Alan Haigh Darlach Angling, Prince Albert, Warrington

[fish41]

I know some on the forum knew Alan . Just sad to report his passing away today. As far as we know at the moment it was quite sudden as he had been planning to fish this or next week. A long serving secretary for the Darlach as well as being a bailiff for Prince Albert. A really nice bloke and a sporting gent who always had a fishy tale to tell  with a glint in his eye and a great chuckle. Walking the river bank with fly rod in hand was his dearest pursuit, an hour here and there between a cup of tea and reading his newspaper.

[Something fishy]

hi rob he was a good bloke r.i.p alan it was a pleasure knowing you and fishing with you always a good help when i was a junior thanks alan   and   send my regards rob to all his family  keep us posted m8

[kevie]

hi rob, give my regards to alan,s family, it is a sad loss of a good bloke, he will be missed by all, had some good days fishing with him on the river, and on river matches.
great fella to be friends with.
again.
sad loss of a good man.
he will be sadly missed by all his friends

REST IN PEACE

[marsup]

Did not know Alan but a mate of mine did and spoke highly of him it is always sad to here of someone passing away  let’s hope he is up there sorting out the anty-angling lot

[frankg]

Yes, Alan was a very genuine bloke...he loved his fishing, rugby and horse racing..he always went to the Cheltenham Gold Cup meeting, Bangor on Dee metings and others.

Along with Rob, I was at his funeral service in St Andrews Church in Bebington, just around the corner from his house.....the church was packed (and it's a big church)..which shows how popularand highly regarded he was.

He'll be sadly missed.

Frank

[Steve1]

Hi Frank and Welcome
Many thanks for your kind words on Alan.

[frankg]

Thanks Steve.....I've known Alan for a long time.....I've got an old picture of him somewhere.....I first joined the Darlach in 1967 when we use to go down to the Severn at Berriew on the club coach.....the fishing was very different then....loads of members...loads of Dace.....much smaller Chub... a specimen would be around the 2 1/2lb mark...Barbel unheard of on that stretch then.....how it's changed!!

I love the big Chub and Barbel that we get down there now, but I miss seeing the vast shoals of Dace moving out towards the middle of the river as you walked along the bank:(

Alan also saw all these changes in his many years in the club.....as was said at his service in one of the tributes to him....Alan always said 'this isn't a rehersal' (life).....and he made sure he enjoyed his life to the full......so we should all make the most of the enjoyment of fishing and the countryside while we can!

Frank

[Steve1]

Hi Frank
There is never a truer word said in that tribute to Alan, it`s a pity more people don`t remember that

[Something fishy]

yes i agree with that steve you only get 1 chance and life is what you make it so enjoy it and dont let anythink or any1 stop you from enjoying yaself   r.i.p alan it was a pleasure fishing with you and he always give good advice always about all things in life
                                                                             

[paul]

couldn't agree more, I always say live everyday as if it's your last and one day you will be right

[fish41]

Dear Fellow Anglers

With the passing of another of our piscatorial friends I felt it would like to make some comment. Another string to my bow or rather I should say line to my rod or elastic to my pole is that I occasionally preach the Gospel Of Christ on the street in Liverpool and Birkenhead. I used my friends death as an illustration the other Saturday whilst preaching in Liverpool.
I am conscious this is a fishing forum for generally all things fishy and I don’t wish to introduce something too heavy and off topic but if you would allow me this post.  

Whilst sitting through my friends funeral service I couldn’t help think about his last cast and what fly he had tied on (probably a partridge and orange) . At that time he didn’t know it would be his last cast. For some of us our last cast may be planned as old age and illness finally puts paid to our noble pursuit. Indeed like many of the comments we should enjoy every moment while we can. The big question though--- is  there an Anglers Paradise awaiting us the other side of death and what must we do to be allowed to enter . What conditions does the Paradise owner put on potential members. We all may have different opinions about this and our opinions would differ as much as they do about carp, match fishing etc etc.
Having come to faith about 30 years ago on the banks of the River Alwen and in the same year being healed on the banks of the River Nug at Pentrefoelas I came to appreciate all the references to fishing, fishermen and water (both running and still) that are found in the Bible. I am sure you could at least recite one or two that have been ingrained from school or attending weddings and funerals How about “he leads me beside still waters “ psalm 23.    Better still are the words it contains about  Paradise (heaven) and what we must do to become a member of that syndicate.  Words in (italics) are bible verses

The first thing the bible says is that its not a day ticket water-- we cant just turn up at the gates, pay the price and expect to be allowed in (and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. )

Secondly-- there are plenty of pegs  (In my fathers house are many mansions)

Thirdly-- membership is not based on our particular skill. (For by grace-the owners kindness are we made members and not of works---in case we boast)

Fourthly --- the owner is willing to choose anyone who comes the proper way ( Enter in at the narrow gate narrow is the path to life and broad is the path to destruction)

Fifthly---- poachers turned gamekeepers  are especially welcome (God commands all men everywhere to repent--which just means changing direction--Gods way not ours)

Sixthly--- Bible speaks of only 2 places where eternity will be spent  Paradise (heaven) and Hell.. Hell is described as a Lake of fire and brimstone--- a fishless commercial!!

Finally- what does the Paradise owner ask?  (Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup (fish) with him, and he with me.)

Dear fellow anglers the good news is that the entry price has been paid, a cheque has been written out in your name and signed  with the blood of Christ ( But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness).


Have you cashed in the cheque, can you say  “the Lord is MY shepherd….he leads me beside still waters…”

Tight lines and elastics for 2012

[DaveE]

Very interesting fish41.

I can't say I've ever given much thought to religion and even less to any angling/religious connections.

However, I'm attending an angling friends funeral later this week so I'll read your post again before I go.
 

[frankg]

Food for thought Rob

Frank

[marsup]

Well that is your opinion and I am sure there will be others with their own.
But let’s not bring Religion ,Politics or Race in to this forum I have my own opinion on them as I am sure others will have theirs   and I will keep mine  to myself .  

[paul]

Ban him from all matches Steve he has friends in high places who might influence the results  

[fish41]

paul wrote

Ban him from all matches Steve he has friends in high places who might influence the results  

  The things I usually have in high places are floats, flies and spinners dangling from tree branches. Came across a photo last night of my lad when he was about 7 down the River. Thought i would take him spinning for pike--his first cast put a brand new toby in the trees so that put paid to that.