Richard Walker (angler)

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This article deals with Richard Walker, English angler. For other Richard Walkers, see: Richard Walker.

Richard Walker (1918 – 1985) was an English angler.

One of the first to apply scientific thought to angling, Walker wrote many books on the sport. He also wrote for the angling press, most notably for the "Angling Times". He held the record for carp in the UK for 30 years with a fish of 44 pounds caught at Redmire pool in Herefordshire.

He was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, on 29th May 1918. His father was a professional soldier and his mother an employee of the Post Office. He started fishing at an early age, being taught by his grandfather in Hertford. He was educated at the Friends School in Saffron Walden and St Christopher School in Letchworth. He went to Cambridge University, but his studies were interrupted by the Second World War, during which he worked for the RAE at Farnborough.

After the war he joined Lloyds and Co, manufaturers of high quality grass cutting machinery as technical director.

His inventions included the electronic bite alarm, and he was instrumental in the development of the carbon-fibre fishing rod. Considered by many to be one of the best fishermen of the twentieth century, his books are now collector's items. One of his personally handmade Mark IV carp split cane rods is worth some thousands of pounds.

A biography of Richard Walker by Professor Barrie Rickards is scheduled for publication late in 2006.