The fifth annual Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival has come to a close, and what a weekend it was! Set against the picturesque backdrop of Hayling Island and Chichester, the event was packed with exciting activities, unforgettable catches, and camaraderie among seasoned anglers and newcomers alike.
The Festival kicked off with our new Youth Competition, where under-18 participants received expert tuition, making for an inspiring start. Thirteen-year-old Harry Sharratt stole the spotlight by landing a beautiful 35cm bass on a fly he tied himself, playfully referring to it as the "white and green thing with a fish body." His exceptional catch earned him the top prize - a fully loaded Orvis Hydros reel - showcasing the Festival’s dedication to encouraging young anglers.
Day one continued to offer more excitement to our anglers, with many looking forward to the newly introduced night fishing session. Thanks to YETI® Europe, competitors had the chance to test their endurance at the YETI Night Station, fishing until 2 a.m., fuelled by refreshments and the company of fellow anglers. This addition proved to be a crowd favourite and one which will only grow next year, with the inaugural “After Dark Angler” prize being awarded to Malcolm Sargeant for landing a 26cm bass in the late hours.
On day two, and after battling strong winds all day, everyone enjoyed a much-needed break at the Saturday Social. With icy cold beers provided by Lakedown Brewing Co., friends old and new gathered to share stories from the day's adventures, the ones that got away and plans for the final day of the competition.
The Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival 2024 saw fierce competition as anglers vied for top honours across multiple categories.
The Festival truly showcased the skill and dedication of saltwater anglers. Steve Richards led the pack with the longest bass, measuring 55cm, just edging out Jonathan Allen's impressive 54cm catch as runner-up. The mullet category saw Tom Barclay claim the top spot with a 50cm Thin Lip Mullet, followed closely by Lewis Clark with a 49cm Golden Grey Mullet.
In an exciting tie for the "Most Species" award, Steve and Tom both caught multiple species, but Steve's total length of fish pushed him just ahead to grab the prize.
Ray Kelly took home the new, prestigious ‘Shirley Bassey’ Award for Best Newcomer. This new addition to the Festival, honours the legacy of Yvonne Webb, a beloved figure in the Saltwater Fly Fishing Community and friend of Orvis UK, and was presented by her dear friend and fellow angler Yvette Austin. Ray was commended for his fantastic catches throughout the weekend, including a 50cm Bass.
Our Partners
A huge thank you to the incredible sponsors who made the 5th Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival a success. YETI and Fulling Mill provided top-notch goody bag items and prizes, and SoloStove brought the heat to the YETI Night Station and contributed amazing prizes for the competitors. Upavon Fishing equipped anglers with rulers to measure catches and everyone had the chance to try the new SealSkinz waterproof socks – perfect for a day’s fishing. TrueStart Coffee kept us energized with coffee at the Night Station in our new bespoke festival YETI ramblers. Finally, a huge thank you to Lakedown Brewing Company who fuelled the Saturday Social and Night Station with their refreshing cold brews, including our very own Night Station beer, Nocturnal Catch!
Looking ahead to 2025, expectations are high, but if 2024 is anything to go by, next year’s festival promises to be even better. For those who missed it, be sure to check out the highlighted stories on our Instagram Page (@OrvisUK) for a glimpse of this year’s action, and check out our gallery to see some of the great photos taken during the weekend.
See you in 2025 for another unforgettable weekend of saltwater fly fishing!