Inside Lancashire Sport

Who got you into fishing?

My uncle Len who was home on leave from North Africa - back in 1941. I was 4 years old and I caught seven small rudd. My uncle died in the sands of North Africa six weeks later.

Did it keep you out of trouble as a nipper?

Yes, without a shadow of a doubt. Fishing had so much to offer I didn't have time to get into serious trouble. Of course I played boyhood pranks. Such as taking mice to Woolworth's or British Home Stores and releasing them then see all the women run and often scream when we said 'Look there's a mouse!'

The tastiest fish?

A hard one this, probably a nice turbot steak or grilled herrings.

Fave fish and chip shop?

Don't have one.

Biggest fish you’ve ever caught…

Probably a big shark off San Diego or a near 200lb catfish from the Amazon river.

Ugliest fish…

Something from a waterway in the Amazon jungle.

Hardest fish to catch…

They can all be hard at times, probably a Permit.

Is angling a man's sport?

Certainly not. Some of the best anglers I have fished with have been ladies. They make great anglers and I devote a lot of time encouraging them into this great sport. Over the years I have taught many ladies to fly fish including the likes of Miss Bahamas and other young beauties. The beauty of teaching ladies to fish, is they will listen, learn, take notice, practice, and they don’t know it all after a day like so many guys do. They don’t leave litter and they have a more caring attitude about countryside.
They look great, smell good and catch lots of big fish.

How do you cope with the cold?

Layered clothing, buying top quality equipment designed by people like myself who spend a lot of time in the outdoors.

Do you have a fave tipple to warm you up?

Fresh brewed tea.

Have you ever got really mad when you haven’t caught anything?

No, if you're a true angler, you don't have a bad day. If I don't catch I call it a draw. There is always something of interest to see or hear at the waterside.

Do you prefer going solo or do you like company when you fish?

I enjoy having a friend along as we can exchange ideas and take pictures of each others fish.
Its nice halfway through the day to meet up for a fresh brew. When I am stalking bonefish on a Bahamas flat I prefer being on my own.

What rod do you use?

I probably have forty or more rods covering every aspect of fishing around the world. I use Thomas and Thomas fly rods, Masterline International coarse and sea fishing rods.

Who would be your dream fishing date?

Difficult. Years ago it would have been taking Suzi Quatro or Charlie's Angels to the Bahamas.

The best fishing location in the world?

There are so many! Cambridge Bay up in the Arctic Circle, Fly in lakes in Northern Alberta, Baja in Mexico, The Amazon jungle lakes and rivers. Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Swedish Lapland, The Deschutes, Rogue and Umpqua rivers in Oregon. Florida Keys, Rhode Island, Connecticut Massachusetts Cape Cod, Chesapeake Bay.

If I only had one choice it would have to be The Islands of the Bahamas. If Cuba was a democracy I would like to visit Cuba and walk in the footsteps of Hemingway.

• Catch Martin James' At the Waters Edge on BBC Radio Lancashire on Thursdays at 7.30pm and Saturdays at 6.00am - or via 'Listen Again' online. Each show is available for seven days.