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The business was founded by Billy Clarke in 1918 in a tiny shop on Button lane in the centre of Sheffield. Billy was a keen match angler and was a member of the Sheffield Amalgamated anglers society which, In 1934 went on to win the prestigious all England champions Daily mirror cup. Billy died in 1937 and his daughters took over the business to run it through the war years. His son Billy then took charge of the business in May 1946 when he returned from the army having served right through the second world war.
The shop was gradually built up from an empty shell by Billy, going from strength to strength and continuing to grow even though at the time there were over 200 shops selling tackle in Sheffield at that time! The shops popularity was helped by the fact that Billy was a very well respected match angler in the Sheffield area, being a member of the Sheffield Amalgamated team which won the English championships in 1953. He was also a long standing member of the Sheffield Piscatorials Society and the Waltonian angling club. Billy Died in 1983 at the age of 67.
The third generation Billy Clarke (grandson of the founder) now runs the business from the current address which was specifically built in 1996 and then extended in 2005. Billy has been working full time in the business since 1971.Margaret, Billy’s Mum, has worked in the shop since 1946 and although she is now in ‘semi-retirement’ she still likes to help out every now and then, keeping an eye on the rest of us!

Tom Clarke, 4th generation of the Clarke’s is now a partner in the business and runs the mail order and internet side of the shop. Tom’s interest in the sport has grown lately and has seen him making quite a few trips lure fishing for pike with some success!
Lee Ellis Has worked in the shop since leaving school in 1986. Lee is a very keen angler, with the match and pleasure side of the sport being his main focus. He enjoys all aspects of pleasure fishing, especially using the waggler but is also well versed in feeder fishing and handling a pole. His common sense, precise, adaptable approach to the sport makes him very successful. Lee has lately been trying his hand at some specimen Angling (under Johns guidance), watch this space…..anything could happen! He is always willing to give help and advice wherever needed.
John Walker who has been fishing since he was 3 and a half is a keen specimen hunter (he’ll fish for anything as long as its big…) but mainly Carp, Barbel, pike and lately Catfish (mainly in Spain for the Moggies), some of which you can see on the gallery! He also likes to dabble with fly fishing every now and then. John is more than approachable about any aspect of specimen fishing and will help wherever possible. He also helps Tom with the mail order, so if you have queries regarding this side of the business he can help you out.