Family's tributes to champion angler lost on Tay
The family of a champion Dundee angler who died while fishing the River Tay have paid an emotional tribute to their "happy-go-lucky" loved one.
The Tay at Dalguise.
- By Graeme Bletcher
- Published in the Courier : 27.04.10
- Published online : 27.04.10 @ 10.28am
Alan Taylor (58), of Turnberry Avenue, lost his life on his favourite stretch of water near Dunkeld on Saturday, while on a trip with fellow members of Lochee Angling Club, including his brother Colin Taylor (51).
The group had drawn lots to decide where each would be placed that day and it was the first time Alan had been allocated his preferred Dalguise beat since this year's trout season opened.
Speaking at his home in Loraine Road, Dundee, Colin said he "couldn't get his head around" the possibility that his brother may have been swept away, considering his extensive fly-fishing experience and the low water level.
He said, "Alan was dropped off at the Dalguise beat, which was his favourite piece of water. He has been fishing there for almost 30 years — he knew it as well as he would know his own back garden.
"He had fished there so many times that I just can't get my head around him losing it there.
"It's not a dangerous stretch and the river is not at a level that makes it dangerous. It is easy wading and easy walking."
Alan had acted as full-time carer to his father David (82) and the family are now left to decide who will take over that responsibility.
Colin said, "My dad lives in a house on his own and my brother went up every day — he regarded it more like a job.
"He went fishing on his two days off a week, on the Thursday and the Saturday.
"It's going to be difficult now but we are going to have to make arrangements to look after him somehow.
"He understands what has happened but he is completely devastated. He is kind of lost at the moment."
Alan's daughter Nikki Taylor (32) said her father had always been a "great practical joker" who would count the days to the start of each fishing season.
She added, "He used to tell me the best places to fish and I remember him taking me fishing when I was younger.
"He hardly ever brought his fish home because he always gave them away and if it was just for practice he would put them back.
"The family are all supporting each other just now and there is nothing else we can do. The waiting and wondering what happened is the horrible bit."
Police contacted Colin at around 4pm on Saturday after the body was discovered around 100 yards from the Jubilee Bridge, nearly four miles from where his brother had been fishing.
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