I'm not being funny here ..... just wondering what can be done to "revamp" interest in an event like the Scottish Game Fair?
Hi Mike. Right, soap box time!
I see the Scone Game Fair as a place where certain shops offload items they cannot sell. Often, those items can be bought cheaper online or, in the case of one shop, cheaper at the shop itself!
Yes you can see some of the latest gear and in some instances (Orvis) actually go and play with it, but it is extremely limited to how it used to be.
I would much rather see "retail" stalls limited and a return to manufacturers having a presence. I don't want to go and buy stuff I can buy anywhere, but I do want to go and see items that are about to be released, to have a cast of rods or perhaps speak to the people that actually design the rods/reels/lines (Barrio!!)
The manufacturers just do not seem to be bothered these days despite much greater competition. Back in the day you had Hardy, B&W, Greys and maybe Sage/Loomis. Now you can add another 10 companies all producing top quality gear, so why are they not out there showing it off at the Game Fair?
Strangely, all the major coarse manufacturers all have stalls at the CLA.