SKIFFLE - FLYFISH

Back in 1998, AEF decided to produce a format whereby groups of young anglers could learn how to fish in
safety, and fathers Day in June of that year provided a launch pad for what became known as ‘Skiffle’ – an
acronym translating to Starting Kids In Flyfishing For Lifetime Enjoyment.

The following Spring, Tony gathered together willing helpers and guides, and several days of instruction
were offered whereby individuals or groups could receive 30 minutes qualified casting instruction before
graduating to a lakeside fishing experience.

Appointed guides would then move into action, offering a 1:1 fishing opportunity on Park Lake, which had
been specially stocked for the occasion.

Instructors are qualified with Safeguarding Children Best Practice and first aid training, whilst all helpers are required to complete necessary self-declaration paperwork.

On this basis, we can instruct somewhere in the region of 40 pupils on a busy day.

Skiffle has been operating each spring and autumn ever since, teaching well over 2000 people how to cast
and fish with a fly.

The exercise relies heavily upon volunteer support, but our faithful guides and helpers are only too happy
to give up their time for an extremely worthwhile cause.

Indeed, Skiffle has become a great way to put something back into the sport by those who may have already
been fishing a few too many years to remember.

The work is quite exhausting, as the flow of participants is non-stop, but the end product is so rewarding to
be part of, and transports us all back to the time when we caught our first trout.

Mostly children pass through ‘Skiffle’, although the eldest participants have been new fishing folk well into
their eighties, demonstrating that fishing knows no boundaries and everyone is a kid at heart!

This event has now been rechristened FLYFISH, and is open to anyone of 10 years and over.