The Scottish Fly Fair 2018 Roundup

Scottish Fly Fair 2018

This year was the first year of The Scottish Fly Fair and here at Barbless Flies, we got the chance to take part as one of the Exhibitors at the event. The fly fishing fair had a fantastic atmosphere and it boasted some of the best tackle producers, fly tying brands, and fishing outfitters out there. There were some great casting demonstrations as well, all that and all under one roof. The Scottish fly fair really was a great chance to meet other fly fishing enthusiasts and to discuss the latest trends and equipment in the industry, lots of exciting things to come for 2018! It was certainly well worth the trip and we’d thoroughly recommend it for next year. Did you have chance to catch us and have a chat about our barbless fishing flies?

New Fly Fishing Fair

The Scottish Fly Fair is a new fly fishing fair in the heart of Scotland. Located at the stunning Stirling Court Hotel, we had the chance to exhibit at the event and got to meet lots of exciting people and businesses in the fly fishing industry. Since we enjoyed this year’s Scottish Fly Fair event so much (and since our BFFI Roundup post was a hit), we thought we’d get in touch with the other exhibitors and see what they took away from the event.

Check out our roundup below and discover some of the leading businesses within the fly fishing and fly tying industry and what their thought were of the first Scottish Fly Fair event. We’ve got some great insights from the likes of Steve Cooper at Cookshill Fly Tying, Silja Longhurst at Baltic Fly Fisher, John Bell at The Lomond Angler, Chris Turner at Turner Furniture, and others. We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our contributors below that took the time to take part.

Were you at The Scottish Fly Fair 2018 and not on the below list? Please feel free to contact us and let us know what your thoughts were of the event.

Steve Cooper - Cookshill Fly Tying

What did you enjoy most about the event?
"Great to see a Fly fishing focused event in Scotland. Davy, Jess and the team did a great job with the organisation and the show was well supported by traders and demonstrators. There has been a call for an event like this north of the border for a long time - nice to see the niche being filled."
Which was your favourite demonstration/stand?
"Good to see some new faces on the stands amongst some of the fly tying demonstrators."
Silja Longhurst - Baltic Fly Fisher

What did you enjoy most about the event?
"The atmosphere: The event team definately put their signature on how welcome everybody was. The location of the fair was well outsourced and underlined the positive and welcoming atmosphere throughout the weekend. The size of the fair wasn't big but exhibited a high quality standard from the flyfishing industry. Also seeing more women from the flyfishing industry exhibiting, flytying and demonstrating wins a gold medal! Over all it has been a pleasure exhibiting and demonstrating at the Scottish Flyfair - which stands for a welcoming atmosphere (we even got homemade cakes and cookies, the possibility in ordering lunch directly to the booth was fantastic) without loosing the focus of professionalism."
Which was your favourite demonstration/stand?
"Sorry was busy working on the booth but I did like the bland of flytiers and exhibition booths."
What/or who do you think will be big news for 2018?
"A casting pool is a must."
Did you get chance to experience fishing in the beautiful Scottish rivers?
"Yes we added on a day of fishing through Salmonfishingholidays.com."
John Bell - The Lomond Angler

What did you enjoy most about the event?
"The atmosphere was very good and the place was buzzing..."
Which was your favourite demonstration/stand?
"I am going to be bias on this one and say it was mine as this was my very first as an exhibitor and thoroughly enjoyed it.. On the other side, they were all good."
What/or who do you think will be big news for 2018?
"David and Jessica (the talk of 2018) I hope."
Did you have chance to try out any new and exciting products?
"Didn’t get a chance.. but did get a good look at all the new equipment.. but where does one start."
Did you get chance to experience fishing in the beautiful Scottish rivers?
"Yes I was on the river Tay the week before with a guest which was a fantastic day out.. but with no bars of silver just last years model. And looking forward to the Spey next week for three days... bring it on."
Chris Turner - Turner Furniture

What did you enjoy most about the event?
"The passion and enthusiasm from everyone I spoke to - the place was electric! Fly fishing and tying is a real love of mine and it was great to be part of the first Scottish Fly Fair. It was also great to see a younger generation of people moving things forward and being at the forefront of the Game Angling world."
Which was your favourite demonstration/stand?
"The Whitadder’s Virtual Fly Fishing Museum was of great interest, with their vintage rod and reel collection. I really enjoyed the vast array of tyers and their styles, Peter Sheffler definitely impressed with his traditional patterns."
What/or who do you think will be big news for 2018?
"I’m hoping Fly Box Studio by Turner Furniture! I’ll be launching the official website soon with a range of hand crafted products for the fly fisher and tyers. It’s been a passion of mine for so long that it’s great to finally combine my cabinet making skills with products designed for fishing and fly tying enthusiasts."
Did you have chance to try out any new and exciting products?
"Unfortunately not, I was too busy working but I did manage to get a copy of Sea Trout, Tips, Trials and Tribulations by Steffan Jones."
Did you get chance to experience fishing in the beautiful Scottish rivers?
"As I live in Scotland I have the luxury of impressive fishing on my doorstep. I’m a member of the Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association which has a wide variety of fishing and I especially love fishing for salmon or sea trout on the River Endrick. The Clyde Estuary is really taking off for Fly Fishing for Sea Trout which can be big and there is always the chance of going out on Loch Lomond with ‘The Lomond Angler’ John Bell who is a guide on the Big Loch."
John Fairgrieve - John Fairgrieve

What did you enjoy most about the event?
"The venue is first class, compact, bright and on one level. Dave, Jess and family put every effort and more into making sure we all were looked after."
Which was your favourite demonstration/stand?
"I would like to spend days on Coch-y-Bonddu Books Stand."
What/or who do you think will be big news for 2018?
"Too many to choose from."
Did you have chance to try out any new and exciting products?
"Impressed with The Fly Dresser's Dresser from Hilditch Wood Designs."
Did you get chance to experience fishing in the beautiful Scottish rivers?
"I'll be on river Tweed Thursday chasing Scotland's famous Springers."
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