Heaven on the Tweed - A Festival of Fishing, Friendship, and Future Anglers.

This past week, my carbon footprint took a bit of a scenic route, shall we say. But honestly? For the experiences I had, I’d gladly do it again. My journey started with a whirlwind 36-hour trip to the Tweed Salmon Fishing Festival in Kelso, a truly remarkable event orchestrated by the ever-impressive Eoin Fairgrieve, in collaboration with the Schloss Hotel and the Tweed Foundation, before heading to the Catalan Pyrenees, in the north of Spain, for an amazing Spey Casting Clinic. But more about this later.  

Entertaining the crowds at the Tweed Flyfishing Festival.

Stepping onto the grounds of the Schloss Hotel in Kelso on Saturday felt like a school reunion. Seeing so many familiar faces, friends I hadn't caught up with in ages, was an absolute joy. But what truly resonated with me was the dedication of the organisers to the next generation of anglers. 

The focus on engaging children was nothing short of inspiring. From casting lessons to fly-tying tutorials, the youngsters were immersed in the world of fly fishing, and they absolutely loved it. A massive shoutout to Ben McCallum and the Tweedstart team for their phenomenal work. Their passion and commitment to nurturing these budding anglers perfectly embodied our Cadence mantra: "Go Fishing Give Back." This is precisely the kind of initiative we are proud to support. 

Another fish on for another youngster at the Tweed Flyfishing Festival

To have such a line of demonstrators was legendary! I was honoured, if “for one night only” to be sharing the stage with the likes of Scott Mackenzie, Simon Gawesworth, Jim Fearn, Tommy Arkvisla, Katka Svagrova.  This lineup truly was “The full Monty”. The fly-tying demonstrations were equally impressive, featuring masters like Stuart Foxall, Mikael Froden, and John Scott. It was a masterclass in fly-tying expertise. 

Myself with Norwegian Speycasting guru Tommy Arkvisla

But the festival wasn't just about the fishing; it was about creating and growing a future community. Patagonia’s Sarah Ronholt served up the most divine Irish coffees, and the crackling fire pit, surrounded by marshmallow-toasting enthusiasts, created an atmosphere of pure magic. It was, quite simply, heaven. 

Sarah Ronholt is Prepping another Irish Coffee

Witnessing the festival's success was particularly gratifying, especially for my longtime friend, Eoin Fairgrieve. It came as no surprise, though, as Eoin's dedication and meticulous planning always result in excellence. His tireless efforts in introducing young people to fly fishing are truly commendable. I’ve always believed he deserves recognition in the shape of an Honour for his unwavering commitment to the sport and his community. He's a true credit to the industry and his family. 

Eoin Fairgrieve

The Tweed Salmon Fishing Festival was a breath of fresh air, a testament to the power of passion and community. I'm already marking my calendar for the next one, which I hear is happening in two years. I'll be there for both days, without a doubt. 

This event reminded me that sometimes, a little extra carbon footprint is a small price to pay for moments that nourish the soul and inspire the future of our beloved sport. And, of course, a great excuse to enjoy a few drams and good blethers around an open fire with new friends and old.. Bliss!