Fly fisher to the stars celebrates milestone

Peter Anderson – known as Kirkintilloch’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ – reached the special birthday on Friday, May 5.

He is best known in fishing circles as a world record holder in fly casting, who won British, European and World casting title.

As a casting tutor he taught an array of stars the art of fishing - including John Wayne, Joe DiMaggio, Frank Sinatra, Tiger Woods, and even the Queen Mother.

After getting hooked on the sport he perfected on the Forth and Clyde Canal, Peter travelled the world to take part in competitions.

But he always came back home to Kirkintilloch, where he ran his famous angling academy until being forced to retire due to ill health.

He’s had a tough year, having been admitted to hospital several times with health issues stemming from long term diabetes, including having to have his left leg amputated below the knee.

He’s now determined to get walking again so that he can return to fishing.

Son Peter said: “I’m proud of my Dad, his great range of accomplishments and now – most recently – his strength to face and overcome tremendous trauma and pain.

“He is now, in relative terms, doing so incredibly well, that my sister Margaret-Anne and wife Daiva arranged for roughly 30 of his closest friends to come by our house on Saturday, May 6.

“We had his good friend Andy Toft take him for some lunch and so surprised him when he got back.

“A great day was had and he greeted friends from all over the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe.”