Trout Beats
Being based in Melbourne invariably means getting up early and driving to a lovely stretch of water somewhere. Iām not usually a big fan of being cooped up in a car but with fly fishing itās different ā I actually love the trip. Why? Well, because it usually involves turning on my fave tunes, trundling along through gorgeous scenery, and letting my mind aimlessly wander down memory lane. Thereās just something about the music, the promise of fish, and the magic of the Australian bush that lets me step back through time and make sense of it all.
There are tracks that transport me to moments Iād like to relive, people Iād love to see again, places I dream of returning to, and events Iād give anything to change. I know what youāre thinking, āOh god, what a downer.ā Itās not, itās unbelievably uplifting because Iām not ruminating on my thoughts, Iām reframing them in a positive and peaceful space to prevent them from being destructive. And it doesnāt stop when the car does, fly fishing itself is a means of catharsis. I know this from personal experience, but Iāve also seen it in others when they open up about stuff theyād be uncomfortable talking about without a rod in their hand. I guess thatās why Iām addicted to fly fishing ā because a day on the water feels genuinely cleansing on so many levels.
So, what does my playlist look like then? Well, Iāll be honest, Iām a bit nervous because revealing my taste in music opens a window to my soul and invites judgement. Itās similar to the vulnerability I feel fishing in front of other anglers I admire. What do I mean? Well, I always hope that even if I throw the odd crappy cast theyāll tease me kindly and put me back on the right track. Luckily, nine times out of ten, this has been the way.

Fly fishing is a sport in which foibles are forgiven because everyone understands theyāre bound together on a life-long learning journey where people rarely achieve perfection. With this in mind, Iām going to let you into my fave fishing beats safe in the knowledge that I wonāt receive too much ridicule! Instead, I hope it inspires a little riverside toe tapping and laughter because after all, fly fishing is a bit like life ā a great game youād be wise not to take too seriously.
The Prodigy ā No Good (start the dance)Ā
My go-to trance anthem in high school, this reminds me of my bestie Emma Urquhart. We dreamed of throwing mad shapes to this tune in cool Manchester clubs and made fake IDs to make it a reality. Sometimes they worked, sometimes they didnāt⦠and we ended up in second rate venues full of creeps trying to pick up underagers like us. Good times.
Seal & Adamski ā Killer
Did this record launch the 1990s acid house movement? Who knows, but it certainly caused a lot of grief with my big sister because I used to pinch it from her room all the time. She said I was a loser and should get my own taste. This particular row still makes me smile today. Sorry, Jo.
David Bowie ā Rebel, Rebel
Growing up gay in the English countryside is crap. David Bowie is one of my heroes and this song never failed to fire me up. The lyrics empowered me to not give a rats about who I am, and the joy it gave me to defiantly sing them kept me going when everything felt biege.

London Beat ā Iāve been
thinking about you
As a teenager I had a massive crush on my best friend. This song kinda summed up everything about this tragic unrequited love. Iām chuckling about it right now because while I was certainly thinking about you (and you know who you are), you didnāt give me a second thought. And thatās okay, because Iām over it now.
The Divinyls ā I touch myself
Iām surprised I can actually remember this song given where I used to listen to it. It was a place called the āVodka Barā in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne that used to serve criminally cheap booze on Sunday nights. This was a crowd favourite and when it played the place went off. Iām still friends with the people who regularly picked me up off the floor on Monday mornings. Thanks, guys.
Oasis ā Talk Tonight
A close friend killed himself just be-fore I went to university. My world collapsed. This song was one of my favourites at the time. Its melancholy lyrics about stopping someone from throwing it all in still echo in my heart today as loudly as they did back then. I will always love you, Roger.

Simon and Garfunkel ā
El Condor Pasa
I can still smell the wild thyme on the road from Vouliagmeni to Sounio in Greece where I used to live. We were visiting some archaeological site I canāt remember. What I recall is my mum behind the wheel, red hair blowing in the wind, singing this. It made me feel both uneasy and free. She separated from my dad a few months later. I guess sheād rather have been a hammer than a nail.
Journey ā Donāt stop believināĀ
This will always remind me of my bestie Rach. It was a rainy London night and I had a rotten cold. She wanted me to go out with her to this night club called āPower Balladsā. I said no. She told me to stop being so bloody soft. I went, totally lost my voice, and had one of the best nights ever. The moral of the story? Take some Codral and keep on partying.
Lenny Kravitz ā Again
Back in 2002, I packed up my life in the UK and travelled to Australia. I had $1500 in the bank and a bag full of unsuitable clothes. I mean, I didnāt pack a jumper because I thought the sun shone year-round. I was in a shite spot to be honest and didnāt know what I was doing. Luckily, I met the love of my life and she set me straight. I remember playing this song on repeat because thereās this line in there that summed up how I felt about her: āAll of my life, where have you been.ā Fifteen years on, and I still count my blessings every day.
Foals ā Mountain At My Gates
Like fly fishing, lifeās not always easy. It takes effort to stay strong and when things get tough I sometimes get daunted. I love this song because itās about donning the wet weather gear, clipping on the crampons, and digging deep because you can climb the mountain (or catch that special fish) if you put the work in.

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