TV star joins brand to 'bring fun back into fishing.'

Angling and television star Matt Hayes has vowed to bring the fun back into fishing after he signed a five-year consultancy agreement with Fladen Fishing, one of the fastest growing brands in the tackle trade. The deal was signed at the massive Spring Fair event being held at Birmingham's NEC where Fladen was exhibiting its products with Matt on hand to talk to buyers from national store groups around the country.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in discussions with a number of companies in the trade, but Fladen was the only ones that shared my vision,” said Matt. “I want to make fishing enjoyable for the whole of the family and that means making fishing products more accessible. Fladen has a history of delivering its products to a far wider audience than most suppliers and this really excited me.

"Because of my television work my face is known to many non anglers and I feel that I can play a role in developing the sport and popularising it again. I was also swayed by the professionalism of Fladen and its enthusiasm for attracting newcomers into angling.”

It is understood that the very first Matt Hayes range from Fladen will be in the shops at the beginning of June and will consist of between 80 and 100 products covering carp, coarse and sea fishing with rods, reels and terminal tackle planned. After that Matt is keen to look at introducing a range of bait.

Chairman at Fladen Fishing, Mike De-Bear said, “Matt is undoubtedly the most prominent angler in Europe and I am delighted that he has agreed to work with us. His name will be a great asset and ensure that we can continue to increase the awareness of angling in this country.

"Word got out that Matt was going to be on our stand at the Spring Fair and I have been staggered by the number of people that have asked to have their picture taken with him. I have also been delighted with the interest we have received from some of the biggest buyers in retailing about Matt’s involvement with us. Both Matt and I are convinced that ensuring more people have access to good value fishing tackle will be beneficial to everybody involved in angling.”