Derek Gibson, the Man, the Myth, the Legend

Derek Gibson, the Man, the Myth, the Legend.

Last Saturday saw me over at Ron’s and a visit to Derek Gibson, and what a great privillage this meeting was, Dispite Derek’s achievements in the sport, he comes over as an ordinary bloke, no pretences and unaware of his contribution and standing in the sport, the name Derek Gibson is still whispered in quiet tones amongst those in the know. I was amazed to be welcomed like a long lost friend, which was very humbling indeed for someone like me. Derek is also a collector of tackle and a great reader of the earlier days; J.W. Martin (The Trent Otter) books take pride and place on Derek’s immense and highly collectable book collections. Those of us in the know and who have been around a few years will know of Derek, history clearly shows his achievements and dedication to the sport and others of high standing have wrote about this giant of a man for many decades. What Derek probably doesn’t know about pike fishing and the Specialist Scene, simply isn’t worth knowing, and he has also had considerable success catching a very notable list of other species. With 50 plus years behind him in big fish angling, he is certainly not a man lacking in experience and knowledge and had piloted many of his own ideas; his success on the big fish scene speaks for itself. Another true gentleman of the sport who owes the angling world a book.

I had a very enjoyable afternoon with both Ron and Derek over in the Sheffield suburbs; Derek was for many years a leading member of the famous South Yorkshire Specimen Group, which encompassed the likes of Gordon Chell and Dave Plumber amongst others. In our afternoon chat, we must have covered everything since the beginning of the organised big fish movement and much more besides. I sat in awe listening to tales from the earliest NASG meeting at Chelsea Technical College, with friendships formed with the likes of Jack Hilton, **** Walker, Peter Stone, Tag Barnes, Bob Reynolds and Fred Wagstaff, the great Eric Hodson and many more names from a forgotten past, the list was endless. We also discussed many of the other leading lights both past and present, many who Derek had fished with, the Manchester Specimen group, Chris Tabbron, John Winterbottom, Ken Morris, anglers to the forefront in the day, other discussed included Peter Wheat, Archie Braddock’s, Denis Kelly, Rod Hutchinson, Leigh Moffatt, George Sharman and many, many more, even some of the leading anglers of today, like Steve Richardson, I was taken back by who Derek had met, fished with and knew. During this very pleasant afternoon I learned many tales and stories, both official and the unofficial that can never be put into print. I felt quite humbled, sat in a room with Derek and Ron, anglers who had been there, worn the T-shirt and done the business yet would invite someone like me, a mere novice, into the rich pickings of a world bygone. Thank you very much Ron and Derek.

Derek has never been a man to blow his own trumpet, indeed he has purposely gone out of his way to try to keep a low profile, but unfortunately for Derek with the strong grapevine the specialist world has always had and indeed Derek’s captures, Derek’s attempts of a low profile were soon shattered, although Derek knowing the failings of fame and notoriety, still tried to take a back seat. It’s a great shame the PAC can’t get Derek to do a talk and slide show, this giant of a man has so much to offer the sport and his pictures go back to the very early days of the specialist.

It was also a great pleasure to meet Derek’s wife Pat, who amazingly was also very knowledgeable and had met many of Derek’s contemporise over the years. Thanks pat for all the brewing up you did and thank you for welcoming me into to your home, I suppose the neighbours don’t see too many Monks in your neck of the woods, so apologies for any embarrassment caused with the habit ha,ha.

One question Derek, where do you find a woman to wait on your every needs? Pat must indeed be one in a million mate.

We finished up going back to Ron’s and having a lovely meal in the barn, an excellent day over the hill, until we meet again, very kindest regards and thanks again Derek and Ron for a fantastic weekend.

Monk, you flatter me mate. I'll give you the tenner on your next visit! I enjoyed your visit immensely and look forward to the next with enthusiasm. Ron's just left for home. We bandied a few ideas around as we always do.

Watch out for his next thread.

I think the neighbours thought you were here to administer the last rites. Come back soon ya hear.

Or to do an exorcism!

/forum/smilies/confused_smiley.gif

When's this book coming out????

I must admit to not knowing of Derek Gibson but on reading his thread on pike fishng, I then googled his name and came up with a interview he had done with Ron in 2007 for FM , although not a lure piker myself , I found Dereks thread very interesting to say the least .

cheers Derek, the pleasure was all mine mate, hope to see you again soon and get writing that book?/forum/smilies/smile_smiley.gif

Hi Nick , are you going to get your pike rods out now , you must have down some over the years mate ?/forum/smilies/i_dont_know_smiley.gif

cheers les, yes I have, did a lot of piking in the 60s and a bit between carp sessions in the 70s, I was the first Manchester PAC branch sec way back, but carp have always been close to my heart, besides that I`d just look like a noddy besides the likes of Derek and Ron

It's easy to ask a vastly experienced angler like Derek to write a book. It's a thousand times harder for Derek to write that book, knowing full well he might not get a publisher, and even if he did, he would have to stump up a considerable sum himself to get the book printed and published.

Derek is basically a humble, modest man withlimited means. He is no John Wilson or Matt Hayes and irrespective of his angling qualifications, your modern punter of fishing books is looking for a young dynamic buck of no more than 25 years of age who is capable of looking like a movie star with designer clothes, curved shades and a baseball cap, not someone who catches lots and lots of huge pike with a few lures inthe pockets of an old tattie fishing waistcoat.

But who knows, maybe times will change and people will eventually look for writers who really know how to do it rather thanposers who merely play at it.

Fair comment Ron, but there are some of us out here who don't care about all the cr*p that goes on in angling today, real anglers shine through!

As for the book, hopefully one day it will happen and that goes for you too Ron!

I've never met Derek, but I know he is a top bloke. We've shared numerous emails about piking and he's given me tonnes of advice, I think I got him excited about a little stretch of water I know /forum/smilies/dont_tell_anyone_smiley.gif

It's not often top anglers share their hard earned knowledge, fortunately for us Derek does.

Cheers Derek and thanks.

<blockquote class=quoteheader>Steve Spiller (ACA) wrote (see)</blockquote><blockquote class=quote>

Fair comment Ron, but there are some of us out here who don't care about all the cr*p that goes on in angling today, real anglers shine through!

As for the book, hopefully one day it will happen and that goes for you too Ron!

I've never met Derek, but I know he is a top bloke. We've shared numerous emails about piking and he's given me tonnes of advice, I think I got him excited about a little stretch of water I know /forum/smilies/dont_tell_anyone_smiley.gif

It's not often top anglers share their hard earned knowledge, fortunately for us Derek does.

Cheers Derek and thanks.</blockquote>
The "real" guys just shine on through. /forum/smilies/big_smile_smiley.gif

The book might be costly experience ron but i`m damnsure there is plenty of room on this website for some articles by derek and what bloomin good reading they would make as well !!!

I have never had the privelidge of meeting him but from what i have read of dereks postings so far,he has so much to offer the newcomer and experienced angler alike.Unlike some of the new breed of "quick fix"celeb anglers,i feel that derek is a thinking mans fisherman and no one could fail to learn from him.

Power to you sir !!!

I don't know where you guys get this idea of a book costing you money to get published. Unless you go to a vanity publsher or self publish then normal publishers pay an advance to you the author. You don't even write the book either but put together a synopsis plus a couple of sample chapters that you then submit to publishers for possible acceptance. There is an element of luck involved and time spent on preparation in your submission is always worthwhile as you may not get a second chance.

sound advice Mark, thanks

To clarify, what Mark means when he says you dont even write the book is that you don't need to write a finished book before submitting it to a publisher. As he says, you write a brief outline of how you see the finished book (the synopsis) and then, if the book is accepted, you and the publisher then discuss any changes, number of words and number of photographs and illustrations.

There are two reasons for vanity publishing (self publishing). One is because the publishers you've approached have rejected it, and the second reason is you may feel it will sell well and you want to do the work the publisher does and therefore make more from sales of the book.

Always bear in mind that publishers usually know what will sell and what won't and they rarely reject a proposal for a book that will turn a profit. Like all businesses they quite like to make a profit and don't turn down opportunities to do so.

If you decide to send a synopsis to a publisher make sure it's the best you can possibly do, for all aspects of your book will be judged on the content and quality of your synopsis.

cheers Graham