IMPORTANT
SITE UPDATE:

Visit the relaunched
Fish & Fly at fishandfly.com

Chatsworth Angling Fair puts accent on youth

Three teenage boys from Co Durham, who were introduced to angling only two years ago but are now all-rounders, will be among the star demonstrators at this year's Chatsworth Angling Fair on 18 and 19 May at Chatsworth House near Bakewell, Derbyshire. They will be part of a key feature of the Fair's drive to give young visitors a really practical introduction to angling, with help from some of the best-known names in the sport.

Other youthful demonstrators will include 12-year-old Alex Jardine, the son of popular angling artist-author Charles Jardine, appearing in a father-and-son fly casting performance, and the former England Youth captain, Jonathan Tomlinson, still only 20, who will exchange reservoir and sea trout fishing displays with Gary Coxon.

In addition, the fly tying marquee will have a special section to show young people how to embark on fly dressing - and to give advice about any difficulties encountered by those who have started. Tuition and materials will be provided free of charge.

Chatsworth organiser Andrew Cuthbert explained: "We have always given support to such schemes as the Angling Trade Association's 'Take A Friend Fishing' and the Countryside Alliance's 'Gone Fishing' campaign, launched at our Fair two years ago. But now we are taking the initiative and are seeking to encourage regular anglers to bring youngsters to the show so that they can obtain all the basic information they need for taking up the sport. Admission to the show won't cost them much: children aged 14 and under are allowed in free if accompanied by an adult. Car parking is also free.

"In addition, adults can get £1 off the normal £7 entrance fee if they apply for tickets before May 5." (Applications, with sae, and cheques made payable to Chatsworth Angling Fair, should be sent to Andrew Cuthbert, The Ford House, Binham, Fakenham, Norfolk NR21 0DJ.)

In response to widespread demand, the Fair also sees the return of Henrik Mortensen whose underhand casting technique was regarded as the hit of the show by many spectators at Chatsworth in May 2000.

Leading game fishermen Oliver Edwards and Dr Malcolm Greenhalgh will join forces to escort visitors along the River Derwent to find the insects on which trout and grayling feed. Their three daily strolls - on which young people will be made particularly welcome - are rounded off by a comparison with the artificial flies designed to match the natural foods and then by demonstrations of the techniques for presenting them on the water.

The Fair's fly tying marquee will be manned by some of the world's greatest exponents of the skill. Among them will be Doug Farthing, Ken Newton, Terry Ruane, Tim Thorpe (a Chatsworth Angling Fair stalwart ever since its first year in 1979), and Davy Wotton. One newcomer this time is Gary Bell, from Co Down, a top instructor who was taught to fish and tie flies by another Irish favourite at Chatsworth - his uncle, Dave Dowery. There will also be a small American conmtingent, including Marc Pinsel, who specialises in bass and saltwater flies, using spun sheep's wool and, paying a return visit, Dr Chuck Moxley who has a particular passion for classic Atlantic salmon flies, but is also interested in trout fly design and what he describes as "ultra-realistic" fly dressing.

Chris Sandford's Vintage Tackle Roadshow will enable you to get some puzzling old item of fishing gear identified and valued by one of the world's leading experts on the subject.