Episode 4

Paul and Bob return to the river where they first went fishing together after Bob’s heart surgery – the Test in Hampshire. Famous for its gin-clear water, the Test is renowned as the home of fly-fishing. Paul and Bob are here during the mayfly hatch – the peak of the trout fishing season.

Before they start to fish, Paul shows Bob how to tie a fly – a technique that was refined and developed here on the Test in the 19th century. Paul also has a Victorian rod to use today. Their quarry is brown trout – another fish which has eluded Bob up until now.

As they fish, they mull over what is might be like to be a mayfly, having just one day to live after they hatch. They ponder what they would do if they just had 24 hours left and are surprised to find they have a lot they want to fit in.

As the sun starts to set, Bob prepares a riverside picnic for them, and all too soon it is time to leave the river and see what Bob has chosen for their accommodation. This week it is a treehouse, set within fields and rolling farmland. Bob creates his own version of a pub here in the treehouse, with him as the landlord, and over a pint they take stock of the day.

The next morning, Paul gets to the river early and starts fishing, but Bob takes a detour to a local plant nursery to buy Paul a gift. They meet up on the river and as they get fishing, the conversation turns to the fleeting nature of life, their attitudes to death and a realisation of things to be thankful for. They end another glorious day’s fishing with a very special bankside picnic, and this time Bob has a few belated birthday treats in store for Paul.