News

A fly box containing salmon flies with a royal seal of approval have raised £7,000 for the Atlantic Salmon Trust after fishing brand Farlows auctioned it off.

To celebrate the coronation of King Charles III in the UK last year, Farlows’ customers were asked to vote for the top 12 salmon flies they thought would be fit for a king.

Farlows then presented His Majesty with a bespoke commemorative fly box, handmade from English oak, walnut and elm, holding the winning 12 flies. 

Two of these boxes were made, with the intention of auctioning the second later, with all of the proceeds to be donated to the Atlantic Salmon Trust, where His Majesty the King is patron.

When Farlows was honoured with a Royal Warrant from HM King Charles III earlier this year, it decided there could be no better time to launch the auction.

The warrant was testament to Farlows’ longstanding commitment to excellence in the products it provides, as well as its environmental and sustainability practices.

The second and only remaining King’s Salmon Fly Collection box put into a ‘blind’ auction, with Owen Kirk placing the winning £7,000 bid.

Mark Bilsby, CEO of the Atlantic Salmon Trust said: “We’re blown away by the result of this initiative and owe an enormous thank you to both Owen Kirk for his winning bid, as well as our friends at Farlows.

“This kind of fundraising support from our generous partners and amazing individuals is essential in enabling us to progress our important research and restoration work across the country. Together we can give salmon the vibrant future they deserve.”

Robin Philpott, CEO, at Farlows Group, added: “I was thrilled we could do something special to complement our longstanding support for the Atlantic Salmon Trust, and even more so with the winning bid.

“Both Farlows and its sister brand Sportfish are committed to helping the trust in every way we can with its mission to restore wild Atlantic salmon and the environment they depend on.”