Over six episodes filmed across four continents, eight amateur anglers from the UK will be under the critical eye of Matt and a local fishing specialist familiar with the waters of the host country each week, as they become immersed in the local fishing techniques. http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/the-big-fish
Presenter Ben Fogle has trekked across the Sahara, rowed across the Atlantic and hiked his way to the South Pole, so is well placed to help our intrepid fishermen cope with the rigours of an expedition to tropical climes and sub-zero temperatures in some of the world’s most dramatic and challenging fishing destinations.
Ben said, “I used to fish with my grandfather as a child and have happy memories of fishing as a boy. I may not be an expert but I can completely understand the obsession. Fishing takes you to places in nature that you would never normally go. I’m really thrilled to be a part of the series to see how these fantastic fishermen get on in some really tough places, learning to fish the way the locals do and facing some pretty extreme water around the world. We will be immersed in the countries we are staying in, and will hopefully come face to face with some phenomenal fish.”
The series will be the most significant fishing media event since ‘A Passion for Angling’ says Matt Hayes
Judge Matt Hayes has fished for everything from sticklebacks to sailfish and almost everything in between: “In my role as a judge I’ll be using my experience to cut through to the issues that really matter – watercraft, natural ability, attitude and technique. Sometimes fishing problems are solved in the mind as much as they are with a rod and reel – and that takes character” says Matt. “The series is the most significant media event in the sport since ‘Passion For Angling’ and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. It takes the sport into the homes of millions of families and gives them an insight into the skills required to be a truly great angler. It’s going to be blend of calm and precision mixed with explosive action and sharp teeth. And all the drama will take place in some of the most spectacular locations on the planet. Working with the BBC is a dream come true and I’m looking forward to teaming up with my co-presenter Ben Fogle and the vastly experienced crew on the show. It’s going to be as much of a learning curve and an adventure for me as it will for those bidding to become our first ever champion angler.”
Kim Shillinglaw, Controller, BBC2, says: “This exciting new format for BBC Two will see anglers from across the country testing their skills in some of the most stunning and challenging environments around the world. Each programme will see the contestants travelling to a different country with very distinct climates, landscapes and habitats around the world where they will be tested using a wide range of techniques under the watchful eye of experts. The contestants will use knowledge gained from locals on how to find the perfect spot to land a catch, and will face challenges which combine their own experience and talents with newly learnt skills”
Over the course of the series, competitors will be eliminated, leaving the others to move onto the next country and the next set of challenges. But they’ll have to pull out all the stops to make it through to the final…
The Big Fish (working title) is due to be broadcast on BBC2 later in the year.
