Open weekend 2016
Great deals, a huge tackle clearance, loads of angling experts and a superb day out – don’t miss the Spring Open Weekend
Visit Glasgow Angling Centre’s big event.
With the start of the fishing season fast approaching, it will soon be time for Glasgow Angling Centre’s huge, threeday Spring Open Weekend on March 4, 5 and 6. It is set to be the biggest and best fishing show that the country has ever seen!
During the three days, the megastore puts on a fishing extravaganza at its huge 30,000sqft store. Dedicated anglers travel from all over the UK and abroad to pick up some of the thousands of extra-special bargains, get free advice from people in the know, or simply to rub shoulders with angling heroes like Mike Thrussell, Paul Young, Hywel Morgan, and many more.
Every major brand in the tackle industry will be there too, showing off their latest products, and representatives will be on hand to answer all of your questions on how to get the best out of your gear. You can easily spend a whole day in the store, which has easy, free parking for hundreds of cars, along with toilets, seating, onsite catering and refreshments to keep you going - and so much to see and do!
LARGEST TACKLE RANGE
Glasgow Angling Centre has been trading since 1988 and now boasts the largest range of fishing tackle and clothing in Europe, with almost 45,000 items on display and more than 50 knowledgeable staff to assist you in its enormous showroom.
Hundreds of rods line the racks, already fully set up for you to check out, or even try on the 30-metre outdoor casting pool or the nearby canal basin. An equally large number of reels to suit all types of angling are on display too, with the vast majority on show for you to actually touch and feel.
Row upon row of angling and outdoor clothing lines the walls from floor to ceiling, with an unrivalled choice to keep you warm, dry and comfortable during any fishing trip, whatever the weather conditions. A massive range of waders and boots from all the major brands means there is always something to fit everyone. Come and see the UK’s largest selection of sea fishing equipment and stock up for the coming season.
There is also a wide selection of books, DVDs and unbeatable deals on magazine subscriptions, such as Sea Angler.
Well known for its year-round deals on the best brands in fishing, GAC’s March Open Weekend event will launch its biggest-ever selection of sea angling bargains, with hundreds of items reduced to half price or less!
If you have previously visited one of these events, then you will know the GAC always goes that little bit further for customers who attend, with thousands of prices slashed in every department.
On top of all the weekend-only super deals on offer, you will even get a £5 credit on your account for every £50 you spend at the tills. Don’t forget, you can even pick up a no purchase necessary freebie just by
pre-registering your attendance online prior to the event using the link on the GAC website - check out the GAC blog for more details.
LOADS TO SEE AND DO
But it’s not all about buying new fishing gear. There is a lot to see and do over the three days.
GAC has long been one of the country’s top sea tackle retailers, and this event will host a great line-up of brands from the shore and boat angling scene, such as Tronixpro, Daiwa, Lynx, Abu, Penn, Shimano and Century Fishing.
Top anglers like Mike Thrussell, Steve Souter, Jake Schogler and George Cunningham will be on hand to give advice and share tips on sea angling’s latest trends, including workshops on baits, rig building and, of course, LRF – the hottest sector in sea fishing.
See the latest sea fishing lures in action and be the first to view some products being shown and sold for the first time.
The RNLI Scotland Sea Safety Unit will be in attendance to carry out free lifejacket checks for anyone who brings one along, as well as giving advice on how to keep safe while on or near water. Clyde Outboard services will be attending, with a range of outboard motors and boats plus offers on repairs and servicing for boat owners.
The team from Bauer Media, the name behind some great magazine titles like Trout and Salmon, Trout Fisherman, Sea Angler and Angling Times will be in store with an amazing offer for anyone who takes out a subscription to their favourite magazines on the day.
Predator fishing in the UK has seen a huge increase in popularity in recent years, especially within the lure fishing scene. GAC will have representatives from all the key brands in predator angling including Savage Gear, Fox, Abu and Rapala and many more.
Don’t miss the must-see workshops on how to use the amazing Water Wolf HD camera. The Pike Anglers Alliance of Scotland will be on hand to demonstrate baits, rigs and safe fish-handling technique.
With one of the biggest ranges of lures and predator fishing gear on display in the UK, and some exciting new products being launched for the first time, you won’t want to miss this!
Bringing newcomers into the sport of angling is important to the team at GAC, and giving people, especially kids, the right start in angling is a huge part of the event. Angling charity, Get Hooked on Fishing, will be running free coarse fishing taster sessions, so be sure to book your places in advance (check out the GAC Blog for more details).
The girls from Ladies Fishing will be present to promote women’s angling, while rangers from the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park will be attending too, informing and educating on the fishing and many other outdoor activities that are available in the 720 square miles of the park, which is less than an hour’s drive away for more than half of Scotland’s population.
Representatives from all the biggest brands in game angling will be attending. The world’s finest fly-casters and instructors, including Hywel Morgan, Scott MacKenzie, Jim Curry, Ian Gordon, Andrew Toft and Stevie Munn will help you improve your technique and get the most from your fly-fishing tackle.
Another big attraction will be the distancecasting event, which is sponsored by Hardy & Greys, featuring prizes every day for both juniors and adults.
The fly-tying benches are always one of the main attractions, with enthusiasts travelling from all over the country to watch demonstrations from the world’s best fly-tyers.
For the art lovers, the megastore will have John Edwards, from Fish Recreations, displaying his fish replicas and explaining how he turns your catch into a work of art after you have released it, while Maria Gonzalez, from Mayfly Art, will show her popular range of fish prints and fine gifts.
If you shoot as well as fish, then don’t forget that the Glasgow Field Sports store is now located inside GAC, with hunting equipment and country clothing from top brands, plus a well stocked gunroom.