A FISHING enthusiast, who founded a business to introduce fly fishing to as many people as possible, is urging people to use its experience as a Father's Day gift.

Simon Cooper founded Fishing Breaks 30 years ago because he had a passion for all things fly fishing, but especially the chalk streams of England.

He operates from the idyllic Nether Wallop Mill above the burbling Wallop Brook, a tributary of the River Test and the birthplace of modern fly fishing.

"Bought up in Hampshire I was lucky enough to have great and famous fly fishing on my doorstep, but as I grew up, got a job, and moved away I realised what a closed world the chalk streams were unless you were in the ‘know'," Simon said.

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"So, with little more than a germ of an idea, a telephone, and the book of my fishing contacts, I set out to change that.

"Back then taking fishing for the day, as people liked to term it, was a haphazard affair which involved tracking down obscure adverts in magazines or following up contacts gleaned in the local pub. If you needed a gillie (a guide), you would soon discover that it was a job description for someone filling the time between waking up and the pubs opening.  And heaven forbid that anyone might have a professional casting qualification.

"My mission was back then, and remains today, to make the best beats accessible and bring a new level of professionalism to the whole business, but never losing sight of the fact that the chalk streams are some of the most precious and unique trout fishing rivers in the world."

Simon said Fishing Breaks has come a long way in three decades, but it is still a very personal business for him.

"I have fished every yard of every river we have," he added.

"I talk daily to our river owners and keepers from our office here at Nether Wallop Mill, in the heart of the Test valley, where the river truly runs beneath the building and overlooks the trout lake which is home to our fly-fishing school.

"But however good the rivers might be it takes more than just great fishing to make a great company and I am indebted to a wonderful team who all make it happen both here in the office and out on the river."

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Fishing Breaks offers different experiences on the River Test.

As part of Father's Day on Sunday, June 16, Fishing Breaks is offering a ‘Your Choice' voucher, which covers all the experiences on offer.

For more information on how to make a break of it and book local accommodation or one of Fishing Breaks' own cottages, visit fishingbreaks.co.uk.