GAIA at the 2006 CLA Game Fair Broadlands Romsey Hampshire
Sponsored by Orvis and Hardy's

efore the crowds began to gather at the beautiful grounds of Broadlands in Romsey, Hampshire, GAIA members had worked hard to set up the platforms, tents and assorted requirements to run the various casting clinics along the well groomed banks of the River Test. The Salmon and Trout Association contract GAIA to run the various clinics and the event proved to be an excellent example of co-operation between the two Associations. Arrangements to run clinics for youngsters, adult beginners and adults had been made well in advance and Tim Gaunt-Baker and Robin Gow took on the not inconsiderable task of organising everything, a task they proved to be well up to. Sponsorship by Orvis for the adult clinics and Hardy's for the youngsters clinic allowed the events to take place, adding a smartness and uniformity amongst the instructors taking part as they donned the sponsorship shirts and hats provided. Tackle was provided by both sponsors. And was there a demand for fly fishing instruction from the visiting public? well from first thing on friday morning, the time the booking desk opened, the demand was constant, with those attending the booking desk working hard to keep up with the steady flow of enthusiastic youngters and adults alike. By the time Friday came to an end the bookings were such that much of Saturday was pre-booked. It is difficult to say how important the contribution made by the wives and partners of members was to the running of the booking tent and the reception areas, they were tireless in their efforts and GAIA has much to thank them for.

The sunshine on Friday was as hot as we have ever had before and the recommendations by the organisers to drink lots of water required no encouragement. Despite the heat, all went well and the reaction from the public was first class.

Friday evening saw the crowds disappearing and the start of the GAIA barbeque, to which all members were invited, plus various guests, including those running the Salmon and Trout Association tent. S&TA were kind enough to allow GAIA to use their facilities. The steak, burgers, sausages and salads went down extremely well, Philip Pledger organised the meats from a Stockbridge butcher and the salads were prepared by the S&TA food team.

What was great for those involved was the total lack of pretention by everyone involved and the obvious willingness of all to play their part and to thoroughly enjoy themselves on equal terms, no matter whether they were APGAI, Level 2, STANIC, SGAIC or GAIC. Due to this, it was expressed by more than one person how refreshing they found the whole experience.

 

 

 

 

aturday and Sunday continued in much the way Friday had with a constant flow of bookings, thankfully the heat was much reduced from the Friday. The cameraderie continued, however, and even by late Sunday afternoon with people beginning to leave the site in numbers, the casting clinics continued to provide a brisk service.

Over the weekend GAIA instructors conducted well over 400 casting lessons for adults and more than 300 lessons for youngsters, as well as providing advice and information whenever it was requested. 21 instructors were involved in the Adult casting clinics and 20 instructors involved in running the youngsters casting clinics, add to these the wives, partners and helpers who all contributed so willingly, this makes more than 50 people involved in the overall success of the event. All in all the whole weekend was a great experience for everyone involved including the members of the public.

As well as providing instructors for the Casting Clinics, GAIA instructors were involved in many other events. Gwilym Hughes spent much of his time demonstrating flydressing in the Salmon and Trout Association and Philip White was doing similar in the Trout and Salmon Magazine tent, when he wasn't working the casting clinic.

GAIA is already planning for the 2007 CLA Game Fair, which will take place at Harewood House, Nr Leeds, Yorkshire, Friday 27th - Sunday 29th July 2007. It is intend to have fun events organised for those instructors taking part in the clinics, these will take place at the end of each day. Any GAIA instructor who would like to be involve should contact either Tim Gaunt-Baker or Robin Gow. The Association would like to thank all the following members for their involvement in the casting clinics:- Jim Gill, Steve Harrison, Mac Lambert, Andy Smith, Phil White, James Mills, Michael Fanner, Howard Taylor, Paul Sissons, Roy Davies, Louis Noble, Bryan Martin, Sue Sissons, Stuart Mcteare, Mike Maslin, Tony King, Andy Hathaway, Dave Hoskin, Mark Carr Brown, Philip Pledger, Henry Lowe, Bob Burbidge, John Penny, Mark Roberts, Ian Drake, Steve Lawes, Mike Smith, Chris Bright, John Legget, David Griffiths, Robin Gow, Ken Muter, Bernie Maher, Sue McTeare, Gwilym Hughes and Ian Moutter

Very special thanks go to Viv Smith, Candy Bright, Mrs M Smith and Claire Alexander who contributed so well to the success of the weekend, it made it so much more pleasant for customers to be greeted by you, rather than the crusty casting instructors. All in all the weekend was a total success, not only was it enjoyable to be involved, but, more importantly, well over 420 adults and hundreds of children were either introduced to casting a fly or helped to develop their skills.

The next events where GAIA instructor's skills are required are as follows:-

If you are available and would like to help do not hesitate to contact Tim Gaunt-Baker <Contact Tim by Email >

Finally we leave you with further photographs from the CLA Game Fair

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