60 years to the day

We all have dates that we remember.
Days when we wake up in the morning and the numbers on the calendar recall some life changing event, for better or worse.

For us today is one those days, but what we recall isn't something we did, some event from our lives.
Today marks an event in the history of angling.
Today it is 60 years since Dick Walker caught and landed Clarissa (also called Ravioli by Dick) at 44lb, from Redmire, smashing the record 26lb at the time. 60 years ago he caught the impossible. His record stood for another 30 years.

Dick Walker with Clarrissa

Although most of us never met him, Dick shaped angling and anglers in ways often unknown to the modern piscator.
Not just the lucky and skilled hand on the rod that landed a record fish, Dick invented the Arsley bomb, developed the electronic bite alarm, was a prolific and quality author, and his reknown as a rod maker has some of his split cane Mk IV's changing hands for thousands of pounds even today.
He inspired the inclusion of a scientific approach to fishing, and inspired a generation of specimen anglers.


Dick Walker and Redmire hold a special place in the heart of Lonsdale.
Not only were Dick's acheivements a fan to flame a passion for angling that eventually led to Paul developing his own unique fishery, but years ago we were lucky enough to stock 8 fish, from a secret location, who share the same heritage as Clarissa and her contemporaries. The water haunted by these fish is named in their honour and in tribute - Reedmere.

We could talk and write about this man and this catch, and all the stories surrounding him for a long time.
(Like Dick's gentlemanly insistence that Chris Yates' eventual new record carp be instated and recognised)

Although a dedicated and phenomenal speciemen hunter, Dick served a long apprenticeship fishing from 4 years old with his Gradfather to gain the skills and unearth the knowledge that no one else did.

I believe many modern anglers would benefit from learning a little more about this man, his methods and philosophy.

In a world of commericial waters, all in one Carp kits from Argos, and "Instant Carp Anglers" demanding a 20-30lb fish for their first ever cast, it's not just today we need to remember Dick and his contempories.
We need to share the stories and lessons of such great anglers, to learn from them, tomorrow as well.

Dad as ever emulating Dick, with a lovely Mirror caught on his own stepped up MK IV, coupled to a Crown Royal Jecta centre pin. His weapon of choice for our bigger Carp.

To return home click: www.lonsdalepark.co.uk