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RIP Martin Hooper

Robert Richbell

Robert Richbell

Senior Member
It is with great personal sadness that we report on the passing of 1 of our best friends, a bit of a marmite character and at times very confrontational, but he was an incredibly talented angler and at 1 time held the Barbel record and the Grayling record as well as at least 1 river record for Barbel. He was an all round angler and had countless big fish and his PB’s were the stuff dreams are made of, Tench over 11lbs, Perch over 4LBS Roach over 3lbs, Chub just under 8lbs, he had big eels, hundreds of big pike and some big Rudd. I believe he won 2 Drennan cups amongst many other achievements.

We learnt so much from him as did many others as he always had time to help fellow anglers. He was in our opinion 1 of the finest Barbel anglers of his generation and for many the finest sight fisherman in the country.

He was a legend and it was rare, before he withdrew from the limelight, that his picture wasn’t in at least 1 of the angling weeklies.

He still carried on catching big fish though and I was with him when he caught what was to be his PB barbel at 17-11 from an insane swim on the river Kennet , and his PB Crucian of 3lb 6ozs and he was there when I had my PB barbell of 14-2 and Crucian 3-4 as well as my joint PB Perch 3-14 from 2 different waters. He taught Pete about Barbel and Barbel fishing and helped him not only his PB but 2 fish over 13lbs in a session on the Kennet after Martin spotted the fish and persuaded Pete to go for them rather than take the glory for himself.

We will miss him enormously as he was an engaging raconteur and we had the privilege and great pleasure to fish with him regularly, me for around 10 years or so, Pete for 12-15 years our fishing will always be missing something now, but I have some great memories and we had some great laughs.

R.I.P Martin Hooper you were a true friend in many ways not just fishing and your friends lives are poorer with your loss.

He passed on March 19th 2022 after his health deteriorated badly in January although he had a number of health problems over the previous year that had massively reduced our fishing time together, the last outing being in October 2021when we had a few Perch from the Thames to nearly 3lbs.

We left this announcement so long by request, although some people do know.

The cremation will be arranged shortly by his family and Pete and I will arrange for a farewell for any as wish to say goodbye, it will probably be on a riverbank.

Rob Richbell and Pete Davies

His last big barbel was this fish from the WA
 

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I’m deeply saddened at Martin’s passing. He’s someone I’ve never met but for some reason I feel a personal loss. RIP Martin and my sincerest condolences to family and friends.
 
RIP
 
I enjoyed reading his book some years ago and his exploits were very much of interest to me. He definitely came across, as someone who has walked the walk, when it comes to specialist big fish angling. RIP Martin.
 
I enjoyed chatting to him on the banks of the BA. He had the most incredible eye sight, picking out fish in deep water and only casting to the doubles! RIP.
 
sad news had a day on one of his fishing tuition days on the avon and stour great funny guy.
 
Another Good Un gone.... RIP Martin and sympathy to his family..
 
He spent a lot of time on LB on the Kennet. We chatted many times, and indeed he took the photo of a 15lb + I caught.

As you say, a marmite character, but personally never had a problem with him.

I think I remember the spotting incident?
And was there on the day. Indeed he was the best ever at being able to see fish invisible to others.

RIP Martin.
 
He spent a few seasons at Lacock on the Bristol Avon always willing to give his time and expertise. A very talented angler of the highest order. As for that eyesight unbelievable.
Rip Martin
 
Graham Elliott said:
He spent a lot of time on LB on the Kennet. We chatted many times, and indeed he took the photo of a 15lb + I caught.

As you say, a marmite character, but personally never had a problem with him.

I think I remember the spotting incident?
And was there on the day. Indeed he was the best ever at being able to see fish invisible to others.

RIP Martin.
Click to expand...
He came across me once in the Kennet. Without knowing who he was, he told me straight away & in no uncertain terms that I was fishing in the wrong spot, when he asked where I was targeting. 😳
(very much a marmite character)

I ignored him thinking I'll give him both barrels if he bothers me again, and I proceeded to catch 5 barbel from where I chose to fish. 😂

He came back later that afternoon saying well then I see you chose to ignore me, I bet you haven't had a sniff, have you!

He face was a picture when I told him, for my 1st ever trip on the Kennet & had 5 barbel, which included three doubles and two high singles, not bad for my maiden trip to the Kennet hey?
He just walked off,and I never saw him again... 😂
But for what it's worth, always sad to hear someone passing....
 
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Very sad to read this. Only met Martin once on LB, very open and chatty. Knowing his reputation, I even raised the subject of his abrasiveness. He took it well and we had a chuckle about it. I’ll now have to read his book again, for the third time I think. RIP Martin.
 
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