Happy Memories

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Ron 'The Hat' Clay

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I love the picture of the Lapworth Naturalist Anglers. And dear old Tony Goldstraw.

And Steve - my old fishing partner.

They were great days and I'll never forget them.
 
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The Monk

Guest
The article has come out really well although apologies Graham, I forgot to correct the dates for the National Anguliia Club, Arthur Sutton actually formed the group in the late summer of 1962, I have two of the original newsletters, Dr Terry Coulson however became involved with the organisation in 1964 and made significant progress (Terry was also significant in his involvement with the original Tenchfishers of 1954). I`ve had the privillage of corresponding with both Terry and Arthur over the years. We have a really rich history in specialist/specimen angling, and I feel it is a great loss to our branch of the sport that my dear friend Eric never got round to writing his book, but theres still plenty of time for Ron Clay of course.
 
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Les Clark

Guest
Baz ,Ron keeps talking about it ,but I think he`s all mouth and bush hat .
 
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Baz

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Hi Les mate.

Does anybody know how the book on **** Walker by Proffesor Barrie Rickards is comeing along?
 
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Phil Hackett PCPL with Pride

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Nick nice job well done mate!

Eric Hodson the totally unsung hero of the big fish movement. I?ve had the pleasure of knowing Eric for about 15 years and hearing that story from him personally.

The media can spout all they want about their contributors and what they?ve done for the big fish movement, but Eric Hodson is the MAN the DADDY and without his drive energy and downright egalitarianism and selflessness, its likely they be Billy Nobodies.

Honour and respect the man, for it is him who has given you the big fish scene, as you know it today.
 
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Ron 'The Hat' Clay

Guest
That's so true Phil.

Whenever you look at a modern tackle catalogue from the likes of say Leslies (I have no connection with Leslies by the way) and examine the truly mighty range of specialist equipment from hooks to landing nets, from lines to rigs etc etc, they would not be available today without the input of the early members of NASG.

Eric was the guy who's immense energy got all these people together.

The likes of Des Taylor, John Wilson, Matt Hayes etc etc would not be where they are today without the NASG and it's various offshoots.

I could go on and on about the contribution that Eric Hoson made to modern angling. **** Walker lit a spark make no mistake, but it was Eric Hodson who fanned that spark and made a roaring inferno that will never die.
 
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GrahamM

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It must be said too, that he is also a very likeable man.
 
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Ron 'The Hat' Clay

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I spoke to Irene - Eric's wife last night. He is at the moment still in Chesterfield Hospital but in about 3 weeks will move to a place of special care.

Eric was not only likable Graham, his generousity knew no bounds. I still have tackle he gave me when I returned to the UK in 94.

When I was struggling to get financially organised in 94 and 95, he took me fishing everywhere. Even on a week's trip to Loch Lomond in April.

One thing that many today do not realise is that Eric's inspiration also rubbed off into the match fishing scene.

It was **** Clegg, ex-specimen hunter and member of the NSG who took the English match fishing scene by the scruff of the neck and as you know the rest is history.
 
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Ron 'The Hat' Clay

Guest
And there was more.

The 60s saw the opening of the large trout reservoirs, especially Grafham Water. Up until that time, the tackle and methods of fly fishing for trout were based on river fishing concepts.

Then along came the Northhampton Specimen Group with names like **** and Jim Shrive, Bob Church, Cyril Inwood, Frank Cutler and others. The methods they developed for the large resevoirs were a revelation. Northants style drifting for example and nymph fishing with floating line and long leader pioneered by Cyril Inwood and perfected by Arthur Cove.

Even **** Walker bowed to the great skills of Church, Inwood and Cove. He actually admitted that these three were master anglers and very few others could ever reach their degree of expertise, himself included.

Make no mistake the NASG brought together many, not only those in the specialist coarse angling arena.
 
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The Monk

Guest
It must be said too, that he is also a very likeable man.

very true Graham, Eric is a true gentleman of the sport and I had the great privvilage of classing him among my closest angling friends for many years, the last time we fished together we spent two week in the middle of a French Lake on an isolated island, Eric actually insisted on driving all the way from Sheffiled via Manchester to France, he even spent a night in the bar while we watched the acts on the overnight ferry, let alone he spent two week bivvied up, quite a feat alone for a man in his 70s, and never once did I see him take his tie off, a true embassador who would do anything for anybody and it has been a great privvilage to know him.
 
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Andrew Hughes

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I would like to thank Eric for the help he gave me over thirty years ago. He introduced me to some of his friends in the Hallamshire Specimen Group who fished over in Cheshire, where I lived. They gave me a solid grounding in carp angling at the time. More importantly they taught me about having an ethical and responsible attitude towards angling.
Without Eric, whose efforts led to many friendships being forged, our sport would have been much the poorer. My thanks go to Ron and the Monk for helping to place this article in the public domain.
 
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Tony Rocca

Guest
Where are the Eric Hodsons of today, I cant see them. The commercialisation of fishing has seen to that for good I think.
 
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Ron 'The Hat' Clay

Guest
Do you know Tony that Eric wrote hundreds of articles for many magazine.

He always stated that he wanted no payment and if there was any money involved the publication should send it to the ACA.
 
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paul williams 2

Guest
I met him once years ago when he attended the last AGM of the pike society where it was decided to change to the modern day pike society.....a true old fashioned gentleman, and reading here what he has done for the big fish scene and individuals must rank him as a true unsung heroe.....the names you mention Ron aren't in the same league..........men like Eric are fading fast!
 
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paul williams 2

Guest
Met Peter Rayment from Brum too Ron......he and his young (then) son used to fish Tewksbury for pike........another nice bloke.
 
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Ron 'The Hat' Clay

Guest
Brummie, he was maybe a gentleman in the old fashioned concept. But he is certainly not old fashioned in terms of tackle. He was one of the first people to use glass fibre rods, along with Tag Barnes and myself.

He spent a great deal of time discussing modern tackle with **** Walker. Eric is a fully qualified Chartered Mechanical Engineer, something even **** did not achieve.

I loved discussing advanced maths with Eric. There was never a dull moment in his company.

He was also good for a laugh and taught the Great Jewels all he knows about carp fishing. He always regarded Jewels as his apprentice.
 
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paul williams 2

Guest
Ron.....i don't doubt for one minute that he was a forerunner, as i said i met him once but he left a lasting impression.
 
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The Monk

Guest
I attending all sorts of meeting with Eric, all over the country, he commanded respect where ever he went and of course everyone who was anyone knew him. There will never be another Eric Hodson.
 
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