Introduced to fishing by my father, I would ride miles with a bamboo rod to fish the river Colne, which at that time was a chalkstream full of indigenous brown trout, keen to take the bait intended for the plentiful roach and dace. School friends introduced me to the mighty river Thames and then the village fishing club. Being affiliated to the London Anglers Association, regular matches were held on a variety of LAA waters, travelled to by coach...