Some of you may already be aware, but I was not until this morning, that Lesley Crawford passed away peacefully at Raigmore Hospital on the 28th of December 2010 following a short illness.
Perhaps better known to some for her regular angling newspaper column in Caithness she was also quite a prolific book writer and produced a number of very useful books on trout fishing with a Highland slant.
I met her only once on the banks of Loch Shin several years ago and enjoyed the look of sheer 'horror' on her face when she peaked into my fly box and saw the size of my claret bumbles - she 'borrowed' a couple but I never did find out if she had any success with them. I very much enjoyed talking to her and can see why so many people enjoyed her company as a guide on the Reay Lochs near her home.
A sad loss indeed to the angling community and I'm sure we would all extend our deepest symapthies to her family.
Hamish