This month, we quiz Glasgow and Edinburgh Angling Centre owner Paul Devlin about his Scottish stores, his customers and the fishing he loves most
Paul Devlin (third from left) with those at the heart of his 50-plus-strong team.
Q
How long have you been running your business, how did it start and what inspired you to build it?
My journey started in 1986. I had a stall at the Barras in Glasgow, selling second-hand goods. I then opened my first small shop in Cumbernauld Village in 1988.
The business grew from a hobby: I’d been tying flies for many years and, when I was 16, also worked in a small tackle shop. I knew then that this was what I wanted to do, but I never imagined the business would grow to the size it is today.
My inspiration has always been to help and look after customers and to supply them with the products they want and need. I wanted to better myself and build something of my own too. My dream was to work for myself, build a successful business and make a living from something I was genuinely passionate about.
Q
Who is your typical customer and what are the main reasons they visit your shops?
Our customers are predominantly trout anglers, along with coarse and predator anglers, although we have a very broad customer base.
One of the main reasons people visit us is the sheer range of products we carry. We believe we have the largest range of fishing tackle in the UK, so there is a very good chance that customers will find what they are looking for.
Just as importantly, we have an incredibly knowledgeable and experienced team. Some of our staff have been with the business for more than 25 years, and their knowledge and commitment are continually praised by both our suppliers and, most importantly, our customers.
For us, it is about offering customers both choice and genuine, knowledgeable advice.
My dream was to work for myself, build a successful business and make a living from something I was genuinely passionate about
Q
Why are fly shops still important in today’s retail landscape?
Many fishers have a need to see, feel, compare and try products before making a purchase.
You also can't beat advice from an experienced retailer who is an angler themselves and understands the products they are selling. That personal experience and knowledge can make a huge difference, particularly when someone is choosing a rod, reel or complete outfit.
Ultimately, it is about the experience. Fishing is a very personal sport and being able to talk to someone who understands that is still incredibly important.
Inside Paul’s busy megastore in Glasgow.
Paul’s knowledgeable and passionate team outside his Edinburgh Angling Centre.
Q
What do you think makes a great and successful fly shop?
For me, it comes down to four things: staff, product, range and choice.
You need knowledgeable and passionate staff who understand fishing and want to help customers. You need good products from the right brands, a strong range and, importantly, enough choice to cater for different anglers and different budgets.
Put these things together, along with good customer service, and you have the foundations of a successful fly shop.
They are talking to someone who understands fishing and, in most cases, has used the equipment they are recommending
Q
What’s the fishing like in your part of the world?
Scotland has always been world-renowned for game-fishing, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a diverse range of fishing on our doorstep.
Like many other parts of the world, salmon fishing has faced significant challenges, and salmon numbers have declined. However, there are still plenty of positives.
The trout fishing is fantastic, with thousands of small, medium and very large lochs and lakes, as well as some wonderful rivers. There is an incredible variety of fishing available, and for an angler, Scotland really is a fantastic place to live and fish.
Of course, the scenery is also hard to beat!
Q
What fish, rivers or types of fishing get you most excited?
That's a tough one because I enjoy all types of fishing, but if I had to choose one, it would be river trout fishing with a dry-fly.
There is something very special about watching a trout rise to a dry-fly on a river. It is the anticipation, the presentation and, hopefully, seeing the fish take the fly that makes it so exciting.
A fine Icelandic brown trout.
A huge Amazonian arapaima on the fly.
An Atlantic salmon from the Tay, just an hour away from both stores.
We decided to stock Loop because they were bringing new and exciting products to the market that were a little different
Q
Tell us about your team — the people customers can expect to interact with. What are their roles, and what are their favourite types of fishing and fish species?
We have a fantastic and diverse team across our two locations, with more than 50 staff in total. Between us, we can cover almost every aspect of fishing with a high level of knowledge and confidence.
Our team includes qualified casting instructors, seasoned competition anglers, specialist anglers and plenty of people who simply love having a go at anything and everything — from different species to different disciplines.
One of the things that is particularly important to us is that we almost exclusively employ anglers. That means when a customer is looking for advice, they are talking to someone who understands fishing and, in most cases, has used the equipment they are recommending.
We are also very fortunate to have a number of long-serving members of staff, with many having been with us for more than ten years. That experience is invaluable, but it also means we have grown and developed together.
I think that combination of experience, knowledge, enthusiasm and, most importantly, a genuine passion for fishing is what makes our team special. We are incredibly proud of the people we have working here, and I believe we have one of the strongest teams in the fishing trade.
We have just had our busiest season ever, which gives me a lot of confidence and, importantly, a lot of hope for the future of fishing
Q
How did you first discover Loop, and what made you decide to carry the brand in your shops?
I discovered Loop many years ago and started using their trout-fishing equipment myself. They have introduced some fantastic and innovative products over the years.
I was originally introduced by Christer Sjöberg, one of the founders of the company.
We decided to stock Loop because they were bringing new and exciting products to the market that were a little different from what was available in the trade at the time. When Loop first came into the market, they were like a breath of fresh air.
They also had a great team behind the brand and were great people to deal with, which was equally important to us.
Paul fishing for stripers close to the Statue of Liberty.
Sun and amberjack in Key West.
An Argentinian sea-trout ticked off the list.
Q
If someone had never tried a Loop outfit before, which setup would you put in their hands first, and why?
The new Trak fly-rods.
They are simply outstanding and offer fantastic value for money. In my opinion, they could be among the best pound-for-pound fly-rods on the market today.
They offer the performance and feel you would expect from a much more expensive rod, which makes them a great addition to the Loop range.
Q
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the business over the next year?
We have just had our busiest season ever, which gives me a lot of confidence and, importantly, a lot of hope for the future of fishing.
Fishing can be a tough sport at times, but it never seems to stop anglers from getting out there and chasing their next fish.
What particularly excites me is seeing so many new customers coming into the sport. We are seeing younger anglers starting out with spinning rods, and we have also sold an amazing number of starter fly-fishing outfits.
That tells me there is a real upsurge in interest in fly-fishing, and it is fantastic to see new generations discovering angling.
For me, that is what gives me the most optimism for the future — continuing to grow the business while helping more people discover the enjoyment of fishing.
