I Started fishing as a child in rivers for trout and then for sea fish whilst on family holidays at Looe in Cornwall. As a teenager I fished for coarse fish and sea fish in the North Devon area.

Since the age of 17 I have worked within the Water Industry. Throughout this time fishing has been a significant part of life with periods of time spent in pursuit of many species in both salt and freshwater.

I have been married since 1985 to my wife Pauline and in 1994 we had a son, James who now accompanies me on the occasional fishing excursion when he is not playing cricket.

Since 1975 I have been an active member of the Combe Martin Sea Angling Club holding the post of Vice Chairman, Chairman and secretary. I am presently club Chairman. I have had some involvement in angling politics including a stint on the NFSA Wyvern committee.

I have been an avid collector of angling literature that has in turn inspired me to write about angling. My first articles were published during the early 1980’s and were based upon my carp angling experiences. I have continued to write numerous articles on pike fishing, sea fishing and general coarse fishing. In recent years I have been a regular contributor to Total Sea Fishing.

In 2002 I started writing a fortnightly angling column for the North Devon Journal reporting on coarse and sea angling. When the local Game Angling correspondent sadly passed away I took on the role of all-round angling writer and produce a weekly report on fishing in the North Devon area.

In 2004 I had my first book published entitled the “Fishing Handbook” a 512 page introduction to angling which was produced in conjunction with local photographer Guy Harrop. In 2007 I also contributed a chapter to the Pike Anglers 30th Anniversary publication “PAC 30”. I am presently working on a new book project for future publication.

Whilst most of my fishing has taken place in and around North Devon I have travelled extensively throughout the UK in search of both sea, coarse and game fish. In 1997 I travelled to Egypt in search of Nile Perch and landed a specimen from the shore weighing 83lb.

I have been lucky to land several specimen fish over recent years including a perch of 5lb 1oz, pike of 26lb 12oz on the fly, tope 50lb from the boat and to 36lb from the shore as well as salmon, sea trout and trout into double figures. I have many ambitions left in my angling career including a double figure bass and an 8lb plus mullet to name just two.

My main fishing ambition is to continue enjoying fishing, the magical places it takes me to. And most of all to enjoy the company of the many friends I have made during my visits to the waters edge.

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