Richard “Dickie” Dodds, who died on October 15, aged just 58, was a native of the North East and was a teenage pal of Colin Mitchell, former deputy editor of Angler’s Mail.

When he came down to the south, he fished for a while with Top Ten MG in the late 1970s (that included Dave Hemmings).

He then eventually moved to Selhurst and fished with Warlingham & DAS both internal matches and in the Sussex Summer League and Surrey Winter League. He later was membership secretary, secretary and chairman of Warlingham & DAS in the 1980s early 90s.

Dickie also visited Holland and Ireland but also enjoyed fly fishing in Devon.

In latter years Dickie was forced to give up coarse fishing due to back problems that were made worse three years ago. However he enjoyed being a member of the Wye and Usk Foundation and visiting other waters close to his Herefordshire home.

I enjoyed fishing with him last year on a tributary of the Monnow and on a stillwater as well as plenty of drinking cider, real ale and Isle of Jura malt. He spent some time telling me of his declining health exacerbated by a screw up in the hospital which is subject to legal proceedings.

It left him prone to blood infections and in October he contracted Septacaemia and passed away two days later. He was buried locally at Cross Keys with his hat, waistcoat and an edition of Trout and Salmon in the box with him.

His tackle will be sold by auction with proceeds to the Wye and usk Foundation.

For my part, he was a very good coarse angler who enjoyed fishing rivers and hated commercial waters. A good friend, drinking companion with an infectious laugh. One of good guys who worked as a tax inspector, and I am only sorry that I did not know of his demise until a week after his burial.