Bob Nudd’s Top 10
greatest moments
TACKLE giant Browning is celebrating its 30th year of sponsoring the man who’s inspired generations of anglers during his incredible career... Bob Nudd.
To celebrate the milestone we caught up with the ‘man in the white cap’ to discover the highlights of his life in angling.
Where did it all begin? How did you get involved with Browning? It all started with joining the England team. It’s great equipment and Browning has given me all the help I’ve ever needed, which is why I’ve stayed with the company for so long.
It’s a brand that’s helped me build my identity and be recognised and so warmly accepted by the angling public.
Browning is famed for its poles. Which ones were you involved with? Hundreds! In the early days the Black Magic for fishing to hand was brilliant – I’ve had some massive weights on it. More recently, as a reward for 30 years of sponsorship, Browning handed me a brand new Z16, with a special embroided holdall.
What’s your best-ever moment? Winning the World Champs at Holme Pierrepont in 1994 in front of a massive crowd. There must have been 20,000 people there.
England won, too, which made it even more special.
What’s your favourite venue? Ireland. I’ve done so many festivals there and I visit at least 12 weeks a year. The big loughs are beautiful and you don’t know what to expect. It’s old school fishing with plenty of diversity, which is what I like.
Your worst-ever moment? When Tommy Pickering won the World Champs in 1989, not because he won it, but because we switched banks for match day and I put in my worst-ever England performance, finishing 21st out of 33.
I should have been dropped there and then. I overfed by a mile, as in practice it had worked on the opposite bank.
What’s the story behind the famous white cap? I was fishing in the World Club Champs on the River Arno in Italy and wearing a black hat. With it being July I was so hot.
Italian angler Milo Columbo suggested I’d be more comfortable in a white one, and it stuck. Everyone knows me for it now.
What would be your advice to any young match angler wanting to follow in your footsteps? Feeding is the most important thing – the rest is easy once you get that right. Spend time perfecting this at various venues and in different situations.
Getting the fish where you want them and the ability to keep them competing is key. Learn to adjust to conditions – no day is the same, and even I get it wrong!
What does the future hold for Bob Nudd? Just to carry on as I am. I love every day and don’t need anything more. I’d like to keep competing as that’s what I really enjoy.
What do you hope your legacy will be? It’s pleasing to be known as a nice guy, and I hope I’ll be remembered for helping people.
I’d like to think I’m someone who has always had time for everybody.