The man who brought so much to our sport
On this week’s Letters page, Angling Times readers pay tribute to John Wilson MBE
I had the honour of attending John Wilson’s funeral at a Christian church in Thailand.
We placed a white rose in John’s open coffin to signify the end of his life, and as I said goodbye I thought of all the people who had enjoyed his TV programmes, books and magazine articles.
I was asked to let people know there will be a memorial service for John at Norwich Cathedral, date to be confirmed. RIP John Wilson, never to be forgotten. Barry Gregory
Can’t remember how many times I’ve said: “We’re in!” when I hooked a fish in my best JW impression. Graeme Hardy
He inspired me all those years ago to get into angling. Loved his TV shows and his enthusiasm for the sport. A true one-off. Robbie Boyce
A very nice bloke on TV and in life. I hope they re-run his programmes. Mr Wilson, you had a great style and infectious laugh. “What a clonker!” Steve Buckingham
I remember him pike fishing on Ardleigh Reservoir. Also fishing that day were a load of kids from a children’s home. He gave them practically all his kit. A truly inspirational angler. David Lake
Had the pleasure of meeting this man at the NEC once. He chatted for a bit and then signed the video of his I bought, a true gent. Nigel Stroud
John was selling his Thailand home to come back to the UK because he and his wife missed their family. What a shame he never made it back in time. Mark Egan
John Wilson was why most of us picked up a rod in the first place. Stephen Ashton
This man practically sculpted my angling life after I watched him on TV at an early age. All I can say is thanks. Tim Joyce
I still have and use his Avon rod for floatfishing for barbel. It must be around 20/25 years old now. Eamonn Barker
Repeat the Go Fishing programmes please ITV. Douglas McCarlie
He single-handedly inspired me as a kid starting out because I didn’t really know anyone I could learn from. Steve Pettifer
John’s Go Fishing programmes made loving nature and fishing mainstream. Nick Gordon
We should all take the day off work and go fishing in respect. Shaun Raper-Scott
He sowed the seed and I’ve never looked back. Ben Radley
The world of angling lost a great man and is the worse for it. Nick Herrington
My grandparents, who never fished, loved his TV series, not just for the fishing but for his knowledge of the plants and trees which he enthused about. John Lishman
I got to know John when I was a rep with ABU and he had his tackle shop in Norwich. A nice man with a real passion for fishing. Chris Taylor
I remember hassling my dad on a cruiser holiday on the Norfolk Broads. I wanted to fish where John had fished. Richard Dale
I used to call him the laughing fishing man, and I must have seen every episode of Go Fishing. John was truly a great ambassador for the sport. Stephen Chilton