Today this area, now known as Stratford sub-Castle is the home of the Salisbury and District Angling Club and the water meadow area that forms the left bank of the river Avon here has, for the last three years, been the location for the clubs annual open day. This years day was held on Sunday May 6th and proceedings were, as always pretty informal. Firstly an introduction from the clubs Chairman, followed by a very entertaining fly casting demonstration from fly-fishing guru Charles Jardine.
The remainder of the morning consisting of a variety of workshops in which the attending club members participated. These included a look at the resident chalk stream fly-life in the company of entomologist, and long standing club member, Dr Cyril Bennett and his able assistant Charlie. Fly dressing demonstrations were conducted by both club and local members of the Fly Dressers Guild and fly casting tuition from the gathering of club members who are also professional game angling and fly casting instructors.
A break for lunch gave everyone an opportunity to make new and renew acquaintances with old friends as well as getting to meet the Grayling Society boys, who had set up stall in the marquee opposite the fly dressers. The afternoon session resumed with the obligatory raffle draw, followed by C.J. leading a river fly fishing workshop after which the participants were given the opportunity to browse and participate in one to one instruction in both fly tying and fly casting. The instructors were kept enjoyably busy for the duration!
Thanks go to all who helped in the organising and running of this years event, including the wonderful lunch ladies, and also to all the club members who attended and made the day complete.
Ian May is an AAPGAI Master Instructor based in Hampshire, teaching both single and