Why Fly Fishing Becomes an Obsession | Tarquin Millington-Drake

Fly fishing isn’t just a sport – it’s an obsession.

In this episode of The Luxury Dispatch, Tom Chamberlin is joined by Tarquin Millington-Drake to explore a world where luxury isn’t loud or flashy, but found in wilderness, precision, and the pursuit of the perfect catch.

From the rivers of Scotland to the remote wilderness of Russia, Iceland, and beyond, Tarquin reveals how fly fishing evolved from a traditional pastime into a global, high-end pursuit – one that takes anglers to the furthest corners of the world in search of something increasingly rare: wild fish.

They discuss:

Why catching a single salmon can take 30 days in Scotland

The golden era of Russian fishing – where anglers caught 100 fish in a week

Why people now travel to Iceland, Argentina, and the Seychelles for better fishing

The psychology behind fishing obsession – and why it never quite satisfies

How fly fishing differs from shooting in skill, mindset, and reward

The true cost of the sport, from £3,000 to £30,000+ per trip

Why conservation – not equipment – is now the biggest issue facing the sport

Tarquin also explains why patience is overrated, why great anglers are defined by adaptability, and how the best fishing experiences are often the most remote – and the most fragile.