Moc Morgan

Morgan John "Moc" Morgan OBE (7 November 1928 – 25 May 2015) was a Welsh fly fisherman, administrator, naturalist and television presenter. Born into a rural family, Morgan became a head teacher, but his love of fly-fishing led him into media opportunities in Welsh radio and television. One of the definitive writers of books relating to fly-fishing within Wales, Morgan became an important administrator in Welsh, British and European aspects of the sport.

Personal life Morgan was born in 1928 in Pontrhydfendigaid, Dyfed in Wales, he was the second eldest of five siblings, whose father was a railway worker. He was raised as a Welsh speaker, learning English upon starting education. He rose to the position of headmaster and later took up a headmaster post in Lampeter Primary School. He was also a notable author on rural affairs and fly-fishing. He wrote an autobiography Byd Moc in Welsh, as well as several English volumes, including Fly Patterns for the Rivers and Lakes of Wales (1984) and Trout and Salmon Flies of Wales (1996). In his later life he also contributed a column to the Western Mail newspaper.

In June 1986 the former American president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn were visiting friends in mid Wales. Carter, a keen fly-fisher, asked for a local guide and Morgan was recommended to him. The two men spent the evening fishing and a few days later the two men met again to fish for rainbow trout on a local lake. In 1991 Morgan was awarded the OBE after organising the World Fly Fishing Championship in Wales.

In his later life Morgan became an administrator for his pastime. He was three times president of the International Fly Fishing Association and head of the Fly Fishing for the Disabled. He saw fishing as a hobby and sport for all and was a keen advocate of women and children enjoying fly-fishing. Closer to home he was chairman and president of the Welsh Salmon and Sea Trout Association. Morgan was also a founder chairman of the Federation of Welsh Anglers.

Published works Fishing (1977) Fly Patterns for the Rivers and Lakes of Wales (1984) Successful Sea Trout Angling: The Practical Guide (1989) with Graeme Harris Fishing in Wales: A guide to the lakes & rivers of rural Wales (1990) Trout and Salmon Flies of Wales (1996) Arweinlyfr pysgotwyr i bysgota yn ardal Tregaron (1999) with Robert Allen Yng Nghysod Dai (1967)