I was saddened to read of the death of Mike Millman a prominent angling Journalist whose words and pictures have been published throughout my angling life. I have chatted with Mike on a few occasions over the years and his passion and knowledge of angling history always shone through.
Times have changed dramatically since Mike Millmans younger days of angling adventure. He would certainly relish the influx of tuna into South West Waters.
“My interest in angling began during the war years when as a ten year old equipped with a ten foot bamboo rod purchased for 2d at a local seed merchants,thick cuttyhunk line, which was tied directly to the end of the cane, and a somewhat rusty hook, I would join with other boys and men too old for military service in pursuing mackerel from an old jetty.
Those were halcyon days when thousands of mackerel could be relied upon to arrive each summer evening, on the making tide, to feed on millions of brit that would form into huge ball for protection in the corner of a tiny harbour. Even now I can picture the predators slashing into the mass of tiny wriggling fish and feel the jerk on the line as one made a mistake and grabbed my hook, whch was wrapped in silver paper and dangled close to the ball.”
Extract from Sea Angling Supreme by Mike Millman publsiehd in 1979
He celebrated his 90th birthday on March 26 2023,
Through this passion and skill, combined with his love of fishing, he built a hugely successful career. Born in Plymouth in 1933.