I never had the honour to meet John but I'm sure he would have ripped me to bits with my sad attempt to trot a float. 'NOOOOOOOOOOO girl, that's completely wrong, listen, watch and learn'....I could imagine him saying lol.
A true gentleman, we exchanged a few emails, non fishing related, because of his love of the 'Blades', and we had a couple of mutual acquainances.
And agree with all that's been said, he could be an arguementative 'old bugg#r' but you knew where you stood and he did'nt mince words, and the angling world was his friend.