The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

RIP Eddie

Yes, rest in peace Eddie.

Edit: I have merged both threads into this one.

Mark wrote:Yes, rest in peace Eddie.

Edit: I have merged both threads into this one.

Thanks Mark.

Rest in Peace Eddie.

EDDIE PRICE OBITUARY - By Martin Mumby.

On the 25th of January Matthew Price contacted me with the sad news of the passing of his father, Eddie Price M.B.E. at the age of 91.
Eddie passed away peacefully at home on the morning of the 23rd January 2015 leaving his loving wife and 6 devoted sons.
Eddie was one of the true pioneers of modern carp fishing and is best known for capturing a 40lb 8oz mirror carp from Redmire Pool in September 1959. He caught a 26lb leather a year later and took one of the most famous carp fishing photographs with his 'monster in the weeds' picture taken in July 1958. He also caught a 10lb 8oz wild carp from Beechmere and many other fish from his local waters including perch to 3lb 12oz.
All specialised tackle in those days had to be made by hand and Eddie was equally proficient at this, making the rods and nets etc he used to catch monster fish of the time.
His fishing diaries and photographs were put together in a book and published in 2007. Eddie was particularly proud that the 'The Fishing Diaries of Eddie Price' went on to become one of the most desirable and collectable fishing books ever published.
Many people may not realise that he became regarded as the most highly qualified amateur Roman archeologist in the country after discovering Roman remains on his farm in the early 60's.
The dig on his land lasted for 55 years making it the longest continuous dig ever in Britain and despite a heart by-pass operation Eddie would still be out in the fields making new discoveries.
He wrote and illustrated 4 large volumes on the subject and in 2008 was awarded the M.B.E. for his services to archeology. Eddie was a long standing JP and in 2009 was awarded a PhD Master of the Open University.
On a personal note I feel very privileged to have counted Eddie Price as a friend after meeting him in 2005. He was a special man and had a charisma about him but at the same time was one of the most humble and down to earth people I have ever known.
Despite this humble nature he was also a very determined individual which explains his success in anything he turned his hand to.
I loved visiting him and particularly enjoyed his tales about him and his brothers escapades in the good old days!
Eddie Price will be dearly missed by anyone who knew him and the world will be a poorer place without him in it.
These days are done,
their course outrun,
but angling memories still are fun.
Eddie Price 2007

EDDIE PRICE MBE:

May I please echo the sentiments expressed in Martin Mumby's obituary for Eddie, and tell you what I remember about my first meeting with him?

When Kevin & I were collecting material for our book, 'Redmire Pool', I contacted Eddie, a complete stranger, by letter. By return post Eddie invited not just Kevin & I but our wives, too, to visit with him in his lovely old house. On that first visit we learned much about this remarkable man.

Even on the dank and miserable winter's day we arrived to first meet him, Eddie was out working his farm. Therefore, he'd made space in his hectic schedule to talk carp fishing with strangers; I've never forgotten that kindness. He finally came in, pretty much soaked to the skin, wearing just an old black overcoat over his work clothes. We then sat around a woodburner in the corner of the room, talking fishing, archaeology, and the history of his property, whilst all the time his small pack of Jack Russells vied with each other for the best place near the stove, both in front and behind it, to the amusement of all those present.

Now, Martin Mumby truly states Eddie made all his own carp fishing tackle, but there's much more to it than one might first suppose; take his landing net for instance, and remember Eddie was a farmer, and therefore, no trained engineer:

Eddie was aware of the large landing net Dick Walker hade made and determined to make one for himself of similar design. Now, this plainly wasn't easy or straightforward, but to keep this piece brief, here's just a couple of difficulties Eddie had to overcome. First major problem concerned the lack of material for the alloy block, Eddie did no more than melt down some of his wife's aluminium saucepans! Then making a sand mould from a wooden model of the block, in which the molten aluminium would be cast. Second major problem was the mesh: Nothing suitable as bought could be sourced locally, so Eddie visited a World War II surplus store to buy some ex-barrage balloon netting, first unpicking it before re-tying it to a suitable mesh size for his purpose.

Undoubtedly, Eddie Price, was an inspiration to everybody, and my commiserations to all his family and his wide circle of friends. Goodbye Eddie; please rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Len Arbery.

PS. Evidently my memory is even more fallible than I supposed! Kevin Clifford has just contacted me to point out that Eddie's father ran the property before Eddie, and therefore I was wrong to suggest Eddie worked the land for a former owner, and that that particular sentence was misleading, so I've cut that sentence out of the above.

I unreservedly apologise for my error and for any possible embarrassment caused.

Sincerely,

Len Arbery.

Lovely warm memories for you Len as indeed I'm sure there are for the other fortunate people who were able to spend time with Eddie.

Another giant from the generation of pioneers leaves us. Everything passes in time, but legends remain. The ‘monster in the weeds’ photograph, just one part of this exceptional gentleman's legacy, has been dream-fuel for many a carp angler and will continue to inspire.

RIP

Thanks everyone for your kinds word about my father, he would have been very overwhelmed with all this attention.
He was so surprised that Martin Mumby wanted to publish he diaries when we meet at Redmire he thought nobody would read them let alone buy a book, surprise surprise the leather bound copies sold out before they were even put up for sale and the hardback copies are now selling well over the purchase price.
Len thank you for the memories I was in in my last year at school and dad told me all about you and Kevin coming to visit.
Matthew Price

PM left for you, Matthew, Len.