Preparations are well underway for this year’s British Fly Fair International. The show, now in its eighth year, will once again be held at the Trentham Estate, just outside Stoke-on-Trent, two miles from Junction 15 of the M6.

The show takes place on October 30-31 and is a showcase of everything to do with fly tying and fly fishing. As always, the focal point will be the international fly tying rows sponsored by Partridge. Here visiting experts from over 20 countries will be demonstrating all aspects of fly dressing from huge pike flies to tiny dry flies.

Amongst the new fly-tying names for this year are Simon Graham from South Africa, who specialises in pike flies, David Edwards, who specialises in using ultra-violet reactive materials, and Andy Baird from Ireland who ties micro-flies. The ladies include the return of Marit Kronen from Norway and Caroline Emmett. The show also sees the return of Johann Klingberg of Sweden and Wally Nowak from Canada as well as Marvin Nolte and Tom Travis from the USA.

The show boasts two lecture theatres. The Fly Tying in Focus Theatre, sponsored by Veniards, will include presentations by Ulf Hagstrom from Sweden and Oliver Edwards. Meanwhile, on the Fly Tying Forum, speakers will include Malcolm Greenhalgh and silk line expert Mike Brookes.

The packed retail hall will feature an array of quality trade stands with all types of fly fishing products on display. The BFFI probably houses the largest selection of fly tying materials to be seen at any UK event. Casting will be held outside the main halls with AAPGAI instructors being on hand to give assistance.

BFFI has launched itself into the technology world with its own site on Facebook. The group is open to all and is entitled ‘British Fly Fair International.’

For more details and tickets, telephone 01782 388382 or 07932 653492 (www.bffi.co.uk)