Warlingham & DAS are sad to announce that Life Member, former chairman and secretary Richard Dodds passed away on October 15 following a short illness at just 58-years-old.

Born in the North East of England, he grew up fishing rivers such as the River Tees and never gave up his love for moving water. Although when work took him down to the capital and fishing with Top Ten Match Group, it was in the early 1980s when he joined Warlingham & DAS. There he was a regular on club coach outings winning many matches and trophies. In addition he fished a number of years in the Sussex Summer League and Surrey Winter League as well as exploring Ireland and Holland.

In the past few years Dickie lived close to Hereford with his wife Lynne and enjoyed fishing the waters provided by the Wye and Usk Foundation fishing for game fish as his back could not deal with carrying his coarse gear any longer.

Despite ill health in the past three years limiting his fishing days, he managed to fish the River Wharfe at Wharfedale. But in October he contacted septicaemia and died two days later, his latest Trout and Salmon magazine, cap and waistcoat being buried with his body on October 27.

Club Chairman Dave Harper said: “Dick was a lovely man, a great river angler who hated overstocked commercials but a great drinking companion and hardworking member of the club for many years whose experience working for the Inland Revenue was invaluable. I was lucky to stay with him last year for a few days fishing and had a wonderful time. I am extremely sorry that was the last time that we met”.