Home / Profiles / Marina Gibson

Marina Gibson

FEATURED ANGLER

: North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
How long have you been fly fishing?: Since I was 5. You’re never too young or too old!

Favorite fly-fishing partner: My husband Edd, especially when we venture to the salt, and my mum when I go salmon fishing.
Favorite water to fish: Probably saltwater if I had to choose one. I 'm obsessed with the environment: wading the flats in a warm country, stalking in clear blue waters, mangroves that require casting accuracy, the array of big, powerful and diverse fish--it's all dreamy.
Favorite species to fish for: In the UK, it would have to be Atlantic salmon, as they're my first true love. It's the species that takes me back to my fondest childhood memories with my family in the Highlands. The way Atlantic salmon travel thousands of miles back to the river where they were born is beyond me, not to mention the obstacles they have to get past to survive the migration. Spey-casting with a double-handed rod is my favourite above all styles; it's very therapeutic and beautiful to watch.
Bucket List: Ireland (Loch Corrib), Bolivia (golden dorado), Argentina (sea trout), French Polynesia & Farquhar Atoll (flats species).
Top Three Fly Patterns: 1. Sedge - I named my dog after this pattern, so it better be one of my top three. It's also a very effective fly on the waters I fish here in the UK. 2. Black Death Bunny - I've caught more tarpon on this fly than anything else. 3. Stokoe Shrimp - I feel I owe it to James Stokoe, considering I caught all my (UK) Atlantic salmon on this fly in 2018 and hope to catch more with it in 2019.

Marina Gibson

Marina Gibson was lucky enough to spend a lot of her childhood chasing salmon, trout, and sea trout. Lots of people ask her, “Did your Dad get you into fishing?” but it was her mother who instilled in her a passion for time on the water with a rod in hand. Marina is a proud ambassador for Orvis UK, Atlantic Salmon Trust, and Fishing For Schools. She’s also a certified Fly Fishers International (CI) Instructor and 1st4sport Level 2 coach, and in August 2018, she competed in her first Fy-Casting World Championships. Marina currently holds the UK record for the Ladies 15′.1″ Spey distance.

Although fishing is her job now, she still sees it as one of the most mindful sports you can do – the art of fly fishing requires complete concentration, total absorption, and is both exhilarating and relaxing. It is how she finds calm. Marina’s biggest love at the moment is teaching children: “I come back after a session feeling on top of the world. Whoever said never work with children or animals was so wrong about that!”