This year's Chatsworth Angling Fair - held over the weekend of 22nd-23rd May was the 25th in the events history - and I reckon it was probably the best ever!
The weather was brilliant (which makes a change) - a clear blue sky with the sun blazing down on a host of angling's finest personalities.

We are very fortunate here at AnglersTimes, we only have a 15-minute drive to the fabulous Chatsworth Estate.

Driving through the Golden Gates into the estate - you have to admire the tremendous scenery - this has got to be the best setting for an angling fair in the UK. We arrived about 9am on the Saturday morning and were told people had been waiting at the gates since 6am! Obviously dedicated bargain hunters!

There's something for all the family at the Chatsworth Fair - with cooking demonstrations, a band stand, showground, bouncy castle and don't forget the world-famous Chatsworth House - the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire with its art collections, shop, 105 acre gardens and maze, the working farm and playground.

The fair is not just for anglers - I've got to mention the display by CJ's Birds of Prey - I've never been so near to such magnificent creatures - here's a close up of one of their eagles (not too close - it had a beak you could open a tin of luncheon meat with!).
Everyone admired their majestic beauty but kept their fingers well out of the way.
Our thanks to Charlotte for helping with the pics.

Of course there were lots of trade stands - with just about everything you could wish for from the world of angling, to try and single out anyone in particular would be impossible - needless to say the amount of tackle being carried out through the gates was unbelievable. People were staggering under the weight of bed chairs, tackle boxes, nets and rods. Yours truly had to buy another fly rod - (look - it was a bargain too good to miss), and a new hat, fly bag, etc., etc.
The clothing stands were pretty good - so there's no excuse for looking like a tramp the next time you go fishing!

Perhaps the biggest attraction were the super-stars from the angling world - John Wilson, Bob Nudd, Chris Ball, Colin Goodge, Ian Heaps, Gunter Feuerstein, all giving cracking demonstrations in front of an appreciative and knowledgeable audience.

We seated ourselves by the side of the delightful River Derwent and watched four times world match champion - Bob Nudd catch some super rainbow trout.

He's without doubt one of the best anglers in the world - the delighted youngsters almost mobbed him at the end of the demonstration!

Definitely a 'people man' - Bob was happy to sign autographs and chat to all concerned. Truly delightful - many thanks Bob, you made their day!

Apart from all the celebs, trade stands and other retailers, there were some of angling's finest organisations and societies in attendance - the Disabled Fly Fishers, the Trout & Salmon Association, the Grayling Society, the E.A., the ACA, Pike Anglers Club, Izaak Walton League, Derby Angling Club, even our sister publication the Sheffield Angling Star had a stand.

The professional fly-tyers demonstrated with nimble fingers how to create brilliant imitations with bits of fur and feather. They make the art of tying look too easy.

Everyone was friendly and welcomed questions from the public.

First time at Chatsworth for TV presenter John Wilson, right, who demonstrated his favourite methods of angling - from fishing for the mighty Nile perch to catching roach on the River Wensum.

He's looking a little grey nowadays - but he had the audience hanging on his every word.

The list goes on and on and reads like a 'who's who' of the angling world, you definitely need two days to check out all the stands. A spare pair of legs would be useful too - it seems like you walk for miles!

Remember that famous TV series and video - 'A Passion for Angling' - made by Chris Yates and Bob James along with camera-man / producer Hugh Miles (no relation).

It's now considered the 'benchmark' for inspiring angling film makers and has to be the best ever fishing video produced.

Well the man himself - Bob James was there on the A.C.A. stand, promoting their excellent services.

Bob's a great bloke - and he was happy chatting to the crowds and explaining how the A.C.A. functions.

Bob and fellow angler Chris Tarrant do tremendous work for the A.C.A. Check out the website www.a-c-a.org for more details of their work.

Fly casting instruction on the River Derwent - courtesy of the S&T Association.

These professional anglers make fly casting look easy!
Many thanks to Karl for the expert tuition.

All in all - a very enjoyable weekend, interesting, exciting, informative and with the occasional wallet-attack thrown in.

Apologies to anyone we've missed out - we'll include you in next years' Chatsworth review - yep we're definitely coming back!