Richard Walker (angler)
Encyclopedia
Richard Stuart Walker (29 May 1918 – 2 August 1985) was an English
angler
.
One of the first to apply scientific thought to angling, 'Dick' Walker wrote many books on the sport. He also wrote for the angling press, most notably for the Angling Times
. He held the record for carp
in the UK for 30 years with a fish of 44 pounds caught at Redmire pool
in Herefordshire
.
, Hertfordshire
in 1918; he lived there until 1928. His father was a professional soldier and his mother an employee of the Post Office. He started fishing at an early age, being taught by his grandfather in Hertford
. He was educated at the Friends School in Saffron Walden
and St Christopher School
in Letchworth
. He went to Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge University, but his studies were interrupted by the Second World War
, during which he worked for the Royal Aircraft Establishment
at Farnborough
. He flew regularly over Germany and was deafened in one ear by a shell which exploded just outside the aircraft.
After the war he joined Lloyds and Co, manufacturers of high quality grass cutting machinery as technical director.
His inventions included the electronic bite alarm
and the Arlesey Bomb
weight, and he was instrumental in the development of the carbon-fibre fishing rod
. Considered by many to be one of the best fishermen of the twentieth century, his books are now collector's items. One of his personally handmade Mark IV carp split cane rods is worth some thousands of pounds.
He lived by the river in Biggleswade
from 1978 until his death in 1985 after a long battle with cancer. A biography by Professor Barrie Rickards
was published in 2007.
A blue plaque
was unveiled on his birthplace in June 2011.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
angler
Angling
Angling is a method of fishing by means of an "angle" . The hook is usually attached to a fishing line and the line is often attached to a fishing rod. Fishing rods are usually fitted with a fishing reel that functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. The hook itself...
.
One of the first to apply scientific thought to angling, 'Dick' Walker wrote many books on the sport. He also wrote for the angling press, most notably for the Angling Times
Angling Times
The Angling Times is the UK's largest angling newspaper. They also publish Angling Times Advanced and Improve Your Coarse Fishing.Angling Times has advice from nationally known names in the sport, such as Steve Cole, Steve Ringer, Keith Arthur, John Wilson and Bob Nudd.The price of the publication...
. He held the record for carp
Carp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
in the UK for 30 years with a fish of 44 pounds caught at Redmire pool
Redmire pool
Redmire Pool is near Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, England. It is considered the home of carp angling, The earliest sign of its potential was unveiled in October 1951 when a British record carp of was caught by Bob Richards. The water was made famous by Richard Walker who caught a British record...
in Herefordshire
Herefordshire
Herefordshire is a historic and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire" NUTS 2 region. It also forms a unitary district known as the...
.
Biography
Walker was born at 32 Fishponds Road in HitchinHitchin
Hitchin is a town in Hertfordshire, England, with an estimated population of 30,360.-History:Hitchin is first noted as the central place of the Hicce people mentioned in a 7th century document, the Tribal Hidage. The tribal name is Brittonic rather than Old English and derives from *siccā, meaning...
, Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
in 1918; he lived there until 1928. His father was a professional soldier and his mother an employee of the Post Office. He started fishing at an early age, being taught by his grandfather in Hertford
Hertford
Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire, England, and is also a civil parish in the East Hertfordshire district of the county. Forming a civil parish, the 2001 census put the population of Hertford at about 24,180. Recent estimates are that it is now around 28,000...
. He was educated at the Friends School in Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden is a medium-sized market town in the Uttlesford district of Essex, England. It is located north of Bishop's Stortford, south of Cambridge and approx north of London...
and St Christopher School
St Christopher School, Letchworth
St Christopher School is a boarding and day co-educational independent school located in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire. Established in 1915 shortly after Ebenezer Howard founded Letchworth Garden City, the school is a long-time proponent of progressive education...
in Letchworth
Letchworth
Letchworth Garden City, commonly known as Letchworth, is a town and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England. The town's name is taken from one of the three villages it surrounded - all of which featured in the Domesday Book. The land used was first purchased by Quakers who had intended to farm the...
. He went to Gonville and Caius College at Cambridge University, but his studies were interrupted by the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, during which he worked for the Royal Aircraft Establishment
Royal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
at Farnborough
Farnborough, Hampshire
-History:Name changes: Ferneberga ; Farnburghe, Farenberg ; Farnborowe, Fremborough, Fameborough .Tower Hill, Cove: There is substantial evidence...
. He flew regularly over Germany and was deafened in one ear by a shell which exploded just outside the aircraft.
After the war he joined Lloyds and Co, manufacturers of high quality grass cutting machinery as technical director.
His inventions included the electronic bite alarm
Bite alarm
A bite indicator is a mechanical or electronic device which indicates to an angler that something is happening at the hook end of the fishing line.- Types :There are many types of bite indicators...
and the Arlesey Bomb
Arlesey Bomb
The Arlesey Bomb is an angling weight developed by Richard Walker at the lake in Arlesey. It is tear-shaped, with a loop at the top to attach the line. Its shape makes it aerodynamic to cast, but unlikely to snag on the river or lake bottom. The incorporation of a swivel also prevented the line...
weight, and he was instrumental in the development of the carbon-fibre fishing rod
Fishing rod
A fishing rod or a fishing pole is a tool used to catch fish, usually in conjunction with the pastime of angling, and can also be used in competition casting. . A length of fishing line is attached to a long, flexible rod or pole: one end terminates in a hook for catching the fish...
. Considered by many to be one of the best fishermen of the twentieth century, his books are now collector's items. One of his personally handmade Mark IV carp split cane rods is worth some thousands of pounds.
He lived by the river in Biggleswade
Biggleswade
Biggleswade is a market town and civil parish located on the River Ivel in Bedfordshire, England. It is well served by transport routes, being close to the A1 road between London and the North, as well as having a railway station on the main rail link North from London .-Geography:Located about 40...
from 1978 until his death in 1985 after a long battle with cancer. A biography by Professor Barrie Rickards
Barrie Rickards
Professor Richard Barrie Rickards, , was Emeritus Professor in Palaeontology and Biostratigraphy at the Department of Earth Sciences, Cambridge University and Life Fellow of Emmanuel College. He was best known for his work on Graptolites...
was published in 2007.
A blue plaque
Blue plaque
A blue plaque is a permanent sign installed in a public place to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event, serving as a historical marker....
was unveiled on his birthplace in June 2011.
Published works
- Still Water Angling
- Drop Me A Line
- Carp Fishing
- Rod Building For Amateurs
- Walker's Pitch
- No Need To Lie
- Dick Walker's Fishing
- Fly Dressing Innovations