Bob Gledhill RIP

It is with the greatest of sadness that I learn of the passing of angling writer Bob Gledhill aged just 59 after complications following a stroke.

Bob was born in Barnsley but moved with his family to the Fylde area of the Northwest in 1952 and joined the local newspaper, The Gazette at the age of 17 preparing copy ready for print. He went on to write a fishing column for the same paper.

It was his skill at fishing this often difficult coast that brought his angling talents to the fore during the 1970’s. His “thinking” attitude to his fishing and his competitive nature saw him enjoy outstanding catches and his writing was always innovative, often straight talking and to the point, but always based on fact and his own experiences.

He was the angling correspondent for The Gazette newspaper in Blackpool, then went freelance supplying angling copy to numerous titles, including Angling Times. He became captain of the England sea angling team and wrote the book Cod Fishing published by Barrie Jenkins Ltd in 1978 as part of the Anglers Library collection, which has since become a classic book and much sought after. I have a copy of this book given to me personally by Bob and it will always be cherished for that reason.

I worked with Bob briefly as a contributor when he worked with ACG Publishing on several angling titles including Shore Fishing Monthly. Bob then moved on to work as an editor of a food and wine magazine and helped launch the career of famous chef Paul Heathcote, as well as writing articles on many of the TV chefs we now know as household names.

Bob leaves behind two children, Steven and Vanessa, his brother, John 65 and sister Kathleen 62.

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends Bob leaves behind.