John Goddard was an author , angler and prominent entomologist. His contribution to angler’s knowledge of insects and their representation is unique in Europe. Often jokingly referred to as “God”, John was a n early member and staunch supporter of the Fly Dressers Guild an association which he retained until his death.

His books include:- His autobiography, The Passionate Angler, in 2008. His other books include Trout Flies of Stillwater (1969); Trout Flies of Britain & Europe (1991); John Goddard’s Trout Fishing Techniques (1996); Understanding Trout Behaviour (with Brian Clarke, 2001); Reflections of a Game Fisher (2002); and The Trout Fly Patterns of John Goddard (2004).

Trout flies of Stillwater was one of my first fly tying books and while a few of the patterns look a little dated given the new materials available they were without doubt revolutionary at the time. his treatise with Brian Clarke is held by some to be a definitive book on deceiving surface feeding trout.