Donald Downs

[Gwilym]

I received the sad news this weekend that Donald Downs, President of the Game Angling Instructors Association, passed away last Thursday 10th February 2011. Donald was a great Flytyer and some of you may remember him around the shows during the early 2000's. Elderly gentleman in Tweeds, Breeches, Deerstalker, wore a little white pinny and used a hand vice. Often seen infront of the Fly Dresser Guild tent , or the Salmon and Trout tent, sat on a small stool tying away, a great tyer and artist. Donald had not been well for the past couple of years. Donald RIP.

[ohanzee]

respects. and to his family.

[bbamboo]

RIP Donald


Gary

[Endrick]

This is sad news indeed. I knew Donald fairly well in the early 1980s and we fished all around South East England and were in the same team in the Benson and Hedges. We were early members of the Civil Service fly fishers Society which had recently been started.

I remember the little vice he had devized to fasten onto the handle of the bus seat in front of him. he used to travel in every day from his home to the Old War Office on a Greenline bus and sat on the bus there and back tying flies.

He was an early fly casting instructor too and another friend and I accompanied him to a couple of casting days to help out with the beginners at a place called Kempton Park reservoir - I don't know if it still exists. I think we were invited as he didn't drive and needed a lift. Nothing like getting stuck in at the deep end! He tried to get a few of us to join the casting association he was involved with but I think only one person did.

RIP Donald

[sabalos]

A sad loss, met Donald once at the gamefair. He knew a friend of mine so we were introduced. Seemed like a very genuine and good guy.
Condolences to his family.
dave

[arkle]

I met Donald on several occasions during the 80's & 90's, he was a real gentleman. He once came with John Veniard to our branch of the FDG & held the guys there captivated with his tying & stories. A very sad loss.

[Chris Reeves]

Thats very sad news, If you had been on the Medlar press website you will find they'd killed Donald off in 2007! They have since corrected the error.
The London branch of the FDG disposed of many of his effects at auction when he went into care and I have a nice hand vice and a few of his flies to remember him by. Sadly I couldn't justify buying all the drawings and illustrations he used for his talks and teachings.

Regards