Simon Gawesworth and Peter Morse at A Pleasant Fly Fishing Evening

The Australian Fly Fishing Museum hosted an excellent event over two days ​recently, with feature guests; world casting champion, Simon Gawesworth, renowned fly casting instructor Peter Hayes, and author and presenter Peter Morse.

Kicking off Friday night with A Pleasant Fly Fishing Evening, around ​80 guests gathered in the grand main foyer of historic Clarendon House. We enjoyed an entertaining presentation by Simon Gawesworth. Simon is an ambassador for Rio fly lines, and gave us a wonderful layman’s version of the intriguing scientific process by which fly lines are made and showed us which line is right for many fly fishing situations. Simon talked about casting techniques for different conditions, and answered a variety of questions from the floor.

Several guests won fabulous prizes in the raffle and Peter Hayes led an entertaining auction which raised over $4,000 for the Australian Fly Fishing Museum. The catering by the Clarendon Café was delicious.

Saturday’s cold and windy conditions did not deter around 100 keen fly fishers from joining our special guest coaches on the South Esk River at Clarendon for a free casting clinic, courtesy of JM Gillies and Rio Fly Lines. As one of the world’s best spey casters, Simon demonstrated practical spey casting techniques. Then, separating into break-out groups with each of the three world renowned coaches, we were captivated as they generously shared their knowledge and a few secret strategies. We all learned some new skills that will enhance our future fly fishing adventures.

Most participants stayed until the very end, no one wanting to miss out on the opportunity to ask questions, pick expert brains, share knowledge with others, and pick up new skills.

It was an excellent weekend, and we are excited for future events.

Guests at Clarendon House listen to Simon Gawesworth’s presentation

Guests enjoying A Pleasant Fly Fishing Evening

Guests enjoying A Pleasant Fly Fishing Evening, chat, drinks & nibbles

Simon Gawesworth shares spey casting knowledge

Peter Hayes coaches participants through some fly casting strategies

Peter Morse shares his fly casting know-how

Peter Morse leads his group to a coaching session

Simon Gawesworth, world leading fly caster

Simon is one of the world’s leading experts on fly lines and casting. As the leader of RIO’s line development team and chief marketer there are few people in the world with Simon’s knowledge of fly lines.

The Australian Fly Fishing Museum brings you two wonderful events to enjoy:

A Pleasant Fly Fishing Evening – Friday 13 March.

Simon will be at Clarendon, the home of the Australian Fly Fishing Museum, Friday 13 March, discussion casting, fly lines and fishing around the world. This will be an open discussion where you can ask questions of an expert panel, including Simon, Peter Morse, Peter Hayes, Rex Hunt and more.

Have fun with lucky door prizes and a short auction, (of items including a Sage rod, wine, pictures, Wigram flies).

Savouries will be served and drinks will be available from a bar.

• Time: 6.30 pm – 9.30 pm.
• Cost: $15. Pay on arrival.
• Booking and RSVP name to 0417 543 815 or email australianflyfishingmuseum@gmail.com.

Casting Demonstrations on the South Esk River – Saturday 14 March

Free casting demos on the South Esk River at Clarendon.

• Time: 10 am – 3 pm
• Cost: Free.
• Please RSVP to 0417 543 815 or email australianflyfishingmuseum@gmail.com

Refreshments available from the Clarendon Cafe, or bring your own picnic to enjoy on the banks of the South Esk River, or anywhere in the beautiful parkland surrounding Clarendon House.

Venue for both events is Clarendon House, 234 Clarendon Station Road, Nile.

About Simon

Simon’s father taught him to fish at the age of 8 and he’s been teaching fly casting professionally since the age of 16. With over 35 years of teaching experience, Simon is a highly sought after instructor. He has written three books on Spey casting, details of which can be found on his site speyborn.com .

He has both cast and fished for England in British, European and World Championships and was elected Captain of the England team for the 2003 World Fly Fishing Championship.

Simon is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading authorities on spey casting and has taught and demonstrated spey casting around the world.

Simon Gawesworth speyborn.com