MAdam, There are few people that fish the River Wye for both salmon and coarse fish that have not heard of George Woodward.

His days on the Wye started as a gillie on the famed Lydbrook beat under the watchful eye of Cecil Teague and Jack Hillman two renowned Wye gillies.

Coming from a shooting and fishing background with a vast store of natural history knowledge and a profound love of the countryside and the River Wye he soon grew to be one of the most knowledgable and respected gillies on the lower river.

Many people will have been instructed in the art of salmon fishing by George and would have taken their first salmon under his critical gaze.

He did not suffer fools gladly, on the river, or in the shooting field where his speed as a loader with double guns had to be witnessed to be believed.

His knowledge of the birds and animals of the countryside and his stories of his experiences would give guest angler a most rewarding day.

He was one of the founders of The Wye Gillies' Association, and for many years in charge of their anti-poaching group with numerous catches of poaching gangs that were ruthlessly slaughtering the already depleted stocks of Wye salmon.

He combined this with the role of part-time gamekeeper providing some first rate shooting at both Courtfield and Treworgon Shoots.

During the mid 1990s, he was assisted by his daughter, who at this time was believed to be the only female gillie not just on the River Wye but in the whole country.

When a vacancy arose for a full time bailiff's position George was proud to be offered the post. He went on to make 'his' beat on the lower Wye his own kingdom, he made friends with every fishery owner both on the river and still waters.

He was respected by the many for his fair dealings, his politeness, keenness and the conscientious way he conducted himself and he was feared by a few.

During the fishing season there was very times that his distinctive rolling countryman's stride could not be seen patrolling his beloved lower Wye.

He was always willing to spend a few minutes talking with any angler be it a Duke fly fishing for salmon or a small boy after minnows.

In any conversation with George, you soon realised that the love and understanding of the River Wye was burnt deep in his soul, though he would be quick to remind you that MADE IN LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND ran through his body like the words in Blackpool Rock.

He often was heard to remark that the river was like watching an old and much loved friend slowly dieing:

In the last two years he worked tirelessly with the Monnow Fisheries Association and their partners on the River Monnow project. We know that it gave him great satisfaction to witness salmon leaping Kentchurch weir last November, possibly the first time for over a hundred years.

As he moves into retirement the Rivers Wye, Monnow, and the Environment Agency will surely miss him. We, his many friends in the fishing clubs and salmon beats on the Wye wish him the very best and a sincere thank you for all he did to protect 'his' river and its salmon.

We feel that to add our names to this letter would embarrass George and leave us open to one of his scathing telling offs, however best wishes are passed on by friends and members of Ross Angling Club, Monmouth Anglers, Monmouth Fisheries Association, The Wye Salmon Fisheries Association, the Wye and Usk Foundation and the Wye River Gillies Association.