Hairy Bikers' Best of British

The duo explore the food provided by British waterways, fly‑fishing for trout and preparing a stuffed wild duck. They also discover how the tradition of eating baby eels disappeared. The programme documents these culinary experiences and the loss of the baby‑eel tradition.

British Waterways is a television programme presented in an episode format. It falls under the broader category of a programme and focuses on the unique aspects of Britain’s inland waterways. The series adopts a light‑hearted, informative style that invites viewers to see the rivers and canals from a culinary perspective. In this particular episode, the two presenters set out to investigate the food that the country’s waterways can provide. Their journey takes them from casting lines for trout to cooking a traditional dish of stuffed wild duck, while also uncovering the story behind a once‑popular delicacy that has now faded from the table. The fly‑fishing segment sees the duo using classic techniques to lure trout from the clear streams that thread the landscape. After a successful catch, they turn their attention to the kitchen, where they prepare a whole wild duck, stuffing it with a mixture that highlights the flavours of the surrounding countryside. The cooking process is shown step by step, illustrating how the ingredients sourced from the water and land can be combined into a hearty, rustic meal. The final part of the episode examines the decline of eating baby eels, known locally as elvers. The presenters trace how this practice, once a staple for many communities along the rivers, has dwindled, offering insight into the cultural and environmental factors that led to its disappearance.