november-2026-big-carp-part-1 - Flipbook - Page 9
BIG CARP / SHOCKLEADER
THE PEOPLE WHO SHAPED OUR ANGLING
A lasting
LEGACY.
And although I don t think he d like me saying so now
helped to change the face of Carp and other specimen
fishing forever. Quite how he remained so grounded
and humble I will never know, but I m so glad he
always remained the same inimitable Fred.
Having him agree to Chapters I d written about him for
several publications was both an honour and surprise
(he always shunned publicity) as each time I asked his
permission expecting a refusal he agreed they could
be included.
As it s you Stritton he said. But make sure the
spellings correct! ( Fred used to call me the teacher
who couldn t spell!)
I suspect many of today s younger Carp anglers will
have little knowledge of Fred Wilton even though
indirectly they will owe many of their success s today
to the work and ideas he put forward for them.
Photos: Fred at a social gathering, one of my most
treasured photos of Fred netting a carp for me back in
the 1970 s, PYM canister and an affectionate caricature
from the pen of Peter Curtis used in a chapter about
Fred.
Go forward on your journey Fred, knowing you have
left a lasting impression of those of us lucky enough
to have known you, and an everlasting legacy on Carp
Fishing history.
Thoughts to Joan and his family.
SHOCKLEADER / NOVEMBER 2026
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