Nash’s supremely talented Alan Blair was a guest presenter in Series One of Fishing in the Footsteps of Mr. Crabtree, and we were delighted to welcome him back to filming recently to be part of Series 2 (due to be broadcast later in the year).
Although best know for his carping abilities, Alan is a complete all-rounder and he relished the opportunity to fish at Godalming Angling Society’s Johnson’s Lake for Crucians. We had a chat while he concentrated on the fishing…
Q: Most Anglers would love to be able to call themselves ‘professional’. How did you manage it?
Don’t feel I can actually call myself a professional angler (not sure there are many who really can) however, I do work within the fishing tackle industry as Operations Director for Nash Tackle. It’s my dream job and of course involves plenty of fishing. How did I manage it? Plain and simple really. An incredible amount of passion, hard work and effort. I had a dream and I went and made it happen.
Q: How often do you fish and what do you fish for?
Sometimes too much and my work suffers. Sometimes not enough because I’ve got too much work. In an average week I will get out for some kind of fishing at least a couple of times. I will fish for ANYTHING – literally anything … coarse, sea, game – they all excite me and my preferred method whatever the species is when I can watch them take the bait, strike – BOSH!
Q: What do you think are the most pressing issues in angling today?
In no particular order:
- The declining of sectors like match, game, sea
- Predation (in its various forms)
- The lack of youth coming into the sport – I personally think the future of youth and fishing looks bright however rod licence sales appear to say otherwise. I think its more likely that youth coming into the sport want to go carp fishing so this area looks healthy against match, pleasure etc
Q: Give us some PB stats you are most proud of and why?
Had some awesome fish over the years but I’ve never been a PB Hunter. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE breaking my PB but very rarely get caught up in an obsession of trying to break it – if it happens RESULT – if not, I always enjoy myself.
In the UK I have had Mirror Carp to 53lb, Common Carp to 48 and Leather carp to 45lb.
I’ve fished lots of amazing waters across Europe landing carp to just under 60lbs.
Other species are also a huge passion and highlights include . . .
Perch – 3lb 12oz
Chub – 7lb 14oz
Crucian – 3lb 10oz
Pike – 21lb
Bream – 9lb 15oz
Tench – 8lb 2oz
Rudd – 1lb 15oz
Roach 2lb 15oz
Grayling – 2ld 14oz
Q: What are your earliest fishing memories? Who taught you?
Fishing the very famous Adams Mill Stretch of the River Ouse. At the time it was available on the Milton Keynes Club ticket and my favourite spot was the weir pool at the top end where I would catch roach, perch, small skimmers, chublets and gudgeon. Every time I used to catch a gudgeon I would say to Dad “Is this one a baby barbel?” Dad taught me from the age of about four . . . I learnt SO much from him and for sure he can take all the credit for making me the angler I am today.
Q: How influential has Mr Crabtree been in your angling life?
Not massively really until Lester and the team got the new series off the ground. Sadly I think Crabtree and the ethos behind it have been forgotten. I was lucky that my Dad was from the original Crabtree era and showed me the way, however, many have missed out. It is massively positive that Crabtree is back and will only do good things for angling.
Q: Is there anything in fishing that you haven’t done? What are your ambitions?
Stacks and worse of all I am never going to achieve it all – that is what is so amazing about fishing . . . So many species, so many tactics, so many venues, so many adventures! I could list a thousand ambitions I would like to do that are angling related but if I had to pick one for the future it would be walking out of the back door to my house with Chloe and our kids, down through the garden to the river at the bottom.
Q: Do you have any angling hero’s? What do you most admire about them?
Dad is up there.
Terry Hearn is a Legend.
And in recent years the young Alfie Russell who is a massive inspiration to me. Keep an eye out for this lad . . . some people just have a gift.
Q: What lessons would you pass on to todays young anglers?
The importance of enjoying your fishing as opposed to becoming obsessed.
The importance of keeping things simple.
The importance of stealth, concealment and quietness whilst on the bank.
Q: Describe your favourite ‘Crabtree Moment’ you’ve had whilst fishing?
Any occasion (and there have been loads) where I have gone off the beaten track, done my own thing, built my own swim, understood the fish and been successful in catching whatever my quarry was at that time.
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