The one that landed Clarissa

[Nobby]

As I recall, Richard Walker named the fish Ravioli after having that as his bank-side supper the night before but the angling press persuaded him to rename it. It nearly went to Bristol Zoo as London weren't that keen, and Bristol is a lot closer to Redmire than London is....but on hearing that it might 'go west' to their great rival they acquiesced.


Chris Ball told us last August he had sold the rod used to catch the fish:

http://traditionalfisherman.com/viewtop ... 29#p255629

[Badger]

Chris Sandford is a gent as AC says, so it's gone to a good home.

[Nobby]

Having spent a few hours researching the story it's unclear if either the Evening News renamed the fish or staff at the London Zoo. Everyone is just passing on what they read elsewhere and nobody seems to be unquestionably right.

[Santiago]

I think Walker talks about it in one of his books, but I do remember him writing that he didn't like the name Clarissa. I only have a few of his books so will have a quick look for a quote.

[Shaun Harrison]

Having spent a few hours researching the story it's unclear if either the Evening News renamed the fish or staff at the London Zoo. Everyone is just passing on what they read elsewhere and nobody seems to be unquestionably right.

I would have thought this hand written letter from Richard walker is probably quite close to the truth Nobby.

[Nobby]

Thanks Shaun, I felt sure someone would have written to him and asked! And that he would have answered.

I was leaning towards the Zoo staff re-naming the fish as a chap who claims to have known Dick well wrote that it was indeed they........his name is Ron Clay.

[Shaun Harrison]

I think Ron Clay was a member on here wasn't he?

[Santiago]

Thanks Shaun for clarification!

[Stuart Whiting]

Chris Sandford is a gent as AC says, so it's gone to a good home.

I'll second that

Stuart

[Fred]

I'm not sure how many members listen to the Sunday morning angling programme on Talksport, but I was interested to hear that the Richard Walker's rod that landed Clarissa has a new owner, needless to say it is value precludes actual use, but I for one would love to see it just to compare it with the production rods that were made as a result of its creators success.

I though you mite like to see this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJsdfc3kGAk