I got the chance to meet up with Charlie Brownlow from Finhunter UK and talk fishing, upcycled waders and cast some flies for salmon too
When did you realize that there were a lot of waders going to waste/landfill and there might be a use for them?
The Idea actually came about because I wanted to create something rather than sell someone else’s products as I do in my sporting agency. Although I do not actually do the stitching I do come up with the concepts and designs. At the time I did not know that hundreds, if not thousands, of waders end up in landfill or burnt every year. These waders probably have 80% of their fabric still in good order which to me is a massive waste. Not only that but if you open up a pair of waders and put them on the floor they cover a huge surface area of material being put into our environment.
Was it a long process setting up designs and ideas or did you play around with waders to see what you could come up with?
Sarah Purvis who makes the products for me was very longsuffering and patient whilst we put the ideas together. I think the fly wallet took the longest as we tried lots of combinations of fly storage. Sarah managed to interpret my scribbles and rambling descriptions into workable prototypes which is something she still has to do! We are always looking at new ideas and designs but I won’t make the mistake of having too many products as we did when I started. We have made some bespoke products including guitar or bow and arrow cases and rod bags.
Were there obvious winning designs and some that just didn’t work?
We learnt early on to keep it simple as trying to make anything to complicated can lead to the product becoming expensive to make. It also begins to lose its upcycled charm. I love my Ettrick Kit bags which are unlined and perfect for keeping shooting or fishing bits and bobs in. I have a friend Charlotte Kulow to thank for suggesting the funky handles and zips which have really brightened them up.
How long is process from receiving the waders to a new recycled product?
My lead time is about 2 to 3 weeks once I have cleaned and delivered them to Sarah in Kelso to then getting a finished product. We are always trying to keep the material coming in but this can cause issues.
What is the most successful product?
I think all the products have been as successful as each other but the picnic bag has probably been the most commented on and most copied as it easy to replicate being the top of the waders with the bottom stitched up. I am not fussed about people copying this design as this is an environmental project but please send me the legs!
When did you decide to make the step of starting a business out of upcyclyed waders?
I had the idea about eight years ago but saw there was a company doing the same in the states and selling them over here and I thought nothing more of it until I realized we A) have hundreds of good wader material heading to the dump every year and B) Air miles and the environment don’t mix…
Upcycling is a popular term did you ever think it would happen in fly fishing?
It is a term I have always regarded with some interest although I could not see how it could translate into fly fishing until I gave it some thought. I certainly did not think I would be involved in it!
Should anglers send you their old waders if they have no more use for them?
Yes please and if they could send them with the boots or feet cut off that would be amazing. We can make them a product out of the waders if they would like at a discounted price.
Is there a product you are most proud of?
I think the bags are my favorite and the product I use most as I use them for both shooting and fishing kit. I keep two bags with the relevant kit in and all I have to do is lob them in the car knowing everything is there, from ear defenders to caps! I am proud of all the products as they all represent material saved from the environment and taken back into the field.
Tell us about yourself Charlie, are you a keen angler?
I love fishing and have done so since I was about three with my father and godfather Randel. I grew up fishing in Scotland and at home on the Norfolk chalk streams. I also have extremely fond memories of fishing for carp and roach on my father’s ponds. I now have two small boys who love it!
Where do you fish?
We fish all over Scotland but nothing beats my home river the Teviot which is under fished and teaming with trout, grayling, sea trout and salmon.
Your target species?
The sea trout is to my mind the pinnacle of fly fishing in the UK. But to be honest I'm happy fishing away and I am not to snobby about what I am targeting!
Where is the river you most feel at home on?
The Glaven is where I cut my teeth and I will always love that river which is a small Norfolk chalk stream. I also love the Teviot which as mentioned before offers such a variety of fishing all year round.
If you have any old waders and want to contact Charlie, visit his website here
