It was with a heavy heart that we travelled up to Little Missenden Church to say our farewells to Fred Buller, one of, if not the greatest angling historians, Patron of Angling Heritage, and more importantly a true gentleman and friend.
We had got to know Fred over the last few years, ever since we recorded Recollections I at his house with his old fishing buddy Fred J Taylor. It was always a joy tovisit him and his wife Margaret afterwards as Fred and I would head off into his study and I never ceased to be enthralled at all his treasires in there, and you were also amazed at the breadth of his knowledge. Margaret aways made the guests feel welcome, entertaining family as Fred and I rambled on about angling in all its forms. After his last book, Fred said he wouldn't write another one, but we still corresponded about the kype on male salmon following a letter I received written by the Wye Wizard, Robert Pashley. We trawled through literature, catch records of the Miramichi etc, but sadly, there wsn't time to bring this to a conclusion as the information on returning males is very sketchy at best.
The church was not massive but was full of family, friends and Buller devotees who he inspire to fish and also write about fishing. The eulogy was read by Brian Clarke, his granddaughter read about Fred and captured his personality as a loving parent/grandparet and even great grandparent. Ted Andrews also read a poem hed had written for Fred in the past.
Margaret had also organised a buffet for attendees in the Village Hall where we all exchanged tales about Fred and just what he meant to us. We will all miss him greatly.
On the way home, we stopped off with our friends Gary and Paula and had a meal that evening before we dabbled for fish in a carrier on the Kennet. I said I would pike fish but the lake had waves with white crest rolling down it, so I could not miss the chance to trot, but was confronted by a gale blowing into my face with rain, hail and snow all falling making trotting on the far side of the carrier in the optimum line impossible. I managed three chub and the usual trout all in the 2.5 to 2.5 lb range, a handful on the perfection roach rod. Gary sheltered in his truck and left me too it as the weather deteriorated.
Sandy and I then left just after lunch and headed for home, but still talking about Fred. He was one of my heroes having been awarded a school prize and buying his "Pike" book which I still enjoy reading, even though not buying a book on my school subjects was frowned upon. (I also bought Fred J's book on "Tench" and Barrie Rickard's and Ray Webb's book "Fishing for big pike" in other years and was lucky enough to become friends with Fred J and Barrie too. Now all those heroes of mine have passed on but left us all much richer for having known them)