Sandy is a stunning fly tyer and designer from Scotland. From his early days of poaching Sandy learned his field craft developing his knowledge of fishing for salmon, trout and grayling. Born and bred in Scotland, Sandy grew up in a family passionate about fishing. You could say that Sandy was literally born into fishing as the house that he was born in faced onto the river Clyde. So Sandy grew up spending all his time at or on the river. The youngest of three boys, Sandy soon became the fly tyer for his two brothers, though he was pleased to learn dry fly fishing from one brother and wet fly fishing from his other brother.
Their home was always full of fishing equipment, flies or fantastic stories. Sandy fondly remembers ‘Old Jock Miller’ and the many hours he would, as a small boy, watch Old Jock tying flies. Sandy would, with his chin on the table, stand in awe watching a master at work. It was thanks to Old Jock Miller that Sandy was introduced to Mr Campbell.
It was this very special family friend, Mr Campbell, who really inspired Sandy with his fly tying. In Sandys’ eyes Mr Campbell was the best Clydesdale tyer and fisherman around and is still, to today, an unsung hero. Though it’s fair to say that growing up in such a prolific fly fishing part of the world, Sandy was surrounded by famous fly tyers and fishermen – Bert Sharp, Reed, Clegg and Tom Saville.
A quiet man when pressed, he discloses that his best salmon catch was a 26.5lb salmon caught on the Leven. This was the best salmon on that river for 10 years! Funnily enough, though not for poor Sandy, his record was beaten the following Monday! He has caught sea trout to over 9lb and grayling to over 3.5lb with umpteen double figure trout.
Turning professional Sandys fly designs have graced fishermen world-wide including having Sandy’s flies to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at a Civic Reception. His role today within The Essential Fly as Professional Fly Tyer and Consultant is keeping him very busy and totally occupied. He has been known to work all night without realising it!
Sandy is a stunning fly tyer and designer from Scotland. From his early days of poaching Sandy learned his field craft developing his knowledge of fishing for salmon, trout and grayling. Born and bred in Scotland, Sandy grew up in a family passionate about fishing. You could say that Sandy was literally born into fishing as the house that he was born in faced onto the river Clyde. So Sandy grew up spending all his time at or on the river. The youngest of three boys, Sandy soon became the fly tyer for his two brothers, though he was pleased to learn dry fly fishing from one brother and wet fly fishing from his other brother. 
