It was the end of an era in Perth fishing tackle retail when Compleat Angler Nedlands owner Brian Marshall retired a couple of weeks ago.

Brian and long-time business partner Gary Shugg sold the business to a former employee, Josh Racovelli, at the end of the financial year.

For Brian, it ended more than two decades in charge of the popular Stirling Highway shop, having originally gone into business with Gary a couple of years earlier when the store was in its previous long-term premises just around the corner from its current location.

A great supporter of this fishing column and sponsor of the reader catch competition, Brian said he absolutely loved his time running Compleat.

“If you love fishing there couldn’t be a better industry to be in could there,” he said.

“You are talking about what you love doing all the time, and the people you talk to are usually in a good mood as they are getting ready to go fishing.

“I reckon 99 per cent of the customers are awesome, although I won’t say 100 per cent!

“Also, when I look back at where I have been able to go fishing and what I have done, it’s been amazing.”

He considers the Mackerel Islands off Onslow as one of his absolute favourite destinations and intends to keep returning there regularly.

Brian also rates Scott Reef, the Kimberley, Coral Sea and Port Douglas as other spots close to his heart.

While he had considered selling previously, the timing was never right to pull the trigger.

However, when Josh approached him Brian knew he ready to spend more time on the water.

“It was tough decision and I will miss it, actually I missed it immediately,” he explained.

“I have met some great people, both in the industry and the customers.

“But I am not getting any younger.”

He’s marvelled at the evolution of recreational fishing over the years, especially the advances in technology.

“There has been the change from fibreglass rods to graphite, we had reels with no bearings and now they have up to 12, and there are all the different lures nowadays,” he said.

“It used to be all bait fishing, and now some people never use bait.”

He’s been a passionate advocate for the right of recreational anglers, and he and I have spent many hours on the phone debating and discussing fisheries management issues as they have arisen.

While he’s looking forward to doing more fishing around WA, Brian said he wouldn’t be totally lost to the industry as he has no intention of stopping the fight for the interests of recreational fishers.

Brian’s retirement also follows the recent closure of Angler’s Fishing World in Fremantle, after several highly successful years in the location for the affable Marco Orifici and his team.

However, Marco and his well-worn offsider Tony Thwin have not departed the recreational fishing industry and plan to start a squid and whiting charter.

Photo Caption: Brian Marshall will have more time to chase giant trevally at the Mackerel Islands now he’s sold Compleat Angler Nedlands.