Angling Heritage

23/03/2026

I was sad to hear of the death of a friend last week. Robin Armstrong, tackle dealer and artist passed away in a nursing home. I knew robin for years and whilst we competed with each other in the tackle business, he was always good company to share a beer and a chat with. I liked his artworks, especially the graphites and his boos are full of his work. I think the best is split cane and sable although dartmoor river is also worth reading. I used to enjoy visitng his studio on the river banks and we would horse trade tackle for art. He is one of the characters in the tackle business who will be missed by all.

19/11/2025

Can anybody help me please. I have been given a heap of cuttings etc which were the property of Bill Howes (author of "The Sporting Chub" and "The Quest for Barbel" amonst several others) Amongst his pile of cuttings are some by "Avocet" It looks like this could be his pen name but can anybody help me with more knowledge than my gut feeling. I have been advised by Keith Elliott of Classic Anging thatI am correct in my assumption.

03/11/2025

We were sad to hear of the passing of Jim Gibbinson, another one of the greats. When us old folks were growing up, Jim was always in the papers with new baits, techniques etc as he was one of the thinking anglers of the second half of the late 20th century. He will be missed and our thoughts go to his family.

23/10/2025

We have just been donated some Hugh Falkus memorabilia. Pictured is a great photograph of Hugh plus his torch and priest. Thank you Tim Thomas for these items

20/08/2025

We have been sent a wonderful article detailing the history of the Dumfries & Galloway Angling Association. I have attached the first page here. Angling club records are so important as they were the lifeblood of the sport for over a century. If you would like to read the full article, it is on www.anglingheritage.org/p-27161-dumfries-and-galloway-angling-association.aspx

If you have a history of an angling club you know or are aware of, please send us any information you may have.

06/08/2025

Thanks to Rob Baxter for translating the Tommy Edwards letter previously posted. The "translation" we think is as follows:-

Dear Dr. Ryton, Sept. 6th

Herewith your HCH Air Cel line cut and spliced with a loop. You now have two lines instead of one.
The line with the short heavy loop I should keep for tournament days as it's about 10 grams heavier and a foot longer.
Differently, the line was not the full 90 foot in length but the other line with the longer loop is just as good and in fact in your early days of learning will suit you better being just that one foot shorter and it could be used with a Triumph or W Bampton rod if not fished too hard.
Sincerely yours
Capt. Edwards

01/08/2025

We have just received this handwritten letter drafted by Capt Tommy Edwards, one of the all time great tournament casters who was a tutor used by Hardy's. He was an all round sportsman and even won a grand prix. The only problem is I can't read it. Is there anybody out there who can read this and solve our problem

09/07/2025

Here is Dom Garnett's help in plugging Angling Heritage

What an absolute pleasure to share a day's fishing on the "Tivvy" Canal with Passion For Angling creator and legendary wildlife filmmaker Hugh Miles! Along w...

25/06/2025

The very generous Hugh Miles has donated a further 10 copies of the "A Passion for Angling" DVD to help raise money for new software for the Trust. He also threw in a couple of the leatherbound copies of "Caching the Impossible" in its slip case. So you have a great chance to buy classic works and still supporting us to preserve angling history. The web link to purchase it is www.riverreads.co.uk/p-25245-a-passion-for-angling-dvd.aspx