MEMORIAL CALL FOR JOHN WILSON
Readers want plaque on Wensum to honour legend
ANGLING TIMES readers are calling for a special memorial to be created on the banks of the River Wensum to honour fishing legend John Wilson MBE.
The angling world is still coming to terms with the loss of the ‘Go Fishing’ TV series star and, following a huge outpouring of emotional tributes, Wilson fans are now calling for a permanent reminder to be created, celebrating his achievements and impact on generations of anglers.
Similar calls from readers in 2004 led to the late Ivan Marks being immortalised with a stone structure at Crowland Bridge on his favourite bream water, the River Welland.
Angling Times Editor-in-Chief, Steve Fitzpatrick, confirmed the magazine had been inundated with ideas for remembering John.
“There’s no doubting the impact John had on anglers’ lives and this is a way we can all give something back and remember the legend who inspired many of us to pick up a rod for the first time and ‘Go Fishing’,” he said.
Suggestions for locations for the proposed memorial have been numerous and varied, thanks largely to the huge number of waters John fished over his years presenting the TV show.
However, it would seem the River Wensum fishing hotspot Lenwade Mill, the place where Wilson filmed the iconic ‘Weirpool Magic’ episode of his ‘Go Fishing’ series, is being touted as the most popular.
It was a spot John loved to fish and where he caught many big roach and chub for the cameras amid a backdrop of bubbling water and nature.
Bridge Inn Fishery currently owns the fishing rights to the Lenwade Mill stretch.
Owner Gail Chenery said: “We would absolutely get behind the idea of having a memorial at the fishery in honour of John. He loved fishing the millstream and would often pop into the pub for a pint or two afterwards – talking about all things fishing with the regulars as well!
“We will be honouring John by placing a framed picture in the pub.”
To raise funds for the John Wilson memorial, Angling Times will be creating a GoFundMe page where readers and life-long fans will be able to donate. Updates on how to donate will be released in Angling Times in the next few weeks.