BBC Countryfile sparks frustration amongst viewers as they blast show format decision: ‘Any chance of farming?’

BBC Countryfile viewers were left slamming the nature series as they realised the entire 60-minute episode was based on presenter Joe Crowley meeting local fly fisherman – leaving them to beg for some “actual farming”.

Last night, Crowley met local fly fishermen on the Dorset Coast and learned about a very specific method of using unique flies to catch one of the UK’s most difficult fish to hook – the mullet.

He also presented a selection of fishing stories from the archives, however, fans were impressed with the decision to solely discuss fishing and took their X accounts to slam the show.

“Am I watching #Countryfile or fishing weekly?!,” alongside a confused emoji before second added: “Any chance of some farming on this episode? #countryfile.”

Somebody else fumed: “Wow. I love #countryfile but Jesus. A whole episode about how to fish. Not about the environment, the issues faced by fish, the countryside just fishing #zzzzzzzz.”

Another penned: “And if you want to bore yourself to death and stare at water for a few hours you’ll want to know what the weather is going to be like #countryfile.”

“Does anyone actually care about fishing? Fishing is only good for those who like fishing and I don’t know many people that do,” a fifth exclaimed as a sixth simply asked: “Any chance of some farming?”

Others were also sad that Adam Henson didn’t make an appearance along with his herd of cows.

Not everyone felt the same distaste for the episode, as one viewer positively wrote: “A brilliant episode of #Countryfile tonight celebrating fishing and some of our beautiful fish species.”

The dislike of Sunday’s episode comes just weeks after fans were left disappointed once again as the BBC series decided to show a series of “archive” clips.

One clip was from 2022 and saw John Craven head to Naddle Forest in the Lake District to observe some red squirrels as he delved into the population struggles the animals face.

Another – dating back to a 2015 instalment- saw Ellie Harrison explore the lives of the European pine marten, “the UK’s rarest native mammals”.

“Pine martens were once widespread across the UK but in the 19th century, they suffered a massive decline,” she explained.

“Loss of habitat and persecution pushed the pine marten to the brink. For more than 50 years, they were thought to be extinct in England.”

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Last week, fans were also left disappointed as the episode focused on the plight of bees and the DNA of pollen, wildflowers and Wakehurst’s Nature Reserve Warden repurposing an area felled due to ash dieback.

This season of Countryfile includes the inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh’s home of 100 Aker Wood, a bee-themed special from RHS Wisley and a report marking the 200th anniversary of the RNLI.