Obituary
TED Hunter’s life when he moved to the Borders revolved around fishing. He was a leading expert in the area and people came from all over the country to discuss their problems, and just talk fishing.
He and Jean were a devoted couple, which made visiting Angler’s Choice in Melrose, now gone, a joy for every fisherman. You often had to wait as Ted was always busy with customers and everyone, however much of a novice, always got his complete attention.
I fished with him on several occasions. On one lovely autumn day, on Woodside at Bemersyde, there were fish jumping everywhere but neither of us had a touch; it didn’t matter as Ted was so interesting with his theories as to what was happening, always spoken in an assured and quiet manner.
With his rather large thumbs and fingers it amazed me how he used to produce such wonderful flies exactly as requested for the Tweed and further afield, including a large selection for Norwegian rivers for the regular fishing trips that he and Jean took.
He produced special flies for the Duke of Roxburghe, and a commemorative set for the Tweed Foundation.
Many customers ran monthly accounts at the shop for which we were all grateful, and I knew one mad keen fisherman who used to get his pension sent direct from his bank to Anglers Choice!
Ted fished all over the place, including a regular spot at Mertoun, and helped with the management of a local beat at Leaderfoot, now named Drygrange.
He was incredibly enthusiastic and supportive of the management and everything Tweed.
A Tweed commissioner for 15 years, and a trustee of the Tweed Foundation for 16, he could be relied upon to dream up and lend his weight to all manner of fund-raising initiatives.
His casting tuition was much in demand on the river, the fees from which were always donated to the Tweed Foundation.
Ted was chairman of the Tweed and Eye Liaison Committee for a number of years. He was also chairman of the Federation of Borders Angling Associations, which represented the interests of all Tweed angling clubs.
How will I remember him? The handlebar moustache, the deerstalker – without which he was rarely seen outside – the incredible kindness, sunny outlook and unbounded enthusiasm for all that happened on the river.
Nigel Houldsworth
River Tweed commissioner