OLD Lennensians secretary, Neville Fickling, celebrates his 68th birthday today. Fishermen will know that Neville is the UK’s most successful predator angler ever, having broken both the British pike and zander records – the latter twice, in 1971, when he was in the Sixth Form at KES. Both record zander weighed over 12 lb and were caught from his beloved Great Ouse Relief Channel, near Stow Bridge, while fishing with fellow KES pupil Adam Hurlock.
Neville with his first record zander (1971), as reported in the 1972 edition of The Lennensian
His record pike – all 41 lb 6 oz of it – also came from Norfolk – in 1985 from the upper reaches of the River Thurne in the Norfolk Broads.
What a beauty! Neville’s 41 lb 6 oz record pike from the Norfolk Broads in 1985
I’m sure all fellow former KES pupils will join me in wishing our most famous angler a very happy birthday!
Dave Phillips
