This week has been very ‘carpy’. I finally persuaded my wife to allow the Brian Mills carving of a 31.5ln carp into the house. Hidden in a corner but a breakthrough nonetheless.
Having said that carp have never really been my thing especially when it comes down to modern methods with bolt rigs and bait boats etc. However, when it comes to the days of Richard Walker, Maurice Inghham and Denys Watkins Pritchard (BB) then my interest is very much stirred.
These 3 formed the Carp Catchers’ Club back in 1951. For them carp fishing was an obsession. Carp had a reputation of being uncatchable and unbelievably it was impossible to find a ‘carp’ rod in the local tackle shop. Membership was kept limited with the main criteria being a proven ability to catch big carp. By big in those days that meant a ten pounder. In the early 50’s only a handful of carp over 8 pounds were caught in the UK in 12 months. The new Club soon changed that with two records one to Bob Richards weighing 31.25 pounds and then the magnificent 44lb fish caught by Richard Walker. The Club lasted until about 1957 but in those few short years carp fishing was transformed. Dick Walker was at the forefront of tackle design with the Mark 1V Carp and Avon rods (Still my favourite rods of all time) and innovative bite alarms and other tackle.
This is all very relevant to Thomas Turner as we have seen a huge increase in interest in anything even mildly related to this era. Anything related to carp fishing in the 40’s’ 50’s and 60’s is much sought after and we are aware of several enthusiasts building large collections. If you have anything surplus to requirements please let us know.
The interest in this era is not just limited to tackle with a great interest in artwork from the likes of Denys Watkins Prichard ‘BB’. We have just had framed some very nice scraper boards and illustrations. Some by BB and interestingly a couple from David Carl Forbes. My favourites are of a Perch and very unusually of a superb ultra rare Burbot to be listed amongst other pieces very soon.
Drifting back to carp how about this wonderful miniature original illustration by BB of a carp taking a piece of crust.
These items will be listed shortly in our new Art section, with many more pieces currently being prepared.
If you’ve seen anything mentioned here and can’t yet find it on the site, please do drop us an email — we’ll be more than happy to help.
