A look back at carp angling pioneer Rod Hutchinson
His analytical mind and willingness to experiment propelled Rod Hutchinson to the top of the carp world
WHEN Rod Hutchinson died in June 2018, those reflecting on his legacy only had to glance at the modern carp scene to see his lasting influence. Particle baits, bolt rigs, 12ft rods, French carping adventures, spods and more were all pioneered by the affable man from Grimsby.
Chris Yates, who formed a friendship with Rod in the early 1970s at Redmire Pool, tells Angling Times: “He was probably the best and the most creative innovator, and not just in fishing.
“If he’d applied that same creative spark…you could imagine him in the tech industry. But he focused that creativity into fishing, which he loved.”
Here we take a look at the life and times of one of angling’s most colourful and pioneering characters...
Early years
Rod was born in April 1945, though on which day is not clear because an air raid delayed the registration of his birth. Growing up in Lincolnshire he was a talented footballer, boxer and musician with a taste for science at school.
In a 2013 interview with Angling Times, he said: “My involvement in bait developed at school because I had a brilliant biology teacher and a brilliant chemistry teacher and I was interested in it.”
Lessons learnt in the classroom moulded Rod into one of the most analytical anglers of his era. Unafraid to experiment with bait and tackle, his discoveries continue to form part of the carping landscape today.
Innovations galore
Speaking at the time of Rod’s death, Kevin Nash said: “He was one of the true pioneers and influencers. It’s one thing to catch carp – anyone can do that with enough time. It’s those who pioneer bait and tackle development who stand out.
“He once said to me, and this is a lovely quote, ‘me and you come up with the ideas and the kids develop them’. We had the rough, crude ideas and others would refine them. “When he was on Savay, Rod revolutionised the idea of long-session camping – he started the dome tents and the modern way of doing it.” Those dome tents, designed by Rod and his then wife Ann, became known as the Apotheosis bivvies and were sold through a booming tackle company bearing Rod’s name.
His business empire had begun back in 1979 as Catchum Products, which, as he recalled, was quite a gamble: “I didn’t think you could make a living out of it, but in a couple of years we were, and I had to buy a factory!”
Bait and tackle firsts
Such was Rod’s pioneering status, much of what modern anglers take for granted stems from his ideas – including 12ft rods, which he developed with Alan Brown.
“It was only a 10ft blank, but I put a 2ft parallel butt into it,” he said. “They were terrific rods and they were the first 12ft carp rods. I’m very proud of that.”
Bait also played a major part in Rod’s life. He credits meeting Fred Wilton in 1976 as a eureka moment in his understanding of high-nutritional-value baits, but admitted in 2013 that he soaked up Fred’s knowledge and then drew his own conclusions, veering towards fishmeal baits rather than birdfood-based mixes.
Over the years, his baits and flavours became legendary, though he picked two favourites. “I don’t think there’s ever been a better bait made than Monster Crab, honestly! And original Scopex can just be mixed with anything.”
Angling memories
Rod picked his own times on Redmire and Savay as his favourite angling memories.
He said: “Redmire Pool was a wonderful period with Chris Yates wanting a record – we enjoyed adventures together. And Savay just has to be the most incredible thing I experienced in English fishing.”
Reflecting on what he might have done better throughout his fishing career, Rod said: “I was never your rig guy. When I met people in later years, if they’d missed takes they were gutted, whereas I used to get loads of takes and not land half of them, but I was happy.
“I probably did neglect all the rigs part of it while I was catching fish. When you’re catching you think you’ve got it right.”
In his short biography in A Century of Carp Fishing by Chris Ball, Kevin Clifford and Tim Paisley, Rod – who has more index entries in the book than any other angler bar Dick Walker – is described as an “author, writer, speaker, pioneer of carp baits and carp tackle, bon viveur, and an extremely successful carp catcher at home and abroad from the 1960s…globally probably the most famous carp angler of his time”.
An epitaph befitting a genuine legend of the sport.