As a match angler for the best part of 40 years now, very rarely drifting far from my main interest in coarse fishing, I have to admit that there's never a day gone by when my curiosity about other disciplines has gone unnoticed.
Like every angler, I just love to catch fish, and whether I'm competing on a match circuit, taking the time out to 'just wet a line', or even sitting on a beach whilst on holiday watching the locals, I always need to try my luck.
And as I was focused on a tribute to one of Liverpool's great match anglers upon a memorial match to be held in his name on our local canal at Halsall on Saturday, I received what was to be found a very important telephone call.
On the occasion, which was to see everyone celebrate the life of Ray Pagan, it was one that was always going to have camaraderie uniquely distributed at its greatest amongst our city's match angling fraternity and fittingly so, Pago's passion for angling and his community spirit always saw him supporting junior angling in his day, making him a household name across the Liverpool angling scene.
But first, the run up to this call led to an occasion where I also had the privilege to meet an angler who very similarly has a passion to help others get on within our sport.
For me, this meeting underlined that no matter what discipline we may be interested in, anglers will always do their utmost to help others in our beloved sport.
On behalf of Liverpool and District Angling Association, on this occasion I had the great honour to meet my new friend Dennis, who emotionally donated his late friend Russell Degnan's tackle in order to help us create an opportunity to attract youngsters into our sport.
On taking delivery of the tackle on behalf of Russell's sister Janeen and her husband Paul Craig who live in Northern Ireland, Dennis spoke proudly to me on what his dear friend Russell had achieved during his time fishing in England.
As an angler who had also enjoyed many great experiences within the sea and coarse fishing, Russel became a specialist in his own right on taking up carp fishing which he loved and where he stayed for 25 years.
Russell had enjoyed trips to all over England and France where he successfully took many specimens including his personal best mirror carp of 52lb 9oz.
On a superb field turn out for the Ray Pagan Memorial Match, which, although not breaking any records weight wise, was a superb contest held from peg 1 on the Liverpool side of the Saracens Head at Halsall back to the Kings Arms playing field.
Winner on the day was Wigan's Gordon Houlibecq who took a creditable 5.12.0 on a tough day for the now coveted trophy honours.
Phil Waters was narrowly beaten with his close effort for 5.11.7
Importantly, a superb celebration was held back at the Maghull Community Club which was expertly hosted by L&DAA Match Secretary Mike Dickson in his fine comedy club style. The £500 raised in aid of Dementia UK.
