Terry Bruton 1936 - 2018

I first got to know Terry at the end of the 60's during South West Angling Times Winter League matches his Dad Sid and I were in the same team. Terry was a Systems Engineer working on Concorde and was Team Leader of one of the systems teams - Hydraulics I think. Terry had to interface quite a lot with the French so he was sent on French lessons I don't think the language stuck. Later he started his own business servicing Quarry equipment. 

I am not sure what year it was but Terry won every single section in the SWWL which was amazing considering there were 14 teams. After this he was referred to as the "One man Band". Never to be repeated.

I remember drawing next to Terry in an open match on the Fry's section of the Bristol Avon and could only watch in amazement him fishing the far bank in 13 foot of water (where the flow was) using bread over home made bread groundbait, he easily won the match that day with 21 lb of Skimmers, Roach and Hybrids. No crow Quills for Terry he used a homemade float which I copied - all balsa  with a wooden antenna. The interesting aspect of these floats was they could be used top and bottom or waggler - crafty.

Through us both having Sons of similar age, all keen to learn match fishing we became good friends. We supported the lads in the various leagues. I remember Dave winning a Junior match on the Crane with 18lb of Chub from the New Fence Swim, Terry was over the moon about this. later we fish the Dads and Lads matches. Terry and Dave won it at Huntstre pushing Steve and me into second place with a late 6 lb Tench, Pictured.

Both our sons fished the Junior national on the Bristol Avon, we both had great expectation only for the lads to get beaten by a poor draw.

Terry loved his Carp fishing, but was equally at home catching Silvers. Terry pictured right with a match winning net of Silvers from Bridge Pool. However, he mostly loved his Carp fishing in traditional ways.

Terry loved the Hunstrete fishery more than any other and was the record holder until one day I drew peg 16 and Terry was on next peg 15. Terry weigh 120 lb but I was to take his record with 201 lb. Terry was the first to congratulate me. Pictured.

Terry won more matches than most matchmen have had hot dinners. Any venue and method he did them all. Later in life he focussed on local venues - Hunstrete and Viaduct.

He use to call me regularly especially when "My Dave" did well in a match. He was so proud when this happened.

Terry lived for fishing and fishing lived for him. he was the most focussed angler I know. RIP matey will be sorely missed by me and  many others. Especially the Coffin Dodgers pictured below:

And finally Terry having a swim at Viaduct on peg 118. borrowed my smelly fleece and carried on - whats else from Terry.

Charlie Barnes 1949 - 2018

Charlie Barnes - RIP Matey.

Owner of Avon Bait - Maggot farm - Charlie always provided the Avon Angling team with immature maggots which we used to great effect of the Gloucester Canal.

Mid-life crisis brought him a Porche, which wasn't one of his more sensible decisions!

Formed the NOVA South West Winter League Team winning the league first time out which included one of his best mates Ron Gaulton - will now be together again - causing more chaos.

Invited to fish in his Veals teams of four team - Charlie's Angel's. Team pictured right. With two matches at Stafford more we spent the whole weekend in the Kings Arms. Charlie would out last us all in the bar, only because of his Cat naps (pictured right).

Charlie a regular member of the Coffin Dodger and loved fishing for Silvers and was quick to rub it in when he beat me - one of the many occasions pictured right holding up one of his winning Bream from across the Lake

Charlie occasionally fished Viaduct Fishery with again the focus on Silvers and when he won the match on peg 112 with Carp and I suggested it was a waste of a Silvers peg the pictured right was his response.

Some more pictures which explain his approach to life which was never dull for him and those around him. I think he has left a great legacy with young Tom Thick with the mentoring he unselfishly gave him. Finally I will never forget the joke he played on Tom whilst travelling ... the one about the Ventriloquist...and his dummy...

Did You Know? - Number Five

Did You Know -That Les Williams aka “Chub Head” Farther Mike was also a well know top Bristol Avon Match Men. Mike Fished for Fry’s AA and was particularly good at catching Dace and Roach. The press cutting below shows Mike Williams with one of his winning catching from the Bristol Avon at Limpley Stoke fished on Sunday 25 July 1970.

Did you know - How Les got his nick name "Chub Head"? Well it was given to him by the late Ron Gaulton after one of the ATSWWL's when Ron was fishing for Team NOVA (AVON backwards). Why "Chub Head" you will have to either wait to you meet up with Ron again or ask Les himself, in the meantime it's my secret.

Did You Know? Number Four

Did You Know -That it wasn’t until after the 1971 fishing season that Catapults were allowed in matches. The following press cutting identifies two anglers apparently caught using them in the 1971 ATSWWL series.

After this we were all soon making our own lethal weapons from a variety of materials, as the only one you could purchase at the time was a small aluminium framed version made by Millbro (pictured right), which wasn’t much good for anglers due to the small frame. Believe it or not they are still on sale for a mere £20!


My favourite one is pictured below – “The Sutton Pult”.

Did You Know? - Number Three

Did You Know -That the ATSWWL results were originally decided on by weight. It wasn’t until 1970 that it was changed to a points system. However, the change caused a right ruckus at the AGM where a number of the organising committee resigned. The following press article dated 28 May 1970 explains in more detail.

Did You Know? - Number Two

Did you know - That the 1970 Bristol Commercial House had 16 teams of 6 anglers adding up to 96 competitors. All the matches were back then fished on the Bristol Avon. The press cutting below from 24/02/1970 shows the final league position for that season.

Did You Know? - Number One

Did you know - That the 1968 Angling Times South West Winter League (ATSWWL) had 18 teams of 12 anglers totalling 216 competitors. All the matches were fished on the Bristol Avon. This was the biggest league in the history of the Angling Times Winter League. The South West maintained this for many years. The teams often comprised of anglers from all over the country with such anglers as Wayne Swinscoe, Ken Giles, Ray Mumford and many other now famous names. The following press cutting from 10/11/1968.