The 27lb 5oz fully scaled mirror carp was caught by Jack Opie from Redmire Pool in September 1954 and is believed to be the largest carp to have ever been mounted by the world famous London taxidermists and at the time it was the largest fully scaled mirror carp to have been caught in the UK.
Jack Opie is perhaps most famous for working alongside carp fishing legend Richard Walker in the development of the famous Heron electronic bite indicator and the capture of the fish is fully described in the book ‘Redmire Pool’ by Kevin Clifford and Len Arbery.
The book details how Jack arrived, with fishing companions Gerry and May Berth-Jones, to find the Dick and Harry Kefford packing up after a week’s blank. Opie asked Harry Kefford for permission to cast out into the famous Willow Pitch where he had been fishing then as he was helping load the Kefford’s tackle into their car his buzzer sounded and, after a long fight, he netted the 27lb 5oz fish.
The following morning Gerry Berth-Jones asked the then Redmire owner, Colonel Maclean, if Opie could take the carp away to be mounted to which the Colonel readily consented and the fish remained on display in the Opie family home until recently.
The cased specimen is in superb overall condition and is sold with a built cane S/U Mk.IV rod made by Opie; a section of Tonkin cane mounted with a scale from the fish and ink inscribed detail and a copy of Redmire Pool, with a dedication to Jack Opie from Gerald Berth-Jones on the rear leaf.
Saleroom estimate: £5000 – £8000
Sale date: 14 April 2012
Venue:
The Grand Hall
Heathfield Terrace
Chiswick
London W4
