In Memory of Peter Cliff

A Life in Publishing and Communication

Peter brought a wealth of experience from his distinguished career in journalism, working with some major corporations and publishing houses. His passion for angling led him to contribute to respected publications such as ‘Improve Your Coarse Fishing,’ and the ‘Angling Mail.’

The Birth of Fisheries.co.uk

Twenty-six years ago, Peter had the foresight to recognise the potential of the emerging digital landscape for connecting anglers with new places to go fishing. What started as an idea became the foundation of Fisheries.co.uk, a platform that would revolutionise how anglers discovered new places to go fishing.

A Legacy Built on Relationships

The remarkable success of Fisheries.co.uk was a direct reflection of Peter’s unique approach. His background in journalism gave him an exceptional ability to communicate clearly and compellingly, while his PR expertise helped him build lasting relationships within the industry. But it was Peter’s genuine passion for angling and his understanding of what fellow anglers truly wanted that set the website apart.

Peter’s writing style was distinctive – informative yet accessible, professional yet personal. He had the rare ability to make every customer feel valued and understood, whether they were seasoned anglers or newcomers to the sport. His commitment to authentic, helpful content and his dedication to building trust with both fishery owners and anglers became the cornerstone of the website’s reputation.

A True Student of the Sport

Peter’s approach to building Fisheries.co.uk was deeply rooted in authentic fieldwork and genuine connection with real anglers. He would regularly visit fisheries across the UK, spending hours on the banks in conversation with fellow fishermen. These weren’t brief exchanges – Peter would invest hours listening to passionate fishermen share what drew them to particular venues and which techniques had brought them success.

Time and again, Peter would discover anglers faithfully following the very advice and recommendations he had published on the website. This wasn’t coincidence – it was testament to Peter’s commitment to providing genuinely useful, tried-and-tested guidance. His recommendations carried weight because they came from real experience and real relationships with the people who knew these waters best.

A Partnership Built on Shared Values

Five years ago, Peter welcomed Steve Tipson as his business partner, with Steve acquiring a 50% stake in Fisheries.co.uk. The partnership was born not just from business acumen, but from a genuine friendship that began at their local church. Steve, himself a passionate angler, understood and shared Peter’s vision for what the website could achieve for the angling community.

Steve brought his own wealth of experience to the partnership, having successfully operated a digital marketing agency for 18 years. His expertise in digital strategy perfectly complemented Peter’s editorial vision and industry knowledge. Together, they strengthened Fisheries.co.uk’s position as the UK’s leading website for finding fishing venues, with over 1.2M page views a year and still growing.

Steve joined the business in 2020 and along with Peter have seen the website grow well.

A Mission Beyond Profit

What truly defined Peter was his unwavering belief that Fisheries.co.uk should serve a purpose far greater than commercial success, the website was about nurturing a passion for angling and introducing new people to the countless benefits that fishing brings. Whether it was the peace and tranquility of time spent by the water, the connection with nature, or the sense of community among anglers, Peter understood that fishing offered something truly valuable to people’s lives.

This philosophy served him well, with the content on the website to the relationships he built with fishery owners across the UK. He genuinely believed in fishing’s power to improve wellbeing, provide escape from daily pressures, and create lasting memories.

Continuing the Legacy

Steve will continue to lead Fisheries.co.uk, carrying forward Peter’s vision and values that have made the platform what it is today. Having worked closely with Peter for the past five years, Steve has been instrumental in maintaining the website’s reputation for quality, authenticity, and genuine care for the angling community. Peter’s desire that the site continue to be of real value to anglers – serving the community and helping newcomers discover their passion for fishing – remains as one of the key driving forces behind everything the business does.

Big fish or small, pond or river, it didn’t matter – Pete just loved passing on his passion to others.

A Lasting Impact

Peter’s legacy lives on through Fisheries.co.uk and the countless anglers who have discovered their perfect fishing venues through his platform. His innovative spirit, commitment to excellence, and deep understanding of the angling community have left an indelible mark on the industry.

The angling community has lost a true champion, and we have lost a dear friend. Whether from his editors desk, or sitting on the bank, Peter will be missed and remembered for years to come, and his mission to share the joy of angling with others will continue through Steve’s dedicated stewardship.

Peter relaxing doing what he enjoyed most.

Written by Steve Tipson
Steve has been a passionate angler for more than 40 years. Since catching his first perch on the river at the age of 12 he's now hooked for life.