From Mr Crabtree and Peter, right through to Mortimer and Whitehouse, angling has spawned some truly memorable duos. But which is the greatest of them all?
Bob James and Chris Yates
Along with Hugh Miles’ breathtaking film making, it was the quiet camaraderie of Chris and Bob that set the perfect tone for so much of A Passion for Angling. The landmark series managed to capture not only their know-how, but their friendship and eccentricity on the bank. From Bob’s early morning pike raid to Chris’s scarecrow impression at Redmire, they were the perfect fit on screen, as both rivals and partners in crime.
Whether it's gudgeon from a punt or river barbel, the film still looks effortless today. The reality, however, was two years’ painstaking work across all hours and seasons on the bank and, sadly, the two have seldom fished together since.
Matt Hayes and Mick Brown
Midlanders Matt Hayes and his mate “The Duke” Mick Brown are known for various adventures, but perhaps their best-loved series of all is The Great Rod Race. Challenging the two to catch as many fish species as possible on a 30-day road trip, they tangled with everything from bullheads to pike. Alongside various twists and turns, it was the connection between the anglers that made the show a hit.
Matt and Mick were inseparable across several further series, including The Greater Rod Race and Wet Nets. The duo are set for a return with another series "The Ultimate Rod Race" so keep your eyes peeled for that as it unfolds.
TRY YOUR OWN ROD RACE BY VISITING THESE VENUES IN OUR WHERE TO FISH GUIDE.
Carl and Alex
Starting with nothing more than basic camera gear and a love of fishing, the Sussex brothers became an internet sensation from nowhere. From their first, tentative YouTube videos, their growth in angling and storytelling was a joy to watch for millions of viewers.
At the very dawn of the fishing influencer, Carl and Alex led the way for a generation looking to forge their own path using modern tech rather than old media. Hundreds of thousands of followers and professional income followed – and, most importantly of all, countless young anglers discovered fishing through their online antics. It can’t be the easiest thing working with your brother, however, and the two have since followed their own interests in the world of online film making.
Fishing with Carl is still popular on YouTube, while fans will be hoping that some day they will reunite for another cast.
Mortimer and Whitehouse
Angling’s biggest TV series of the past 10 years has been a huge surprise hit, but what makes this show hit all the right notes? The friendship is as important as the fishing. World champion anglers they are not, but Bob’s giddy enthusiasm sits perfectly next to the greater experience of Paul, and his frantic commands of “don’t wind!”.
It’s a connection that never feels forced or staged – and their conversations cover everything from mortality to pop music. Interestingly, their angling escapades began long before any cameras were involved, when lifelong angler Paul used fishing as a good ruse to get his increasingly reclusive friend Bob out of the house. The rest is history, with adventures spanning six series and venues all over Britain.
Mr Crabtree and Peter
Packed with practical 1950s advice, dipping floats and commands of “strike!”, Bernard Venables’ famous comic strip duo offered the classic picture of youth and experience. Mr Crabtree was the uncle every boy wanted, dispensing failsafe instructions between whiffs on his pipe, while Peter brought schoolboy enthusiasm into the bargain.
Compared to today’s angling media, they might seem more Werther’s Originals than Extreme Fishing. No sniggering at the back, though, because the duo captivated generations of anglers and the book sold millions.
WE HAVE SOME REAL MR CRABTREE VENUES IN OUR WHERE TO FISH GUIDE.
Dick Walker and Pete Thomas
Close friends since childhood, Pete Thomas may be less celebrated than the great Richard Walker, but played a key role in shaping post-war angling. In an era when big carp were seen as almost uncatchable, he and Walker made giant strides.
By his early teens, Thomas had already caught carp to 14lb. In fact, while Walker was the great inventor, Pete was arguably the better angler. Thanks to his calming presence and skill with a landing net, Walker’s record Redmire carp “Clarissa” made history – Walker himself wondered if he’d have landed it without Pete beside him.
WANT TO START CARP FISHING? READ OUR USEFUL BEGINNER'S GUIDE FOR SOME GREAT ADVICE ON GETTING STARTED!
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