When it comes to all round angling Des Taylor is worthy of a mention. 
In reply to Post #1
Remember Rex Hunt? him, Matt Hayes and JW were the ones on the telly when I grew up
Remember Rex Hunt? him, Matt Hayes and JW were the ones on the telly when I grew up
In reply to Post #17
And the Scottish guy hooked on fishing
And the Scottish guy hooked on fishing
grew up on matt hayes and Sir mick. Des is a local legend though.
In reply to Post #7
I first bumped into John in the very early 90's in Kenya with his film team. Not sure if it was the fishing safaris series he did? He was using a boat with a good friend of mine skippering Angus Paul. I was in a sister boat for a few trips whilst John was filming on his boat. John caught a skip jack tuna around 8kg but whilst filming it on the boat the sun wasn't right so they put it back in while the boat moved round to avoid the sun for filming. When in position they started to film again as if fighting the fish for the first time. But something much much larger had taken the tuna and set off for Australia! Probably a big tiger shark or big black Marlin. John fought it for a few hours but was hopelessly under gunned with the 30lb outfit he'd hooked up on and eventually it smashed him up.
Had a few beers with him in the club after and wow could he tell a story, great orator with a huge passion for all things angling. He told me about the various species of Mahseer, locations and difficulties etc and I was hooked. That's for another day though.
Took fun, informational angling into people's living rooms. Great angler.
I first bumped into John in the very early 90's in Kenya with his film team. Not sure if it was the fishing safaris series he did? He was using a boat with a good friend of mine skippering Angus Paul. I was in a sister boat for a few trips whilst John was filming on his boat. John caught a skip jack tuna around 8kg but whilst filming it on the boat the sun wasn't right so they put it back in while the boat moved round to avoid the sun for filming. When in position they started to film again as if fighting the fish for the first time. But something much much larger had taken the tuna and set off for Australia! Probably a big tiger shark or big black Marlin. John fought it for a few hours but was hopelessly under gunned with the 30lb outfit he'd hooked up on and eventually it smashed him up.
Had a few beers with him in the club after and wow could he tell a story, great orator with a huge passion for all things angling. He told me about the various species of Mahseer, locations and difficulties etc and I was hooked. That's for another day though.
Took fun, informational angling into people's living rooms. Great angler.
In reply to Post #18
That was Paul Young,currently watching Paul on Roadford ressi fly fishing when it first opened up,in the Wolf valley system..
Whilst in my umble opinion John is the greatest,Jack Hargreaves on Out of Town,that music gets me ,every time..
That was Paul Young,currently watching Paul on Roadford ressi fly fishing when it first opened up,in the Wolf valley system..
Whilst in my umble opinion John is the greatest,Jack Hargreaves on Out of Town,that music gets me ,every time..
In reply to Post #21
His mannerisms and holding of the pipe are really nostalgic for me, Jack could tell a story about scratching his posterior and make it sound captivating to be honest!
His mannerisms and holding of the pipe are really nostalgic for me, Jack could tell a story about scratching his posterior and make it sound captivating to be honest!
Many great anglers, John Wilson was very enjoyable to watch.
Terry Lampard must be up there?
Terry Lampard must be up there?
In reply to Post #23
Your right many great anglers..
Martin Bowler,John's nephew
Bob Brookes
Martin James
Lots of trad anglers most wouldn't have heard of all great at what they do..
I used to fish with a old chap called Tom Stone,he was similar to Jack Hargreaves, in the ww2,was involved in refitting spitfires,the stories I got told about that time ,sitting in his garage,talking about fishing ,brilliant..!
Your right many great anglers..
Martin Bowler,John's nephew
Bob Brookes
Martin James
Lots of trad anglers most wouldn't have heard of all great at what they do..
I used to fish with a old chap called Tom Stone,he was similar to Jack Hargreaves, in the ww2,was involved in refitting spitfires,the stories I got told about that time ,sitting in his garage,talking about fishing ,brilliant..!
In reply to Post #1
absolute knob in real life !! though he did inspire millions to go fishing !!
absolute knob in real life !! though he did inspire millions to go fishing !!
In reply to Post #24
Martin Bowler is a tad arrogant for my liking
some of the best anglers ive ever come across know one will ever have heard of them
the ones you may have heard of
Dennis McFetritch
Skeff
the rest are bank tramps
Martin Bowler is a tad arrogant for my liking
some of the best anglers ive ever come across know one will ever have heard of them
the ones you may have heard of
Dennis McFetritch
Skeff
the rest are bank tramps
In reply to Post #26
For sure...
The best angler I have known,was a chap I met years ago,he didn't even know how to shot a float,let alone plumb the depth, or tie a hook properly..
He was 28 ,met him over the lakes,I struck up a friendship,showing him the little I knew,...all I can say is this guy turned into a natural angler,not just carp but all species,and in an area not noted for course fishing..
I can say he was the best angler,because he just had it it in barrow loads,watercraft,an appreciation of the environment, mind you he was a fully a country boy anyway..
He passed not long ago ...fell asleep ,caught the kitchen alight ,ironically he was a firefighter..
RiP...Paul...
For sure...
The best angler I have known,was a chap I met years ago,he didn't even know how to shot a float,let alone plumb the depth, or tie a hook properly..
He was 28 ,met him over the lakes,I struck up a friendship,showing him the little I knew,...all I can say is this guy turned into a natural angler,not just carp but all species,and in an area not noted for course fishing..
I can say he was the best angler,because he just had it it in barrow loads,watercraft,an appreciation of the environment, mind you he was a fully a country boy anyway..
He passed not long ago ...fell asleep ,caught the kitchen alight ,ironically he was a firefighter..
RiP...Paul...
In reply to Post #26
One out of two anyway.
One out of two anyway.
The old boy I met at Brooklands lake Dartford in 1974. Showed me how to mix groundbait and that used to send the fish into a frenzy. I've never seen fish rip up the bottom like that. I caught my first 20 from there in 75 partly thanks to that old boy.
In reply to Post #25
I never found him that way myself.
I used to use his shop in Bridewell Alley as a kid, he would always spend the time explaining things on questions I asked. When I moved to Norwich at the age of 17, he still gave us time. Sadly his shop was so small it was limited to 'hooks and bait', no display room for bedchairs etc, so I tended to use Dave Plummers or Tommy Boulton's for larger items.
Even at shows he would say hi again.
I always found him an inspiration, his knowledge on nature as well as fishing, he put fishing in the public eye.
Matt Hayes could never rival him on TV, and to be honest, I do not think that anyone has come close.
I never found him that way myself.
I used to use his shop in Bridewell Alley as a kid, he would always spend the time explaining things on questions I asked. When I moved to Norwich at the age of 17, he still gave us time. Sadly his shop was so small it was limited to 'hooks and bait', no display room for bedchairs etc, so I tended to use Dave Plummers or Tommy Boulton's for larger items.
Even at shows he would say hi again.
I always found him an inspiration, his knowledge on nature as well as fishing, he put fishing in the public eye.
Matt Hayes could never rival him on TV, and to be honest, I do not think that anyone has come close.