Paul Arden | Monday, 22 June 2026
And what does that mean exactly? Well I’m still running Sexyloops on a daily basis. Rod orders, enquires, Front Pages. But I’m not personally giving Zoom lessons for the next week (probably). Although I do have my rod with me of course.
What we are actually doing is driving up across the border and into Thailand. Where exactly we are going we are not sure yet. But possibly Ko Samui. Depending on whether we can catch a ferry. We have about a week to play with and we have the roof top tent on the truck too! Which I have used twice so far. (Which works out at about £1150/night, so I’m keen to use it more often!)
I do plan to swim in the sea and run on the beaches. In fact there will be a lot of swimming and a lot of running. My Ironman coaching plan starts imminently and it’s pretty serious. Indeed it may actually begin on my return date (assuming we head back on Sunday) but I won’t have my bike with me. And so on my first day of the actual official training plan I’ll already have to alter it! The day after doesn’t look too good either.
Most importantly I think, is to find ways to make many more runs (which will mean running on islands around the lake) as well as swimming FAR more frequently (than never). I’ll be fit as fiddle by the end of the year, and hopefully FAST through the water!
Today I released my Battleship Gourami. She was getting too large for the tank and it was time for a new phase of its life. She was a companion of mine for the last 18 months. Maybe longer. It was interesting watching it swim away.
“Swim swim away my little fishy friend,
Eat termites, ants, cicadas, leaves, avoid cheese.
When the stars realign and following a storm sandwich,
You and I will meet again, you will be enormous and at least five kilos.”
Amazing fish. They have real character. Intelligent for sure. No wonder they are so bloody hard to catch!!
Sometimes, when I was stretching on the back of the boat I’d do some funky dance moves. My Gourami would watch me and dance too!! Gourami dance differently but we both wiggle our tails a lot.
Now you probably need a course of fly casting lessons in order to become an Übercaster. The way this works here at Sexyloops, is we have Nick Moore giving most of the lessons and me giving every fourth or fifth lesson. To be an Ũbercaster you need to be deadly accurate, have a long flowing distance cast, the full range of presentation casts, be an expert in the Spey family, be able to deal with all winds, all planes, all tackle, and of course be a Zen Master.
It’s all very exciting. Book in. It’s $100/lesson.
You’re probably thinking that age-old question, “should I buy a $1200 rod or should I subscribe to a course of 12 lessons or both?”
Because you can do both here. You can get a series of Ũbercasting lessons at Sexyloops AND you can purchase a weapon of a fly rod – The Sexyloops Tornado – and both for approximately the same friendly price.
For those of you who are undecided, then with every Tornado you get a free and terrifying Zoom fly casting meeting with me. If you buy 12 Tornados you will in fact get the complete course!This is one option. And it’s a good one.
Another option, is to buy a ten lesson package to become an Ũbercaster. Set a goal. Eg when I cast 100’ I will buy my first Tornado. When I cast 110’ my second. At 120’ I will buy my third. When I can jump roll/switch cast 90’ I’ll buy yet another. I can and would very much love to help you set these goals.
Email me on paul@sexyloops.com or WhatsApp +60198549552 and we will discuss while I’m eating coconuts in Thailand.
Bloody amazing rods with Andy. Truly something else. Prices are going up soon. Best flyrods in the world. Why? Because we make them that way. We wouldn’t do anything less!
Have a fantastic week.
Cheers, Paul