R.I.P fishing legend and childhood icon, you will be sadly missed

Forever in our hearts as one of the greatest Anglers of our generation. I remember watching in awe as a child as he hooked and landed specimen fish most of us could only dream of. I still get goosebumps when i hear the theme music to 'Go Fishing'. The term legend is loosley used these days. This man was one, and ALWAYS will be. RIP childhood hero. ❤

This man is a legend....grew up watching him in the 80s and 90's

I watched John fishing on the Shannon at meelick weir he was trotting out from his feet catching wonderful Rudd, I had no idea where it was but determined to fish at that spot, went to the Shannon hired a boat and fished the same swim, results same as John catching the biggest Rudd of my life I have two John Wilson rods, I am 68 years old and fished since I was 5years of age John was a great man in my eyes, I share the same joy of fishing as him.

God I still miss "Go Fishing" was the best programme ever, I remember my girlfriend and her mum loved it as well and they have never fished in their life. That's John Wilson for you, a gentleman and a legend. God bless you John :)

John Wilson you will always be in my angling you have always inspired me and you got me into river fishing using a centre pin reel and a 13ft float rod trotting I miss your go fishing and your angling adventures your a legend and a true pioneer of our sport I hope your catching big roach and bream in a golden river in the sky god bless you you are sorely missed ❤️😢

Well Mr wilson , for me you deserve a knighthood for all you have done for our sport . And this is not the end just a new beggining ! . All the best in your ñew adventure from the watts family .

Sat and fished twice with John in the late 80s and early 90s in Norfolk....such a nice man...gave so much to the sport...will be missed RIP John

The word legend is thrown around to much these days but John was a true legend of our beloved sport. Had the pleasure of meeting him and he was a lovely guy. Rest in peace John you will be sadly missed. A sad day for me and millions of anglers around the world. Tight lines mate

I could listen to this man all day . What a legend

The best angler ever, very knowledgable, delightful guy, wise and always with a smile on his face, an all-round great person! An amazing life lived, sadly too soon ended.

Total Legend so much Respect for John 👍 I owe a lot to this man he got me into fishing in the early 90's kept me off the streets out of trouble still to this day I watch his old Go Fishing program's while on the banks 😊

I remember watching a video where he was on a boat in the middle of a lake catching specimen bream. Magical.

John Wilson legend of fishing watchig go fishig in the 80s was an amasing tv show.

Honestly don't think there will be another like John. Gave us so much and will live on for generations 👍 🎣

Tom Hanks really loved this guy. We had a otter problem at our syndicate lake but sorted the problem out ourselves by night time vigilance, they’ve totally devastated some of the local fisheries around here. RIP my fishing hero.

RIP John. A Whole generation remember your Fishing Series, loved your passion for nature.

had a few fantastic chats with john when he phoned me. even suggesting I buy his house and grounds. discussed his re-write and gave him a few updated pointers on the upper rivers and my old water. what he says about cormorants and otters is spot on and 100% with regards to otters taking out other wildlife.

Got me in to fishing when I was as young, RIP, gentleman till the end.

This man sparked my interest in fishing very sad to see him go R.I.P John and thank you for your knowledge

When Angling programmes finally started to get good. John was an excellent all rounder and inspired me to break away from the small fish match fishing methods that had influenced my early days in the late 1970s and its thanks to John I started to catch larger fish. I had one of his Avon (green blank) rods and enjoyed using it until high modulus pellet wagglers came out. Wish I still had one. I am in my late 50s now and rarely fish but KZfaq has started suggesting these videos to me so maybe its trying to tell me something......

RIP good sir my teacher at school when I was ten before leaving for secondary school said she would miss my stories of go-fishing very day! Thanks mate thanks for giving me some great memories and the enjoyment I found in fishing.

Tight lines in heaven John ,my mentor !!!!! God bless ❤️

What a great angler and idol for any aspiring young angler. John wilson influenced my fishing as a kid and his values should be shared, great interview and its not all about carp. Its about experiencing the countryside as well as the fishing. Wish you all the best John.

A part of my childhood died, RIP John.

Me & my dad fished the wensum because of this gentleman !!! Made memories with my dad .... His fishing catchphrases and his fishing ways will be with me forever ...... Thankyou mr.Wilson .... the best !!! R.I.P

sad to see him leave..loved his laugh

I absolutely adored this man as a young boy fascinated by fishing.

It was watching John's enthusiasm for fishing back in the first series of "Go Fishing" many years ago (and of course all the subsequent series) that got me into fishing in the first place. All the best in your new adventure John and a very big thank you for all the pleasure and enjoyment you have given to us all over all the years you have been broadcasting, writing and promoting the wonderful sport of angling. Kind regards Phil

I love this man. His general attitude to everything which is so philosophical.

Incredible angler and more importantly a wonderful man. He inspired generations of anglers. Grew up watching him over 30yrs. Rest Easy John. Trotting bread flake on a centrepin for Big Roach in Heaven....

It was a sad day when we lost john Wilson loved his fishing programmes may he rest in peace 🙏

It's seriously bloody criminal that this beautiful man never got a knighthood!!!!!! They would rather giv it to posh, rich 5 minute wonders like Andy Murray or Chris Froom....!!!! Shame on you Queen Elizabeth!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Wilson`s books and videos have been a big part of my angling life. Good luck to him in Thailand!

He did one in 2018 when he returned to the UK such a shame he passed .He did a lot for fishing.Sadly missed.

Loved this guy. His knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise. He was Mr fishing in our country! An unbelievable loss to the world of fishing. RIP Wilson. You did what you loved all your life.

Met this Legend at the Edinburgh Angling centre.Couldn’t have met a nicer chap.

An absolute legend ! John and his TV programmes are responsible for getting so many young boys to get outside fishing with nature in the countryside, that is to be contended especially against the video game generation. He has inspired me and my two sons to fish and for the fantastic memories that were part of my youth. Thanks John we hope you enjoy your well earned retirement in the sun !

Well said John . Such a great ambassador for true angling . Absolute expert in all disciplines . Respected spokesman for angling . Thank you Sir .

Sad to know your leaving the UK banks John!! But let me tell you that our new generation isn't dead. I'm only 22 and have grown up watching you and using you baits and tackle and moast deffenatley your techniques roaming the rivers and streams with the float😃 your an inspiration to us all. Have a grand time in Thailand and TIGHT LINES!! 😎😎

John Wilson is my angling hero, and always will be! John is so right what his saying here! God rest your soul, John! ❤

The man is a legend in my eyes, remember staying up late watching Go Fishing the night before having a days fishing with my best mate down our local ponds, by the end of a episode I could never sleep just thinking about different methods of catching carp and hoping the swim I wanted would be free. This guy taught me so much next to my old man of course however it wasn't just how to catch but to enjoy and being outside and taking it all in waiting for a screaming run or a huge carp to slurp down a dog biscuit. Thank you John for inspiring me and I know when I have kids they'll be doing the same as I did. LEGEND!

Mr Wilson What a legend, i have watched and followed your story over the past 20 plus years, your interview was spot on with all your points if views. I met you at the NEC and at Willen Lake Milton keynes, that laugh will be missed when you hooked into any sized fish and i wish you and your wife well in your new venture you fully deserve it after all that you have offered people in the fishing world. best regards Rob Harriman

Wow. The best angler in the world...I cannot wait to see what he does in Thailand. Please show us more you legend.

I was watching his movies since 1990... great man. Nature- lover and such a great angler. I will never forget him laughing and enjoying the fishing.

Total fishing legend! Grew up watching him on TV. Also still using my 20+ year old John Wilson Avon rod :)

R.I.P. John Wilson , loved the go fishing programme

one of my favorite all time anglers,used to watch him when i was very little with my old man,great angler and one i would love to fish with...good luck john

You were a Legend Sir!!! Every fish I catch I hear "Come to Johnny" LOL! Will always remember your wonderful teachings over the years...God Bless you Mr. John Wilson

Great interview of one off angling greatest servant, bringing angling and nature to the masses.

I don't fish but I watched him everytime he was on TV r,I,p john

RIP John very pleased to have met you as our guest at the Rawai Beach Fishing Club (Phuket) Tournament prize giving ( Not your usual Freshwater fish but Marlin & Sails

You are a inspiration to all us anglers Mr Wilson grow up watching your episodes on video tape what me grandad recorded we miss you

Only got told he passed away last year at work today, genuinely gutted rip John x

What a lovely bloke John is. Very good luck to him.

He's right about the cormorants and otters, both should be stopped before the problem becomes an even more of a problem. Rip John

such a sad loss for Norfolk and the uk, Visited his shop many times in years gone by,Top bloke, Bloody good statement on cormorants and E.A.All the best John.

The man’s a gent. And I’ll never forget the one when he caught the pike from the boat, it thrashed free, went over the side and snapped the end of his rod on the way. Then, as he said ‘I don’t believe it!’ The duck quacked! Cracked me up completely...... all the best mate. 😊

Made my child hood a little bit better watching his programs

I only found out he died a little while back. What a legend and I think every single fisherman and environment agency person should listen to this man. Will be missed a lot.

What a true gent. "We're in"!

How right he was about Cormorants & Otters. They have decimated so many rivers and stillwaters. Great man who is missed big time.

He wont be topped. Cheers john will still be watching the vids

The legend has spoke!!! Enough said RIP Johnny boy 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿god bless

By far the best and possibly the most important angler on TV in the last 30 - 40 years. His enthusiasm for fishing plus his knowledge of the environment was first class. Non angling friends of mine were hooked on Go Fishing as he made it such an enjoyable programme. I liked him even more as he covered so many methods and species (unlike the carp heavy diet we get currently) with the same joy. Sadly I don't think we have anyone today who can bring people into the angling family in the same way. Good luck John, here's to many years of good health to you and your wife, you have more than earned it.

Lengend always !!!!!! RIP Mr Wilson ✌🏼

RIP John Wilson. A fishing Legend.

How can anyone dislike this legend. I grew up watching his fishing programmes

The fishing guru. I loved his fishing attitude, the surroundings and wildlife . Just the sheer pleasure of it all. Never to serious, and never ever shy of experimenting. Fly fishing for carp , Free line with a lob worm for carp! I've used course fishing tackle at a local harbour and caught all day while others with massive sea tackle caught nothing. But they all laughed as I set up. John must have had this a lot. And I bet he had the last laugh, just like me. A true legend in every respect . Thank you for the memories

John Wilson in my mind one of the best fisherman of the 80s, he made me won't to go fishing more, and in my mind he is spot on, if we don't stop the otter and cormorants we will never see big roach and Rudd again, the cormorants and otters take the breading roach and Rudd so we will run out of them, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE, Thank you John you will never be forgotten,

Jack Hargreaves . John Wilson in same breath . Thanks John . Showing us dream fishing and the dream fishing on our doorstep .

Watching this reminded me of just how much I learnt from John, loved his programmes .

A great broadcaster, angler, and all around good guy. I'll miss his cheesy grin, RIP John Wilson....."Magic"

I’ve had three spells of fishing in my 61 times around the Sun. 6-12yrs old (my Dad dies when I was 12 and stopped until 1993, after 20yrs in the Army. Ended again in 1999, due to work hours. Started in 2006 again - retired and plenty of time. John Wilson got me back into fishing in the early 90’s and seems a very genuine nice guy. I’ve done the expensive Carp malarkey, but starting again in 2006, I decided to go and stay light. 4lb line on a JW Avon travel rod is great fun when hooking anything.

The nicest man in fishing.. good luck John

Great angler, lovely guy and very knowledgeable, saw the otter problem all those years ago, sad that no one listens to people like John, RIP Sir ❤️

R.i.p. john. Always watched your brilliant programmes.

Many, Many thanks JW . Wishing you all the very best in your new venture.

Legend. Made me feel very melancholic watching that...not to mention old.

Thank you for for the intaview really enjoyed watching got every one of your DVDs and your my favorite angler all the best in the future mate:-) .

Legend. This gentleman did more for angling in the UK than anybody else, encouraging more people to get out and not only enjoy fishing but the wildlife as well. He is sadly missed in this crazy world. Sir John Wilson RIP

RIP a true inspiration, even though I haven't fished 30 years I was hooked by go fishing as a young lad in the 80's . Float fishing in Norfolk in the 80's was real fun as a kid . Great bloke fun to watch .

Such a great guy, glad i had the privilege to meet him, in 2013 in my hometown at an angling exhibition he was signing books so it was just a quick few words but it was nice, i have gotten so much enjoyment from watching his programs over the years, and then getting exited to go out fishing, thanks John, all the best in Thailand!. Paul.

Top man, angler and ambassador for our beloved sport. Will be greatly missed.

I grew up watching Go Fishing and still love watching John today over 20 since i first found fishing and go fishing was the program that influanced me the most..

good luck mate its been great watching all your fishing shows it was like being on the water with you have a great life and thanks again mate

As important to my fishing soul as Bernard Venables (Mr Crabtree made me want to fish.. Mr Wilson showed me how). Thank you!!

love the chap and will miss him

The great John Wilson always speaks words of wisdom. Good luck in Thailand John.

John never pushed his books , that’s what I liked about him as much as his excellent fishing programmes which were wonderful to watch. Thank you John. RIP 🙏🙏🙏

Goodbye John I remember meeting you probably getting on for twenty years ago at the NEC. Good luck in Thailand its a wonderful place for fishing

love our john Wilson, he has great views & some very correct views on angling & its needs! bless you sir! don't be a stranger to us anglers!!!!!

Hi john, I hope you have a great new life out there, some of us will continue to fish the rivers over here & hope for the best. Tight lines John, have a good one for all of us, you will be remembered for years to come as the happy chap who laughed by the river even if it was on telly you brought it in to our lives, 😀😀😀

RiP absolute legend and best all round angler ever.

Really enjoyed his fishing shows and learnt a lot. Fishing legend! Hope he's enjoying Thailand.

I miss him already, rip John.

I didn't know that he had passed away until I read the comments, I was only thinking while watching that he looks fantastic here, and he doesn't look too different to how he looked when I used to watch Go Fishing on telly in the 80s. I used to love watching that programme, and it's really sad to hear about his passing. Tight lines boss 👍

So right about otters and cormorants

How Many times have I watched JW say “ what a lovely fish, let’s get him straight back” . Legend and so right on many issues.

What a legend John was the one that got me interested in fishing