The 'Companion' fly tying cabinet was born about three years ago in Devonshire, England, out of sheer frustration when the maker, Peter Dagger, himself a keen fly fisherman and fly tyer, tried to buy himself a fly tying cabinet.
       He checked out every fly fishing publication and catalogue he could lay hands on but was disappointed to find that the choice was very limited and restricted mainly to 'boxes' with lift-out trays. Everything seemed either unsuitable or too expensive - or both.
       His findings also bore out something he had long suspected. Firstly, that most manufacturers were influenced by goods more suited to assembly-line production than the true needs of the fly tyer and, secondly, that many retailers, who knew nothing of fly tying, were concerned solely with wide profit margins.
       Because he didn't have bottomless pockets, because he had more sense than money, and because he wasn't prepared to compromise with a mere box, he decided to make his own cabinet. He already had a pretty good idea what was needed but to be really sure he researched the matter by discussion with other fly tyers, most of whom already possessed boxes and all of whom acknowledged their disadvantages.
       The message that came across was loud and clear. It had to be economical, user friendly and good looking! So, taking these factors as the criteria, Peter designed and made what has come to be known as the 'Companion'.
       People saw it and wanted it, so Peter began to make more. Since that time the 'Companion' has been the subject of very favourable write-ups in all the leading British fly fishing magazines and the cabinets are now in use throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. They have gone to mainland Europe - Holland, Germany and Sweden - and even as far afield as the USA and New Zealand.
       He is about to advertise in the American Flyfishing & Tying Journal which has described the cabinet as a 'screaming deal'. Peter can be contacted by e-mail at comcab@talk21.com  Always ready to talk flyfishing and tying, he'll be pleased to hear from you.

 

Update:  April 16, 2006

 

Dear Kent,

 

Thank you for your e-mail concerning updates to my 'Companion' Fly Tying Cabinets.  I still have fond memories of my visit to Granite Bay Flycasters, when I gave a short talk to members - and probably bored the pants off everyone.

 

Changes since that time are as follows:

 

1.  The cabinet hasn't changed.  It's popularity grows, however, and I am now shipping all over the UK, Ireland, and Europe.  I recently sent a cabinet to Hungary, where fly fishing has only just taken off, and also to Iceland to a man called Ragnar Johansson.  Coincidentally, I was reading a novel about Vikings at the time and one of the main characters, also called Ragnar, seemed to spend all his time raping and pillaging.  I pointed this out to Mr Johansson and back came his reply - 'Ah those were the days'.

 

The reason the cabinet hasn't changed is because I subscribe passionately to the view that 'if a thing ain't broke don't fix it!'  From time to time I do make customised cabinets to a customer's own specifications.

 

2.  I had so much trouble with my ISP that I am phasing out my original e-mail address.  My new address, as shown above, is now peter@companionfly.co.uk

 

3.  The price of the cabinet is £92.00 (pounds sterling) which, at the current rate of exchange is about $153.00.  This doesn't include the shipping cost, which, right now, due to rising costs and the strength of the pound against the dollar, is a bit of a killer.  Some Americans have gotten around the shipping costs by actually collecting their cabinets when visiting the UK, usually on business trips, and taking them home as 'carry on'.

 

4.  From time to time I receive requests from dealers to supply my cabinets exclusively through them - at a knock down price of course.  A couple days ago I received such a request from a dealer in India who wanted me to supply wholesale and I told him I don't do wholesale.  Why should I?  He would only add on his 'mark up' and place the cabinet beyond the reach of ordinary fly tyers like myself, which would rather defeat what I set out to achieve.

 

I can never build up a stock of cabinets because they go as fast as I can make 'em. Every cabinet is still hand made to order and although this can prove very hectic during busy periods such as the run-up to, and after, Christmas, that's the way I like.  Anyway, I'm not motivated by profit and particularly enjoy the contact with fellow fly tyers from all walks of life.  I recently supplied a cabinet to a Lord Brassey, Baron of Althorpe. 

 

5.  In answer to repeated enquiries I have just published my own website.  It's a very simple, one-page affair, which is as I wanted it because I am turned off by websites that are unnecessarily complicated and take an age to download.  You can check it out at www.companionfly.co.uk if you've a mind.

 

Because demand for my cabinets keep me busy I don't have time to fish as often as I would like.  However, from time to time, when withdrawal symptoms set in I shut up shop and go 'a fishin'.  I'm not too familiar with the Exmoor area, although I have fished the River Exe and know Dulverton reasonably well.  My usual stamping grounds are here in Devon and I tend to fish the streams of Dartmoor.  When I do I usually watch my back and keep one ear cocked for Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound from Hell.  At such times I tell myself the Hound of the Baskervilles is pure fiction but when you're alone, and the light is fading, well.....

 

Great to hear from you, Kent.  If the club has a newsletter and you are interested in the occasional article from this side of the pond, let me have your postal address.

 

Best wishes,