Simon Gawesworth

Interview by Joe Cornwall

Audio Editing and Production by Jim Stuard

 

Simon learnt to fish at the age of six and took up fly fishing when aged eight, being trained by his father - well known fly fishing instructor and author, John Gawesworth. By the time he left school, at the tender age of sixteen, to teach fly fishing, Simon had become the British Junior casting champion.  He repeated the feat the next year. In the following years Simon broke seven casting records and won the adult casting championships three times in succession, representing England in two European and one World Team Championships.

 

With the collapse of the British Casting Authority and the tournament casting scene in the UK, Simon turned his hand to competitive fly fishing. Over the following years Simon represented England in three home internationals (against Ireland, Scotland and Wales), two European championships and five World Championships, culminating in the prestige of becoming the England Team Captain and Manager for the 2003 World Championships in Spain.

 

During his career Simon has written numerous articles for the fishing press, published a best selling book on spey casting, presented five instructional videos and DVD’s, appeared on numerous television and radio shows, demonstrated casting at fly fishing shows around the world and is recognized as one of the leading authorities on spey casting.

 

He is a Master and THCI (Two Handed Casting Instructor) certified instructor as well as being on the board of governors and on the two-handed casting committee for the Federation of Fly Fishers in the US. He also holds the Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors (APGAI) and Salmon and Trout National Instructor's Certificate (STANIC) diplomas for Fly Fishing Instruction in the UK.

 

Simon works for RIO products and lives in Idaho with his wife and two children.  He is Vice President of marketing, helps design and test fly lines, and is foreign sales manager for RIO.  Simon continues to conduct fly casting classes and seminars around the world.

 

The following links will help you learn more about two-handed casting and Simon's work in the fly fishing industry:

 

Understanding Spey Lines

 

Spey Line Recommendations

http://www.speyborn.com/

 

Download MP3 Program 

 

 

The Fly Fish Ohio team would like to thank Brian Lovely and his band the Faux Frenchmen for use of their music on the intro and exit of this production.