UK fishing flies supplier secures significant deals

One of the UK’s major suppliers of fishing flies was rocked by the decision of its UK distributor to cease operating as a general wholesaler of third party brands this year.

The surprise decision of Leeda, owner of tackle brands that include Wychwood, Leeda and MAP, to concentrate solely on its own portfolio meant that Wales-based Dragon Tackle was left with minimal UK representation.

That was until last month’s EFTTEX when its owner, Terry Clease, met with Dennett Outdoor, the Northern Ireland-based supplier of tackle throughout the UK, and agreed a deal for the business to distribute its Dragon International and Grando fly selections in the UK and Ireland.

It was one of two major deals announced on Dragon’s return to EFTTEX following a partnership with Pallatrax, the supplier of eco-friendly fishing weights and hooks.

Clease told Angling International: “Leeda has distributed Dragon flies and selections from the moment it was first established and has been a great distributor. Its decision to drop third party brands was a considerable loss to our business and left a gap in the market for those retailers who bought their flies from the company.

“Dennett Outdoor – as a general wholesaler – is in a perfect position to fill the gap. It means that dealers who previously bought from Leeda can now get the same products from Dennett Outdoor. We were already discussing the complexities of managing fly selections and this was an opportunity too good to miss.”

Clease also signed a deal with Pallatrax. “The agreement is that we will develop a range of our most popular flies, tied using award-winning GRIPZ hooks, for company owner Simon Pomeroy who will sell them to retailers and fisheries. The line-up should be ready in time for the start of the trout season in the UK.”

Clease added that although Dragon International returned to EFTTEX with ‘a lot of trepidation’ the show far exceeded all its expectations. “The quality of customers was very good. We took orders and came up with some good plans for the 2026 season. It was also a great opportunity to inform our European clients about our ability to supply flies into Europe through our Polish company Dragon Tackle Europe, avoiding any customs import duties.”

“We have already booked for next year’s show in Barcelona.”

Main picture: Terry Clease (left) and Simon Pomeroy of Pallatrax

T: +44 7736 614174
terry@dragontackle.com
Flies@dragontackle.com
www.grando.fishing