One of the founders of the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA), Lelio Nahum, has died at his home in Italy.

Part of the original planning group that later went onto create the organisation, Nahum was President of EFTTA twice during an illustrious career – once in the 1980’s and 90’s and between 2006 and 2007. He was also a member of the Board from 1982 to 2009 during which time he was very involved in setting up collaboration between EFTTA and representatives of the Chinese fishing tackle industry through China Fish.

A trailblazer in his time, Nahum was one of the first to realise the potential of sourcing from the Far East in the early 1980’s through NASH S.p.a and later Oriental s.p.a.

In Italy he represented top brands that included Abu Garcia, Mepps, Shakespeare, Mustad, Berkley, D.A.M. and Panther Martin. During the 1980’s he created one of the very first fishing tackle shop franchises, Master Fish, as well as a mail order business.

A spokesperson for EFTTA said: “Lelio was known for being pragmatic and supportive during his time at EFTTA and for his fondness for telling a good joke. Board members past and present, alongside the CEO and Secretariat, offer our condolences to the Nahum family during this sad and difficult time.”