Sponsored by
Former England international angler Harris passes away
EARLIER in the week I heard the extremely sad news that Robin Harris had passed away.
Robin was an England International, an NFA champion and was crowned world champion in the then West Germany in 1969.
In 1971 he won the All-England Championship, beating 1,100 anglers on the River Severn with a net of barbel taken on an Avon float weighing 40lb 5oz. He was also awarded the MBE for his services to angling.
I have known Robin since I was a young lad and, like many others, was in awe of his fishing talent.
He was the master at float fishing, many would say one of the greatest anglers of his time.
There were very few that could match him, perhaps just Ivan Marks. He worked his magic along the River Nene and River Welland and around the country, winning numerous open matches - not just little 30 or 40 peggers either but big open matches that attracted hundreds of anglers from across the country.
He was also very generous with his knowledge of angling, more than willing to pass on vast amounts of information and indeed brought on some of Peterborough’s top anglers of today.
Robin was also a wonderful float maker. They became much sought after and, although he was a carpenter by trade, angling was his first love and he eventually went into business with his friend Don Henderson running a fishing tackle shop down Lincoln Road, aptly named “Robin’s Peg”.
Jackie and I had a pleasant evening with him and his wife Jo last summer and, although he had stopped fishing, he still kept up to date with the local angling scene.
We knew he had not been well, but it was something of a shock to hear the desperately sad news. Our thoughts are with Jo and her family at this difficult time.
I never felt the city of Peterborough really gave Robin the credit he deserved for his massive achievements and all he did for the sport of angling.
Thankfully in the world of angling he will not be forgotten.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
eelking2000
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 07:29 PMI knew Robin from 1973 - 1984 while I was a teacher at Stanground Comprehensive School and Bretton Woods School. I often visited him in his shop and he visited my angling classes in school and always helped young people. He was a credit to the sport and fully deserved his MBE. His memory will long be remembered. Sincere condolences to his family. Brian Crawford (Now living in South West Cumbria)
britishfoxy
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:28 PMAs a kid i admired his angling skills and the way he would have time for anglers of all abilities,this is the true mark of a champion . As kids and adults we were in awe of his angling capabilities , a true legend and a great loss to angling . My sincere condolences to his family .
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.