Matt Hayes Lake Escapes - Salmon & Trout:
In this fascinating episode, Matt takes us on a helicopter tour around the picturesque peaks of Lapland, where we experience the thrills of mayfly-fishing for brown troat, fly fishing for pike, and nymph-fishing for char. We then travel to Norway where Matt struggles to find the elusive salmon and works and works hard to improve his new techniques. We join him in West Wales for a spot of sea trout fishing on the River Towy, including some brave night-time ventures. Finally he heads to Ireland, where he catches some fine specimens of brown troat. Surrounded by such a diverse and wonderful range of beautiful landscapes, Matt feels utterly at one with nature - and his amazing catches are a bonus!
Matt Hayes Lake Escapes - Pike & Zander:
In this programme, we follow Matt as he ventures off on some pike fishing expeditions in the most stunning parts of poland, Sweden, Ireland and the Lake District. Finally he takes us to the lowlands of Holland, where he battles against adversity to catch zander. We meet a number of experts who know all the tricks of the local trade and who accompany Matt on his exciting adventures. We learn an ingenious and effective way to make 'carpet flies', watch a pike fishing competition, endure all kinds of weather in some fantastic surroundings, and discover numerous new and different methods of making that crucial catch.
Matt Hayes Lake Escapes - Blue Marlin & Wahoo:
This exotic programme sees Matt jet-setting off to the heavenly Azores. Here the pure blue waters have long been famous for their abundance of tuna, and are increasingly winning a similar fame for their swordfish and marlin. Matt spends a tantalising few days learning complex big-fishing techniques, and persevering admirably in his battle to lure the blue and white marlin to his bait. He then heads to Madeira where, aboard the Katherine B, he catches and examines a skipjack and some vicious wahoo, with the help of an expert who has left his home in Australia to devote his life to the hunt for these big fish.
Matt Hayes Lake Escapes - Barbel, Catfish, Carp & Chub:
In this far-reaching programme, Matt initially fishes in Le Mans, France, for carp and catfish, and tries a spot of night-fishing. Back in the UK, at Symonds Yat in Monmouthshire, he proudly catches barbel and chub. We then go to Italy, where Matt finds a variety of carp, and lastly to Spain, where he and his team hook some monstrous catfish. Along the way, we are introduced to a number of European fishing experts and some wacky new baits, and we witness some very exciting moments, most notably Matt's epic struggle with a seven foot, 150lb catfish.
Matt Hayes - regarded as one of the best all-round anglers in the UK - packed his tackle and suitcase for a series of journeys, which took him from the wilds of the Arctic Circle to the warm riverside's of Spain. From airport to lakeside Matt shows viewers how accessible, affordable and exciting weekend fishing breaks can be.
Joining Matt on his travels were some of Europe's top anglers giving him an insider's view on Europe's top fishing destinations. Close to home Matt fished for pike in the Lake District and sea trout on the River Towy in Wales. Casting his net a little wider he also travelled to Madeira to catch the mighty Wahoo, the Azores to fish for Marlin and took his first trip to the Catfish mecca of Mequnienza in Spain, on the banks of the Ebro, where he managed to land a 156lb beauty.