In reply to Post #12
Dave Thorpe was rumoured to have died around 1998, I was most surprised to see he had arisen from the dead and fishing for trout at Grafham water when I worked there.
Dave Thorpe was rumoured to have died around 1998, I was most surprised to see he had arisen from the dead and fishing for trout at Grafham water when I worked there.
In reply to Post #16
I wondered, and a search did come up with an obituary, but for another Dave Thorpe, also a carp angler it seems.
the one I met was the bait maker. I used his bait back then, as many did.
I cant be certain, but I'm thinking I saw him around still in '98, possibly later that that.
I was pretty nomadic back then, and kept few records.
I wondered, and a search did come up with an obituary, but for another Dave Thorpe, also a carp angler it seems.
the one I met was the bait maker. I used his bait back then, as many did.
I cant be certain, but I'm thinking I saw him around still in '98, possibly later that that.
I was pretty nomadic back then, and kept few records.
In reply to Post #17
John Bailey is/was involved in running Kingy in Lyng and is also the advisor on Gone Fishing and Mickey Walsh is still about.
I remember Plumber's little shop before he moved to Sprowston Rd, used to cycle there for maggots and bought my first modern carp reels (shimano carbomatics) from him for my first trip abroad in the late 80s from his Sprowston shop.
John Bailey is/was involved in running Kingy in Lyng and is also the advisor on Gone Fishing and Mickey Walsh is still about.
I remember Plumber's little shop before he moved to Sprowston Rd, used to cycle there for maggots and bought my first modern carp reels (shimano carbomatics) from him for my first trip abroad in the late 80s from his Sprowston shop.
In reply to Post #18
Mickey had an eye for the ladies back then, well he was single at the time , I remember one night on a small syndicate water,, it was agreed whoever woke up first should make tea, so I have a carp around dawn and sacked it and duly put the kettle on, made two cups and made my way to Mickey, "tea up" I whispered, no answer,, again a little louder,"tea up!" still no answer,, so not wanting the tea to get cold I gave him a little nudge with my hand and Immediately thought,,
"thats odd", he sort of "wobbled" next thing I know Mickeys standing beside me?? "got another cup mate?" and a very attractive head appeared from the sleeping bag,, "two sugars please".
his current girlfriend had arrived in the night. I instantly knew why the "wobble" had occurred.
Mickey had an eye for the ladies back then, well he was single at the time , I remember one night on a small syndicate water,, it was agreed whoever woke up first should make tea, so I have a carp around dawn and sacked it and duly put the kettle on, made two cups and made my way to Mickey, "tea up" I whispered, no answer,, again a little louder,"tea up!" still no answer,, so not wanting the tea to get cold I gave him a little nudge with my hand and Immediately thought,,
"thats odd", he sort of "wobbled" next thing I know Mickeys standing beside me?? "got another cup mate?" and a very attractive head appeared from the sleeping bag,, "two sugars please".
his current girlfriend had arrived in the night. I instantly knew why the "wobble" had occurred.
In reply to Post #19
Mickey was known as smooth wasnt he ?
I'm sure that was his nick name when fished Homersfield
Last I heard of him he was fishing Layfields but was in trouble with the EA and police for beating a swan to death with a bank stick
I remember Dave Plummers little shop, I was building rods for him back then
1983 I believe
Homersfield ticket at £100 would have been 40 years ago, it was over £200 when I joined in 1984 if I remember correctly
Mickey was known as smooth wasnt he ?
I'm sure that was his nick name when fished Homersfield
Last I heard of him he was fishing Layfields but was in trouble with the EA and police for beating a swan to death with a bank stick
I remember Dave Plummers little shop, I was building rods for him back then
1983 I believe
Homersfield ticket at £100 would have been 40 years ago, it was over £200 when I joined in 1984 if I remember correctly
In reply to Post #20
40 years ago sounds about right, Mickey lived quite close to the brickmakers pub I recall,
surprised about the swan incident, Mickey didn't strike me as a violent or cruel guy at all.
I guess folks can change, I know I did.
I know some of the Layfield guys, I'll ask around, [discretely]
I never got to fish Homersfield, but to be fair my life took a few unexpected turns back then, I doubt Norman would have been able to contact me even if he tried when my turn came up, my fault entirely, its a great place, bit outta my price range now.
40 years ago sounds about right, Mickey lived quite close to the brickmakers pub I recall,
surprised about the swan incident, Mickey didn't strike me as a violent or cruel guy at all.
I guess folks can change, I know I did.
I know some of the Layfield guys, I'll ask around, [discretely]
I never got to fish Homersfield, but to be fair my life took a few unexpected turns back then, I doubt Norman would have been able to contact me even if he tried when my turn came up, my fault entirely, its a great place, bit outta my price range now.
In reply to Post #14
They got an ice pick......
They got an ice pick......
In reply to Post #22
"that must have made their ears burn?"
"that must have made their ears burn?"
In reply to Post #1
Dave Thorpe, heard he'd died whilst fly fishing, heart attack, have since heard many times he's still alive, he's got family I'm sure, but have never heard anyone confirm one way or another, v strange.
Maybe he no longer fishes and has moved abroad, maybe he has indeed died, hope not I liked Dave.
Dave Thorpe, heard he'd died whilst fly fishing, heart attack, have since heard many times he's still alive, he's got family I'm sure, but have never heard anyone confirm one way or another, v strange.
Maybe he no longer fishes and has moved abroad, maybe he has indeed died, hope not I liked Dave.
In reply to Post #24
Things in the carp world were different back then, most people were helpful, including many of those that went on to become almost cult figures in that world.
Dave was one of those people. always friendly and had time for most people.
maybe disillusioned with the profit driven circus carp fishing has become? and has indeed moved on, and well I hope.
Things in the carp world were different back then, most people were helpful, including many of those that went on to become almost cult figures in that world.
Dave was one of those people. always friendly and had time for most people.
maybe disillusioned with the profit driven circus carp fishing has become? and has indeed moved on, and well I hope.
In reply to Post #24
Thats what I was told, heart attack while fly fishing. I didn't know him personally but my mate did a bit and we got chatting to him one afternoon whilst he was fishing over darenth. he was testing a new bait out an off white colured base mix with a weird flavour. he gave us 5k of the mix and a bottle of the flavour all in blank packaging. we rolled some up the next day then did an overnighter on arena and had a few.. turned out it was the cold water mix and green beast.
Thats what I was told, heart attack while fly fishing. I didn't know him personally but my mate did a bit and we got chatting to him one afternoon whilst he was fishing over darenth. he was testing a new bait out an off white colured base mix with a weird flavour. he gave us 5k of the mix and a bottle of the flavour all in blank packaging. we rolled some up the next day then did an overnighter on arena and had a few.. turned out it was the cold water mix and green beast.
In reply to Post #26
Was he from the Oxford area. I think I might have bumped into him at Orchid in early 90's, he wasn't fishing though which makes me think he was local, walking the lake, talking about his bait.
Was he from the Oxford area. I think I might have bumped into him at Orchid in early 90's, he wasn't fishing though which makes me think he was local, walking the lake, talking about his bait.
In reply to Post #25
Yes, he was happy to help and advise most people, generous and v humble tbh. He was catching a huge amount of fish at the time I met him, but would never talk down to or dismiss others.
Yes, he was happy to help and advise most people, generous and v humble tbh. He was catching a huge amount of fish at the time I met him, but would never talk down to or dismiss others.
THOSE HERO'S
In reply to Post #21
Homersfield is just a shadow of its former self. Over priced and too many stupid rules.
Norman is sadly missed.
Homersfield is just a shadow of its former self. Over priced and too many stupid rules.
Norman is sadly missed.