The Barbel Fishing Hall of Fame is a means of acknowledging outstanding contributions to UK barbel fishing, remembering those whose legacy we build upon and recognising those who keep the flame burning brightly.
The criteria isn’t about who has caught the most or the biggest but more to do with who has influenced barbel fishing and its development and made a lasting contribution. Someone who has helped to educate and inspire, an innovator, a pioneer, has made a difference – there are many.
Barbel fishing has been around for quite some time and there are a number of people from the past whose influence is still felt today.
We include a list here and information can be found on all these people in the wonderful book, A Can of Worms – The Story of Barbel and the Men Who Fished for Them written by Jon Berry.
The Hall of Fame will concentrate on those whose influence has been felt post war, from the sixties onwards. Inductions will take place each year and will be announced at the Barbel Show. The intention is for there to be inductions each year and initially the inductees will be selected by the Barbel Society committee.
“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants” Isaac Newton
Past Masters – F W K Wallis, J W Martin, William Bailey, Henry Coxon, Bill Warren, Sonny Warren, S Donald Stone, Ken Clower, William J Howes, Captain L Parker, Delabere P Blaine.
Inducted in 2024
Peter Wheat
Author of The Fighting Barbel.
A columnist for The Watford Evening Post and produced a regular fishing cartoon strip for the Daily Mirror.
Former sailor, gravedigger and editor of Anglers World.
Peter’s specialist subjects apart from angling include palaeontology, Britain through prehistoric and Roman times.
President of the Barbel Society from 2014 – 2017.
Dave Steuart
Angling’s great all – rounder. From Minnows to Marlin says it all.
Columnist for the Anglers Mail in the sixties.
A river keeper, tackle shop owner, a consummate raconteur.
One of those people who does it all from playing the piano to rewiring the house.
Fished all over the world, and caught so many different species.
His late wife Kay was a renowned angler.
President of the Barbel Society from 2017
Inducted in 2023
Peter Stone 1927 – 2000
Born in Oxford, loved to play the piano, enjoyed amateur dramatics, loved speedway racing, wonderful author and superb angler.
Affectionately known as Old Father Thames and The Gentleman of Angling.
First President of the Barbel Society from 1995 – 2000.
Author of a number of angling books and recognised as one of the fathers of modern day specimen hunting.
Was an accomplished taxidermist.
Fred Crouch 1937 – 2014
Mr Barbel, author of the barbel fishing classic, Understanding Barbel.
Skies of Fire, Rivers of Gold – Fred’s autobiography.
President of the Barbel Society from 2000 – 2014.
The man who popularised the centrepin reel for barbel fishing and made many himself based on the Match Aerial.
As a guide took many people to the Lea and Kennet.
Was instrumental in the formation of The Barbel Society.
Set up his own organisation with Pete Henwood called The Association of Barbel Enthusiasts.
Inducted in 2022
Tony Miles 1944 – 2016
Tony is one of the first to be inducted into the hall of fame; his influence on barbel fishing has been immense. Tony was secretary of the hugely respected Coventry Specimen Group who became instrumental in the world of specialist fishing., he was just 23 when he formed this organisation.
Tony was a genuine allrounder and caught many colossal fish of all species but it was the barbel from the Gt Ouse that cemented his place in barbel fishing history, culminating in a specimen of 19lb 2ozs.
He gave many talks to fellow anglers and was part of the Lone Angler set up. Tony was a prolific author penning a huge number of articles, in excess of 1200, for the various magazines and also seventeen books, some of which have become firmly established in the barbel world, Elite Barbel stands out along with his collaboration with Trefor West on Quest for Barbel.
Trefor West
Trefor is a specialist angler whose catches and status have become legendary. Trefor was one of the first barbel fishing guides and he designed his own rod for the type of fishing he prefers. Trefor along with his great friend Tony Miles was co-author of Quest for Barbel and later brought out his own book, Barbel, A Lifetime’s Addiction. He was instrumental in the Lone Angler set up. Trefor was formerly a professional footballer. A regular on the talk circuit, his presentations have become part of barbel fishing folklore.