Len Head, a well-known and very respected angler, died suddenly from a stroke last Sunday. Len was best known for his tench fishing although he caught specimen fish of all species. He was author of the classic book ‘Tench’, published in 1984. 
Tributes have poured in for Len, who was one of the nations leading angling writers. The death of Len has left many anglers nationwide shocked and saddened. Family, friends and colleagues have all honoured the angler who was regarded as a leading authority on tench fishing.
Born in Lavenham near Sudbury in 1938, Len lived his entire life around the Sudbury area. He first picked up a rod at the age of seven when he caught his first tench.
He made history in the 1970’s when he bagged the largest brace of tench ever caught in Britain. The record breaking catch, which included an 8 lb 2 ozand 7 lb 1 oz tench was taken at Bures Lake near Sudbury.
Len was also renowned for a number of books on angling, his bestknown work was ‘Tench’, published in 1984 and regarded as the mostcomprehensive book on the subject. Other books include ‘River Fishing’, and’Rods and Rod building’.
Len appeared on TVs Go Fishing last year when he took John Wilsonfishing on East Anglia’s rivers. Len was also a master sign writer and ran his business LAH Signs in Sudbury for 40 years.
We have received the following tribute to Len from his good friend Dave Dowding.
Anyone who knew Suffolk angler and writer Len Head can consider themselves lucky, he lived and breathed fishing and put so much into the sport for us all to enjoy.
I consider myself very lucky to have known both Len as an angler and as a friend. It is less than a year since his brother Ted, another well known angler, passed away whilst fishing. I know Len found it extremely difficult to come to terms with the loss and unfortunately he suffered a heart attack at work on Friday, he was rushed to hospital but passed away Sunday morning about 5.30 am.
When I first started Tackle Mart and my Mr Wriggles fishing business he encouraged me right from day one. I joined his syndicate of three beautiful waters and he was always on hand not as a bailiff but as an angler, offering help and good conversation. In fact although my wife has often accompanied me fishing through the years, last year she finally took to the pole and caught her first fish from one of these lakes.
She loved the tranquillity and isolation the waters offered as it allowed her to gain confidence without an audience. Len got to hear about this and instead of seeing her as a potential member he allowed her to fish the season under my ticket.
We often commented on how well she was doing as I sat fishless behind my bite alarms whilst my wife pulled in roach after roach and asked if she was doing ok!!
I could say so much more, but suffice to say I feel privileged to have got to know Len Head and for that I will always be grateful.
Dave Dowding
