The Flyfishers' founding fathers

Founded in 1884, the club was created for gentlemen with an interest in the art and study of fly-fishing – many of whom had ink in their veins

- NEIL CROSS

To many Fielders, Mayfair’s Savile Club will be familiar as the venue for the annual delight that is the Macnab Dinner. However, even those whose exploits with rod and gun have seen them elevated to the piscatorial peerage by grassing a salmon as part of the hat-trick may be unaware of the lodger upstairs. Tucked away above the sumptuous Savile is probably the best-kept secret in clubland. A venerable institution, tracing its origins back to 1884, the Flyfishers’ Club is thriving in its latest (and permanent) home on the aptly named Brook Street.

When I was invited there for dinner as the guest of flyfisher Charles Dring, I arrived a little early. Their attentive steward showed me in and brought me a welcome whisky and soda while I meandered, agog, among the sort of angling ephemera that not only charts the history of the sport but also forms the most exquisite display across several rooms. From the wondrous and vibrant cases of gut-eye salmon irons in the hallway through to a creel that reputedly belonged to Izaak Walton, this temple to trout and salmon is a living, breathing collective of disciples whose shared love for the sport has generated a country-house atmosphere in the heart of Mayfair, embellished with the fruits of their enquiring minds and restless pens.

The club boasts a library of around 3,000 angling titles, many of which were penned by past members and often dedicated to the club. All the greats are here – Halford, Skues, Kite, Falkus, to name a few – and all were members of this hallowed fraternity.