MEET THE TEAM

Go Fishing Worldwide was established in 1986 by Maggi Smit. With years of experience in the travel industry, Maggi noticed a growing demand for dedicated fishing holidays. At the time, no one in the UK was offering this, so Maggi decided to fill the gap. She launched the business with one of her favourite fishing destinations, Canada.

Since then, Go Fishing Worldwide has grown significantly and now offers an extensive range of freshwater and saltwater fishing adventures across the globe.

Our programme offers a great variety of experiences for angling enthusiasts, as well as catering for non-fishing companions. We also offer a programme of hosted fishing trips - see HERE for further details.

Maggi Smit

Owner

Maggi grew up in Zimbabwe, surrounded by wildlife, lakes and rivers. Her childhood holidays were spent enjoying fishing and wildlife adventures across Southern and Eastern Africa, fostering a lifelong passion for travel and the outdoors.

Having worked in the travel industry since 1986, Maggi brings a remarkable wealth of knowledge and experience to Go Fishing Worldwide. Over the years, she has travelled and fished extensively around the world, with some of her favourite destinations including Florida, the Bahamas, Seychelles, Cuba and Canada.

With nearly four decades of experience in arranging specialist travel, Maggi has an exceptional understanding of the industry and the many intricacies involved in organising fishing holidays around the world.

Simon Holme

Fishing Manager

Simon has been fishing since the age of ten and had his first fly fishing lesson at twelve. His passion for the sport grew throughout his teenage years, and while studying at the University of Exeter, he spent much of his spare time exploring the rivers of Devon. He graduated in 2020 with first-class honours in Human Geography.

After university, Simon worked at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London for eighteen months before deciding to pursue his passion for fishing full time. He spent the 2022 season guiding for Atlantic salmon and sea trout on the Grimsa River in southwest Iceland, followed by six months exploring the wild trout fisheries of New Zealand's South Island.

Simon joined Go Fishing Worldwide in April 2023 and now manages the company's fishing programme. His fishing adventures have taken him to Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, the Bahamas, Mexico, Venezuela, Kenya and Zambia, among other destinations. This experience has given him first-hand knowledge of international fisheries and helped establish strong relationships with guides and outfitters around the world. He continues to guide on the Grimsa in Iceland, where he will return for his sixth season in 2027.

Tony Fox

Fishing Consultant and Host

Tony is a highly experienced and accomplished angler, with a wealth of fishing knowledge and a friendly, down-to-earth manner. He began fishing as a young child, learning from his father and grandfather, and enjoyed considerable success in coarse fishing competitions before turning his attention to fly fishing over 40 years ago. His skill and dedication have seen him represent England on five occasions.

Tony discovered saltwater fly fishing over 25 years ago and has since travelled extensively in pursuit of bonefish, tarpon and permit. His fishing adventures have taken him throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Venezuela, Florida and Cuba, giving him an excellent understanding of these fisheries and the techniques required to fish them successfully.

Tony has been hosting trips with Go Fishing Worldwide for a number of years and is a hugely popular member of the team. His extensive knowledge, approachable nature and genuine enthusiasm for fishing make him excellent company, both on and off the water.

Colin Macleod

Fishing Consultant and Host

Colin Macleod is a highly respected UK fly fisherman, guide, and author with decades of experience. Raised fishing for the wild trout of Caithness and Sutherland, Colin developed a deep appreciation for the rugged beauty of Scotland’s rivers and lochs. Now based on the south coast of England, his passion has shifted to the wild fish inhabiting UK shorelines and the ongoing evolution of flies and techniques to catch them.

Mullet are fast becoming one of the most sought-after species for UK saltwater fly fishers, and Colin is a leading authority on targeting these elusive fish. His 2021 book, Mullet on the Fly, has been widely praised for its in-depth guidance on catching this challenging species, delivered with wit and humour that make it a joy to read.

In addition to his UK expertise, Colin has embraced saltwater fly fishing on the stunning flats of Cuba. He now shares his knowledge and enthusiasm by hosting unforgettable trips to Cuba with Go Fishing Worldwide, offering clients a unique chance to experience world-class saltwater fishing.

Fergus Kelley

Fishing Consultant and Host

Fergus began fly fishing on the chalk streams of southern England, before developing his passion for the sport on the wild rivers of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. He went on to complete a BSc in Fisheries Management and Aquaculture, before beginning his guiding career with Nervous Waters at Pira Lodge in Argentina, where he spent several seasons. Fergus has also guided on Russia's Kola Peninsula and the chalk streams of southern England.

An exceptionally well-travelled and experienced angler, Fergus has fished extensively across the world, from the remote rivers of Mongolia and the jungles of South America to the saltwater flats of the Seychelles and the coast of Oman. His travels have taken him to more than 20 countries, pursuing a remarkable variety of species in both freshwater and saltwater environments.

Mark Bowler

Fishing Consultant and Host

Mark Bowler’s love for fishing began at the age of seven and has only grown since. He studied Fisheries at Edinburgh University and gained hands-on experience working at a trout hatchery and trout fishery. Since 1990, Mark has been the Publishing Editor of Fly Fishing & Fly Tying magazine, where his expertise and passion for the sport have made him a well-known figure in the fly fishing community.

Living in Dunkeld, just a spey cast away from the River Tay, Mark is perfectly placed to enjoy Scotland’s world-class salmon fishing. His genuine enthusiasm for the sport makes him a popular host for Go Fishing Worldwide, with his trips to Slovenia and the Bahamas attracting anglers year after year.

Mark’s friendly and easygoing personality ensures that his hosted trips are not only informative but also enjoyable, creating a relaxed atmosphere where clients can make the most of their time on the water.

Dave Grove

Fishing Consultant and Host

Dave Grove is a highly accomplished angler with a lifetime of experience in both freshwater and saltwater fly fishing. He began fishing at the age of four, catching his first trout on the fly at just six years old on a Dartmoor stream. This early introduction sparked a lifelong passion for the sport.

In 1982, Dave qualified for the English Loch Style team, marking the beginning of an outstanding competitive career. He has since been crowned English National Loch Style Champion, English National River Champion, Commonwealth Champion and European Grand Slam Champion. Since 1993, Dave has represented England in nearly every Commonwealth Championship and now manages the English Commonwealth Team.

An early pioneer of saltwater fly fishing, Dave began fishing in Florida in the 1970s before discovering the Bahamas, where he has since explored almost every accessible island. The Bahamas remains his favourite destination, renowned for its exceptional bonefishing and beautiful surroundings.

As a longstanding host for Go Fishing Worldwide, Dave brings an extraordinary depth of fishing knowledge and practical experience to his trips, particularly in the Bahamas, where his familiarity with the islands and their fisheries is a real asset to travelling anglers.

John Olav Oldren

Fishing Consultant and Host

Born in 1970, John Olav Oldren began fishing at the age of seven with his grandfather, developing a lifelong passion for the sport. In 1997, he purchased the family farm on the banks of the Verdal River from his mother and began fly fishing that same year.

Since 2000, John has served as the River Manager for the Verdal River, playing a key role in managing and preserving this beautiful waterway. In 2004, with the support of family and friends, John built Tingvoll Lodge, and in 2023, he expanded it to offer 10 single rooms. John is deeply committed to salmon conservation and has been an ambassador for the Atlantic Salmon Trust since 2022. He has worked tirelessly for the protection of wild salmon, serving on both local and national river boards.

Alongside his conservation efforts, John spent many years teaching construction, fly fishing, and hunting at the local high school. In 2021, he decided to focus entirely on Tingvoll Lodge, where he now works as a manager, guide, and chef.

Known for his excellent hospitality, John’s warm and welcoming nature has made him a favourite among Go Fishing Worldwide clients, who value both his expertise and the personal care he brings to every trip.

Charles Jardine

Fishing Consultant & Host

Charles Jardine’s lifelong passion for fishing began at the age of three, with fly fishing following closely at six. After attending art school, he combined his creative talents with his love for angling, launching a career as a journalist and artist. Along the way, he became an accredited angling instructor, sharing his knowledge and inspiring countless anglers.

Charles is the author of Sotheby’s Guide to Fly Fishing, a best-selling book published in five languages and widely regarded as a cornerstone of the genre. His career spans decades in the fishing industry, with achievements including writing and illustrating numerous books, designing tackle, and competing for the England squad. Charles is also a founder of the Fishing for Schools programme, which introduces young people to the joys of fishing.

A regular contributor to Fly Fishing and Fly Tying, Charles writes extensively on the art and craft of angling. His blog for the Countryside Alliance further showcases his dedication to preserving fishing traditions and connecting with the wider countryside community.

Charles’ artistic talents have made him an acclaimed piscatorial artist, and he is the first living Brit to be inducted into the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame – a testament to his influence on the sport.

Bernie Maher

Fishing Consultant and Host

A former professional cricketer, Bernie Maher is a passionate and highly experienced angler who has represented England at international level. He runs the renowned Press Manor Fisheries in Derbyshire and has spent many years sharing his enthusiasm for fishing with others.

Bernie has been hosting groups to British Columbia with Go Fishing Worldwide for a number of years. Hugely personable, knowledgeable and always excellent company, Bernie is a popular host whose good humour and enthusiasm make him a pleasure to travel and fish with.