The industry has paid tribute to the first-ever president and one of the founders of the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association, Mike Duckworth, who has passed away.
Born in 1933, Mike was the man behind hook brand Kamasan in the UK and across Europe and worked closely with key players throughout the continent to establish a European tackle trade body
Caroline Thomas, former owner of Resolutions, which organises the European Fishing Tackle Trade Exhibition (EFTTEX) said: “I first met Mike Duckworth in 1979 when I started working for the British sports trade association.
“Mike was chairman of the Angling Trade Association. At that time the UK angling trade attended the SPOGA exhibition in Munich. However, it was not providing the sales opportunities that the trade wanted and needed.
“Mike was instrumental in starting discussions with members of other European companies (Christophe Viellard, Hans von Keller, Ermano Adinolfi amongst others) to decide what should be done. Trade meetings were organised and decisions made to form the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) and for the trade to run its own exhibition.
“Mike was elected as the first president and he and I then visited the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham in 1981 where he told them about the new association, not yet registered and with no money but needing to run a trade show and would they do it.
“Mike’s calm and reassuring manner did the trick, they agreed and the first EFTTEX took place in 1982. I don’t think they made any money that year but the show was a success and is still going strong today, as is EFTTA representing both the trade and the sport.
“Mike attended not only the EFTTEX shows as an exhibitor with his company Kamasan but also as president of EFTTA and in this capacity attended many overseas shows including Tokyo where our contact, Al Arai made our European exhibitors very welcome. Mike’s company, Kamasan, was a highly respected and successful supplier of Japanese hooks.
“Mike was immensely respected and liked in the trade and will be remembered for his calmness, optimism and his impressive ability to get a group of different European nationalities to work together in relative harmony.”
All in the industry are invited to celebrate Michael’s life on Monday, March 9th at 12:30pm at Easthampstead Park Crematorium, Wokingham, RG40 3DW, England.
At Michael’s request, please do not wear black. Family flowers only but donations to the RNLI. Afterwards all are welcome at Hampshire Lakes Bistro, Hammond Way, Yateley, GU46 7AG. Let James know at
j.duckworth@ntlworld.com if you plan to attend.