Lowther Show, August 11th and 12th 2018.

Lowther Show 2018.

Despite the weather forecast changing it’s prediction for foul conditions over the weekend, the weather held just perfect for the well organised Lowther Show in beautiful surroundings last Saturday. Lowther is my favourite show of the year, it just has that convivial, friendly atmosphere about it and you meet up with many friends there. Rain then arrived on the evening and had passed through by late morning leaving it fair. This did not deter the many budding young, present and future anglers to visit the Fishing Island and have a go at fly fishing, some for the very first time. Everyone working on the Fishing Island are volunteers giving up their precious time for others benefit, thank you all!

It has always been the theme at Lowther through Borderlines to encourage new people into fly fishing, especially the young. A place where you can pop in for a cup of tea on the Island have a sit down and a craic, maybe watch a demonstration, have a go at fly casting or enter a competition.

On the Fishing Island there were demonstrations by the Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors Derek Kelly, Clive Mitchelhill, John Pape, Brian Towers, and guides Karl Humphries, John Walker, Roger Smith and Alan Roe from all over the U.K, also Bert Schaaf from Germany.

Bert Schaaf.

Clive Mitchelhill.

Brian Towers.

Karl Humphries.

The FFM were there demonstrating the Italian style of casting which has a very unique method of high line speed with light fly lines.

Dave Southall.

The Fly Dressers Guild were in force teaching both adults and juniors how to tie a fishing fly effectively.

Aimee Kitching.

The fly casting tuition platforms were well utilised with both adult and juniors getting some handy tips from the experts.

Volunteers from both Penrith Anglers and Carlisle Anglers were on hand to help juniors have a go at some target casting. Competition was fierce on the trout and salmon distance casting. Robert Jolly came first in the distance Spey casting and his wife Teresa a close second.

Guy Wellings in action on the distance casting competition.

A fifteen year old Robert from Ayrshire visiting for the day, won the target competition and also the adult distance trout, amazing for such a young person!

Lowther, it’s a family affair.

A big thank you to the ladies in the booking in tent!

Fisherman’s Row was well attended by Penrith Angling Association, REDFA, Angling Trust, Prince Albert were there in force, The Wild Trout Trust, Kirkby Stephen Angling Association, Tanas Tackle, River Nith Trust, Borderlines, Fly Tek, Bessy Beck Trout fishery, Orvis, The Fly Tying Company, The Fly Dressers Guild, Pendle Fly Dressers, Lakeland Fly dressers, Peter Bramwell, Aimee Kitching, the Salmon and Trout Association and Tim’s Tackle.

Prince Albert Team.

A very big thank you to all the attendees on Fisherman’s Row for their very kind contributions toward the junior prizes, it was very much appreciated!

John Pape handing out John Norris gift vouches to the junior winners.

We have been using John Norris outfits (the same ones) for over six years now for the competitions and clinics, they are still in great shape after being totally abused, a fine testament! Once again the Fishing Island was generously sponsored by John Norris of Penrith with some fantastic prizes won, it is good to see and it has to be applauded, the foresight of investing in the future of fly fishing.

A very big thank you to Countryman Fairs for making the show so well organised and enjoyable.