About Simon

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Simon learnt to fly fish when aged 8, being trained by his father - well known fly fishing instructor and author, John Gawesworth. By the time he left school at 16 to teach fly fishing with his dad,  Simon had become the British Junior casting champion, repeating the feat the next year. In the following years Simon broke seven British 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 Association 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.

In January 2001 Simon and his wife moved to the United States to start working for a then new fly line company called RIO Products, based out of Idaho Falls, ID. Working for the owners Jim & Kitty Vincent, Simon quickly took on the marketing role for RIO Products, developed and designed fly lines for the brand, and created, wrote and presented RIO's acclaimed "How To" fly fish, and "RIO's Fly Fishing Tips" video series. After 20 years  at RIO Products, Simon became the Education and Engagement manager at Far Bank (the parent company of RIO) where he taught fly fishing schools, hosted trips around the world, and created fly fishing educational content. In 2023 Simon moved back to the UK with his family, and took on a consultancy role for Far Bank hosting fly fishing trips and leading their Fly Fishing School program.

During his career Simon has written numerous articles for the fishing press, published three books on Spey casting, presented five instructional videos and DVD’s, appeared on numerous television, podcast and radio shows, demonstrated casting at fly fishing shows around the world and is recognized as one of the leading authorities on Spey casting and fly casting instruction. In addition to writing and hosting RIO’s “How To” fly fishing video series and “RIO’s Fly Fishing Tips” videos, Simon also wrote and presented three seasons of the hugely popular “Far Bank Fly Fishing School” video series. His relaxed, easy to understand, teaching and presentation manner is followed and loved by thousands of fly fishers around the world.

 He is a certified FFI  CI (Casting Instructor), MCI (Master Casting Instructor) and THMCI (Two Handed Master Casting Instructor) Certified Instructor, and also holds the APGAI and STANIC diplomas for Fly Fishing Instruction in the UK. In 2019 Simon was recognized by the FFI (Fly Fishers International) with their “Lifetime Achievement In Fly Casting Instruction” Award. 

Simon regularly gives casting demonstrations, club talks, shop presentations, organizes and runs fly casting games, hosts fishing trips to some of the finest fly fishing destinations on the planet, and teaches fly fishing and fly casting classes around the globe.  He lives in Scotland with his family near the famous Gleneagles  golf course and hotel, and spends his free time fishing the local waters on the rivers Tay, Earn and the lake of Menteith.