Thomas Turner
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What an amazing time we had at the Game Fair at Ragley Hall!
From when we set up our stand on the Thursday to leaving on a rather wind-swept Sunday evening time was spent ‘talking tackle’ with our customers old and new, exhibitors and other enthusiastic visitors to the Fishing Village. It was very pleasing to get feedback from our customers and to be able to thank them personally for their support for TT.
Our stand was ideally located opposite the fishing theatre and almost next to the stand where Jeremy Wade of River Monsters fame was signing books for the three days. There was always a queue. Jeremy was delighted with his vivid green Kingpin reel (Not sure Mr Crabtree would have approved) presented to him by Stuart Ward the owner of Kingpin. Perhaps to be seen on our screens shortly!
Jeremy Wade at The Game Fair
Stuart Ward owner of Kingpin, presenting Jeremy Wade with a reel
Our TTClassic+ rod range was well received, and it was great to have the designer Dave Coster with us to explain the finer details of the benefits of the latest rod material technology. We also made sales of both the VR and Kingpin reels. We also made some super purchases including one of the best Hardy Hollokona rods in a 4 weight we have ever handled!
Two happy customers from Norther Ireland
Keith Elliott, editor of Classic Angling gave us a hand and also managed to find a nice carved brown trout for us. Bonus!
One of the main highlights was the Get into Fishing initiative. Coaches from the Canal and Rivers Trust were busy all three days and all the youngsters who tried fishing, caught fish from roach to bream and even the odd carp. Fishing needs these initiatives to encourage new entrants to the sport. Our young TT supporters William and Ben, had a great time fishing with the fantastic instructors, catching around 40 fish between them!
The star attraction on the Sunday was Paul Whitehouse ably supported by John Bailey. Paul entertained the main theatre audience with his hilarious tales from the Gone Fishing programme and then came to visit us in the Fishing Village (with actor and environmentalist Jim Murray) at a rather splendid drinks reception. Both Paul and John are great friends of ours and we share being Trustees of a conservation charity Fish In Need which helps in a modest way in the revitalisation of our rivers. Look out for a new book by Paul and John due for publication very soon.
Jim Murray, Paul Whitehouse, John Bailey
Fly fishing was, as always, well supported with some great demonstrations by favourites Scott Mackenzie, Ian Gordon, Hywell Morgan and Marina Gibson amongst others.
For me personally it was great to renew friendships made when I was Chairman of Farlows and Sportfish, especially with the top team at Hardy. Not only did this give me a prime parking spot for my Campervan but a seat at the table for the infamous Pete Gibson BBQ’s. Great fun.
I also had a good talk with the legendary collector Victor Bonutto who has been a favourite at the Game Fair for 35 years. He gave a super talk in the theatre and demonstrated his famous ‘spider web’ rod but with some difficulty in the strong winds.
Our thanks go to the team at the Angling Trades Association, who have worked hard to expand on the fishing aspect of the Game Fair, and it certainly looks like it is heading in the right direction!
All in all, a great show for us and in hearing the plans for next year it looks like fishing will expand further. It does need to. The likely venue next year will be Blenheim Palace and we look forward to that.
The post Talking Tackle at the Game Fair 2023 appeared first on Thomas Turner Fishing Antiques.
Continue reading...
From when we set up our stand on the Thursday to leaving on a rather wind-swept Sunday evening time was spent ‘talking tackle’ with our customers old and new, exhibitors and other enthusiastic visitors to the Fishing Village. It was very pleasing to get feedback from our customers and to be able to thank them personally for their support for TT.
Our stand was ideally located opposite the fishing theatre and almost next to the stand where Jeremy Wade of River Monsters fame was signing books for the three days. There was always a queue. Jeremy was delighted with his vivid green Kingpin reel (Not sure Mr Crabtree would have approved) presented to him by Stuart Ward the owner of Kingpin. Perhaps to be seen on our screens shortly!
Jeremy Wade at The Game Fair
Stuart Ward owner of Kingpin, presenting Jeremy Wade with a reel
Our TTClassic+ rod range was well received, and it was great to have the designer Dave Coster with us to explain the finer details of the benefits of the latest rod material technology. We also made sales of both the VR and Kingpin reels. We also made some super purchases including one of the best Hardy Hollokona rods in a 4 weight we have ever handled!
Two happy customers from Norther Ireland
Keith Elliott, editor of Classic Angling gave us a hand and also managed to find a nice carved brown trout for us. Bonus!
One of the main highlights was the Get into Fishing initiative. Coaches from the Canal and Rivers Trust were busy all three days and all the youngsters who tried fishing, caught fish from roach to bream and even the odd carp. Fishing needs these initiatives to encourage new entrants to the sport. Our young TT supporters William and Ben, had a great time fishing with the fantastic instructors, catching around 40 fish between them!
The star attraction on the Sunday was Paul Whitehouse ably supported by John Bailey. Paul entertained the main theatre audience with his hilarious tales from the Gone Fishing programme and then came to visit us in the Fishing Village (with actor and environmentalist Jim Murray) at a rather splendid drinks reception. Both Paul and John are great friends of ours and we share being Trustees of a conservation charity Fish In Need which helps in a modest way in the revitalisation of our rivers. Look out for a new book by Paul and John due for publication very soon.
Jim Murray, Paul Whitehouse, John Bailey
Fly fishing was, as always, well supported with some great demonstrations by favourites Scott Mackenzie, Ian Gordon, Hywell Morgan and Marina Gibson amongst others.
For me personally it was great to renew friendships made when I was Chairman of Farlows and Sportfish, especially with the top team at Hardy. Not only did this give me a prime parking spot for my Campervan but a seat at the table for the infamous Pete Gibson BBQ’s. Great fun.
I also had a good talk with the legendary collector Victor Bonutto who has been a favourite at the Game Fair for 35 years. He gave a super talk in the theatre and demonstrated his famous ‘spider web’ rod but with some difficulty in the strong winds.
Our thanks go to the team at the Angling Trades Association, who have worked hard to expand on the fishing aspect of the Game Fair, and it certainly looks like it is heading in the right direction!
All in all, a great show for us and in hearing the plans for next year it looks like fishing will expand further. It does need to. The likely venue next year will be Blenheim Palace and we look forward to that.
The post Talking Tackle at the Game Fair 2023 appeared first on Thomas Turner Fishing Antiques.
Continue reading...