Getting off to a flyer
I GOT the chance of a busman’s holiday to the British Fly Fair International (BFFI) at Stafford last weekend, organised by Steve and Bridgette Cooper of Cookshill Fly Tying.
Shows like these are a chance to immerse yourself among fishing fanatics and with the salmon season kicking off and river trout season just round the corner, it definitely whets the appetite to get out casting flies.
With the weather conditions across the country there have been more than a few false starts to 2024 for a lot of us but there were some itchy feet to get out and blow away the cobwebs.
Casting Demonstrations and Fishing in Focus Presentations were a chance to learn a few things from anglers like Scott Mackenzie, Jim Fearn and authors like Peter Cockwill.
It’s like a set of angling books or tutorials that you can sip coffees and let wash over you while you’re having a nosy about all the interesting bits and bobs anglers love to collect.
Between supplier stands with the latest gear, there were magazines with subscriber offers, far-flung destination trips for your bucket list and I was particularly pleased to see a variety of angling associations and fisheries bringing local knowledge in and promoting the sport that’s right on your doorstep.
I got a chance to roam along their fly tyers row with tables of experts on hand, some coaching kids on their first flies and others exhibiting what I’d consider works of art as much as fishing flies. I managed to get a few patterns and will hopefully have a guest spot on the page in the next few weeks from some of the tyers with early season recommendations.
Bridgette Cooper said: “Thanks to all our tyers on tyers row who come from all over the world to join us at their own expense including two newbies this year from Canada.
“Their unfaltering enthusiasm and range of skills throughout the weekend always amazes us. It was nice to see the improved quality of many of the stands and the considerable effort made by our new stands. Our ethos has always been to encourage stands selling quality items at the right price.
“Most of all to all our visitors who, again, come from far and wide to make the most of what we offer, share the love of angling and catch up with old friends in the process, thank you.”
Shows like these remind you just how popular fishing really is, being around folk with similar interest, picking up tips and tricks or discussing something a bit special gives you a sense of community.
Events like these are well worth a look from Scottish Game Fair at Scone in early July that covers country sports or FishOMania down south with it’s focus on coarse angling.
For sea anglers The Mull of Galloway Festivals through the summer as well as shows like the Glasgow Open Weekends sample a bit of everything all under one roof.