The Magic Threads Of Semperfli

Success isn’t something that simply comes your way. It is earned through putting in the long miles, learning hard lessons, and having the passion and persistence to succeed. TCFF’s International Field Editor at Large HANS VAN KLINKEN puts the spotlight on one such company.

- Hans Van Klinken

I met Ann and Andy Kitchener many years ago during one of the Spring Fly Fishing Shows in the UK which always got so well organised by Steve Thornton – a pity that show doesn’t exist any more. During my breaks from giving demonstrations and classes, I like to walk around and meet up with old friends, make new ones and search for some new and interesting materials. At this particular show, Andy was presenting his range of Superfine Dubbing together with several other unique products he’d invented. I’ve been working with Fly- Rite’s Extra Fine Poly Dubbing all my life, and, because I use it for the majority of my dry fly bodies, it always makes mecurious to compare my favourite product with other dubbing materials. The large amount of dubbing in Ann and Andy’s booth intrigued me so much that I struck up a conversation with them and, after a lengthy discussion about dubbing properties, Andy showed me some of the other materials he had developed. It was the start of our amazing friendship.