The New fishing Year has started slowly but it is now gathering pace. Christmas, poor weather, projects in the home and the ski season have all conspired to keep me off the rivers for the winter Grayling so I was really looking fwd to this years British Fly Fair.

 

The BFFI is THE UK fly fishing fair that not only showcases some of Europes top fly tyers, but also offers lectures, fly casting demos and of course trade stands that sell every piece of necessary (and unnecessary) fly fishing equipment imaginable. As it is held in February, it heralds the end of the winter Grayling season but sets you up nicely for the impending Trout season.

 

Flying solo this year, I was very much looking fwd to ‘going nuts’ and being able to squirrel away any purchases undetected. Unfortunately, lets put it down to my jet-set lifestyle rather than senility, I left the house with the wrong wallet so I hadn’t taken any sterling with me. The only money I had was Euros and 10 old style pound coins, neither of which were accepted by the admissions staff… despite my best efforts.

 

The queue which was outside, was lengthening behind me as I searched my bag and pockets for accepted currency and I distinctly heard the word ‘Idiot’ muttered under someones frozen breath.

 

Eventually, I cobbled together the £12 entrance fee and I was in! Sadly, I was now financially “tapped out” so was reduced to wandering the halls without the distraction of buying things.

 

What I was able to do however, was avail myself of the wealth of knowledge and talent so freely shared at these events. I attended lectures by Stuart Crofts and Paul Gaskell, observed some great tying by Tim Wood, Gareth Lewis and Liam Walsh to name but a few, and generally caught up with many friends and colleagues.

 

I came away revived, recharged and reinvigorated and because of the items I sold at the excellent Potteries Flytyers bring and buy stand, I actually left the show with more Money than I had when I arrived. I doubt many can make that claim!