SEAN ASHBY
The Thinking Man’s Champion
A Champion with an Angling Brain
Sean Ashby is one of England’s outstanding international
match anglers, renowned for his calm approach, technical
knowledge and ability to adapt to changing conditions.
In 2006, Sean won an individual bronze medal at the
World Championships on the River Mondego in Portugal,
the very river where I had won my own World Championship
gold medal in 1987.
Six years later, in 2012, he achieved the ultimate
individual honour, becoming World Champion on the
River Morava in the Czech Republic.
His international achievements and continuing involvement
in competitive fishing have earned him a place among
the great names of modern match angling.
The Sean Ashby I Knew
Sean’s international career came after my own, so
I never got to know him particularly well during
those championship years.
However, we did compete against each other on the
Warwickshire Avon, where I had the good fortune
to draw beside him twice and finish ahead of him
on both occasions!
I later had the pleasure of interviewing Sean
for my YouTube channel, when we talked about his
life in angling and his experiences in the sport.
What impressed me most was his calm manner and
remarkable understanding of fishing.
More recently, when Sean announced his retirement
from Sensas, I wished him well and jokingly asked
whether he might be going to work for Guinness.
He reckoned he’d be rather good at selling it!
Why I Wrote This Song
I’ve fished against Sean Ashby on the Warwickshire Avon,
where we were drawn beside each other twice, and
fortunately for me, I came out on top both times!
But I always recognised his exceptional ability
and remarkable angling brain. I admired his bronze
medal on the River Mondego in Portugal, where I’d
won my own World Championship gold, and his magnificent
World Championship victory in 2012. Later, I had the
pleasure of interviewing Sean about his life in angling.
The Thinking Man’s Champion is my tribute to an
outstanding angler whose achievements and knowledge
continue to earn my respect.
The Thinking Man’s Champion
A musical tribute to Sean Ashby
Listen to the Song
An original musical tribute by Clive Branson
A brilliant angling brain. A World Champion.
A living legend.
CONTINUE THE JOURNEY
Discover the Complete Legends Collection
Sean’s tribute is part of a much larger celebration
of the anglers, champions and characters who have
shaped my life in fishing.
Discover the book and explore the music collection
planned for CD, USB and digital download.
The Anglers • The Stories • The Memories • The Music