Richard Walker - Fisherman's story of the year

[Shine]

For those who have never seen this... and for those who have... it's always nice to read again.



Link it to a PDF file. If you don't want to click on that pics below.

http://caughtbytheriver.net/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Fishermans-Story-of-the-Year1.pdf

 

[Cakey]

cool...................I remember going to London Zoo when the kids were young and seeing a huge fish ,wether it was this one or not I dont really know

 

[Derek Gibson]

Yeah, I made the pilgrimage down to London Zoo in the early sixties. Although the fish had lost some weight, I was in awe. What a magnificent beast at that time,(or any time) come to that.

 

[Dal]

Nice post Shine

 

[geoffmaynard]

I have Walker on tape giving the account in his own words - from an old Martin James radio show. As I remember Clarisa was 28lb when she died.

 

[Dal]

Geoff, I don't suppose you can convert that to an MP3 file can you? Please.

 

[Tilman Bieselt]

Geoff, could you send me a copy of the tape ? I could do the converting and spread it if it is legal.
​

 

[dezza]

I think this account by BB who's idea it was to form the Carp Catchers Club, explains just why Walker had the fish put in the London Zoo Aquarium.

If that fish had have been returned, no-one would have believed it! It would have remained just another "Fisherman's Story". No matter how many photographs you have and no matter how many witnesses and affidavits, to a scientist and a sceptic the capture would have been a non-event based on anecdotal evidence only.

Not only that but Walker had a thing to prove to a number of scientists who had stated that carp were incapable of growing to over 40 pounds in weight.

 

[Shine]

I have Walker on tape giving the account in his own words - from an old Martin James radio show. As I remember Clarisa was 28lb when she died.

I think a lot of people would love to hear this. Does anyone know if it's online anywhere. I've searched but can't find it.

 

[Jeff Woodhouse]

If that fish had have been returned, no-one would have believed it! It would have remained just another "Fisherman's Story". No matter how many photographs you have and no matter how many witnesses and affidavits, to a scientist and a sceptic the capture would have been a non-event based on anecdotal evidence only.

A bit like UFOs, eh Ron? Perhaps they aught to send them to a zoo next time they see one.

But quite apart from that little dig , I saw her in London Zoo, must have been around 1979 as we had a trip out from work and I took my son Daniel. It was clearly labelled that this monster carp was Clarissa.

 

[geoffmaynard]

I'll put it on FM for everyone to hear later this week. I have to dig it out first - I already have it digitised but it's hiding from me!

 

[dezza]

A bit like UFOs, eh Ron? Perhaps they aught to send them to a zoo next time they see one.

Very much like UFOs Woody.

Remember that to a sceptic and a scientist, to prove anything is true they want: "touchy-feely". In other words thay want the evidence on the dissection table in the laboratory, or I'm afraid it doesn't exist.

I have nothing against ufologists, but I wish they understood what "real evidence" is all about

---------- Post added at 19:33 ---------- Previous post was at 19:25 ----------

And it's even worse today with digital photography and Photoshop. Photography is not accepted as evidence any more. Look at what they can do to make fish look bigger these days.

Sworn statements - no such thing. People who prepare sworn statements are hoaxers and liars.

 

[Tee-Cee]

Well done Shine!!

Nice to see and it brings back some fishing memories of childhood.....Walker was my hero-he formed the basis of my angling education at the time and kept my interest going which has lasted to this day.....

 

[Shine]

I'll put it on FM for everyone to hear later this week. I have to dig it out first - I already have it digitised but it's hiding from me!

Did you find the tape Geoff?

 

[noknot]

Did you find the tape Geoff?

DITTO! I would love to hear the great mans account!

 

[Graham Whatmore]

Amazing to think that a fish that size doesn't even warrant a mention in the paper today. What is also amazing is the myths and legends that built up over what is in essence a very small piece of water, Redmire. If they had renamed it Smith lake no one would want to fish it but the fact that a legendary fish was caught by a legendary angler is still enough to stir the hearts of modern carp anglers.

Can you imagine what the angling world would have lost if some misguided person had put a publicity ban on all catches from Redmire and though Walker was an admired figure would he have been quite so famous if it wasn't known that he caught Clarrissa?

I wonder how and when they recorded that account by the man himself because it wasn't the sort of technology that was freely available in those days, tape recorder I would guess, the ones with tapes the size of bicycle wheels as I remember.

 

[Shine]

Blimey. That tape recorder was a little before my time. I grew up with modern stuff...

==============================================


Most people with a soul love to hear about old magical stories,
and when those old stories meet with something you love doing they become even better

 

[dezza]

In effect a publicity ban of sorts was put onto Redmire (Some people wrongly call it Redmeer) when it was renamed Redmire by BB due to the red silt that was stirred up after rains.

The true name of course is Bernithan Court Lake which was created by damming a small stream way back ca 1850. Most know the location of the lake these days as even Google Earth points it out.

In the days when Clarissa was caught, the owners of Redmire told the CCC that the location of the lake should be kept secret. They did not want all sorts of odd characters turning up at the lake - like I did many years ago!

 

[Peter Jacobs]

Around 1930 when Lt. Col. Bernardiston bought the estate it was called "Bernithan Court Estate Lake.

Originally it was stocked with Trout, but they didn't do too well in the weedy waters, so the good Lt. Col. turned to Carp in an effort to clear the weed.

Those 50 original carp cost the princely sum of two pounds and seventeen shillings.

Isn't it amazing though to think of how Carp fishing might not have taken off so quickly had those Trout actually thrived?











Them trouts have a lot to answer for methinks . . . . . . . . . .


[only joking . . . . ]

 

[Shine]

I found this audio clip. Not the one Geoff has but still great to hear.

On the left of the page about 10" down under Audio Clip...

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