Profile: Fly Fishing Instructor Christopher Rownes

Producer: The Wading List

The similarities between professional dance and fly fishing aren’t immediately obvious, but listen to Christopher Rownes talk about both and the connections become more apparent.

Rownes is one of Europe’s finest fly fishing instructors. In his hometown Basel, Switzerland and all around the world he teaches beginners, advanced fly fishermen and masterclasses in specialised techniques. Besides fly fishing he has another life though. Originally from England, Christopher Rownes started his career as a dancer and has worked at theaters across Europe for decades. He now teaches contemporary Dance in Zurich, Switzerland when he is not fly fishing. We met him in Basel to talk about what fly fishing and modern dance have in common and what techniques he uses to teach students in both disciplines.