6 | 9 JULY anglersmail.com
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A
NGLING legend Dave
Steuart has just celebrated
his 90th birthday with a
huge party among angling
dignitaries.
Dave, who was the lead
features writer when Angler’s
Mail formed in 1953, also
ran and finally owned Edgar
Thurston’s tackle shop, in
South West London.
Around 130 attended,
including Mail contributors Bill
and Virginia Rushmer, author
Peter Wheat, film-maker Hugh
Miles, historian Chris Ball, fly
master Bob Church, barbel
ace Pete Reading, roach expert
l Otter carnage – barbel ace
Jerry Gleeson was chuffed to land
a River Mersey record of 12 lb 8 oz
at the start of the season, but has
been horrified by fish deaths to
otters since.
Jerry explained: “It looks like
our little piece of heaven on the
Mersey is now ruined, as another
three barbel carcasses were found
at different spots last night, with
just their organs ripped out. That’s
15 dead barbel now since last
Wednesday.
“We only spotted them a
fortnight ago. I wonder how
many we haven’t found. Certainly
explains one or two things.”l Water firm punished –
Southern Water has been ordered
to pay a huge £126 million
penalty for water pollution, but
not a penny is going back to
environmental causes.
Regulator Ofwat has dished
out the punishment, but the
Environment Agency has started a
separate criminal investigation.
An EA spokesperson said:
“The Agency takes this matter
extremely seriously. We are
pursuing our own criminal
investigation into Southern Water,
due to suspected permit breaches
at a number of its sites.
“This began in 2016 and
revealed issues that required
separate consideration by Ofwat,
leading to today’s penalty. The
environmental aspect of the
investigation is ongoing, and
we expect to commence court
proceedings soon.”
Fish Legal lawyer Penelope
Gane said: “This deliberate
misreporting by Southern Water
exposes a major weakness in the
operator self-monitoring system,
which is reliant on the honesty
of the water companies. The fact
that this fine follows the record
£20 million fine imposed on
Thames Water Utilities Limited
for polluting the Thames from six
treatment works over a number of
years means Ofwat has some way
to go to achieve its 2018 aim of
restoring trust in the water sector.
“EA cuts mean that water
companies who pollute our rivers
and waterbodies have a good
chance of never being caught.”Dave Howes, all-rounder Dave
Gawthorne and big fish ace Len
Arbery.
Len said: “Dave is a true living
legend and inspiration. His
birthday bash was held in the
grounds of Dave’s home, right
on the bank of the River Test, in
Romsey, Hampshire.
“Dave is the oldest and
longest serving member of the
Red Spinner Angling Society,
and last October was official
guest speaker at their 150th
Anniversary Dinner, held at the
Houses of Parliament.
“Furthermore, in March of
this year, Dave was electedl Huge 90th birthday party l All-round inspiration Dave Steuart
a vice-president of the Red
Spinners, an honour of which
he is very proud.
“I’ve known Dave for 70
years. He served in Edgar
Thurston’s, my local tackle
shop, near Richmond, in Surrey,
when I first went there when I
was about ten years old.
“Dave is also a successful
author, and a superb raconteur,
and the president of the Barbel
Society. I am honoured to be
counted among his legion of
friends,” concluded Len, 80,
who’s had eels to 6 lb this year.
Carp historian Chris Ball
added: “Dave is a master angler,
author and all-round good guy.
“There was plenty of fun
and laughter, with Dave in fine
spirits and quick-witted as ever.
Without doubt he is a total star
and a credit to angling.”
Dave doesn’t fish as much
as he used to, but still has an
enviable list of PBs, including
barbel to 12 lb 3 oz, pike 28 lb,
roach 2 lb 12 oz, dace 1 lb 2 oz,
salmon 39 lb (51 lb from
Alaska), brown trout 10 lb 12 oz,
rainbows 11 lb, perch 4 lb 4 oz
and chub 5 lb 13 oz.
Dave joked: “I lead such a
pure life, I don’t smoke and I
don’t drink – it must be the
women that keeps me young.”3 cheers
to a
legend!
Birthday boy Dave, flanked by Chris Ball (right) and Len Arbery (left).
As the cake says...
90 and ‘still a
legend’. Dave
Steuart celebrated
a landmark in time
with hordes of
fishing pals.Happier times – Jerry Gleeson
with a Mersey cracker, caught
before the carnage.