After not being able to attend the CLA Gamefair for the last few years for one reason or another, we decided that this year we'd make the effort and go.

The highlight for me was always the 'fishing village' with a good many different stands to look at.

But this year, compared with my last visit to the CLA (roughly 6 to 8 years ago), there were very few.

Has there been a gradual decline in exhibitor numbers over the last few years or was it just that this year was exceptionally poor?

I don't think I'll bother going again!

Mark

I didn't think it was to bad, most most of the top names were there and a few bargains to be had. (mate got a greys platinum x for £50)
As I was on a mobility scooter! And thought the access for the casting main stand was rubbish.
And as always food and drink prices were high, but on the whole the show was not to bad.
And travel to and from the show was excellent, we had NO hold ups at all.
Mike

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I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,9 bean rows will I have there and a hive for the honey bee.

I think th entry fee for the shows has gone over the top .I was going to call in at the perth show untill I found out it was going to cost £30.00 for me and the wife .The high entry cost put,s people off and then the trade stands stop coming because they do not sell enough to cover costs

I enjoyed it as I usually do. For me it is not just about the stands but also about the casting and the opportunity to see and try out a range of rods. I think that the number of those participating has reduced over the years but that probably reflects changes in our buying habits. Organisations like Bob Church (who always had a stand) have ceased to be and many retailers can no longer afford fairs like this since we buy on line and margins are reduced. We also now buy a lot of American tackle at the more expensive end where there are still big margins and apart from Orvis they have never taken part.
Bill

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Handeman

I'm with you Mark - found the fishing village a bit depleted compared with a couple of years ago. Rest of it was Ok. going to give it a miss for a couple more.

Chris K

I would tend to agree, the fair seems to have become much smaller since my last visit which was in 2002 at Broadlands.

It would have been hard going to get around the fair in a day 8 years ago, but this was easily done at Ragley Hall when i visited on Saturday.

I would say that the fair as a whole was just a little bigger than last years Midland game fair in terms of exhibitors, although the angling content was far greater.

There were certainly a few less tackle stores at the Fair and I would say fewer people than in past years. I would think both are due to the current economic climate. There was masses to see and do and a few less people made it easier to get in and out and more comfortable to get round the huge site.

It was a shame that the fishing display area and grandstand were hidden behind various food and drink outlets but otherwise it was, as usual, a world class event with a huge and diverse cross section of people in attendance.

Blenheim next year, where the lake and fishing area is very attractive and is much more easily viewed.

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