Radio Times

"It's a waiting game," said Robson Green's fishing guide as they tried to hook a sturgeon in the waters of British Columbia. A waiting game, you say? On TV? I know it's fishing, but that doesn't sound great. If I had to choose between, say, a football game and a waiting game, I know which I'd watch.

But this wasn't just fishing, it was Extreme Fishing with Robson Green. This was Five. They weren't about to make us sit and watch waiting. No, they edited out the waiting and instead gave us the bits where Robson whooped and swore violently and shouted "GET IN!" whenever anything happened, anything at all.

Robson whooping is the heart of the series. It's Extreme Whooping with Robson Green. The fish were a side issue: we didn't learn much other than how they looked when they'd had a sharp hook jammed in their face, then been hauled out of the water and hugged by an actor.

Maybe you had to be an angler to appreciate it; either that or a Robson fancier. He lost my vote when he went "heli-fishing" on a remote river. "This is one of those rare places untouched by man," he said, as he flew in by helicopter. Once the helicopter had switched off, little Robson went all gooey. "Can I just let you listen to something?" he said to camera, blinking fast, as actors do when they're trying to look sincere. Then he held still and we heard the sound of silence for a few seconds. "That's called solitude," he told us in his caring voice. "That's called connection."

Can anyone see the contradiction there? Anyone else feel the irony in being preached at about connecting to the tranquil wilderness by an actor who, when he's not buzzing around by helicopter, is racing motorboats up rivers? It's like getting a lecture on deforestation from a lumberjack.

The other problem was, Robson couldn't actually land any fish, it turned out. So he got the helicopter to fly him around the mountain to another bit of river, where he did. Get in.

The chanel is watched by all types of people and people who might enjoy fishing so lets not condem just because it is not our cup of tea, I thorougly enjoy it and would watch all series produced and certainly would not watch anything as suggested above!

More Extreme Fishing and less foul mouthed deliveries from Green would make Extreme Fishing more about Extreme Fishing...I must be missing something here.

WE LIKED EXTREME FISHING - I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE VARIETY OF FISH OR THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO CATCH THEM, I HAVE FISHED AS A CHILD WITH MY FATHER, MADE ME WANT TO GO AGAIN.

I hate this programme with a passion. All the hooting and laughing when a living creature is being treated in such a way is disgusting. If you aren't going to eat it - don't catch it. And if you catch it - at least treat it with respect. I used to like Robson Green - can't stand him now and anyone saying he's given fishing a bad name - you're dead right.

I thought it was tops. Robson's charisma and charm obviously is the appeal, but besides that, i really enjoyed the positivity throughout. A feel good program that makes you smile, far from those tiresome soaps and the depressing, agenda laden news.

It must have been a slow day at the radio times offices when the deputy editor decided to slate one of the only good programmes on television. Instead of taking on the big issues such as the discrace that is the likes of prgrammes such as Eastenders and Casualty or in fact anything to do with the absolute lack of talent behind most of the BBC's major productions. Instead we have a bored editor of radio times slating a programme that is actually real, with real people and real locations and real reactions. This limp wristed and snobish article has opened the flood gates for all the fishermen who have posted the numerous things that are "wrong" with the programme regarding fishing techniques.

To conclude, this article is a waste of hot air followed by a tirade of boring self indulgant sad and pathetic critisms such as "there is too much whooping and swearing"

Get a life guys....

He could of at least learned how to double haul before fly fishing on national television. Embarrassing

Nick, why do you insist on going off topic, and talking about the Carpforum members, and what their discussions are? This thread is solely about the misrepresentation of anglers throughout the UK, by Mr Green, and his unfounded statement, and I quote:"I dont see the point in coarse fishing myself, reeling in a fish beyond recovery, just to take a picture then throw it back, as nine out of ten fish will die when thrown back." This statement is total rubbish. So, unless you have some personal grudge with Carpforum, may I suggest that you use what intelligence that you may {or may not} have, for something more productive, and refrain from making criticisms of members on the aforementioned forum, who, I might add, have an incredible amount of knowledge when it comes to the subject of fishing, more than can be said of a certain Mr Green. And your comments on the use of laser pens, they are used to reduce the amount of stressful situations of waterfowl feeding at dusk, and consuming the baited hook. I can assure you, that to try and retrieve a hook from the beak of, for example, a Cob swan, or male Canada goose, is NOT for the faint hearted, and in some cases, impossible. The laser pen is used for nothing else by the anglers that actually own them, than to prevent them from coming to any harm, and that once they have moved away, they continue to feed, in other parts of the lake, with no further worry.

I hope that you can see that this thread, is for one particular subject, and thats about Robson Greens' comments and behaviour.

Le Pecheur.

Carp Forum has a thread running at the moment about the use of Laser pens/designators to deter birds from the fishing area

now, as any angler knows ducks,swans, coots etc can be a bit of a pain the bum

they eat your fish bait and 'scare' fish from your swim

but is it right to advocate/support the use of laser pens shone at these creatures to get them to move out of your fishing area?

is that a responsible way to treat the wildlife that has the lakes and rivers as their 'home'

I am a Robson Green fan so I enjoy Extreme Fishing. His comments and enthusiasm make this programme well worth watching.

I have been fortunate enough to fish some of the venues Green has visited in his series. On telling my parents to watch certain episodes so they can see where I'd been, I wished I hadn't. The language coming out of that rank amateur angler is disgusting, his treatment of the fish he catches, both those going back and those he is keeping for food is totally disrespectful. They are living creatures and deserve a lot more dignity. He keeps preaching that he is a salmon angler, oh really, and for how long has that been then?You can tell by the way he attempt to cast a fly line that he's hardly got the faintest idea of what he's doing. The places he fishes are stupendous, the people he meets, in the main quite interesting, except for that skipper that gaffed a Tope that was going to be released. (He couldn't even tell it was a Tope. Alright, it a member of the shark family but it's hardly a man eating Mako). Keep the series, just get rid of that fodder for the antis, Green. Oh, and one more thing, quite why does he continuously look for excuses to be naked or the best part thereof?

i am disgusted by the way you treat the fish, call yourself an angler. a decent angler places the fish back in the water that he isn't keeping, How many times have you THROWN them in?. even the small fish deserve that respect. I've been fishing for nearly thirty years and even when i started i wouldn't throw fish. How would he like to be thrown about?

could be a good program with the right person presenting it.fish care zero,bleeding fish bad production team,this should have been cleaned up before showing to the public,why not get a top name to host the show? a real angler to promote fishing in the correct light?my overall on it..robson YOUR NOT THE MAN!!

and on the subject of caring - have a look on Carp Forum about the comments against otters

many (not all) would like to see them (otters) eradicated because they eat fish (now that is a surprise!)

'they' want their precious carp protected - despite the fact that otters were an indigenous species in the UK before carp were ever introduced

but never let facts get in the way of prejudice!

most anglers are very caring about the environment and share it with creatures that have the lakes and rivers as their 'home'

but within the carp 'community' there are sadly too many who think the world stops and starts with carp

hence why this group is largely alone within the angling community as a whole and their species commonly referred to as 'pond pigs'

loomy says 'bet you don't have the nerve to sign on to carp forum'

why on earth should i wish to discuss anything when 99% have already made up their mind?

if non anglers wish to see the true face of some anglers just do a search on facebook - filthy vile insults against Robson Green by people who obviously have difficulty stringing together a sentence

if you cannot debate - you throw foul accusations

i hope non anglers follow my links and see the 'real' face of many who attack Robson Green

loomy - thanks for your comment

what have stock ponds to do with this discussion?

coarse anglers care for their catch? - well what about the recently published articles on 'death rigs' highlighted on 'your forum'?

you as carp anglers use them

why would i wish to register on a forum whose members seem mostly (with exceptions) out of touch with fishing in general - if i wanted abuse i'd ask the wife!

and whilst many of the 'antagonists' are carp anglers, many also fish for pike (a predator for you non anglers) - one of the 'best' methods is livebaiting which involves sticking one hook in the back and another in the mouth of the bait fish and then casting it out to catch pike

and you talk about fish care and respect - but hang on this only applies to carp - right?

oh dear nick, game angler are you? Coarse fisherman actually care about what they catch and return alive. They dont fish stock ponds. Come fishing with some one from carp forum and see how they care, bet you dont have nerve to sign onto carp forum and post comments there

Administer the priest immediately to Robson Green, whih is more than he does for his catch. He is a fish out of water in this type of presentation

I am a keen sport angler. The programme leaves me feeling almost sick. His manhandling of fish causing damage and making their return pointless, (witness the gaffing of the shark and it's bleeding return and the gloved hand holding the giant trevally) the man shows no respect or consideration for the welfare of the fish. Coupled with his irritating affected accent "man", "you're the man", "we're in" this progrmme is a sad indictment and denigrates what in principle could be an interesting programme of different fish and fishing methods worldwide with associated scenery etc. Still, I suppose that wouldn't be "extreme" enough.

I'm a keen fisherman, but the way Robson Green carries on makes me cringe, and i'm a Geordie! Watching the program is a bit like drinking whisky from a broken glass: The pleasure and the pain!!!

robson green has no knowledge about fishing the programme should be banned the comments he made this morning on the breakfast show was way out he has no knowledge on fish care what so ever

I'm afraid that Mr Green is doing far more damage to angling that the anti angling groups have ever managed. His latest comments about 9 out of 10 fish returned to the water die are, so out of touch and uninformed that I cannot believe he actually said it. As a celebrity (so called) angler this should have been a real opportunity to show the sport in a reasonable and positive light. Instead, Mr Green has done himself and other anglers no favors whatsoever.

He has no idea about angling and should not be allowed to front a programme about the sport . some of his comments should never be allowed to be broadcast

unfortunately some people of the Kiddies Forum (aka Carp Forum) cannot rationalise the reality of fishing

i'm an angler for nearly 40 yrs - but the crap thats talked about fish care is rubbish

you think sticking a hook in them is kind?and Robson may have his faults - but do you want Ken Townley?

I cant believe some of the rubbish that comes out of Robsons mouth! When i heard there was going to be a second series i could not believe it! This show needs to be cancelled as fishing is nothing like its shown in this show and all Robson is doing is helping the anti brigade (even though they know nothing either).

Ok so I'm a confirmed angler. No matter what some of the posted comments have to say;It's a funny yet entertaining show. Full of how an angler feels when, if they are lucky catches fish. programmes like this do show how fishing in parts of the world which you can only dream about. Good show Robson showing northern grit and determination to catch. Tight lines.

I got to say, this show is a little like watch a Safestyle UK windows advert. Talk about hard selling to the camera. I've loved fishing all my life and I've just spend 3 years travelling the world with a backpack and a rod. Living in NZ for over one and a half years, that last NZ show he did was a shocker. That country is amazing and the way he made out the people to be and the poor scenery shots were pretty poor. Any angling show has huge potential due to millions enjoying the sport in England but it seems like he's trying to sell you the concept that its up there with snowboarding and ultimate fighting, instead of letting it sell itself for what it is. I guess any show like that is made by the presenter and I'm afraid Sir Robson the Extreme is too much for me and a big reason for me not being his greatest fan that how rough he is with the fish. I swear he's trying to start a new sport call extreme fish throwing, but hey maybe that's just how you got to be to be

famous

Its not the fishing thats the problem, its the person who presents the programme. How bloody irritating and full of themslves can a person get? its a bit like watching Clarkson with a fishing rod in his hand......

This would be a good programme if it wasn't for the irritating egotistical presenter. Who as well as doing no favours for angling seems to think he is enhancing the show by gratuitous swearing. It is the worst presented angling programme I've seen.

Dear Mr Butcher,

Now look what you went and did.

You forced me, through your cunningly subtle and manipulative words, to reveal my lack of appreciation for the '20 times the exhilaration' (relative to my own bleak, arid, and banal life, of course) that fishing provides, my deep-seated passion for an exciting game of snooker, my desperate need for a life, and my guilty pleasure of writing smug comments 'on a website on TV shows'. (I think the author of that comment meant 'about' TV shows as I've yet to be invited to unleash my smugness on any TV show, but I think he broke his rod on the morning of writing, as his comments did seem a little over-the-top.)

Thanks to you, I can now only leave my house on Sundays, when the fishermen are quietly erecting their brollies, pouring the luke-warm tea from their flasks, watching ripples on the water, and engaging in mortal combat with a fish. Extreme!

Oh yeah, and MazY, it looks like you have an epic time, blogging on the radio times website, about a programme you don't actually enjoy. Possibly extreme radio times blogging, mhmmnn that would be crap!! I'm fed up with people who have no idea about fishing, and automically think it's mundane. Some of the places robsons gone is ridiculous and 20 times the exhilaration you've probably ever experienced. Possibly an afternoon in, watching the bloomin snooker!!

I think Mr. Dave Bucther hates fishing and robson green, that's got to be the most biased blog I've ever read. I think robson adds character to the show, and even though sometimes he's a bit cringeworthy, he's funny, and seeing his little face light up when he's caught a rainbow trout. Fantastic lol. Some of the places he goes are also amazing. But he admires the fish he catches, the people he's with, and his environment, plus the wacky ways in which he gets fish, is personally not his fault, its channel five, so you can't really blame him. Anyway to sum up, I think it's a great programme. And the best bit of programming channel 5 has ever done!!

MazY, it takes all sorts and obviously you dont know why the 'extreme' in extreme fishing stands for.

Perhaps you should stick with writing smug comments on a web site on TV shows. GET A LIFE.

I love it, but then I am a mad keen angler and have been all my life.

Whenever I hear the words 'extreme fishing', I imagine a craggy old man with an eye patch, chucking dynamite off a row boat, cackling wildly as trout fly through the air from the resulting explosions.

When I saw the advertisement for Extreme Fishing with Robson Green, I genuinely thought it was some sort of joke, perhaps for Red Nose Day.

I mean, come on, extreme fishing? This is the stuff that The Fast Show once used to make fun of! At least 'Let's go off road' had some sort of promise of action.

I have some suggestions for future programmes:

Extreme Watercolour Painting

Extreme Scrabble

Extreme Listening

Extreme Silverware Polishing