With Iron Maiden’s upcoming sell-out European tour set to thrill fans in 2025, many may not be aware that guitarist Adrian Smith has also earned the moniker “Iron Maiden’s compulsive angler.” Here, we’ve covered the unexpected hobby of the hard-rocking Smith, including his book about his fishing exploits.
A Life of Music and Fishing
Long before Adrian Smith became the legendary guitarist for the heavy metal band Iron Maiden, he was developing his fishing passion with his father in Hertfordshire. In his book, Smith claims that these early experiences helped him to develop a crucial escape from his hectic schedule with the band.
He’s not alone in his passion for the sport of angling. The growth of angling in the UK has seen several prominent competitions arise in the UK, such as the National Championships and RiverFest. It’s also seen a rise in popularity when portrayed in other entertainment circles: TV shows like Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, as well as in online games such as the top-ranked Fishin Frenzy slots, with fans flocking to multiple versions of the original game, all harbouring the iconic angling-themed features. Indeed, the timeless and genre-hopping appeal of fishing has seen Smith traverse the world in search of new aquatic experiences.
Smith’s Angling Tours
While Smith’s love of fishing may seem out of place for a rock star, Smith is adamant that the two go hand-in-hand. The guitarist has been known to fish on riverbanks in between tours as a way to ground himself after a relentless schedule, with some tours stretching up to 10 months.
His pursuits have taken him to the corners of the Earth. His adventures have seen him catch sturgeon in Canada and Wels Catfish in Spain, and go heli-fishing in New Zealand. The heli-tours allowed him to visit pristine fishing locations while finding solace from the demands of the band.
In 2021, Smith’s first book, Monsters of River and Rock, was published by Penguin Books. The book details Smith’s love of fishing, describing his early days catching perch in East London’s canals to his on-tour angling activities. Tales include a near-mishap with a 100-pound sturgeon that almost derailed a Maiden tour and a close call with a shark off the Virgin Islands.
Smith Set to Return for 2025 Iron Maiden Tour
Next May, Iron Maiden is set to kick off their 28-stop Run For Your Lives World Tour in Budapest, followed by a string of stadium, festival, and arena shows across the UK and Europe. More than half of the shows have already sold out, with the final shows set for 2026.
The tour will mark the first since 1982 not to include drummer Nicko McBrain after he announced his retirement from touring in early December. He will be replaced by Simon Dawson. Run For Your Lives will mark the 50th anniversary since Iron Maiden was formed, with the set list including fan favourites from the band’s first nine albums.
With such a busy tour planned, concertgoers should keep an eye out for Adrian Smith at any nearby riverbanks. If details from his book are anything to go by, his angling gear will be packed alongside his guitars and fishing excursions will be pencilled into the schedule.
