regulations vary across the UK. Wild greys should only be shot where monitoring shows a sustainable surplus. Always follow current legislation and the instructions given at the shoot briefing.

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/75142714Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:03 +0000SideCountry NetworkWhat makes the grey partridge so special, and why is its French cousin now a far more familiar sight on British shoots? JOIN THE PATREON HERE: https://sidecountry.co.uk/support With the partridge season underway,...
JOIN THE PATREON HERE: https://sidecountry.co.uk/support

With the partridge season underway, Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner take a look at one of Britain's classic game birds.

Jake has already been lucky enough to shoot both red-legged and wild grey partridge this season, which leads into the differences between the two birds, why grey numbers declined so dramatically and the habitat and predator management required to restore wild populations.

They also get into the shooting itself, including walked-up versus driven partridge, why they somehow appear faster than pheasants, identifying greys and red-legs on the wing, and the particular challenge and privilege of shooting a sustainable surplus of wild English birds.

Then there are cartridges, small-bore guns, early season shooting in shirt sleeves and Jake briefly believing he had mastered the .410 before normal service quickly resumed.

Finally, they turn to the table and ask whether young partridge might actually be one of the finest game birds to eat.

In this episode:

Grey versus red-legged partridge
Why red-legs are known as French partridge
The decline and conservation of the wild grey
Habitat, chick food and predator management
What a covey is
Walked-up and driven partridge shooting
Why partridge can be deceptively difficult to hit
Identifying quarry before taking a shot
12-bores, 20-bores, 28-bores and .410s
Steel cartridges and lighter early season loads
Why the season begins on 1 September
Why partridge deserves a place on the dinner table

Useful links:

Please note: Grey and red-legged partridge seasons and regulations vary across the UK. Wild greys should only be shot where monitoring shows a sustainable surplus. Always follow current legislation and the instructions given at the shoot briefing.

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>2875falsefullFrom Zero to Salmon - sort of.https://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/from-zero-to-salmon-sort-of/
Is it the refined art of matching the hatch and delicately presenting an artificial fly to a feeding fish - or is it simply “fluff chucking”: standing beside a body of water, waving a rod around and hoping the fish do not laugh at you?

Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner attempt to get to the bottom of it after Jake has won himself three days of salmon and sea-trout fishing in Scotland.There is only one slight problem: he hasnever really fly-fished before. So Sam and Avian are attempting to give him a crash course in the sport, covering what a fly rod actually does, dry flies and nymphs, matching the hatch, rods, reels, leaders, casting and the difference between trout and salmon fishing. They also get into why people become so obsessed with it: the escape, the challenge, the satisfaction of a perfect cast and the strange appeal of deliberately making catching a fish more difficult.

Jake discovers that his salmon trip will involve bigger rivers, bigger rods and Spey casting, while Sam and Avian explain why a few lessons on a small trout lake may be a better starting point than heading straight for Scotland.There is also Jake’s plan to make fishing a family pursuit - with the added possibility that getting Mrs Woolf interested may make future permissions considerably easier.

Plus sucky fish, Shakespearean nymphs, casts that sound like horse whips, cupboards full of unnecessary tackle and Avian’s ever-present sage advice.

In this episode:

What fly-fishing is and how the cast works
Dry flies, nymphs and matching the hatch
Why fly-fishing feels more like hunting
The difference between trout and salmon fishing
Rods, reels, lines, leaders and basic beginner kit
Why timing matters more than strength when casting
Overhead casting and Spey casting explained
Where beginners should go to learn
Why a good instructor can save a lot of frustration
Getting children and families involved
Why you probably do not need to buy quite as much tackle as you think

This is just the beginning of Jake’s journey from complete beginner to salmon fishing in Scotland.

Useful links:

Please note: Fishing licence and permit requirements, close seasons, catch-and-release rules and salmon conservation measures vary between countries, rivers and individual fisheries and can change. Always check the current rules for the water you intend to fish.

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/75000607Wed, 09 Sep 2026 04:00:02 +0000SideCountry NetworkWhat exactly is fly-fishing? Is it the refined art of matching the hatch and delicately presenting an artificial fly to a feeding fish - or is it simply “fluff chucking”: standing beside a body of water, waving a rod around and hoping the fish do not...
Is it the refined art of matching the hatch and delicately presenting an artificial fly to a feeding fish - or is it simply “fluff chucking”: standing beside a body of water, waving a rod around and hoping the fish do not laugh at you?

Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner attempt to get to the bottom of it after Jake has won himself three days of salmon and sea-trout fishing in Scotland.There is only one slight problem: he hasnever really fly-fished before. So Sam and Avian are attempting to give him a crash course in the sport, covering what a fly rod actually does, dry flies and nymphs, matching the hatch, rods, reels, leaders, casting and the difference between trout and salmon fishing. They also get into why people become so obsessed with it: the escape, the challenge, the satisfaction of a perfect cast and the strange appeal of deliberately making catching a fish more difficult.

Jake discovers that his salmon trip will involve bigger rivers, bigger rods and Spey casting, while Sam and Avian explain why a few lessons on a small trout lake may be a better starting point than heading straight for Scotland.There is also Jake’s plan to make fishing a family pursuit - with the added possibility that getting Mrs Woolf interested may make future permissions considerably easier.

Plus sucky fish, Shakespearean nymphs, casts that sound like horse whips, cupboards full of unnecessary tackle and Avian’s ever-present sage advice.

In this episode:

What fly-fishing is and how the cast works
Dry flies, nymphs and matching the hatch
Why fly-fishing feels more like hunting
The difference between trout and salmon fishing
Rods, reels, lines, leaders and basic beginner kit
Why timing matters more than strength when casting
Overhead casting and Spey casting explained
Where beginners should go to learn
Why a good instructor can save a lot of frustration
Getting children and families involved
Why you probably do not need to buy quite as much tackle as you think

This is just the beginning of Jake’s journey from complete beginner to salmon fishing in Scotland.

Useful links:

Please note: Fishing licence and permit requirements, close seasons, catch-and-release rules and salmon conservation measures vary between countries, rivers and individual fisheries and can change. Always check the current rules for the water you intend to fish.

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources,...]]>2825falsefullA Beginner’s Guide to Wildfowlinghttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/a-beginners-guide-to-wildfowling/Is it any pursuit of wild ducks and geese, or does it only become wildfowling once you are cold, wet, deep in estuary mud and questioning your life choices?

Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner attempt to get to the bottom of one of Britain’s oldest and most demanding forms of shooting.

They look at the traditional world of foreshore wildfowling: early starts, evening flights, shifting tides, slippery mud, quarry identification and the importance of joining a club whose members know how to get safely onto and off the marsh.

The conversation also covers the dogs, guns, cartridges, calls, decoys and clothing involved; why a synthetic semi-automatic may be more useful than Grandfather’s best gun; and whether a muddy Labrador is easier to clean than a spaniel.

There is also a look back at the formidable punt guns once used by commercial wildfowlers, before attention turns to the most important question of all: what should you do with a duck or goose once you have brought it home?

Plus duck cooked over coals, smoked goose, wildfowl burgers, questionable jerky experiments, Teflon Labradors, baritone chickadees and the familiar suggestion that a badly cooked Canada goose may be less appetising than the brick beneath it.

In this episode:

What wildfowling is — and whether mud is an essential part of the definition
Why traditional wildfowling is closely associated with marshes, estuaries and the foreshore
How clubs manage access, sporting rights, mentoring and local safety
The importance of understanding tides and learning an unfamiliar marsh from experienced members
Recognising legal quarry before taking a shot
Why Labradors are so closely associated with wildfowling
Calls, decoys and attracting ducks and geese
Why electronic bird calls cannot be used
Choosing a robust shotgun and suitable non-lead ammunition
Why an inexpensive synthetic semi-automatic may be a practical choice
The history and extraordinary scale of punt guns
Clothing, communications and emergency planning on the foreshore
Why newcomers should not venture onto unfamiliar tidal ground alone
Keeping both wildfowler and dog warm in difficult conditions
Cooking duck and goose over fire, in a wok, as burgers, smoked or made into charcuterie
Why Avian may finally have talked himself into trying wildfowling

Please note: Wildfowling law, quarry lists and local restrictions can change. Always check current government guidance and the rules of the club or land over which you are shooting.

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74793278Wed, 02 Sep 2026 04:00:02 +0000SideCountry NetworkWhat exactly counts as wildfowling? Is it any pursuit of wild ducks and geese, or does it only become wildfowling once you are cold, wet, deep in estuary mud and questioning your life choices?...Is it any pursuit of wild ducks and geese, or does it only become wildfowling once you are cold, wet, deep in estuary mud and questioning your life choices?

Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner attempt to get to the bottom of one of Britain’s oldest and most demanding forms of shooting.

They look at the traditional world of foreshore wildfowling: early starts, evening flights, shifting tides, slippery mud, quarry identification and the importance of joining a club whose members know how to get safely onto and off the marsh.

The conversation also covers the dogs, guns, cartridges, calls, decoys and clothing involved; why a synthetic semi-automatic may be more useful than Grandfather’s best gun; and whether a muddy Labrador is easier to clean than a spaniel.

There is also a look back at the formidable punt guns once used by commercial wildfowlers, before attention turns to the most important question of all: what should you do with a duck or goose once you have brought it home?

Plus duck cooked over coals, smoked goose, wildfowl burgers, questionable jerky experiments, Teflon Labradors, baritone chickadees and the familiar suggestion that a badly cooked Canada goose may be less appetising than the brick beneath it.

In this episode:

What wildfowling is — and whether mud is an essential part of the definition
Why traditional wildfowling is closely associated with marshes, estuaries and the foreshore
How clubs manage access, sporting rights, mentoring and local safety
The importance of understanding tides and learning an unfamiliar marsh from experienced members
Recognising legal quarry before taking a shot
Why Labradors are so closely associated with wildfowling
Calls, decoys and attracting ducks and geese
Why electronic bird calls cannot be used
Choosing a robust shotgun and suitable non-lead ammunition
Why an inexpensive synthetic semi-automatic may be a practical choice
The history and extraordinary scale of punt guns
Clothing, communications and emergency planning on the foreshore
Why newcomers should not venture onto unfamiliar tidal ground alone
Keeping both wildfowler and dog warm in difficult conditions
Cooking duck and goose over fire, in a wok, as burgers, smoked or made into charcuterie
Why Avian may finally have talked himself into trying wildfowling

Please note: Wildfowling law, quarry lists and local restrictions can change. Always check current government guidance and the rules of the club or land over which you are shooting.

Part of the SideCountry Network.
2177falsefullThe Uniform of the Fieldhttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/the-uniform-of-the-field/
Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner work their way through the strange mixture of tradition, practicality and unwritten rules that governs sporting clothing.

They start with driven shooting: tweed caps, ties, cravats, breeks, plus fours, shooting coats, estate tweeds and the question of whether matching tweed is smart or simply too much.

From there they move onto fly fishing, where technical clothing, waders, polarised glasses and enormous pockets full of flies take over, before looking at stalking, camouflage and wildfowling.

Along the way they ask whether function should come before fashion, why so many countryside traditions survive long after their original purpose has disappeared, and whether worrying about the “right” clothes risks putting newcomers off altogether.

Plus inappropriate fishing shorts, the Chelsea life jacket, technical tweed, self-propelled Barbour jackets and why wildfowling in tweed is probably something you only try once.

In this episode:

Why clothing and presentation still matter on a driven shooting day
Whether function should come before fashion in the field
Tweed caps, ties, cravats, breeks, plus fours and shooting coats
Why traditional shooting clothing developed the way it did
Estate tweeds, keeper uniforms and camouflage
Why clothing should not become a barrier for newcomers to shooting
What to wear for river and salmon fly fishing
Waders, fishing vests, fly boxes and polarised sunglasses
The idea of “matching the hatch” when choosing flies
Technical fabrics versus traditional outdoor clothing
Modern shooting clothing and the rise of technical tweed
Why women’s shooting clothing is finally becoming more practical
Clothing for lowland and hill deer stalking
Camouflage, concealment and breaking up the human outline
What to wear for wildfowling on the foreshore
The importance of staying warm, dry, windproof and able to move

Why clothing and presentation still matter on a driven shooting day
Whether function should come before fashion in the field
Tweed caps, ties, cravats, breeks, plus fours and shooting coats
Why traditional shooting clothing developed the way it did
Estate tweeds, keeper uniforms and camouflage
Why clothing should not become a barrier for newcomers to shooting
What to wear for river and salmon fly fishing
Waders, fishing vests, fly boxes and polarised sunglasses
The idea of “matching the hatch” when choosing flies
Technical fabrics versus traditional outdoor clothing
Modern shooting clothing and the rise of technical tweed
Why women’s shooting clothing is finally becoming more practical
Clothing for lowland and hill deer stalking
Camouflage, concealment and breaking up the human outline
What to wear for wildfowling on the foreshore
The importance of staying warm, dry, windproof and able to move

Part of the SideCountry Network.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>2051falsefullBitey Fish, Sucky Fish and Charter Boatshttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/bitey-fish-sucky-fish-and-charter-boats/
This week, Jake, Avian and Sam head to sea. Or, more accurately, Jake heads to Suffolk Yacht Harbour to meet charter skipper Garry Wicks, while Avian and Sam contribute varying degrees of useful knowledge from dry land.
Garry has spent a lifetime around boats and fishing the waters off the Suffolk coast. From his boat Dawn Raider, he explains what a charter skipper actually does, why local knowledge can matter more than a fish finder, what complete beginners should expect, and how tides, wrecks and changing fish populations shape a day at sea.

They also get into bass, spurdog, conger eels, smoothhounds and tuna; why fishing further offshore doesn't necessarily mean catching more fish; the realities of seasickness; what you should bring on your first charter; and why the skipper knowing a particular patch of sea is a large part of what you're paying for.

Back in the studio, Avian recalls catching a 50lb conger eel off Cornwall, Sam reveals his surprisingly successful history as a mackerel fisherman, and Jake attempts to divide marine life into the scientifically rigorous categories of bitey fish and sucky fish.

And then there are the important maritime questions: should you tip the skipper, why should you never take a banana on a fishing boat, and exactly what has the rabbit done wrong?

Featuring Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner, with special guest Garry Wicks of Dawn Raider Charters.

Produced by George Browne and edited by Avian Sandercock

Part of the SideCountry network.

Garry Wicks operates Dawn Raider from Levington Marina at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, offering river and inshore fishing trips from the Felixstowe area.

Dawn Raider Charters

Fish and Game Podcast

Fish and Game on Instagram

SideCountry Website

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74206878Tue, 18 Aug 2026 21:37:18 +0000SideCountry NetworkWhat actually happens when you book a fishing charter — and how much do you need to know before stepping aboard? This week, Jake, Avian and Sam head to sea. Or, more accurately, Jake heads to Suffolk Yacht Harbour to meet charter skipper Garry...
This week, Jake, Avian and Sam head to sea. Or, more accurately, Jake heads to Suffolk Yacht Harbour to meet charter skipper Garry Wicks, while Avian and Sam contribute varying degrees of useful knowledge from dry land.
Garry has spent a lifetime around boats and fishing the waters off the Suffolk coast. From his boat Dawn Raider, he explains what a charter skipper actually does, why local knowledge can matter more than a fish finder, what complete beginners should expect, and how tides, wrecks and changing fish populations shape a day at sea.

They also get into bass, spurdog, conger eels, smoothhounds and tuna; why fishing further offshore doesn't necessarily mean catching more fish; the realities of seasickness; what you should bring on your first charter; and why the skipper knowing a particular patch of sea is a large part of what you're paying for.

Back in the studio, Avian recalls catching a 50lb conger eel off Cornwall, Sam reveals his surprisingly successful history as a mackerel fisherman, and Jake attempts to divide marine life into the scientifically rigorous categories of bitey fish and sucky fish.

And then there are the important maritime questions: should you tip the skipper, why should you never take a banana on a fishing boat, and exactly what has the rabbit done wrong?

Featuring Jake Woolf, Avian Sandercock and Sam Turner, with special guest Garry Wicks of Dawn Raider Charters.

Produced by George Browne and edited by Avian Sandercock

Part of the SideCountry network.

Garry Wicks operates Dawn Raider from Levington Marina at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, offering river and inshore fishing trips from the Felixstowe area.

Dawn Raider Charters

Fish and Game Podcast

Fish and Game on Instagram

SideCountry Website

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>2296falsefullBig Plans and Small Dreamshttps://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/big-plans-and-small-dreams/
Sam wants to tackle Atlantic bluefin tuna off the South West coast, prompting a look at the boats, tackle and controlled fishery behind one of Britain’s most remarkable sporting recoveries. Jake is preparing for the opening of the partridge season at Warter Priory and a walked-up gundog training day, while Avian hopes to investigate reports of woodcock breeding close to his Cornish farm shoot.

There is also the proper place of elevenses in a shoot day, fried partridge and pheasant, forgotten wellies, a prospective 20-bore over-and-under, barefoot boots, beginner fly rods and the hosts’ continuing move towards non-lead ammunition. It is an opening look at the fishing, shooting, dogs, food and field adventures Fish & Game will follow through the season – with several promising rabbit holes already waiting.

In this episode

– Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing in British waters
– The tackle, boats and teamwork involved in targeting tuna
– Early-season shooting plans and Warter Priory
– Looking for breeding woodcock in Cornwall
– Why elevenses matters to the rhythm of a shoot day
– Fried game, venison and improving shoot-day food
– A 20-bore over-and-under and a first fly-fishing outfit
– Experiences with non-lead game cartridges

Links

Bluefin tuna fisheries in 2026 — Marine Management Organisation

Breeding Woodcock Survey — Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust

Woodcock species information — British Trust for Ornithology

Warter Priory Estate

Bioammo Blue 12-bore cartridges — Just Cartridges

River Lynher

Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf.
Edited by Avian Sandercock.

Produced for SideCountry by Richard Prideaux.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73822763Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:48:35 +0000SideCountry NetworkThe season begins with British bluefin tuna, breeding woodcock in Cornwall and three very different shooting calendars. In the first full episode of Fish & Game, Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf set out their plans – and rather smaller...
Sam wants to tackle Atlantic bluefin tuna off the South West coast, prompting a look at the boats, tackle and controlled fishery behind one of Britain’s most remarkable sporting recoveries. Jake is preparing for the opening of the partridge season at Warter Priory and a walked-up gundog training day, while Avian hopes to investigate reports of woodcock breeding close to his Cornish farm shoot.

There is also the proper place of elevenses in a shoot day, fried partridge and pheasant, forgotten wellies, a prospective 20-bore over-and-under, barefoot boots, beginner fly rods and the hosts’ continuing move towards non-lead ammunition. It is an opening look at the fishing, shooting, dogs, food and field adventures Fish & Game will follow through the season – with several promising rabbit holes already waiting.

In this episode

– Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing in British waters
– The tackle, boats and teamwork involved in targeting tuna
– Early-season shooting plans and Warter Priory
– Looking for breeding woodcock in Cornwall
– Why elevenses matters to the rhythm of a shoot day
– Fried game, venison and improving shoot-day food
– A 20-bore over-and-under and a first fly-fishing outfit
– Experiences with non-lead game cartridges

Links

Bluefin tuna fisheries in 2026 — Marine Management Organisation

Breeding Woodcock Survey — Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust

Woodcock species information — British Trust for Ornithology

Warter Priory Estate

Bioammo Blue 12-bore cartridges — Just Cartridges

River Lynher

Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf.
Edited by Avian Sandercock.

Produced for SideCountry by Richard Prideaux.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>2106falsefullIntroducing Fish and Game!https://sidecountry.co.uk/episodes/introducing-fish-and-game/
Short summary
SideCountry founder Richard Prideaux introduces Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf. They compare their fishing and shooting backgrounds, explain what has brought them together and set out a podcast built around learning, community, conservation and getting more people into the countryside.

Episode description
Meet Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf, the three hosts of Fish and Game, as SideCountry founder Richard Prideaux asks how they came to fishing, shooting and the countryside - and what they intend to do with a podcast.

Avian talks about his Cornish roots, lifelong fishing and the small club shoot that brings his local community together.
Sam explains how farming, fly-fishing, clay coaching and simulated game days fit into his working life.
Jake traces a route from falconry and gundogs to shooting at Branches Park, KuduRiver Gundogs and the TWENTY10 Club.

Along the way, the three give an honest assessment of their fly-fishing ability (or inability) and discover that enthusiasm may be more useful than elegance.

This short introduction sets out the ground Fish and Game intends to cover: coarse, game and sea fishing; driven and walked-up shooting; deer stalking; gundogs; falconry; conservation; habitat and land management. More importantly, it explains the spirit of the show - breaking down unfamiliar language and barriers to entry, learning in public and showing the people, places and work that surround a day in the field or on the water.

In this episode
- Who Avian, Sam and Jake are, and the parts of Britain they call home
- Their very different histories with fly-fishing, coarse fishing and sea angling
- Why fishing and catching fish are not necessarily the same activity
- The overlap between fishing, shooting, food, conservation and land management
- The importance of community in club shoots, sim days and days on the river
- Jake's route from falconry and gundogs to KuduRiver and TWENTY10
- How Fish and Game plans to explain terminology and make unfamiliar sports easier to approach

Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf, with Richard Prideaux.
Edited by Avian Sandercock.
Produced for SideCountry by Amy Green.

DISCLAIMER
Views are those of individual speakers and do not necessarily represent SideCountry, its presenters, contributors, partners or sponsors. For general information and entertainment only. Laws, seasons, access and guidance change; check official sources, obtain permission and act within your competence.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73817575Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:52:26 +0000SideCountry NetworkMeet the Hosts of Fish and Game! - Fishing, Shooting and What to Expect from Fish and Game Short summary SideCountry founder Richard Prideaux introduces Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf. They compare their fishing and shooting backgrounds,...
Short summary
SideCountry founder Richard Prideaux introduces Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf. They compare their fishing and shooting backgrounds, explain what has brought them together and set out a podcast built around learning, community, conservation and getting more people into the countryside.

Episode description
Meet Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf, the three hosts of Fish and Game, as SideCountry founder Richard Prideaux asks how they came to fishing, shooting and the countryside - and what they intend to do with a podcast.

Avian talks about his Cornish roots, lifelong fishing and the small club shoot that brings his local community together.
Sam explains how farming, fly-fishing, clay coaching and simulated game days fit into his working life.
Jake traces a route from falconry and gundogs to shooting at Branches Park, KuduRiver Gundogs and the TWENTY10 Club.

Along the way, the three give an honest assessment of their fly-fishing ability (or inability) and discover that enthusiasm may be more useful than elegance.

This short introduction sets out the ground Fish and Game intends to cover: coarse, game and sea fishing; driven and walked-up shooting; deer stalking; gundogs; falconry; conservation; habitat and land management. More importantly, it explains the spirit of the show - breaking down unfamiliar language and barriers to entry, learning in public and showing the people, places and work that surround a day in the field or on the water.

In this episode
- Who Avian, Sam and Jake are, and the parts of Britain they call home
- Their very different histories with fly-fishing, coarse fishing and sea angling
- Why fishing and catching fish are not necessarily the same activity
- The overlap between fishing, shooting, food, conservation and land management
- The importance of community in club shoots, sim days and days on the river
- Jake's route from falconry and gundogs to KuduRiver and TWENTY10
- How Fish and Game plans to explain terminology and make unfamiliar sports easier to approach

Presented by Avian Sandercock, Sam Turner and Jake Woolf, with Richard Prideaux.
Edited by Avian Sandercock.
Produced for SideCountry by Amy Green.

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