Rest In Peace, Pete

I was so shocked to hear the tragic news that Pete Caton passed away on Saturday while he was fishing. I’ve known Pete for years and he’s always been one of the top anglers on any venue he chose to target. 

I first met Pete back way back when I began fishing Tunnel Barn, which must be at least 25+ years ago. He was in his burgundy Browning Banbury Gunsmiths clobber back then. Along with Pete Rice he was definitely one of the best anglers on the venue. In fact, I think the two Petes and myself were the first three to get a coveted ‘70lb+ Club’ hat. It took a few more years before 100lb weights were commonplace there. 

Together with Kev Folwell, Pete Caton and I won the County Champs Final at Heronbrook Fishery. I can’t quite remember the format, but we must have been the top three points scorers in Warwickshire that year and that saw us compete against the very best in the country in a big teams-of-three. I’ve never really bothered counting winnings, but it’s a good job Pete did as we were quite a few bob short!

Another memorable match was when we drew next to each other on House Pool at Tunnel Barn, way back when they used to do floodlit evening contests. We were really close together on pegs 29 and 30 and I only just beat him after a carp jumped 2ft out of his keepnet! The same match we both witnessed Mike the owner’s Range Rover getting nicked. It sped straight up the track past us, out the fishery, never to be seen again! 

I learnt absolutely loads from Pete. His peg always looked like a bomb had gone off, but I think that helped keep people back. He always set up really quickly, too, then walked off to leave his peg nice and quiet. When most people fished close in at Tunnel he’d often win by fishing the long pole. He always knew how to get the better quality specimens.  

He was never scared of pulling back when he had a big carp on either. I am surprised he didn’t break more top kits whenever I watched him heaving away at Meadowlands! 

In more recent times he’s been one of the guys who perfected PVA bag fishing over the ‘bosher’ tactic. Loads are doing this at Barston Lakes now, but he’d also made it work on several other venues to excellent effect. 

I always thought it was surprising how such a great F1 float angler turned more to feeder fishing for big carp the last decade, but he was a master of that as well. 

Hats off to everyone who was at Packington for trying their very best to resuscitate him while waiting for the ambulance. The only very small consolation to such a sad loss is that he died doing the sport he loved. I’m sure he’ll be catching plenty more fish in heaven. 

Such a nice and approachable guy, a brilliant angler and a huge loss to the match fishing scene. Rest in peace Pete Caton. You won’t be forgotten.