Angler's dying wish granted as his ashes are turned into 30lbs of fishbait
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 5:44 PM on 06th August 2008




Pete Hodge who had his dying wishes fulfilled by being turned into groundbait

Angler Pete Hodge has had his dying wish realised after his ashes were turned into bait for his fishermen friends to use.

Pete, 61, arranged for his remains to be mixed in with the special groundbait he used after discovering he had terminal motor neurone disease.

He wanted to end up swimming with his favourite fish in the river he spent more than 40 happy years angling on.

After Pete's death last month, he was cremated in a wicker fishing basket coffin before his remains were 'balled in' to 30lbs of fish food.

And his widow Caroline and daughter Sally were the first to catapult balls of the bait into the River Huntspill to signal the start of an angling competition.

Shoals of bream fish gobbled up the food and were hooked out of the water by Pete's pals.

Caroline, 56, from Puriton, near Bridgewater, said: 'Pete always said that when he died he wanted his ashes to be mixed in with groundbait.

'He wanted the fish to gobble him up so he could swim up and down the river after his death.

'When he got ill a couple of years ago, he put it in writing that that was what he wanted.

'Everything that he wished for was done right down to the last detail. It was only right for us to carry out his final wishes.'


Pete's wife Caroline launching the bait at her late husband's favourite peg along the River Huntspill

Pete, a gents' hairdresser, took up fishing at the age of 20 and went to his favourite peg on the River Huntspill several times a week.

He had to sell his business after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2006 but still carried on fishing.

After his death, nearly 1,000 mourners packed St Mary's Church in Bridgewater for his funeral.


Pete's family and friends who realised his dying wish

Caroline, his wife of 29 years, said: 'Me and Sally were with him to the end and he died peacefully in his sleep.'


Before he died Pete spoke of his desire to end up as fish food.

He said: "It may sound strange but it is my dream; to be back in the river catching fish is where I belong. I hope my friends make me proud with their catches."


Friend Justin Hooper, who runs a bait shop in Bridgewater, mixed Pete's ashes up with maize, hemp and soya on the eve of the competition.

Justin, 35, said: 'When Pete was struck down with the disease, he came to ask me if I would mix his ashes with his groundbait as his last wish was to go to the bottom of his favourite river.

'When I started the mixer up to make it I added his ashes and said "enjoy your last ride, mate.'"'



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