Top 5: Fishing videos of 2012 (Part I)

A run-down of our favourite fishing films of the year

‘Gangsters of the Flat’

This balls-out, high-octane, GT slug-fest seems to have been filmed a couple of years ago, but only really started doing the rounds in May. If any of your friends have ever suggested fishing is boring, just roll this for them.

Obsession redefined

“I dream about fishing in mud puddles.” If you thought your fishing obsession was getting out of hand, just wait until you’ve heard what Montauk surf fishing guide Bill Wetzel has to say. He might take it to a whole other level, but there’s stuff in this video from February that we can all relate to.

Tailing permit

Tail here, tail there… tails everywhere. Filmed near Black Fly Lodge on Abaco, Bahamas, this short, sharp shock encapsulates the absolute essence of permit fishing. I know it’s not high on production values or technical wizardry, but I just love watching this. And the lack of soundtrack makes a refreshing change. Heart-stopping stuff.

Tailing Permit from CP Flyfishing on Vimeo.

Remembering Jose

On April 6 2012, the angling world lost one of its leading lights when Jose Wejebe was killed in a plane crash. The presenter of ‘Spanish Fly’ was, quite simply, a one-off. Angling prowess, encyclopaedic knowledge, engaging persona, total dedication to his craft – the guy had the lot. This tribute show demonstrates exactly why he’ll be so sadly missed:

Fly-fishing for Arabian permit

Almost no one knew about permit fishing in Oman until recently. The fact that people do is thanks in large part to one man. Ray Montoya has been chasing these elusive fish along the beaches of the Arabian peninsula for a few years, chronicling his exploits on YouTube as he goes. We don’t know about you, but we’d quite like to join him some time…