A WORLD-leading fly fishing brand which is based in Andover is counting down the days to its flagship event.
Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival will take place from Friday, August 30 to Sunday, September 1 against the backdrop of Chichester Harbour and Hayling Island.
The Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival caters for seasoned anglers and newcomers alike. All ages and abilities are welcome and although there is a competition element, the event primarily gives everyone the opportunity to connect with fellow anglers to share their passions, expand their skills, and delve deeper into the world of saltwater fly-fishing in the UK.
This is the most accessible form of fly-fishing available, there is never more than 70 miles between you and the UK coast and fishing licenses are not required.
Aaron Rawling, managing director at Orvis UK, said: “Year on year, the anticipation for this event grows exponentially. This will be our biggest festival to date, with 180 passionate anglers of all abilities from all around the world coming together at one of the South Coast’s most productive mullet and bass marks. This is the fifth anniversary of the festival, and with new ticket options, additional partners , extended fishing times, and the YETI Night Station, I have no doubt that it will be the best yet.”
Anglers attending can expect bass and mullet workshops from experts including Colin Macleod, Michael Rescorle, Philip Spratt, and the Fluff Chuckers’ Rodney Wevill, as well as fly tying, social events and two and a half days of competition fishing with coveted Orvis prizes awarded for categories such as ‘Longest Bass’, ‘Longest Mullet’, ‘Longest Other Species’, and ‘Most Number of Species’.
New for the festival is a trio of ticket types and extended fishing times. Prospective attendees can choose between a ‘Competitor Ticket’, ‘Festival Ticket’ or even a ‘Youth Ticket’ created for younger friends and family members under the age of 18. The latter is intended to encourage and foster the next generation of saltwater fly-fishing anglers and grants entry to the Friday afternoon Youth Competition for a chance to win the ‘Longest Catch’ prize.
Also new for this year, YETI will be bringing the heat to the festival with the YETI Night Station powered by hot TrueStart coffee and Solo Stove smokeless firepits burning all night long. Whatever your level of fly-fishing experience, the YETI Night Station promises the perfect spot to gather, share stories, and continue fishing until the early hours.
Other event partners this year include Lakedown Brewing Co, Fulling Mill, DeliVita, and Upavon Fly Fishing. The festival practices catch and release and supports environmental and mentoring organisations.
Tickets can be bought directly via the Orvis UK website here.
Privately owned by the Perkins family since 1965, Orvis is an American company that has its UK headquarters in Battenkill House, Andover. It was formerly based at The Mill in Nether Wallop for many years, after it acquired Dermot Wilson's UK mail-order fly-fishing business.
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