World-class Fly Fishing Guiding Team

We are delighted to announce that alongside Yannick Riviere, world-renowned French fishing guide, the legendary Charles Jardine is now also confirmed to be guiding at the inaugural River Festival. The world-class pair will offer casting workshops, guided river fishing and fly tying at the event.

Introducing Charles Jardine

Charles Jardine has been fly fishing for 56 years: which is a very long time to not have learned much. He has also been running …and should have learnt from that, too.

During that time, he has cast and fished (and also written and painted) around a good bit of the globe. Won a few awards and made as much chaos as he possibly can. Jardine guided (and still does, sometimes) on the Southern English Chalk streams; been extraordinarily fortunate to be honoured by the Federation (of Fly Fishers) , with Ambassador Award; the President’s Pin awards (which he cherishes) and being a honoured as a Legend of American Fly fishing.

He has written (and illustrated) quite a few books, which have, curiously, done quite well. Notably the Classic (Sotheby’s: in the UK) Guide to Fly-Fishing that was published in 5 different languages and sold over 80 thousand copies world-wide. – quite a lot for an angling book! He has also written, illustrated and contributed to over twenty more.

Charles was humbled to be awarded Game Angler of the Year by Sky Sports a couple of years ago, and silver medallist at the ESPN Outdoor Games in update New York. Jardine was at the very start and the formation of the IFFF Casting certification programme. He maintains a close association with Sage and RIO products (he has been associated with Sage s long as any normal person can remember).  He has been Chair of the prestigious Fly Dressers Guild (and remains vice Chair). And also has been awarded the Countryside Alliance Goodson Wickes trophy.

Currently he is, very proudly, the director of the England Youth Fly Fishing Team; and working on his opus – Fishing 4 Schools. Directing operation with TCAF and taking our fabulous sport into urban areas and less privileged populations, where he sees fishing as a true opportunity for young people to learn and heal from, and a chance to enthuse a future generation as well as address mental; health issues – an area where the calm of angling can play a significant role in helping.

His passion remains undiminished.