Meet the Experts at Fisherman's Corner
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
One of the hidden gems of Moy Country Fair, Fisherman's Corner offers visitors the chance to experience the skill, craftsmanship and tradition behind fly fishing in Scotland.
Hosted by the River Spey Anglers' Association, this popular area of the Fair brings together an outstanding team of fly dressers, casting instructors and anglers, all keen to share their knowledge with visitors.
Throughout both days, you can watch expert demonstrations as flies are carefully tied by hand using a fascinating combination of traditional and modern materials. Every fly has a purpose, designed to imitate the insects and food sources that trout and salmon feed on, and every demonstration offers a glimpse into a craft that has been passed down through generations.
This year's line-up features some of the UK's most respected fly tyers and anglers.
Among them is Allan Liddle, a former Scottish International angler, qualified casting instructor and regular contributor to Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Magazine. Allan has demonstrated across the UK and Europe and is passionate about introducing new anglers to the sport through the River Spey Anglers' Association.
Joining him is Peter McCallum, who has been tying flies for more than 50 years. A qualified casting and fly-tying instructor, Peter is well known for his expertise in traditional Clyde-style patterns and has demonstrated at game fairs throughout the UK and Europe for many years.
Visitors can also meet Kevin Muir, a qualified Scottish Game Angling Instructor whose passion for fly dressing has taken him from enthusiastic beginner to advanced instructor. Kevin enjoys sharing techniques and encouraging others to develop their own skills.
Graham Forbes brings a lifetime of experience that began on the River Eden in Fife before moving to the Highlands. A Semperfli Pro Tyer, Graham regularly demonstrates at fly fairs across the UK and Europe and particularly enjoys encouraging the next generation to take up the sport.
The team also includes David Matteer, who has over 60 years of fly fishing experience and four international caps representing Scotland in traditional loch-style fishing. A qualified casting instructor and coach, David has spent many years helping beginners, ladies and juniors develop their confidence through the River Spey Anglers' Association.
Alongside them are Ben Thomas, a member of the Semperfli Pro-Team and apprentice ghillie and gamekeeper, and Abigail Montgomery, who has represented Scotland Ladies 13 times at international level and once at the Commonwealth, bringing decades of experience in both fishing and fly tying.
Visitors are encouraged to ask questions, watch the demonstrations up close and even have a go at tying their own fly under expert guidance. This year there's also the opportunity to enter the competition to create a new fly using Moy Country Fair's signature green and pink colours.
You don't need to be an angler to enjoy Fisherman's Corner. It's a fascinating place to discover a traditional Scottish craft, hear stories from people who have dedicated their lives to fishing and fly tying, and learn more about the rivers, lochs and wildlife that make Scotland such a world-renowned destination for anglers.
Make time to visit Fisherman's Corner during Moy Country Fair on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 August and meet the people keeping this remarkable tradition alive.
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