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| The Keith Arthur Q&A Interview Exclusive to talkSPORT1089.co.uk Keith Arthur started fishing at four years of age in his native North London and has built up an encyclopedic knowledge of virtually every branch of the sport, especially fishing. He worked for 18 years in all aspects of the fishing tackle industry and began writing for angling magazines in 1981. In 1990 Keith began a column for Angling Times that lasted until January 2002. Keith entered the broadcast media with Wire TV's Fisherman's Tales in 1994 and in 1995 was invited by Sky Sports to become resident expert on their new Tight Lines programme, hosted by former Radio 1 DJ Bruno Brookes. Tight Lines begins its latest forty-programme series, its 9th, in June 2003. When talkSPORT decided to go fishing in the summer of 1999 they invited Keith to present his own programme and Fisherman's Blues was born on June 20th of that year. The title is taken from a Waterboys song, the programme's theme tune. Now Keith can be heard between 6:00am-8:00am. each and every Saturday and Sunday on talkSPORT, giving his views on what he loves best: fishing, and if pushed, Arsenal. When did you join talkSPORT and was it originally to present Fisherman's Blues? The first Fisherman's Blues was June 20th 1999 on Talk Radio. The Programme Controller at the time, Moz Dee, engaged me via my manager, Barry Hearn, to produce and present a one-hour call-in angling programme every Sunday evening. Saturday mornings were added about 1 year on, then Sunday evenings were switched to mornings and ultimately, in September 2001, both programmes were extended to 2 hours. What did you do before joining talkSPORT in 1999? Before joining talkSPORT I co-presented Tight Lines on Sky Sports, now I am presenter. I also had a column in Angling Times, which I have recently resumed following an 18 month break (my decision). Prior to 1995 when I started Tight Lines on Sky Sports, I was a representative for a fishing tackle manufacturer. The show seems to have quite a large following amongst fisherman and people that actually don't take part in it. What do you think it is about your show that gets people listening? That is difficult to say. Maybe it's the countryside association, talking not only of angling but the seasons and what's happening outside. I also try to converse with callers, even the people against fishing. What time do you have to arrive at talkSPORT for Fisherman's Blues and what sort of preparation do you make before hand to make the show as it is? I arrive at the studio at 5:30am and make tea! Thursday evening is my main preparation time, although I may do some at any time during the week. As Tight Lines is now broadcast on Friday's I only have time to touch up on Friday evening before retiring at about 10:15pm. You present for both Sky Sports and talkSPORT presenting fishing shows. What other fishing based activities do you participate in? As well as fishing wherever and whenever I can I write for Angling Times and Match Fishing magazine on a regular basis and other magazines occasionally. Is fishing something you have always wanted to do, even as a career? Since starting only very bad days have made me consider stopping. Having made a living from angling in various ways since 1978, I feel extremely privileged as I have been finishing since I was a small boy. What's has been the biggest fish you have caught? I have had a few big fish. A blue marlin of 351lb tops the list. I have caught shark to 317lb, 2 other blue marlin around 200lb, and 7 different species of fish over 100lb. If you had the choice between Arsenal FC and fishing, which one would you choose and why? That isn't a choice, because The Gunners will always be there and while I can still get to the water I can fish. The perfect day is to fish, catching plenty, with a personal radio in my ear listening to The Gunners giving a team, preferably in dark blue shorts and white shirts, from North London a bit of a smacking. How often do you get the chance to visit Highbury and see the Gunners? Very rarely. I saw all the Champions League matches at Wembley and try and make Highbury a couple of times a year, but the journey from Richmond is a nightmare! Why can't Arsenal seem to replicate the same form in the Champions League on a regular basis as they do in the Premiership? I think they do produce the form, but rarely the goals. The European defence is a tough door to open and 'defence versus attack', as in Sunday's Fulham match is always difficult. Do you think a new stadium will ever be build at Ashburton Grove? For sure. A couple of people I have met who have their fingers pretty much on the pulse tell me the finances are just about in place, with change for Mr Wenger to have. What are you going to be doing for Christmas this year? Sleeping early, and preparing for Fisherman's Blues on Boxing Day, Saturday and Sunday! Thankyou to Keith Arthur for the chance to interview him. You can listen to Keith every Saturday and Sunday between 6:00am-8:00am on Fisherman's Blues on talkSPORT and there is more chance to listen over the Christmas period with extra shows on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. The Keith Arthur Q&A Interview Fisherman's Blues December 2003 |
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