Chris Watson
Chris was born in Cheshire, England in 1957 and still lives there with his wife Pam and daughter Kathryn. After 23 years in the retail food trade he now works at the David Lewis Centre for Epilepsy ‘I now have a job that gives me immense satisfaction and more time to pursue my interests including fly fishing, and fly tying.’ His family has a long tradition in fishing, which can be traced back to the mid-nineteenth century. Both his Grandfather and Great Grandfather were very successful and well known match fishermen. Currently there are seven members’ of the family that fish regularly. You could say fishing was in the blood. ‘I started Coarse Fishing in the mid 1960’s using my Father’s old 14 foot cane Roach rod, and a wooden centre pin reel. I then progressed on to be involved in the specimen-hunting scene. Every spare minute of the nine month coarse fishing season was spent catching large Carp, Tench, Pike, and Chub, but I needed something to fill in the three month close season. This is when I started fly fishing.’ Over the next few year’s the fly fishing took over completely, and the fly tying followed fairly rapidly. He got his Father to teach him the rudiments of tying. Over the ensuing year’s he has been driven by his constant enthusiasm to learn, his love, and fascination of wildlife, and the countryside. This combined with an avid interest in fly tying materials (not all of them conventional) has led him to develop a large collection of his own successful patterns. ‘I spend my time when developing new patterns ensuring that they have all the right trigger points – reach the right depth in the water column, colour, size, profile and correct action in the water being of critical importance. I use a lot of unusual materials and unorthodox techniques to achieve what I want – take the blinkers off and let your imagination run riot – you will be amazed at the results.’ Over recent years his fly tying has involved him working with a number of leading companies, and taken him as far afield as Kenya, and the U.S.A. He has appeared on the fishing programme on BBC Radio Lancashire and has had material published. He is on the Executive Committee of the Fly Dressers Guild and Secretary of the North West Branch. Chris will have some new materials and flies to demonstrate at this year’s fair. “My ambition is to keep designing and tying new improved patterns and catching as many different species in varied locations as I can.” “I should like to thank Steve Cooper for once again inviting me to tie at the British Fly Fair International. It is a great privilege to be included, tying alongside the world’s elite at what is Britain’s, if not Europe’s premier fly fishing event. The last three years have been fantastic, I am sure this year will be even better, not to be missed!!!!” “I look forward to meeting friends old, and new.” Contact Chris on chrisw.fly@btinternet.com |
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