The Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival is just months away and we can’t wait to reunite with old and new friends on the beach. This year, it was our aim to introduce a new element to the event that would encourage and foster the next generation of saltwater fly fishing anglers. On Friday 30th August we would like to welcome anglers under the age of 18 to join us for our morning presentations at Langstone Quays Hotel, as well as participate in the new Youth Competition on Friday afternoon where they will be competing for the Longest Catch prize.
Our Saltwater Festival Guiding Team for the Youth Competition have undertaken their Angling Trust Level 2 qualifications, allowing us to operate the competition in a safe and appropriate environment. We spoke to them to find out what they are most looking forward to this year, and why it was important for them to undertake the Angling Trust Level 2 qualification.
Michael Rescorle, Orvis Saltwater Festivals Guide said, “While fishing has been a passion since I was 8 years old, coaching and guiding anglers is also very rewarding. The look on someone's face, especially young people, on catching that first fish stays with me forever. The Licensed Coach Scheme run by the Angling Trust is a superb way to get into coaching and the Level 2 Lead Coach award, which covers essential skills such as First Aid and Risk Assessment, is perfect for those wanting to operate independently. I am really looking forward to coaching and guiding those fishing on the Youth Ticket at the Orvis Festival and seeing their faces light up with that first catch.”
We were delighted to have experienced multi-species fly angler, Rodney Wevill, joining the guiding team in 2023, he said, “After being a guide for the Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival last year and being asked to do so again for 2024, I decided it would be a sensible move to gain the Angling Trust level 2 coaching certificate. This sits nicely with the guiding I already do and with the introduction of the youth class for the 2024 Festival, a must to enable Orvis to offer the highest standards of guiding/coaching on the water and the various classes offered over the weekend. With my fellow guide and Angling Trust level 2 coach, Michael Rescorle, we are ready with the rest of the knowledgeable guide team to make the Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival 2024 better than ever. Looking forward to seeing you there.”
With our experienced and qualified guiding team, we hope that the Youth Ticket will offer an opportunity for under 18s to give the competition element a go, whilst also learning new skills at the same time.
Youth anglers must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times and should be capable of fishing without external assistance in order to enter. All youth anglers will be assigned a fishing mark to enjoy for the day, which is separate to the main event, meaning they have the space to practice and enjoy fishing the salt.
For more details on the tickets available, check out the Orvis Saltwater Fly Fishing Festival.
