|
|
|
Charles was born in Canterbury, Kent, the
son of Alexander Jardine, a world-famous artist and angler responsible
for a series of UK fish stamps as well as sought-after paintings and
illustrations. Charles started fishing at three-years-old, fly fishing
at six. He and his father were operating a catch-and-release policy on
their river, the Lesser Stour, as early as 1959. Charles attended art
school before beginning a career as a journalist and artist. He also
helped in the family’s restaurant, which was located in a Norman castle. |
| Charles went on to become an accredited
angling instructor, concentrating on teaching the disabled not only fly
fishing, but also art and English. About this time, Charles became
an angling columnist for The Daily Telegraph and a contributor to
magazines such as Trout Fisherman, Game Fisher and Trout and Salmon. He
became the gold medal winner for England in commonwealth angling
contests and later wrote Sotheby’s Guide to Fly Fishing, which has been
published in five languages and is considered the best-selling book of
the genre. |
|
In the new millennium, Charles became the
Angling Director for the Countryside Alliance, a highly respected
conservation organization. He recently was awarded this organization’s
Goodson Wickes trophy for his dedicated devotion to conservation and
youth initiatives.
Following many years of attending American
fishing conclaves, last year the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF)
awarded Charles the President’s Pin and named him a Fly Fishing Legend
in the USA.
|
|
For good measure he was also presented with the rare
Ambassador Award for his worldwide promotion of our sport, and gained
recognition as a USA and European Casting Master. In support of what he
has named “the loveliest sport imaginable”, he has been a past Chair of
the Game Angling Instructors Association, VP of the Fly Dressers Guild
and International Director of FFF. He is a Board member of the Angler’s
Conservation Association and Get Hooked on Fishing, where his focus
continues to be the attraction of young people into the sport of
angling. |
1
Charles has amassed frequent flier miles
doing casting demonstrations in Slovenia, Italy, Denmark, Africa, the
Czech Republic, France, Germany, Cuba and the Bahamas. Last month was
asked to join the prestigious English International team.
In the industry, Charles has been a part of team Sage for nearly fifteen
years and has consulted for Simms, Rio, Patagonia and Airflo. Lately he
has joined the Pro staff of G Loomis in the UK. A family man at heart,
his son Alex is a member of the England Youth Rivers team and one of the
country’s “top rods”. His father views this with a mixture of pride and
envy.
| Today, Charle's busy life is filled out further
with many magazine articles for Today’s Fly Fisher and Fly Fishing and
Fly Tying and a regular blog on the Countryside Alliance homepage. To
round out these many talents, Charles continues to produce watercolors
and illustrations of collector quality. He has recently returned to
Dorset in the UK within easy reach of the Test and Itchen, where he is
in demand as a celebrity guide. Charles will be tying soft hackles
before the meeting and will, as usual, be on hand to sign books. |
|
|
|