After the success of the Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival 2021, the festival returned for its third year from 2nd – 4th September (2022) in Chichester Harbour and Hayling Island. This year, over 130 anglers from all over the UK descended onto the beaches of Hayling Island in pursuit of bass and mullet.
The annual festival welcomes all ages and abilities and although there is a competition element, the main aim is to bring together likeminded anglers to forge new friendships, develop new skills and learn more about Saltwater Fly Fishing, which is becoming increasingly popular on the UK coastlines.
Based from The Langstone Quays Hotel on Hayling Island, anglers this year enjoyed bass and mullet workshops from experts including Charles Jardine, Colin Macleod, Paul Jennings, Michael Rescorle and Philip Spratt, as well as fly tying, exciting social events and two days of competition fishing with coveted Orvis prizes.
"We're going to catch a lot of fish this weekend!" said one guide, after seeing schools of mackerel coming right into shore on Friday morning…
And rightly so! The weekend celebrated a record number of catches alongside a record number of competitors; Graham Williams won ‘Longest Other Species’ with a 43cm Garfish; Steve Meo won ‘Most Varied Species’ with catches of flounder, bass, and mackerel; Tim Robinson won ‘Longest Mullet’ at 44.5cm; and Rob Moore won ‘Longest Bass’ at a tremendous, record-breaking 70cm. All winners and runners up were awarded prizes including Orvis rods, vouchers, Delivita aprons, fantastic YETI products, and more.
The event was proudly sponsored by YETI, Fulling Mill, Delivita, BBQ Magazine, and FlyFishing Journal.
A huge thank you goes to our trusted partners, and to Delivita and BBQ Magazine who hosted the Saturday night social with Orvis. Delivita Chef Ambassador Marco Biasetti cooked a fantastic selection of fresh pizzas on the night, and ice cold BBQ Mag-brewed beers were served in true style – in YETI coolers.
Good fishing, great vibes and very full bellies is our shotgun summary of an amazing Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival 2022 in Chichester. With some incredible catches – including one unlucky cockle – it really was one to remember.
Check out or our gallery or our highlighted Instagram stories for more photos from a fantastic weekend and keep an eye out for details of next year’s event.
