Fishing The Fly Scotland

Index => Main Discussion Area => Topic started by: Mike Barrio on 30/08/2007 at 22:15

Title: British Angling Legends / Stars?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 30/08/2007 at 22:15
Hi folks  :cool:

We often read in the magazines and websites ( often "across the pond" ) of Angling Legends, anglers that have become household names through their fly fishing skills, fly tying, books they have written and perhaps most of all, through the enjoyment and knowledge that they have shared with others.

It would be interesting to see who we consider to be the Legendary British Fly Fishermen  :cool:

Hmmm ..... I feel a poll coming on ..... there again maybe more than one poll would be a good idea  :z3

To get the ball rolling, let's start this off with replies with nominations which can then become the names listed in the polls  :z17

Let's have four categories or polls  :z17

(A) Your nomination for a British Angling Legend

(B) Your nomination for a British Angler who you look up to at the moment and feel is a possible future legend in the making

(C) Your nomination for a Scottish Angling Legend

(D) Your nomination for a Scottish Angler who you look up to at the moment and feel is a possible future legend in the making

PLEASE only nominate the very best! You might only nominate for one category of the four, this is better than "filling in names" for all the others. If we do it this way, I will hopefully be able to fit all the nominations in the actual polls?

I think this could be quite interesting, especially if you tell us a bit about the angler that you nominate  :wink

Best wishes
Mike Barrio
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Rob Brownfield on 31/08/2007 at 08:42
My nomination for category A is Richard Walker (as in the 1950's, not the tackle shop owner, although he is a remarkable angler as well!)

Many people only associate Richard walker with the record Carp, Clarrissa at 44 pounds, but he had a much wider repertoir than just carp. He was a fly fisherman of the highest order. His letters on the subject of dry fly fishing for wild Brown trout make fantastic reading. Of course he "invented" the Walker Mayfly Nymph as well as other flies that i cannot remember the name of now (Chomper maybe?). He helped establish Rainbow Trout fishing in the UK, he was a fantsatic River angler and was at one time instumental in the design of reservoir gear through Hardy (The Farnbourgh was one of his designs for example) and pushed the development of Carbon for fly rods. Not only did he fly fish for trout, he went for salmon and many coarse fish on the fly, notably Pike and Perch.

And thats why I nominate him...a very underrated angler amoungst fly fisherman, but infact one of the fore fathers of modern fly fishing.
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 31/08/2007 at 09:01
That is what I was hoping for ....... GREAT STUFF ROB  :z16
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Peter McCallum on 31/08/2007 at 19:26
a) Legend Dick Walker for all the reasons rob said plus he first noted the 'Chinaman' idea of flies.

b) Still alive so don't count him as a legend yet but Ollie Edwards for future legend. The guys fly tying has to be seen to be believed - best trout fly tyer I've seen.

Maybe Charles Jardine, a genuinly nice guy who can catch fish. He was at a kids day at Kingennie this year and took a deal of time to go round each youngster to help them.

c) He probably already is, but W.C.Stewart who started the whole upstream trout fishing thing with 'The Practical Angler', as well as upstream worming which I used as a main method for years.

d) Tricky! He's maybe close to being already a legend, Peter Anderson is probably still one of the best casters I've ever seen. in the early 70's I watched him casting in the cinema in East Kilbride. He had the whole of a DT fly line flying up the sloping stairs and out the door at the top , using a 9' milbro trufly rod - standing maybe 20-30 ft from the screen.

Ok theres my shot I may come up with others so can we have more than one go Mike

Peter
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 31/08/2007 at 22:21
Great stuff Peter  :z16
Quote
Still alive so don't count him as a legend yet

Is that how it works, I hadn't realised?

The angler that I am going to nominate for (a) is still alive ........... so can we include "living legends" too please ........ it is up to you whether you feel they have already reached legendary status when you nominate them.

Best wishes
Mike Barrio
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: LondonScottish on 01/09/2007 at 22:11
 Arthur Cove, who's book "my way with trout" is the nymph fishing bible. Fantastic forward thinking angler and inventor of the Cove pheasant tail nymph. Probably the main reason I got into nymph fishing so much in the 80's.


 Paul Proctor, the last person who would be want to be known as a legend, but is definitely not only one of the nicest guys in the fishing World, but also the best river fisherman I have ever had the pleasure to fish with. THE complete river fisherman. Period.


Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 01/09/2007 at 23:34
Ahhhh yes ...... Mr Cove  :cool:

Nice one "LondonScottish", I take it you nominate Arthur Cove for category (a)

Best wishes
Mike Barrio
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Hamish Young on 02/09/2007 at 09:57
(A) British Angling Legend

     Hmmmmm - tricky as there's so many who have infuenced our sport and I'd agree that for angling overall Dick Walker takes some beating.   
     However I think I'd have to say Hugh Falkus as his two 'big' books opened up the world of Salmon and Sea Trout fishing respectively to a
     whole new audience, I still consider them to be the definative guides for Salmon and Sea Trout fishing for the beginner and experienced rod
     alike.   

(B) Your nomination for a British Angler who you look up to at the moment and feel is a possible future legend in the making

     Tough one as well but I'd have to agreee that Oliver Edwards is right up there, he'd be my choice.

(C) Your nomination for a Scottish Angling Legend

     Bruce Sandison. Let's face it Brucie has done a hell of a lot for the sport - a living legend (typical loch patterns apply  :z4 ).

(D) Your nomination for a Scottish Angler who you look up to at the moment and feel is a possible future legend in the making

     I'm stuck here between two - Eoin Fairgreave and Ally Gowans. Personally I don't think there's a Scottish trout angler who will rate legend
     status in the immediate future (I included the author of the loch fishers bible in my deliberations). If I had to make a tough decision then I'd
     plump for Ally Gowans - a superb caster, an innovative fly tyer and from all accounts a damn good teacher, so a legend in the making IMHO.   


Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: LondonScottish on 02/09/2007 at 10:14
 Yes mike, I was nominating (a) and (b).   As for Scottish legend, Ally Gowans is definitely up there with the very best. Who else has been responsible for producing the most killing set of Salmon flies which are the first choice of nearly every Salmon angler? Really genuine nice guy, and a proper allround Salmon expert.

 As for Bruce "Standard Loch Patterns will suffice" Sandison, give me a break.  :z4
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Dutchfly on 02/09/2007 at 17:19
Hi all,

Here are the results of the Dutch jury :wink

My vote for the British angler goes to John Goddard. His flypatterns are superb.
For the Scottish angler, I'd suggest Lesley Crawford. I really enjoyed her book 'Fishing for Wild Trout in Scottish Lochs.'

CU

Jeroen
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 02/09/2007 at 21:37
Cool ........ thanks for the nominations  :cool:

Hi Jeroen, John is my nomination for category (A) too!

John Goddard, I believe John would now be in his eighties? He has written some superb books over the years, with perhaps "John Goddard's Waterside Guide" and "Trout Flies of Britain & Europe" being my favourites. His entomology and fly tying knowledge are awesome and he has created lots of great flies for us like the more recent JG Emerger and influenced numerous more.
I believe John is still fishing and fly tying ...... so hopefully there will be more to come!  :z14

Best wishes
Mike Barrio

Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 02/09/2007 at 22:30
Thank you for your nominations so far  :z16

(A) Your nomination for a British Angling Legend:

John Goddard
Hugh Falkus
Arthur Cove
Richard Walker

(B) Your nomination for a British Angler who you look up to at the moment and feel is a possible future legend in the making:

Oliver Edwards
Paul Procter

(C) Your nomination for a Scottish Angling Legend:

Bruce Sandison
W.C.Stewart

(D) Your nomination for a Scottish Angler who you look up to at the moment and feel is a possible future legend in the making:

Ally Gowans
Lesley Crawford
Peter Anderson

Please let me know if I have listed your nomination under the wrong category ...... I am human after all  :oops
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: LondonScottish on 02/09/2007 at 23:39
 The only problem with that list is how do you differentiate between a legend and a legend in the making, bearing in mind that the likes of Oliver Edwards has done as much as say Arthur Cove to gain such high status. Cove is slightly older, but there's not much else different in their experimental but successful take on immitative fishing.Maybe a legend should actually only be when one is dead?? What else could Ally Gowans do from now on in to make him a legend in the future that he has not done already. Obviously I don't want him dead, becuse he's probably quite happy just the way he is.  :z4

 Its also important to differentiate between a proper legend and someone who has just written a few magazine articles and a book, without really adding anything regarding actual fishing.

  Other top top anglers who probably should be there or thereabouts are Bob Church and Brian Leadbeater. I don't think there's many people down here especially who don't consider him the best loch-style angler ever.

Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 03/09/2007 at 00:00
Paul Proctor, the last person who would be want to be known as a legend, but is definitely not only one of the nicest guys in the fishing World, but also the best river fisherman I have ever had the pleasure to fish with. THE complete river fisherman. Period.

Interesting ........ when thinking about who I might nominate for each category, Paul Procter was the first to spring to my mind for category (B) too :cool:

Must confess that I am far more likely to read an article by Paul in any of the magazines than any other writer. His flies are "my type of flies", I especially like his spider patterns and dries and his advice regarding tactics etc is very sound indeed.
NOW ...... What I would really love to see from Paul is a book! :z17 I don't think he has ever written one? But he really must  :wink If his articles are anything to go by .......... I would certainly want the first copy!

Yes, Paul gets my nomination for category (B) too  :z16
And, when his first book is published ........ I'll change that to category (A)  :z7

Best wishes
Mike Barrio
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 03/09/2007 at 00:19
The only problem with that list is how do you differentiate between a legend and a legend in the making, bearing in mind that the likes of Oliver Edwards has done as much as say Arthur Cove to gain such high status. Cove is slightly older, but there's not much else different in their experimental but successful take on immitative fishing.Maybe a legend should actually only be when one is dead?? What else could Ally Gowans do from now on in to make him a legend in the future that he has not done already. Obviously I don't want him dead, becuse he's probably quite happy just the way he is.  :z4

 Its also important to differentiate between a proper legend and someone who has just written a few magazine articles and a book, without really adding anything regarding actual fishing.

  Other top top anglers who probably should be there or thereabouts are Bob Church and Brian Leadbeater. I don't think there's many people down here especially who don't consider him the best loch-style angler ever.



I thought you had done it quite well with your nominations, Arthur Cove is already of legendary status, while Paul Procter is not ............ but Paul has such a huge following in the UK that he is a very likely future candidate.

"Bob Church & Brian Leadbeater" ...... yes, there are certainly more legends like these still to be nominated, but I think that since we each have to choose only one person to nominate for each category, we should in theory end up with the very best, or at least ...... the most popular with our forum members.

Actually, now that I think about it, this answers your main point ......... the difference between Arthur Cove and Oliver Edwards is that one has been nominated for (A) and one nominated for (B) by a forum member. If another forum member nominates the same person for a different category, then that persons name can be listed in two categories and therefore get poll votes in both? Yes I think that would work and help to find our "forum legends" ........ Sounds good to me?

Best wishes
Mike Barrio
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: wildfisher on 03/09/2007 at 07:07
It's all in the eye of the beholder. Personally I find Mr Proctor's articles as dull as ditch water and really do wonder what the motivation behind many of them is. I seldom bother doing much more than skim reading them now.  Same with Jon Beer. It's completely subjective.
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 03/09/2007 at 19:16
I've given this much thought over the last few days, while painting rooms and demolishing old sheds :roll and its actually quite subjective depending on your aspect to the sport.
I agree with much of what Rob, Hamish and David have said.
My problem with coming up with nominees was, do books and articles denote a Legend or is it the things they do regarding catching fish. If the latter is the case most Legends are anonymous. If its their contribution to angling as a whole then their articles, books , etc have to be included in the criteria, as these are devisive issues which make their impact on the sport all the more important. However they need to be original and influential in their information as well as articulate.Also if we include media as parrt of the criteria then we have to consider TV all of a sudden John Wilson becomes a candidate.
 The other important thing to think about is what they give to the sport, this, i have been thinking about is the "Hero" element, people like Peter (rabbit man) who give up their time to teach the kids and encourage the next generation are the Hero element, most of whom are anonymous outwith their own circles except for the likes of  Mr Jardine and Mr Sandison to name the first two that spring to mind.

My British angling legend for impact to all aspects of the sport and the most influential angler of the "modern age" has to be Dick Walker.
Although if flyfishing were the only angle we were looking at then i would plump for GEM Skues , he went against convention and was proved right plus some of his views on stocking policies have turned out to be bang on many years after his demise.

The legend of the future either has to Charles Jardine for his work, articles and input to the modern era, or John Wilson for getting Angling "out there" with a smile and a laugh :z4

A scottish legend is tough, WC stewart is the most publicised but he was a fishmonger who caught to sell, Bruce Sandison has to be a contender but i think a Legend unless a living legend (pretentious title :z6) has to be departed, so i would er toward Hugh Falkus (but was he a jock ???) i dont think he was, in which case he could join list a :wink otherwise it has to be James Wright :wink

A future Scottish legend will have to be Bruce Sandison or Ally Gowans perhaps even Mr Liddle if he keeps writing and catching fish till he gets a bit on the old side :z7.

I guess i dont make anything any easier :z4

Sandy
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 03/09/2007 at 19:50
Hi Sandy

Yes, agree with what you say  :cool: but have you nominated anybody for a category?  :z7

You know me .......... if you don't make your nomination gin clear and in black & white, it will go straight over my head "whoosh" and I'll miss it  :z4

"Hero Element" interesting ......... I can think of a few candidates which could turn in to another very interesting local category/poll ........ but I think they might find it a tad embarrasing??? :oops

Best wishes
Mike Barrio
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: wildfisher on 03/09/2007 at 20:50
I am a bit reluctant to assign the “status” of legend at all, but Sandy's choice of Skues is the best yet,  then Walker and  perhaps Stewart might qualify. Sandison's work has done more to promote and make Scottish angling accessible than any other writer of recent years. Perhaps a future legend – remember too that Bruce is more than just an angling writer.

Legends  in any field are  dead and have had  some profound effect – like  changing  the way people think about things or do things. To call them legends while living might  suggest they have nothing more to offer.

Some of the others mentioned above are good authors or just  “celebrities”. Celebrities may or may not become legends within the fullness of time, most will not because "celebrity"  is an ephemeral thing. Many of the fishing magazine  celebrities from the 1960s and 70s are already pretty much forgotten.

Just my take on it, many will no doubt disagree!  :grin
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 03/09/2007 at 21:17
Hadn't really thought of the technical meaning of "legend" ......... my mistake possibly  :roll

Would it be easier if we perhaps changed "legend" for "hero" or "guru" folks?  :z8

Would "The Stars of British Angling" be better?  :wink

At the end of the day ..... What do you call somebody that you look up to and wish to thank for influencing the enjoyment that you get from your sport?

Best wishes
Mike Barrio
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: LondonScottish on 04/09/2007 at 07:38
It's all in the eye of the beholder. Personally I find Mr Proctor's articles as dull as ditch water and really do wonder what the motivation behind many of them is. I seldom bother doing much more than skim reading them now.  Same with Jon Beer. It's completely subjective.


  Thats a fairly sweeping statement.  You're probably an "expert", but to the average angler reading his articles they open up a whole new World of flyfishing. You might even improve your catch rate/quality on the Don, if you tried the reading , not skimming bit!! He is with no doubt the best river fisher in Britain.... allround skills, watercraft, fish-spotting, fly development, understanding of nature and quality fish catching ability. (John Tyzack a very very close second).  
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: wildfisher on 04/09/2007 at 10:20

  Thats a fairly sweeping statement.  You're probably an "expert", but to the average angler reading his articles they open up a whole new World of flyfishing. You might even improve your catch rate/quality on the Don, if you tried the reading , not skimming bit!! He is with no doubt the best river fisher in Britain.... allround skills, watercraft, fish-spotting, fly development, understanding of nature and quality fish catching ability. (John Tyzack a very very close second).  

It’s just an opinion actually. I am certainly no expert, I just know what I like and what I don’t. I can’t see the problem, if you enjoy them fine, if you don’t  you don’t. My own preference is for writers with a deeper and more intimate knowledge of the places they write about – a knowledge that goes beyond just fishing.  To each his own though!
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: LondonScottish on 04/09/2007 at 18:16
. My own preference is for writers with a deeper and more intimate knowledge of the places they write about – a knowledge that goes beyond just fishing.  To each his own though!

 Fair enough, but this thread surely is not discussing "quality of writing", but is celebrating angling expertise, and possibly genius setting them head and shoulders above the rest. I can understand people wanting to know a little more about a particular destination or area, but as far as Judith Chalmers getting my vote for "angling legend", there's going to be more chance of sharks being stocked in Haddo.
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: spiros on 04/09/2007 at 19:34
As far as legends go i think it is easier to give an opinion if you have seen them in action rather than reading about it in a magazine or book e.g i have seen Marradona and Pele (only on tv) play so can compare them to others but i never saw Stanley mathews or Puskas play and although they were amazing by all accounts i cannot make an opinion. Articles in mags or web and such like can have arms and legs added to them to make them sound more attractive and not give the true picture.
I think a legend in this kind of sport is someone that is willing to give out a little of their knowledge (whether casting tips or which flies and how to fish them) to help others get the most out of their fishing instead of keeping it to themselves.

Paul   :z16
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: wildfisher on 04/09/2007 at 20:15
Fair enough, but this thread surely is not discussing "quality of writing", but is celebrating angling expertise, and possibly genius setting them head and shoulders above the rest.

True, but in reality the vast majority  can only go by  writing and the like. Writing is important and magazine articles alone just won't  cut it  simply because most magazines end up in the bin or lining the budgie's cage after  a month or so and are quickly forgotten when the next  celebrity comes along. Many  magazine celebrities from the 60s and 70 have been displaced by the new generation and forgotten. The same will happen to most of the  current bunch. Writing at least one influential, widely read,   book and leaving a lasting mark must be a prerequisite.

Nowadays words  like legend,  are so overused they have become  meaningless. Legend today – gone tomorrow.

Some above have mentioned  Sandison. Let's look at what he has done. He  is the author of nine books, he has contributed to Trout & Salmon for 25 years and  was angling correspondent for The Scotsman for 20 years.

His work, on angling, Scottish history and environmental subjects, has appeared in most UK national papers, including The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Herald,  Private Eye, The Field and in a number of American  publications.  He had his own  5 year series - Tales of the Loch on Radio Scotland, this was also broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and on the BBC World Service. His series, The Sporting Gentleman's Gentleman and his programme;  The River of a Thousand Tears, about Strathnaver, established his reputation as a broadcaster.

Sandison has also had extensive coverage on television. He wrote and presented two series for the BBC TV Landward programme. Then there's  his work on the disaster of salmon farming. The list goes on……

As a bonus, he is also an absolute gentleman in every sense of the word.

So, legend?  Well, perhaps Bruce,  in the fullness of time and as a multi-dimensional individual will become a legend, but  it won’t  be based solely on  writing fishing magazine articles – even writing them well as he does -  or suggesting which fly patterns to use.  If legend means  anything at all  there has to be more to it than that.

Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Peter McCallum on 04/09/2007 at 21:42
Thanks for the ego boost Sandy, your cash is in the post :z4 :z4

A scottish legend is tough, WC stewart is the most publicised but he was a fishmonger who caught to sell,

To be fair most of the fishing in Stewarts day was for the pot or for immediate consumption, wasn't it James wright who fed his family from march to november on the fish he caught??? :?

Another couple of nominations from t'other side of the border, Frank Sawyer for the work he did on weighted nymphing (amongst others including buzzers) & Ollie Kite who spread Sawyers gospel on TV.

Title: Who Are Your British Angling "STARS"
Post by: Mike Barrio on 05/09/2007 at 00:23
Yes folks ......... this thread just wasn't working out, was it? :z8 ... So I changed it  :z2

Who Are Your British Angling "STARS"?

I would like to get back to the roots of my original thoughts and hopefully explore which of the Great British Anglers are the most popular with our forum members and have helped them to enjoy their fishing and perhaps catch more fish  :cool:

All nominations are welcome ( including local anglers ) and I don't think I'll divide it up in to categories ...... just one big poll if possible  :wink

NOMINATIONS SO FAR  :z16

John Goddard
Hugh Falkus
Arthur Cove
Richard Walker
Oliver Edwards
Frank Sawyer
Paul Procter
Peter "rabbitangler"
Bruce Sandison
W.C.Stewart
Ally Gowans
Oliver Kite
Lesley Crawford
Peter Anderson
Bob Church
Brian Leadbeater
John Wilson
Charles Jardine
GEM Skues
Chris Yates
Bob Wyatt
Bob James
Dave Mcphail
Stan Headley
Theo Pike

Would you like to nominate any more?
Best wishes
Mike Barrio
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 05/09/2007 at 07:06
It was, Peter.

But he did make a very nice fly once. :z7

As for Sawyer, great call, but he got his inspiration from Skues.
I treat both as personal heroes with one continuing what the other started.
Still he has to be on the list.
I suppose it comes down to what we all think.

I have another nominee though, for writing, catching fish and generally being a great angler, Chris Yates.

Sandy
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: moffty on 05/09/2007 at 18:00
Guys, Guys, Guys......

What has happened to the "forum"? It used to be a place to have a bit of banter, wind each other up a bit  :z13 and generally talk an awful lot about an awful little! Now it seems that it is sadly mirroring society and anything that is even remotely controversial is either removed or the subject changed!

I vote we have a vote to see who wants the old forum back, because frankly I don't see how this in its current state can be called a forum.

Moffty

P.S I hope you get to see this before it is "Moderated"
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Irvine Ross on 05/09/2007 at 19:49
Mike
I am glad you changed the title. My dictionary defines Legend as “ A story, or group of stories, presented as history but unlikely to be true” and who ever heard of an angler who would invent or exaggerate tales of their exploits. :z4

I agree with just about everything Sandy has said. Almost all of the well known anglers are or were writers, otherwise we would never have heard of them, and many of the real “Stars” are unknown outside their own area.

Yes Sawyer did take his inspiration from Skues, but it happens in every generation. As one famous scientist once said, “I have only reached this high because I stood on the shoulders of giants”. The good guys reach further, the dumb ones fall off.

Some of the nominees so far I have never even heard of and some I know next to nothing about. Some I have heard of by repute but I haven’t read their books so they haven’t made any direct impact on me, so my personal “Stars” are the ones who have helped me to learn and develop as an angler.

So in no particular order :

Peter (rabbitangler) who volunteered to spent a wet and stormy day at Haddo helping me and several others to raise my casting skills above the abysmal.

Oliver Edwards whose articles in FF&FT have taught me almost everything I know about trout food and a lot about fly tying and river fly fishing for trout. They have not been binned and forgotten Fred, they are still filed away so I can look things up again when I need to.

Bob Wyatt for his book Trout Hunting which made me think more about what I do than any other book on the subject and for his DHE which has caught me more wild trout than any other single pattern in my fly boxes.

Mike Barrio for running the most hospitable trout fishery in this corner of Scotland and for spending countless unpaid hours keeping this web site and forum going. And don’t you try to edit yourself out of this nomination Mike, I will know if you do. :wink

Irvine

PS Mofty, am I missing something? What on this thread has been “moderated” out? ???
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Peter McCallum on 05/09/2007 at 21:59


I have another nominee though, for writing, catching fish and generally being a great angler, Chris Yates.

Sandy

Definetly in the top echelon, and his beardy mete Bob who's second name escapes me or the moment. Also Hugh Miles who was the inspiration behind 'A Passion For Angling' as well as the cameraman par excellence, they all made what is probably the best TV angling programme (IMHO) tick

Hares Lug - this is starrting to get embarrassing  :oops

Peter

Ah ha it's Bob James - see not as old and daft as I thought. :z17
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Sandy Nelson on 06/09/2007 at 11:57
Go on then Moffty, give us a topic. :roll

At this time of the year its kinda nice to get people starting something, we can discuss.
It keeps us looking when we should be fishing :z4

Sandy
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: moffty on 06/09/2007 at 18:16
Cheers Sandy

Let me dwell on it and think of something suitable  ;)

Steve
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Jim Doyle on 06/09/2007 at 21:44
Bob James peter, Have at one time or another fished with quite afew of the mentioned anglers, ok not skues but a good few of the others, most are ordinary guys who can fish and are to some extent good self publiists, after all they are or were trying to make a living from the sport.  Have seen most of the best tiers and would like to throwDave Mcphails name into the pot. He,s a rare tier who can tie flies to catch fish or flies to catch fishermen, best I,ve seen.  I think theres olny one real "Legend" and thats Richard Walker, as for stars thats a different matter, we all shine at one time or another, so take a look in the mirror, in my book if you care about this great passion of ours you are a star.  just my thoughts jim
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Peter McCallum on 07/09/2007 at 19:12
Good one Jim, Davies fully dressed flys are unbeleivable, his trout flies simple but deadly. An excellent suggestion.
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 08/09/2007 at 00:19
Yes, great stuff, the list is growing nicely, thanks everybody  :z16

And many thanks for the kind comments Irvine  :oops

Best wishes
Mike Barrio

Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Andy Wren on 08/09/2007 at 12:55
Just to add to the stars
Falkus who inspired me thriugh his writing to go out and catch wild fish,and then taught me what little I know about spey casting .
Stan headley who taught me the proper way to catch wild browns and tourists from a drifting boat ,his flys are nice but too tidy  :roll
Theo Pike who got me into dragging trolleys out of londons Wandle
My mates to many to mention that get me out fishing .
People on various forums whos generosity with knowlege and time are just incredible in this ME ME ME world .
Later today will be fishing a middle England top secret salmon beat which has fish on it .#thanks to some ione I met on one forum now theres a star !
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 08/09/2007 at 23:42
Hi Andy

Welcome to the forum  :cool:

Thanks for your nominations  :z16

Best wishes
Mike
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 13/09/2007 at 00:05
Looks like the nominations are slowing down ...........

Not sure that we need a poll to find the most popular?  :z8

It might be nice to just say that the following fishers have been nominated by forum members to be
"Our British Angling Stars"  :z16

John Goddard
Hugh Falkus
Arthur Cove
Richard Walker
Oliver Edwards
Frank Sawyer
Paul Procter
Peter "rabbitangler"
Bruce Sandison
W.C.Stewart
Ally Gowans
Oliver Kite
Lesley Crawford
Peter Anderson
Bob Church
Brian Leadbeater
John Wilson
Charles Jardine
GEM Skues
Chris Yates
Bob Wyatt
Bob James
Dave Mcphail
Stan Headley
Theo Pike
Mike Barrio

But if you would like a poll? ........ please ask  :wink
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Hamish Young on 13/09/2007 at 14:17
I hadn't considered a Pole.... a few Czechs maybe  :z4 :wink

OK... a poll might be a good plan Mike  :z16
Title: Re: British Angling Legends?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 14/09/2007 at 01:58
I hadn't considered a Pole.... a few Czechs maybe  :z4 :wink

OK... a poll might be a good plan Mike  :z16

Will have a go at setting up a poll sometime early next week then Hamish  :cool:

Best wishes
Mike
Title: Re: British Angling Legends / Stars?
Post by: Dutchfly on 14/09/2007 at 18:45
On that note, Hamish, Scott used to sell poles, maybe Mike should check them... :grin

CU

Jeroen

Title: Re: British Angling Legends / Stars?
Post by: Mike Barrio on 14/09/2007 at 23:55
Irvine perhaps touched on the beauty of doing a thread like this ......... some of us might not have heard much, if anything, about some of the anglers nominated  ???

I must confess that although I had heard of "Stewart style" in fly tying terms, I did not know anything about Mr W. C. Stewart or what "Stewart Style" meant  :z6

So ...... when I picked up this month's copy of Fly Fishing & Fly Tying Magazine, an article about Mr Stewart by Stephen Cheetham caught my attention :z17 "Aha, that's the fella that Peter nominated" thought I  :cool:

I read the article a couple of times and really got in to the description of his "rough and simple" method of tying spiders, I LIKE IT and I spent much of this afternoon playing at the vice experimenting with them. I was really chuffed with one or two of my efforts and couldn't resist giving them a swim, even though the cold and blustery conditions were not ideal for this today ....... result, they both caught trout for me!
Thanks Mr Stewart and thanks Peter for the nomination, I might not have read the article otherwise  :z16

Best wishes
Mike Barrio