Four-Times World Champion Angler and fishing legend steps up to give advice on how to improve overall fishing experience
Bob Nudd – the nation’s most-loved fishing star – has always been known for encouraging everyone to enjoy fishing at every level and he is now helping Stonham Barns Park in Suffolk and its sister parks Pisces Country Park and Acorn Holiday Park in Cambridgeshire to develop its fishing experience for visitors.
Bob visited Stonham Barns Park (27 March) to meet anglers who were fishing there and to help give advice and fishing tips. He was given a guided tour by Owner Alan Forward who is looking to add a new sports lake (for SUP and other non-motorised sports) to the venue to add to the two fishing lakes already established there.
Alan Forward, Owner, Stonham Barns Park, said: ‘Bob has kindly agreed to be an ambassador for Stonham Barns Park and we could not be more appreciative to have him helping us to develop our fishing lakes here. He is one of the world’s best-loved anglers and probably most-loved here in the UK and so we expect his visits here to give anglers support here in the East of England. We will be asking Bob for his expert recommendations for the development of our fishing facilities for the enjoyment of everyone.’
World Class Angler Bob Nudd said: ‘I am so pleased to be visiting as 
angling ‘ambassador’ at Stonham Barns Park. It’s a venue that is fast-developing and it has something for everyone, particularly those with an interest in fishing. With such challenging times globally that affect us all every day, it has never been more important to look after our wellbeing whether that is for a day or a break to the countryside. Nature helps restore our balance and fishing can be one of the best boosts to your mental health and outlook.’
‘I like nothing more than to talk to people interested in fishing at all levels. I guess I must have a natural talent for increasing the success of fishing a particular swim and I do like to share my experience and knowledge with others. It’s always good to introduce young people to fishing and during the pandemic interest in the sport increased dramatically. It’s safe, it’s fun and it’s just perfect for the warmer months ahead that we are so looking forward to!
‘It’s good to be back out the bank talking to some lovely visitors here at Stonham Barns Park.’
Bob was appropriately on the coast at Caister on Sea, Norfolk. He started fishing young – like everyone – and with basic fishing gear. He was about 10 years old with his two elder sisters and caught his first 1 oz roach on bread paste using a hazel branch for a pole and a piece of cork for a float. He later moved to Essex, joined a fishing club – Marconi’s and later moved to the open circuit at about 24 with the fishing club, The Essex Cats. He went on to fish in Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, Thailand. All around the world. He even appeared on The Wogan Show.
Bob was first angler to win four individual World Freshwater Angling Championships: 1990 (Yugoslavia),1991 (Hungary),1994 (England) and 1999 (Spain).
He represented the England team at international level for more than 24 years, during which time he became arguably the best-known angler in the world. The highlight of his professional career was victory in front of a home crown at Holme Pierrepoint, Nottingham. In 1884. In 1991, he received the most votes in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award but was denied victory by the BBC who ruled that a campaign to vote for him in the Angling Times was against competition rules. In 1996, he was awarded an MBE for his services to fishing.
Ireland was where Bob’s match fishing really began. He has a great love for the country and its wild fishing environments.
Bob lives in Cambridgeshire and writes monthly for Coarse Fishing, and Improve Your Course Fishing Magazine. He is still known as one of Britain’s greatest anglers along with John Wilson, Dave Harrel and others.
He presented a new series for Discovery Shed in March 2009. He features in a Masters of Angling DVD. His DVDs include Commercial Carp Tactics, Paste on the Pole, Surface Fishing with Controller Floats, Pole Secrets, and Expert Fishing on the Pole.
Providing expert fishing commentary on Facebook he continues to be an ambassador for the sport that is so loved – and arguably the most popular participation sport in Britain. He loves being outside in beautiful countryside settings, testing his skills in competitions, meeting fellow anglers and teaching others the delights of fishing that have captivated him for over six decades.
He continues to fish competitions throughout the season on the European circuit. While famous for his course fishing hints and tips, he likes to sea fish when he can for the extra challenge it brings and for the diversity of fish that can be caught.
It is estimated that around 2.9 million people regularly fish British lakes, rivers and coastal waters.
Programmes like Monster Carp, Mortimer & Whitehouse and Extreme Fishing with Robson Green are keeping fishing mainstream and with its wellness benefits is still a top relaxation choice for people of all ages and social demographics.
