WinADayWithDaveKelbrickPiking2008Report TalkingTactics:Drains..

UnderTheSkinMickGleesonUnlucky13JasonWoodsPresident’sShieldEricEdwards

AccidentsHappenDarrenWardThreeTimesALadyAlixHepworthPikingOverChristmasDavidWillis

ISSUE 122Winter 2008

pacgb.com

Features

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For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

Care&ProtectCover

Sto

ry

4

Dougie Loughridge returns a big Esoxwith all the care she deserves.

Protect your pike by taking action againstpike culls and mistreatment; support theone club that truely cares and conserves.

The Pike Anglers’ Club of Great Britainwill work to establish an environmentin which pike are valued; both as asporting fish and necessary part of themanagement and ecology of fresh waters.

PACMissionStatement...

PACCommittee Contact Details...

ChairmanColinGoodgeemail:chairman@pacgb.co.uk

President PhilWakeford17RamsburyDrive,Earley,Reading,BerksRG67RT.email:president@pacgb.co.uk

GeneralSecretaryMarkBarrettemail:secretary@pacgb.co.uk

TreasurerJohnSynnuckAvalon,24FRedLodgeRoad,BexleyKentDA52JW.email: treasurer@pacgb.co.uk

MembershipSecretaryJohnCahill312HobsMoatRoad,Solihull,W.MidlandsB928JX. Tel:05601313753 (7-9pm)email:memberships@pacgb.co.uk

CommunicationsOfficerChrisBishopTel:07775 576968email:press@pacgb.co.uk

Promotions&AdvertisingMikeKellyTel:01892513909 07909854347email:m2mlk@btinternet.com

SpecialEventsMarkSkinner33 Chestnut Drive, Polegate, East SussexBN26 5AN. Tel: 077177 754993email:events@pacgb.co.uk

PACProductsMikeHastings9BarkingRoad,NeedhamMarket,SuffolkIP6 8EN. Tel:07729745293email: pacprodman@btinternet.com

WebmasterDaveLumbemail: webmaster@pacgb.co.uk

PLEditor/FeaturesNeville Ficklingc/oTheTackleShop,BridgeRoad,Gainsborough,N.Lincs.DN211JS.Tel:01427613002email: thetackleshop@btconnect.com

PLProduction/DesignSteveOrmrodMyrtleVilla,68BuryRoad,Radcliffe,ManchesterM262UU.email:predhunter.o@virgin.net

PACAdvisoryPanelDoctorBrunoBroughton,ProfessorBarrieRickards,DoctorJohnTate, BillChillingworthandDaveLumb.

PAC Honorary Life Members:MartynPage, MalcolmBannister,DerekUnsworth, GeoffParkinson,JamesHolgate, PeteHaywood,PhilKirk, MartinPhillips, GeorgeHiggins,JohnRoberts, ChrisLeibbrandt,JohnSynnuck, JohnMilford, LeeKemp,PeterClimo,HowardYendle, CarlGarratt,PaulJennings, AlanPalmer,AlastairSmith, WilmaMcDermid,WilliamColquhoun, DavidBatten,NeilShortland, MarkLeathwood,VickyLeathwood, SteveOrmrod,Tracey Foster, DaveFoster,IanMaguire, Neville Fickling, RayFarrell,ColinGoodge, BillWinship,RobMurray, ChasWhite, MikeBell,Adrian Brayshaw, PeterRobinson,MarkAckerley, JohnHodgson,MickCulpanandJohnWatson.

Senior Fellows:Fred Buller, Dr.BrunoBroughton,Dr.JohnTate , DavidLumb, GrahamSteadand PeterS.Green.

Founding Fellows:Prof.BarrieRickards, HughReynoldsand BillChillingworth.

PikelinesContributions: We welcome contributions to Pikelines from all PAC members. Articles, letters, news etc. should ideally be provided aselectronic text files on floppy disc or CD along with a hard-copy. If contributions can be made entirely via email this would be appreciated. Hand-writtentext must be LEGIBLE. Please include contact details and caption any images sent. Images: electronic files from a digital camera are preferred forquality of reproduction. Please send the largest file size possible: 1MB minimum in JPEG or TIF format. Images may also be submitted as prints(10 x 8 preferred) or 35mm slides, but these must be sharp. If you wish material to be returned please include a protective stamped, addressedenvelope. Please send contributions to Neville Fickling, (at the address details above) email text/digital images wherever possible or via the post.We advise sending important material via recorded delivery. PAC reserves the right not to publish material deemed as contradictory to PAC values.

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InsideWinter2008

Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

First Words06 Secretary’sStatementMarkBarrett

06 President’sAddressPhilWakeford

FeatureArticles14 ThreeTimesALadyAlixHepworth

18 PikingOverChristmasDavidWillis

24 AccidentsHappenDarrenWard

30 UnderTheSkinMickGleeson

40 Unlucky13JasonWoods

54 TalkingTactics:Drains-GrahamSlater

Regulars08 NewsFeed AllTheGoss,IssuesandViews

28 YourLettersYourPikelinesVoice

33 Jack’sJuniorPikePageJackDinnewell

36 MembersPicturesZootaLuresCompetition

38 OfficialPACProductsXmasPresentIdeas

48 RegionTalkWhat’sHappeningLocally?

58 RealReviewsTriedandTested!

64 President’sShieldAwardEricEdwards

67 SpecialistAnglersAllianceBulletinUpdate

68 RegionalContactsNationwideDetails

Specials07 ExclusiveMembershipsCompetition08/09

20 Piking2008ReportColinGoodge

34 PACObituaries

35 NewPACEventsThisQuartersBookingDetails

46 OaklandsLakePACTeach-InMarkGreen

62 ContinuousImproversJonNeafcy

EnjoyYourPikelines...

Note: Views and opinions expressed herein are those of person’s namedand is not wholly representative of PAC policy, conduct or values.

Please note: by submitting material for use in Pikelines, authors give theirpermission for possible further use as PAC promotional material.

5

PACTroubleshooters:WeHaveThePower... If you see or hear of anything anti-pike/pike anglers, or indeed anti-angling, eg. press reports or intended club pike-culls, then gather asmuch detail and evidence as possible (paper clippings, dates, author name and address or clubSecretary contact if a cull or abuse) and immediately contact your local LO/RO (details on page68-69) who will deal with the matter first hand or will seek assistance from the Committee.In addition to PAC’s current officials, a number of past officials continue to support PAC in therole of ‘Troubleshooters’, as and when the need arises.

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6

in fact the lucky few will have already beenon the first Menteith event, Rutland hasalready taken place, and there are moreto come. We have tried to get the PAC

events spread as best we can around thecountry, but we are always open to newsuggestions.

Its funny though, that going back oncemore to the convention, I realised at somepoint in the day that this was going to bethe last one in the capacity of GeneralSecretary that I attended. Funny becausein that time I believe the PAC has takensome major steps forward, and I thinkmost importantly has gained an awful lot ofrespect amongst the angling world as awhole. As an example, the day after theconvention I travelled to Wallington toadvise the English Carp HeritageOrganisation (ECHO) on setting up aregional structure of their own.

I write this with the convention just afew days old and what an event itturned out to be. Unfortunately I neverhad the time to watch any of thespeakers, but from the feedback bothin person and on the internet, theyseem to have done the club proud.

I think that its fair to say that the issuesthat appeared from the first event atStoneleigh were addressed too, and asof yet, there seems to have been no realnegatives come out of the event, which,lets face it, with a room full of pike anglershas got to be something of a first!

As this magazine drops onto your doormatthe club’s events year will be in full swing,

They have been so impressed by themodel that the PAC works by that theyhave pretty much taken it aboard, lock,stock and barrel to try to emulate the

success that the PAC regional structurehas, and continues to be. This leads menicely into talking about our regions. Therehave never been so many regions as thereare currently within the PAC, but they needyour support to continue. Fair enough ameeting in your local pub may not alwaysbe your cup of tea, but without thosemeetings the committee couldn’t functionas well as it does, as our RO and LO’s arethe eyes and ears of the committee, asthey are both first point of call, and sound-ing boards for local problems. Quite simplywithout them we would be lost, as no oneknows the local area like a local angler.Please give them your full support.

MarkBarrett

The weekend before writing this,I attended our Annual Convention atStoneleigh together with 400 or soother pikers. I enjoyed my weekendand also had the pleasure of attendingall four of the day’s talks.

Each of them was of the highest standardand covered a different aspect of pikefishing with the presenters’ styles differinggreatly. One of the speakers in particularmade me think about my own pike fishingand the season ahead.

I accept that like many of our members Iam getting old and crotchety and this maybe the reason for not being so “up and at‘em” as I was for many years up until quiterecently. We all know that if you don’t gofishing then you won’t catch anything so itlargely comes down to motivation. If, likethe elite of our number, you are driven by

an overwhelming desire to catch the mosttwenty pounders ever, then your motiva-tion will be putting the next twenty in thenet perhaps with scant regard to how or

where it was caught. P.A. Hogberg hasalso caught a lot of fish except like mostcontinentals he measures his fish (asopposed to weighing them) and it is gen-erally accepted that a metre long pike isequivalent to a twenty, and PA has hadthem to 1m 30 cm. He made the point thatat this stage in his career it’s not so muchthe length or weight of a fish thatgives him the most pleasure than thelook of the fish and the place andcircumstances of its capture that makeit stand out in his memory.

Pike fishing in the UK is a popular pursuitand it is hard for many of us to find goodsport with decent sized fish in conducivesurroundings. Sure I will take anothertwenty or thirty pounder from anywhereafter all’ beggars can’t be choosers’ as thesaying goes but given the choice I’d rathercatch a new fish from a picturesque water

than be the next in line to land thesolitary big fish from my local pit that’salready been out umpteen times thisseason. Along with these thoughts of

coming to terms with our targets and goalswe all need to remind ourselves to keepthings in perspective, a sense of propor-tion about our fishing. It’s not a race orshould not be, it is about enjoyment.Nobody forces us to go out in lousyweather conditions to probably blank butfor some strange reason we still do it.“Funny old game Pete.” Now where’sthat brolly?

PhilWakeford

AnglingWorldRespectsPAC

EnjoyYourPikeFishing

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President’sAddress

For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

Secretary’sStatement

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7Renew/Join online now: http://www.pacgb.co.uk/aboutpac/joining.html

BecomeANewPACMemberToWinADay’sPikingWithDaveKelbrick

ExclusiveNewMembershipsPromotion08/09

Fancy learning new skills with one of the country’s bestlure anglers? Well here’s your chance...We are delighted to announce that Dave Kelbrick has agreed to support us in our ongoingmembership recruitment campaign in 2009.

That’s the prize in a brand new PAC membershippromotion announced by membership secretaryJohn Cahill that’s easy to enter, both members andnon-members of the club can take part. Dave is anaccomplished lure angler with an enviable list of biglure-caught pike. Membership Secretary John Cahillsaid: “Im delighted Dave has agreed to support uswith this great prize, having fished with Dave, I knowthe winner will not only learn a lot but also havea fun day out.”

Whether the winner is a die-hard baitangler or lure fanatic, it representsa fantastic day out. All you have todo is either join the club or recruita new member to be entered intothe draw to win a day for you anda friend with Dave.

Please read the rules below...The Executive Committee or their related family members are not eligible to participatein this promotion. Applications for entry are for NEW members to the club(not 2008/2009 renewals). Entries will only be permitted from date of the promotionsannouncement being 27.09.08. Applications are eligible in any format BUT musthave the words ‘Dave Kelbrick Comp’ written on the application. Paypal entries requirea separate email to: memberships@pacgb.co.uk requesting entry into the draw.Prize draw entries will be confirmed to the new member by John Cahill, MembershipSecretary (please allow 28 days for confirmation). One entry to the draw perapplication received. In the event of a disputed entry the Chairman’s decision is final.If an existing member recruits a new member they need to ensure their ownmembership number is detailed on the application/email together with the words‘Dave Kelbrick Comp’. Confirmation into the draw will go to the new member only.The existing and new member will be entered into the draw as a pair to fish the dayif successful. ie: a total of two anglers. Existing members can recruit as many newmembers as they wish and each will receive a separate entry into the draw.Likewise, new members can gain another entry by going out and recruiting a friend.Existing members upgrading to family membership for the extra cost of £5 canintroduce up to 3 new family members and gain 3 entries into the draw.Entries must be received by the 1st of May 2009. The Draw will take place atthe Club’s AGM in May 2009 (date and venue to be advised). Timing and venueof the ‘Day with Dave Kelbrick’ will be at Dave's discretion. A maximum of 2anglers will be able to attend.

So get recruiting and Good Luck!

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For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com8

NewsFeedHOTNewsFromTheCommunicationsDeskPikelines 123 deadline for submissions: Dec. 26th 2008.

Following on from the report about the River Wissey fishthefts last quarter, justice has prevailed with a shot acrossthe bows to those who think they can help themselves toour precious fish stocks. There is also more good news for theBroads with sea defences getting much needed rebuilds in riskareas. Our regions continue to grow and there have been noless than 4 seeing rejuvenation too thanks to members takingup the reigns. Elsewhere, we have added 2 new events to add tothe growing list and choice around the UK. Greeny and Chas havealso laid down the gauntlets for another War of the Roses too.The only disappointment has been our initial events of the seasonwhich have fished poorly this year, let’s hope we get some betterresults with the others. We’ve also been fostering strong links withthe PAAS with Joe and Franny taking up our offer of a stand at theConvention and great efforts made by Jon Neafcy.

Winter2008StandfirstNewsSummary

As previously reported, the two migrantworkers caught netting fish and barbe-cuing them on the bank in the closeseason have been ordered to forfeitboats and equipment worth thousandsof pounds in a landmark court ruling.

Recently, the Environment Agency’s nation-al head of enforcement said the case sentout a clear message that stealing fishfrom Britain’s rivers would not be toleratedand pledged it would take ‘strong action’ tobring offenders to justice. The Pike AnglersClub of Great Britain said: “We’re pleasedthis test case has come to court andmagistrates have sent out a strongmessage that they will not tolerate thewholesale removal of specimen fishfrom our rivers for food.”

Gunars Kaspers, 39, and Oleg Stepin, 43,had admitted fishing in the close season,fishing without rod licences and the theft ofperch, tench and eels from Norfolk’s RiverWissey at an earlier hearing. Stepin alsoadmitted using a gill net and an unlicensedboat, on a remote stretch of the Fenlandriver. As they entered the dock at KingsLynn magistrates court today JoeGhiradelo, prosecuting, said: “Mr Stepinand Mr Kaspers were found by officers onMay 24 this year. They were seen on theRiver Wissey between Hilgay and WestDereham. They were seen to be engagedin angling, there were two other peoplewith them and all four were arrested.”

One of those arrested did not facecharges, the court was told. Another manwho jumped bail is now wanted by policeand believed to have fled the country.Mr Ghiradelo said anyone who fished inEngland and Wales had to be in posses-sion of an Environment Agency RodLicence and there was a close season

between March 15 and June 15, whenno fishing was allowed on rivers.He said by-laws required anglers to returnfish alive. The court heard there were signsat access points along the River Wisseyexplaining this rule. “When police attendedthey found rods set up and evidence thatthe persons involved intended to staythere for some period of time,”said Mr Ghiradelo. “Fish were found inthe water with a wire through their mouths,perch and tench. There were efforts toreturn them but most did not survive.”

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LandmarkRulingForRiverWisseyFishTheftsCase

Tench to 7lbs were among fish foundby police retained on a clothes linetethered to the bank. Mr Ghiradelo saidwhen officers arrived at the river, theysaw a net being placed from a boat.“As they approached, officers saw twopeople in a dinghy and believe they sawa net being cast from the dinghy,” he toldthe court; “That net was a gill net, it wasnot only unlicensed. but you wouldn’t geta license for something like that; it was60m long and 2m deep.”

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Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb 9

Finding such a large gill net convincedinvestigators that the men arrested weretrying to catch more fish than they couldeat during a camping trip, the courtwas told. “There’s a concern this was morethan for their own use, but might havebeen to take the fish and sell them on forcommercial use,” said Mr Ghiradelo,before he reminded the magistrates thatthey had powers to make an order for theforfeiture of boats and equipment seized inthe swoop.

Pictures shown in court featured the men’smakeshift camp on the banks of theWissey. They also showed eels, breamand pike being barbecued, while tench to7lbs were being kept alive on a stringermade from a washing line, which had beenthreaded through their gills. “Mr Stepin andMr Kaspers are both from Eastern Europewhere it is customary to catch fish anddeal with them in this way,” said MrGhiradelo. “But there has been publicityabout this sort of thing in the anglingcommunity, killing so many fish can havea serious affect on the fish and theenvironment.”

Tim Bartlam, defending, said Kaspers andStepin were fishing on the Wissey withfriends, as they had done on previousoccasions. He said: “This was not acommercial enterprise and I ask you tobear that in mind. They have no previousconvictions, they have been in this countryfor a number of years and they’rehard working.” He said Kaspers worked forRoss Foods, while Stepin ran a shopselling Eastern European food. Speakingthrough an interpreter, both men gaveaddresses in Aberdeen. Sentencing themen, chair of the bench Charlotte Patonsaid: “Mr Stepin you were charged withfive offences to which you have pled guiltyand Mr Kaspers you have pled guilty tothree offences. We have taken intoaccount, particularly in the theft offence,that neither of you has been charged withtheft previously and you are both of goodcharacter.”

Stepin was ordered to pay costs of £60and to surrender his boat, outboard motorand petrol pump, said in court to be wortharound £4000. Kaspars was also orderedto pay costs of £60 and to surrender his

dinghy, worth up to £1000. After thehearing Neil Sampson, national fisheriesenforcement officer for the EnvironmentAgency, said: “Although we weredisappointed that these men were notgiven a more severe sentence, theforfeiture of their boats will leave a largehole in both their pockets. The resultsends out a clear message that illegalfishing practices will not be tolerated,the Environment Agency will take strongaction to ensure offenders are brought toface justice. It also highlights theimportance of vigilance from the publicand how by working together with theNorfolk Constabulary, we were able tobring this case to court. Illegal fishing cannot only cause environmental damage,but fishing without a valid rod licencedisadvantages those anglers who havepaid their contribution towards helpingmaintain fisheries work that benefits allanglers in England and Wales.”

Det. Con. Ian Young, of Downham MarketCID, said: “Following the tip off, ourofficers attending the scene found fish ona barbeque and several live fish threadedon a washing line and kept alive in theriver. The live fish, including several tenchbetween four and seven pounds and atwo and a half pound perch, all had scaledamage. The perch died on its release.Police officers seized several itemsincluding a boat with an outboard motor,a small dinghy and fishing equipment.

All four men were arrested. Of the twoother men arrested, one was releasedwithout charge. The other man failed tore-appear and is now wanted by thepolice. It is believed that he has left thecountry. During the course of our investi-gation it became clear that the four menwere an organised group who hadtravelled from Scotland to a remote partof Norfolk with the intention of stealinga large quantity of fish.”

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RA20SolihullBecomesTheShakespeareRegionGood day all, I had been thinking for a while about changing the name of RA20, Solihull andWarwickshire. The reason being that ‘Solihull’ is too exclusive and doesn’t really reflect the geographiclocation of our members. Previously, all members we’re from Solihull but this has changed over the yearsand now our regular members come from all over the Birmingham area, and a few travel further to joinour bank side meetings. So we began the search for a new name.

It was Richard, one of our new members that told me about Shakespeare being a keen angler, thiswas perfect and gave me the idea for the new name. As virtually all our members have one thing incommon and that is that we all fish the Warwickshire Avon otherwise known as ‘Shakespeare’s Avon’and so this set the wheels in motion. I sent the idea to all the local members and got a resoundingYES to the question asked and so from this point forward the artist previously know as Solihull andWarwickshire region will be known as The Shakespeare Region of the Pike Anglers Club. Keep an eyeon the Blog for details of our forthcoming meetings: pac20shakespeare.blogspot.com/Finest regards, Steve Bown.

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Membership numbers reach a new peak. Following a successful convention and a busy week at membership towers, the club is only6 days after year end and already seeing numbers surge. John Cahill and Peter Green both report that the level of renewals areunprecedented and the fact that 45 new members have joined the club in the last 7 days is very encouraging. Membership processingwill be upstraight soon, so any late renewal members or new applicants should receive a quick turnaround.

Standing Order Scheme Members. Further to our announcement in Autumn’s Pikelines advising that the standing order scheme hadbeen cancelled we continue to receive a number of standing order payments. These have been processed where we can identify thepayment. If you have paid and do not receive advice from the membership secretary, please send an email to: memberships@pacgb.co.ukstating the amount you sent and the date it left your bank.

Win a Day with Mick Brown winner. We are pleased to advise that Mr Brian Green from Hampshire was the lucky winner of theMick Brown Competition drawn at the Convention. John Cahill Membership Secretary will now be in touch with Brian to organise theday with Mick. The PAC Committee would like to thank Mick Brown for his ongoing support of the club and hope Brian will enjoy afantastic day.

Gentlemen, I am enclosing a picture of what is surely the largestPike ever caught, never mind seen. This Pike must have beenaround 80+lbs if not more. Regards, Duncan Monro, Bulgaria.Hmmm, I don’t think we will be loosing any sleep!

For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com10

NewsFeed2HOTNewsFromTheCommunicationsDesk

GotAnyHotNewsToReport?Email Chris Bishop fast at: press@pacgb.co.ukPL123 deadline for submissions: Dec. 26th 2008.

BroadsUpdate:SeaDefencesToGetMuchNeededRebuild

MembershipsNews&Updates

WorldRecordPike...YouDecide!

Tens of thousands of tonnes of seadefence rock will be shipped toNorfolk's coast by barge in the run upto Christmas, while a sister operationpumps huge quantities of sand fromthe seabed to build up the beaches.

The multi-million pound project will beef upand repair both the soft and hard defencesaround Waxham, Horsey, Winterton,Sea Palling and Eccles as contractorsTeam Van Oord carry out the work onbehalf of the Environment Agency.Although the news of strengtheneddefences has been welcomed, the detailof the wider management of such projectshas been criticised by campaigners, as hasthe location from where the sand is beingdredged. The project will see 280,000 cubicmetres of sand used to recharge thebeaches at Sea Palling and Waxham,while 30,000 tonnes of rock will be broughtto Eccles and Horsey.

The sand will be dredged from the seabedapproximately 10 miles offshore betweenYarmouth and Lowestoft and piped ashore.The recharging project was launched in themid 1990’s as part of a wider schemewhich saw nine granite offshore reefs built

at Sea Palling and Waxham to protect theBroads, resulting in altered patterns oflongshore drift and the starvation of sandsupplies to beaches to the south of thereefs. The recharging was controversiallyshelved in 2005 after DEFRA withdrewEnvironment Agency funding.

That funding has now been made availableagain. Rock will be used to build tengroynes between Horsey Ness andWinterton Ness Gap to replace failed timberor rock groynes. Surplus rock buried underthe beach will also be excavated for reuse,while a 275 metre stretch of rock revetmentat Eccles will be reconstructed.

Malcolm Kerby of the Happisburgh basedCoastal Concern Action Group, said thebeach recharging was happening at a stagewhen it was ‘utterly urgent’, but he saidthe decision to dredge so close to the coastwas ‘madness’. “The Dutch are the world’smasters in this and they have a simple ruledon’t dredge within 15 miles of the coast oryou risk increasing erosion rates.Are we barking mad? It’s too close.”Mr Kerby was also critical of the project nottaking into account Happisburgh, especiallythe area called Low Light, which has long

been considered a key ‘back door’ tothe Broads. “Any defences for this bit ofcoast are a good thing, of course they are,”he said. “But the one place that's mostvulnerable, the Achilles heel if you like, is atLow Light, where no money has beenspent for half a century, and you have yetanother example of totally bonkers coastalmismanagement by the government.“If youwrote down what the government havebeen doing with our coast, you would beaccused of making it up; no one wouldbelieve you.” An Environment Agencyspokesman said last night: “It is moreenvironmentally friendly to bring the rockin by sea rather than by road or train.”Delivery dates for the rock will begin inearly October.”

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Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb 11

As you can see from the title of this events report, this is our second season on the Quays gravel pit and our 3rd event. Thoughattendances have been low on both previous events it still produced 11 doubles to 18lb+ to those that fished our last event inFebruary. Hopes were therefore high for the 8 members who turned this time. The event coincided with the first frost of the year and thencloudy windy conditions did little to dampen member’s enthusiasm. Once everyone had booked in, members then walked off to find them-selves a swim for the day. Because of the size of the pit there is plenty of room for everyone and anyone to move around during the day.On my first walk around I found Bill Beard tucked away in a swim that has produced some good fish on previous trips and hopefully theswim would produce again today. Next around was John Goodyer who has been a regular on this event and was fishing an area I hadfished on a previous event. Hopefully John would do better than I did in it as I blanked. Next I came to Jon Cook, joint RO for Region70who was fishing with his partner for the day Neil Vine.

Jon has kindly taken Neil under his wing and is teaching him theins and outs of pike fishing and Neil is slowly but surely turninginto a competent pike fisherman with Jons help. Next person Icame to was Richard Nunn who had found himself a nice reedybay and had already put two rods out. This bay is quite shallowand the only problem was the wash coming from the water skiboat that was now active and moving up and down the pit.Keith Seymour was just along from Richard and was once againin a swim he caught his 18 pounder from, plus some other smallerpike. Although this time Keith reported that it was weedier thanusual. Simon Williams from London was also fishing a big bayand had already got his bait-catching gear out, hoping to catch some livebaits for the day. I was fishing with Gary Hodd and we carried onlooking for a swim to fish for the day. We settled for a swim that afforded a view of the whole pit and was not far away from the car park!

All too soon the time drifted away and by mid afternoon there were no reports of any fish being caught. From my vantage point I couldsee Jon and Neil slowly working along the bank searching different swims, but to no avail. All too soon the time edged near to 4 o’clock,which was the time I personally had to be away, but members who wanted to stay on, were welcome to. Most members opted to fish untilaround 6pm. Jon Cook who had fished on kindly rang to give me an update on what was caught which was a solitary fish of around 7lb2oz, caught by John Goodyer. One fish caught on the day is not a great return and not what we hoped for on the day, but it goes to showhow different weather conditions and times of the year can make a difference. Hopefully, by the time our event in November comes roundthe pike of Quays will have woken up and members will not only enjoy meeting up and having a good day out, they will also catch a fewfish too. Mark Skinner.

Quays;TheSecondSeasonPACEventReport

Being a bit of a piking fanatic I am a member of both the PAC and PAAS. As a child I visited Scotland many times when my dadworked there, which gave me a passion for the place. In my teens as a PAC member I watched slideshows on the mighty Lomond bythe likes of John Watson and Neil Wheater. This fuelled my enthusiasm for fishing in Scotland. In my adult years I have found myselfnorth of the border with work on many occasions and fishing some of the mighty Lochs. I have fished on several events with the PAAS,have thoroughly enjoyed them all and made some good mates north of the border. I was asked by Steve Tapley General Secretary for thePAAS to be guest speaker at the PAAS Annual Conference in Stirling in May 2008, Steve offered to throw in some fishing as well.

I was interested in the convention from what I’d heard of from previous years. I’m always upfor a fishing trip north of the border, so I eagerly accepted Steve’s kind offer. The conventionwas superb, I listened with interest to James ‘Trollscott’ Kinears experiences of trolling theScottish lochs as well as having a good chat to many of the PAAS members who werepresent. The subject on my talk was the milestones in pike-fishing as some food forthough. It went down very well and I didn’t need a translator as those present could under-stand my dulcet Wigan tones! We had a bit of a set back on the fishing when my car brokedown, but that’s another story. On occasions, politics, back-biting, red tape and cloak anddagger cloud fishing, I tend not to get involved. However, its events like this, when pikerscome together, that make it nice to be involved in the sport’s camaraderie. Let us allremember that we anglers are all on the same side regardless of what club we belong toor what species of fish we fish for. My thanks to Steve and his family for their hospitalityI had a great time and I look forward to fishing with the PAAS lads again in Novemberon Menteith. Jon Neafcy.

JonWow’sThemAtTheConventionPAC-PAASFosteringNewLinks

Insurance Update: Further to the announcement in Pikelines 121 and feedback at the club’s mini-AMMwe are continuing with our review of the insurance cover we now have in place. A further update will follow in Pikelines 123.AMM Date/Venue 2009: May 9th 2009. Holiday Inn, Bostocks Lane, Sandiacre, Nottingham NJ10 5NJ.

PACNewsSnippets

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For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com12

PAC is pleased to announce that two more privileged access events have beenadded to the ever-growing list. To answer the request for more ‘bank-fishing’ dayswe have responded with the following...

Chertsey Gravel Pit, Surrey. This mature pit is connected to Thorpe Park Ski lake via ariver and has not been pike fished for 2 seasons. For this event, PAC members will bethe first anglers to fish it after it is re-opened so there may well be a few surprises in store!

Warping Drain, N. Lincolnshire. Martin Ferrabyof Scunthorpe Police Angling Club has kindlyoffered PAC access to fish 2 miles of theirclub-run stretch of the drain. This offers memberssomething different to the usual pits, lakes andreservoir fishing. Applicants will have the optionto either static fish, or utilise more mobilemethods and tactics. Visit: scunthorpepoliceangling.co.uk/club%20waters.htm

Scroll down their club waters page to read about the venue. See page 35 for applicationdetails, slips are also included in this issue. Full details, rules etc will be provided tosuccessful applicants.

A real-life shark hunter who inspiredJaws has sung ‘Spanish Ladies’ for thelast time. Frank Mundus, who died of aheart attack at the age of 82 last week,inspired Peter Benchley’s character Quint,with his capture of a 4,500lb great whiteshark in 1964. Quint, played by RobertShaw in the 1975 big screen blockbuster,in turn inspired a novel about a LakeDistrict beauty spot plagued not by a sharkbut a giant pike.

At one point filming was set to commenceon ‘The Pike’, with a 12ft mechanisedEsox set to star alongside Joan Collins,but the project never made it onto thesilver screen. Of course, mythical talesabout giant pike pre-date Frank Mundus’sexploits by centuries with occasionalill-founded stories about attacks on pets,livestock or even waterskiers.

In the meantime we shall bid Frank afond farewell and hope that Chief Brody’sword’s ring true: “Quint, we’re gonna needa bigger boat!”

I’m hoping to compile a book about the Lake of Menteith, in particular an accountof pike over 25lbs that have been caught since the fishery opened its doors to PACand PAAS. The project has been approved by the fishery and the intention is to split anybook proceeds between the fishery and both clubs. I’m appealing to members to provideinfo about their catches and experiences at this very special venue. I will need: date ofcapture, weight, method used, brief account of capture (up to 350 words), and a goodquality photograph. No payment will be given, but I hope that being part of a good read willbe reward enough! Please spread the word to any of your pike fishing friends who aremembers too. Contact me, Dick Culpin at: 2 Queens Close, Stansted, Essex, CM24 8EJ.email: culpins4@tiscali.co.uk Tel: 01279 813588 after 7.00pm or on: 07967 629226.All correspondence will be acknowledged and photographs returned with the greatest ofcare. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you in advance for your help.Tight lines, Dick Culpin.

PAC is delighted to report that the ‘rejuvenation’ bug has hit the PAC regions once more with four being restarted recently.Here’s some details for each.

Norwich RA33. Hi chaps the region is up and running and a big thank you to all who attended and any well wishers.The guys have toldme what they want from a meeting and i am working on a list of speakers etc. This will be announced shortly. You can reach me onjcurrie@ymail.com or on: 07776 221959. I am a lot happier on the phone than on computers so bear with me. RO. John Currie.Selby RA40. Mark Green has stood in to regenerate the Selby Region as some of the local PAC members cannot get to the Doncasteror Wakefield Regional meetings. Mark is currently trying to establish a better monthly meeting place in Selby town centre. He gives hisfirst RO’s report on the Region Talk pages.Leeds & Bradford RA66/44. Just to inform you that RA66/44 has been restarted by myself; Andy Brown, my details are on page 68 ofthis issue of Pikelines for those interested in attending meetings.West Sussex RA11. Dave Wilkins and Jeff Smith are resurrecting the old west Sussex region.Dave and Jeff will be publishing detailsin the near future, for those who want to contact them, please email at: Davewwilkins@yahoo.co.uk or completeangler@sky.comThe committee would like to extend it’s thanks to John, Mark, Andy, Dave and Jeff for their efforts in giving the members local regions toattend once more.

NewsFeed3HOTNewsFromTheCommunicationsDesk

GotAnyHotNewsToReport?Email Chris Bishop fast at: press@pacgb.co.ukPL123 deadline for submissions: Dec. 26th 2008.

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TwoNewPrivilegedAccessPACEventsFor2009 SoLongToTheRealQuint

AreBeingRejuvenatedEvenMorePACRegions

TheHistoryOfMenteithAnAppealForMaterial

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Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb 13

PAC is pleased to announce the formation of another very active Region in NorthernIreland: Region 111 Northern Ireland South. It’s headed up by Robbie Marsh as RO, Neil Todd:Secretary. Gerry Linden: Events Organiser. Donny Uprichard: Treasurer and Matt Dean: PressOfficer. Robbie’s first region report is on page 52 and has a full agenda of meetings and eventsthat are taking place. The PAC committee send their best wishes to Robbie and his region.

“Hear Ye, Hear Ye, Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears” Oh sorry, wrong script; apologies to Mr Shakespeare!Calling all adopted ‘Yorkshiremen’ from the North of England and ye Lancastrians and Cheshiremen.

‘Sir’ Peter Green once again calls on all true gentlemen (or others) to take up their fishing rods for the next battle in this series. This willtake place at Dam Flask reservoir, near Sheffield on Sunday 23rd November 2008 commencing at 8.00am ‘til 4.00pm. Tickets will beavailable from ‘Sir’ Peter, to be purchased in advance at £10 for 2 rods. Places are limited to 75 so it is ‘first come, first served’

Please apply by post as soon as possible: 17 Lincoln Street, Wakefield WF2 0EB. Tel: 01924 782705. Cheque payable to Peter Greenalong with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Maps of the venue along with sponsorship forms will be sent out by return. All moneygathered will once again be given to the MacMillan Nurses Cancer Care charity at a future event. A full casualty report will follow in afuture edition of Pikelines. Peter asks that all anglers gather as much sponsorship as possible so that we can give a huge amount to thisabsolutely fantastic and well-deserving service. Last time we raised over £1800, let’s make that look like small beer this time!If people prefer they can contact me (his serf) for tickets etc. in advance on: 01642 765332. We hope to see as many as possibleof you there! Chas White.

WarOfTheRoses2;DamFlaskGetSetForAnotherNorthernBattle

BrandNewPACRegionForNorthernIreland(South)

More than 30 fish have been found dead in the water at a beauty spot in the Midlands.The Environment Agency has launched an investigation into what is causing carp andpike to die at Groby Pool. Experts found at least 30 dead fish on Monday, but say therecould be many more yet to be discovered, and others may already have been eaten bywildlife. Residents and walkers who visited the nature reserve complained of a stenchon Saturday.

The authorities were called on Monday as dead fish washed up on the banks and werefound floating in the lake. The Environment Agency said there is a lack of oxygen in thewater, which could have been caused by pollutants such as chemicals, high levels of silt,rotting plant life or even warm weather. They have taken water samples and are still investi-gating the cause but are confident other wildlife will not be affected. Severn Trent has beenat the site checking for any leaks in its sewage pipes, but it has so far found no problems.

InquiryAsFishAreFoundDeadAtGrobyBeautySpot

Two scraper 20’s and a sprinkling of smaller pike were caught on thePAC’s first event of the season; a day’s lure fishing on Rutland Reservoir.

While the weather did not stage a repeat of last year’s gale force conditions,many found the 2,500 acre man-made lake a daunting prospect. Of note werethe fact several boats targetted zander using vertical jigging tactics in someof the deeper areas, with some being rewarded with a number of schooliesto 6lbs, showing potential for a different approach. Little is known about howthe species adapts to tout reservoirs, but Rutland is believed to have containedzander for around a decade, with a best fish of 11lbs being recorded this time.

Anglian Water has now published its predator dates for this season: Autumnboat fishing for pike with lures and sea deadbaits over 18cm (excludes lamprey)motor boat hire from 08.30am until dusk. Prices: £44 for two anglers at allfisheries during November ‘08. Pitsford: until Nov. 23rd. Tel: 01604 781350.Rutland: until Nov. 16th. Tel: 01780 686441. Grafham: until Nov. 30th.Tel: 01480 810531. Ravensthorpe: until Nov. 23rd. Tel: 01604 770875.

RutlandReservoirPACEventReport

Alex Prouse with his 21.04 taken on one of his ‘Wobbly Bob’ lures.

He also caught a 21.04 to a ‘Bob’ last year. An Emerging pattern?

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FEATUREARTICLE

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Now this pikey tale starts on ChristmasEve 2004. That was back in the day whenforays onto the bank at that time of yearwere allowed.

Due to a certain little ‘bundle of joy’ who isnow two years old and goes by the name ofMaisie, that particular avenue of pleasure hasnow been closed off! I was fishing my syndi-cate water at the time, one of my fellowsyndicate members had done the night on thefirst peg just up from the beach. Not a greatdeal had come out, just a few jacks to theusual array of deadbaits. However. I will sayat this stage that the pike on this water didfeed well into the night, so much so that themajority of sessions were overnighters, if notlonger. I don’t know why more people don’tpike fish overnight, as even if you lackaction during the night, at least you are thereready with baited rigs at dawn and dusk;‘the witching hours’.

The first session I want to make light of wasactually only a day session on ChristmasEve... for obvious reasons! I settled myselfin a swim known as the ski- ramp, mainlybecause of the close proximity to where mymate was fishing rather than anything else.I set my usual free-running leger rigs upadding block-end feeders with enlargedholes. Minced up mackerel and herringwere delicately filled into the feeders,coupled with 20 inch wire traces withvarying deadbaits hooked up. All baits werefished hard on the bottom as we were allfishing for a known big fish that seemed toreadily mop up anything nailed to the deck.

Popped-up and suspended deadbaits on freerunning paternoster rigs were offered, butthey were only ever accepted by the popula-tion of jacks in the water. My addition of‘smelly feeders’ was an obvious advantagewhilst fishing during the hours of darkness,but as this session was only to be a day oneit didn’t really matter. By about mid-dayduring the festive period I’d had a couple ofjacks, one of which was on a dead roach.I wandered down the bank on the scroungefor another, once I’d impaled it on my size8 trebles it was duly launched quite a wayout into the ski-pit that’s over 50ft at it’sdeepest part.

No sooner had the whole set up hit the deckand the line clipped in the indicator, whenthe rod tip started nodding frantically... carpstyle. It carried on for quite a few secondsbefore the line eventually pulled out of theclip. Tightening down and pulling into thisfish was like no other I had ever experienced.The particular rod that was attracting atten-tion had mono on the reel, so felt different tothe non-stretch properties of my usual PowerPro braid. This pike pulled back so hard andferociously that it almost felt like I was usingbraid. I was standing out on a wooden plat-form playing this monstrously aggressivepike; the fish kited left and right whilst alsoboring deep, kicking up sheets of tench-likebubbles making my knees shake uncontrol-lably! It still wasn’t done yet, (and who saidpike don’t fight in the winter) she decided tobury herself in the reeds, firstly to my leftand then to my right. The pressure by nowon my entire body was just immense andwasn’t helped by my mate saying: “Youknow what you’ve got there, you’ve gotthe big‘un”. Eventually she popped up just

out of netting range, before deciding to go ona second rampage that was just as ferociousas the first. Finally, she waved the proverbialwhite flag and allowed me to guide herinto the waiting net. The feeling of utterjubilation was overwhelming to say theleast, as I knew this fish was well over the20lb barrier. My previous PB was 19.12.Hoisted aloft on the wheel of fortune,she pulled the needle round to 26.05,bless her. Tubed up safe in the margins inreadiness for some trophy shots, I was like aman possessed on the phone telling anyoneand everyone. What seemed like a fewminutes, but was more realistically an hour,my right-hand rod was away. Another verypowerful fish this time played on braid washauled ashore and my first thoughts were ofa brace of twenties. Unfortunately it was notto be, but still a mint fish and at a respectfulweight of just under 18lbs. All that lot wasone Christmas present I wasn’t expecting,but very welcome all the same.

A second encounter.My second meeting with this fantastic femalewas a couple of months later, on a Fridayevening in February whilst doing anovernight session with another syndicatemember. I was fishing a different spot to ourfirst meeting further up the same bank, thename of the particular peg eludes me, buthey-ho. I settled in for the night with myever faithful block-end feeders distributedabout the swim as only I knew how. JohnnyMac and I were chewing the fat (pike wise)whilst waiting for the bailiff to come andpick up the pictures of this beautiful creatureat 26.05 to go into Angling Times (he had aconnection with someone at the publication.)The bailiff turned up with his ever-presentdog and sat chatting for a while in theentrance to the bivvy. Publicising captures ofany sort from this water was only allowedunder strict supervision from the bailiff team.(The water is in fact a SSSI). Whilst waxinglyrical about how well built and beautifullymarked this fish was, not to mention havinga head like a wolf, you’ve guessed it, I got atake on the half mackerel rod.Three times

ALady!Alix Hepworth

14

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Donning the waders as quickly as possiblewasn’t easy bearing in mind the bailiff wasright beside me. So staggering into the icy-cold margins in the depths of the night toplay a fish wasn’t filling me with confidenceeither. (I never like having an audience).I hadn’t really got any choice bearing inmind my spool was steadily being emptied ofbraid; I quickly made contact with myadversary and applied steady pressure gettingthe fish up to the surface pretty quickly.Now I can honestly say with hand on heartthat whatever was on the other end pullingback, didn’t feel anywhere near significantweight wise. Hard as it may sound tobelieve, all I could think of whilst drawingthe fish towards the waiting net was ‘JACK,JACK, JACK’. It plipped and plopped fromside to side on the surface not creating muchdisturbance before finally being bundled intothe net like a dog on a lead.

Now what I forgot to mention whilst all thiswas going on, (which didn’t last very long)was that the bailiff and Johnny Mac weremaking oohing and aahing noises in betweensaying to each other that they both thought itwas a ‘good un’. It wasn’t until the fish wassafely netted and I turned it on its side in thewater that I realised that it wasn’t a Jack!It was in fact her again! Once again on thewheel of fortune she pulled the needle roundto an impressive 29.04 and another PB.Under normal circumstances I never photo-graph the same fish again but if I’m honestthe photos of her first time round weren’t thebest, due to low light levels. Congratulationswere offered from Rich the bailiff andJohnny Mac. The usual phone calls weremade and we decided between us that if thepictures were better second time round at thehigher weight, we would utilise those for theAngling Times. As it turned out the pictureswere superb as you can see and I also got apicture in Nige Williams’s column in AnglersMail to boot. As you can imagine, bagging

another PB just shy of 30lb I was elated andnever thought for a minute that our pathswould cross again.

Three times a lady.It was actually during my last session of theseason that we met for the third and finaltime, albeit I thought or hoped she was infact a different fish. It wasn’t to be andunfortunately if you can say that about suchan impressive creature she didn’t break themagical 30lb barrier for me. Our final meet-ing was a month later, during another twoday session and a very cold one at that.This time round my mate and I were in a pegknown as the Birches which was on theopposite side of the lake to where I’d caughther the two previous times. Once again, takeswere hard to come by even with two of usand our full quota of rods out. Eventuallyabout 10.00pm I had a take and pulled into aheavy fish which I instantly knew the identi-ty of. I said to my mate Guy, whose bivvywas right next to mine; “grab the net, I knowexactly which fish this is”. As I said this tohim, good as gold he stumbled out of hisbivvy a little bleary eyed and grabbed thenet. The only problem was that it was so coldthe net was frozen solid to the unhookingmat. By the time he had peeled the two apartI’d got her more or less ready for netting.

Third time round the fight was a crossbetween the ferocity of the first and theserenity of the second. Eventually, in thegloom of a cold March night she was, for thefinal time hauled into the net. Like I saidearlier, between the two of us we thought at

first it was a different fish, but realised ourmistake on first light when photographingher for the last time. This beauty’s anal finhad a distinctive mark, but only on one side,we had stupidly admired her from theopposite side! Two other members, JohnnyMac and Johnny Baker, (who now resides inFlorida and has toothy critters of a differentkind to deal with, namely gators!) came up tothe birches to see the fat lady returned to thedepths for the final time. As I slid her backand she kicked away from my hands stronglyI somehow knew I wouldn’t see her again.

We pulled off the water the following season,not wanting to put the fat lady through anymore stress and strain, moving on to pasturesnew. Eventually, after more captures by otherpike anglers, she did eventually go over the30lb mark. Unfortunately, she washed updead on the beach a year later. Sadly, all thatremained was a rotting carcass. That fishbrought three out of the five syndicatemembers new PB’s and a tremendousamount of pleasure. As I write this piece Istill keep in touch with Boggy and Rich thetwo bailiffs and have fished the magicalwater since, doing the odd overnighter insome serious weather.

Out of respect for the fat lady who coveredhundreds of yards during that season insearch of our deadbaits, I feel that writingthis article is the least I can do for such aspecial old girl. RIP you beautiful creature,your memory will last a lifetime.

Alix Hepworth

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What a beast, with a head likea wolf and yes she was thatheavily marked.

Background pic: with two traps set, only afisherman could experience scenes like this,it’s part of what makes us go.

15

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Train dodging.I got the car quickly out of the garagehaving packed by rods and gear the nightbefore and headed for my favourite spot afew miles up the road. To get to the loch Ipark in a lay by, walk a mile throughwoods and bracken, cross two streams,climb an embankment, along a railway linethen over a fence. Usually having reachedthe railway line I have to get a move on incase a train comes. I do have a timetable,but unfortunately the trains do not alwayskeep to it! By then I’m knackered before Ieven start fishing (I’m getting on a bit).

Today of course no trains were runningso I took my time and arrived at the lochwith some breath left. I had greatexpectations until I saw the water levelhad dropped by at least six feet from theday before and the weed was showingabove the surface of the water.Not a good sign!

1818

FEATUREARTICLE

Yes I know I’m a sad person, my ladyfriend said the turkey dinner would beready at 2.00pm so there I am offfishing on a cold frosty morning thatjust so happened to be Christmas day!

To be fair I’m not a great lover of turkey,it being a bit too dry for me. Why I boughtthe thing I have no idea and as for Brusselsprouts…. So there wasn’t much of anincentive to offer any promises to be backat 2.00pm on the dot. What I did say was“Alright, if I’m not back in time you haveyours and I’ll make something later”.This as you can imagine went down likea ton of bricks.

To make the peace, I grabbed a mince piefrom a tray of about twenty she haddiligently made the day before andmumbled “that’s delicious” before leggingit out of the back door before another wordcould be said.

Prime condition.Yesterday I had caught a 9lb pike at9.15am and had not had another touchuntil 3.10pm when a 6.08 had come to thenet. Both had taken deadbait, in one casea slice of game fish! The other falling for aherring float-fished in seven feet of waterusing a single barbless treble. Both hadacted as if they were twenty pounders,making bow waves and charging throughthe weeds making them seem a lotheavier than they actually were.

Both were in prime condition, the firstbeing lip hooked while the second hadsomehow managed to swallow the hookbefore I struck, the float having hardlymoved. That’s the trouble with some piketakes; they’ll give no indication and simplyswallow the bait on the spot. Luckily, Ihave found a very good tool for such fish,a pair of long nosed pliers with the endsturned up. These are ideal for turning thehook in order to allow it to pop out.At around £7 they are a real bargain.

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ChristmasOver *

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* **

*

DavidWillis

Piking

A 14 pounder caught from the Christmaswater, laid on soft heather and grass.

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My friend JohnMcDonald with a13-08 from theChristmas location.

Do we need so much gear?Going back to Christmas day, I set up witha couple of old 12 foot Browning carp rodswhich I’ve had for 20 years. Reels wereShimano baitrunners of a similar age.Yes I know there are now better pike rodsand reels on the market, but so far thesehave never let me down. Despite this, Ihave started to update my tackle withnewer rods, big pit reels and braid.

However, my friends tell me the list ofother gear includes; bite alarms, pods, abivvy, a larger landing net, oils for injectingbaits and an unhooking mat, it wears meout thinking about them! None of whichI have appeared to need in 60 years offishing! I’m 72 years old at the momentand have managed pretty well with justrods, reels and hooks. Just a single hookin the back of a sprat caught me no lessthan five 20 pound plus pike in a weekwhen I used to live in Kent.

All were lip hooked, unhooked on thegrass and after a quick picturereturned no worse for the experience.

My switch from singles to one treble hasbeen forced on me because I can nolonger get fresh sprats up here, havingnow to use bigger baits such as herring,trout and sardine.

A rare picture of me,all my trout and pikepictures are taken laidon the ground.

Was it worth the effort?Having to scrape the ice off the wind-screen and having cold spuds and stuffingwhen I got home (“It was lovely when itwas put out hours ago came the voice”).

Well, as I caught nothing I suppose not,but had I not gone I would have beenat home thinking I may have missedout on a double figure pike. Also aday at the waterside is never reallya wasted day.

In fact, I fished all over Christmaswithout a thing, the river enteringthe loch even froze! A few dayslater it was mild as anything.The next trip was to be Hogmanaywith my friend John. He caught a 16pounder on Hogmanay 2003 with asplit in it’s tail and caught the samefish exactly a year later at 17.08. Weare hoping it will get caught again thisyear and perhaps she will weigh 20lbs.

Will it come out on the same day a yearlater again? I will be there to find out.

David Willis.

Frozen to the rocks!Back to Christmas day again; conditionsdid not look good, the loch was flat calmand there was ice in the margins. Add tothis the low water and the weed I mighthave gone home if it hadn’t been for theprospect of sitting in front of the TV.

I set up the rods with salmon stripsfished just off the bottom casting asfar as I could to deeper water.I put the rods in forked twigs Ihad broken from a dead birchtree and attached a sea bell oneach rod which rattled in theslightest breeze. I then sat downon a rock. This wasn’t a goodidea and I soon ended up witha frozen rear!

So I walked up and down whichat least kept me warm and I couldstill see the two bubble floats.The bells were at the momentsuperfluous though they did addto the general Christmas scene!After walking up and down,between sitting on the cold rockfor hours without even a touch andwith the temperature dropping,resulting in a sore nose, finally at3.30pm I saw some sense andreluctantly packed up.

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20

After last years thirtieth anniversaryconvention success, we listened to themembers and our helper’s feedbackand acted upon it, and going by thisyears many comments we believethat we improved this years event inmany ways.

We are not a committee that enjoys defeator to be outdone, so we therefore did ourhomework and put together speakers andtrades stands that would give last years aclose run. I personally feel we achievedjust that. I also feel it certainly confirms thatwithout a doubt our convention is the topannual predator show in the country.*

The wide variety of trade stands providedplenty of coverage for the needs of today’skeen predator anglers; and an addedbonus was founder member of PACProfessor Barrie Rickards being on handalong with other top anglers to give advicewhere required. We even covered pike flyfishing, in the form of one of the countriestop fly fishing instructors Mark Bailey.Not only did he demonstrate the art of flytying, but also gave an outdoor fly castingdemonstration, which proved to beimmensely popular. Mark covered thewhole area from rods lines right through todouble haul casting, and those thatwatched walked away very impressed.

I must admit, last year we were over-whelmed by the attendance and werecaught out regarding theatre capacity,so this year we booked a larger theatrewith a 400 seating capacity. This seemedto be appreciated by all, the theatre wasalmost full to capacity for all our speakersand our MC for the day PAC PresidentPhil Wakeford had his work cut out.

For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

The attendance was almost on par withlast years and a big thanks goes out to ourfour great speakers for great talks.

First up was our very own Pike Angler ofthe year Graham Slater, his talk was avery in-depth look at his pike angling years,starting off with his very early years ofchasing pike, carrying us through to hismost recent phenomenal success lastseason of 129 doubles, twenty 20’s andthree 30’s.

Michel Huigevoort, from Holland,was next up to help give us that little bit ofan international flavour. His exploits on thehuge Mass river held the audience quietwith interest, his close encounters withhuge cargo vessels, and the capture oflarge pike up to 51 inches long.It was interesting to hear that he preferredhand landing all his fish rather than theusual landing net method. He also gave avery interesting insight into the latesttechnology introduced by Humminbirdfish finders.

Top lure angler Derek Macdonald thengave one of his rare lectures regarding thesecrets of his lure success. Derek used aglass fish tank to demonstrate just how hismodifications to his lures affected theiraction. Pictures were projected on the bigscreen with the aid of a video camera.

By doing this, it gave Derek just that edgeover his competitors, producing pike upto that rare size of a forty pounder.Derek ended with a two second fastflowing sequence of some of his big pikepictures to music.

To complete the day for spectacularspeakers was another of our continentalpredator experts PA Hogberg. Even hisjourney to the convention was by nomeans easy, first landing at London airportat 6.15pm on the Friday, meant he thentook various means of transport to reachus at the hotel later that evening. I mustadmit, this made me slightly worriedregarding his arrival, but like all goodthings all was well in the end and he waswell worth the waiting and the worry!

The audience seemed spell bound by histechniques, and the vast areas of waterinterlocked by a network of islands thatjust seemed to be right on his doorstep.PA gave quite an in-depth look at his rigsand methods, throwing in a little bit ofhumour, which was greatly appreciatedby the audience.

Earlier in the day Mick Brown drew the win-ner of the membership recruitmentdrive competition, the lucky winner isBrian Green who now has the chance tofish with Mick for the day, I’m quite sureBrian will enjoy himself.

The day ended in the theatre with Nev’spanel and also an auction of the No.1PAC30 leather-bound, and PAC30hardback book, the auctioneer for the daywas our General secretary Mark Barrett.Mark encouraged some brisk bidding onboth counts helping put a good sum inthe clubs coffers.

We also had the very popular mega-rafflewith prizes donated by our very generoustrade stands which the PAC would like tosay a special thanks to. Whilst on thesubject of thanks I would like to thankRob Shallcroft for supplying all theprogrammes and posters, Mike Skipperfor all the name badges, and not forgettingall the other helpers on the day; withoutyou my friends, events like this just couldnot happen. Also a big thanks to all thecommittee for all their hard work leading upto and on the day. Days like this are acredit to you all and thanks for being partof my team.

Last but not least a big thank you to allwho attended and supported the club.Roll on next years convention!

Colin Goodge.

*There’s not a lot of alternatives Colin! NJF

Convention 2008 gallery:Above left: all’s fair as Mick helps Colin tomake the Menteith draw on stage before anexpectant crowd!1. Phil Thanks Pike Angler of the Year 2008Graham Slater for his talk.2. Mark awards Joint RO of the Year StewartMcMath with his commemorative print.3. Phil awards President’s Shield 07/08 winnerSteve Rodwell with his commemorative print.4. All our speakers gathered on stage to takequestions from the audience.5. Presided over by Neville; ‘today I will mainlybe a deckchair’ Fickling and friend.6. Business is brisk in the hall, ET finds time tosatisfy the signature hunters.7. Browny wanted a ‘quiet’ drink at the bar, nochance with ‘Thee 88’s’ in tha house!8. Later on; a reunion with Watto at the localindian restaurant.

Pictures: kindly supplied by Andrew Stagg andDicky Fisk... and Thee 88’s of Vasey!

Piking2008ConventionReportStoneleigh Warwickshire

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21Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

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24

The sheer volume of waterentering the rear of the boatcaused her to capsize in only2 minutes.

Below: Darren in a moretriumphant mood! Boatpiking is great, but there arereal risks to be aware ofwhilst afloat.

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AccidentsOverConfidenceCouldKill

PACEXCLUSIVE

bring in his last rod a pike grabbed the baitbut dropped it. Should we stay? We decid-ed to nip back later. Up came the backanchor... then the problems started, wecould not get the front anchor up. We havehad them stuck before but with a bit ofheave-ho and boat manouvering it hasnever been a problem.

OnlyTwoMinutesToCapsizeThe strong winds were making thingsextremely difficult, the engine was startedand the boat was steered towards the frontanchor, which was a task in itself.Eventually the anchor rope came incontact with the prop. and the engine cutout, now the boat was the wrong wayround in a big swell and taking on water.

Another decision, (oh for the power ofhindsight) either cut the rope and get outof here or try and free the rope from theprop and carry on fishing. We foolishlyopted to try and get the rope from aroundthe prop. Two minutes later and the boathad taken on too much water, causing it tocapsize. This threw John outside the boatand trapped me underneath. I saw theboat go, and the one thing I rememberthinking to myself at that moment was,hell, neither of us is wearing a life jacket!

This was going to be his first outing for awhile, and one he will never forget! I’d hada few fish on the Friday and all was look-ing well for the Saturday. John arrived inthe morning and loaded his gear into myboat. We had a bit of craic with Gordie,and got on our way. The first stop was to aspot that I had being doing well on in themornings, we anchored the boat, got therods out then I made us a brew. This spothad been productive right from the off onprevious trips but today nothing washappening. We decided to give it an hourthen we’d have a mooch.

HowlingWindsAndBigRollersThe morning had started of flat calm, thenafter an hour or so the wind started to pickup, then it went mad; howling winds andbig white rollers. There was nothing newhere having endured big blow-ups manytimes before. Right, what were we going todo, the spot wasn’t producing and we wereprobably on the windiest spot on the lake.We could stay put and ride it out, but wewere not catching. We decided on a movein order to head for calmer water andhopefully land on a few pike. Hindsight, asthey say is a wonderful thing. Moving wasthe wrong decision and to rub a bit of saltinto the wounds, just as John started to

AVeryHarrowingEpisodePike fishing using boats is now verypopular and more and more pikers areutilising boats in pursuit of their quarry.After a very harrowing episode involv-ing myself and a friend, I thought anarticle sharing the experience and thelessons learned from it may be of somebenefit to all piker’s; experienced ornew to the rigours of going afloat.

Firstly, I would like to say we have beenusing boats of many shapes and sizes forover a decade now so are by no meansnew to piking afloat. I feel this can be theroot problem with many piker’s as thelonger you have been doing it, manythings can and will be taken for granted.

During the course of a season, John, myregular fishing partner and I, fish everyweekend with the odd mid-week tripthrown in on a variety of venues. Most ofour time is predominantly spent in theLake District. On this particular trip I hadmanaged to get to the venue about dinnertime on the Friday. John, who for a num-ber of reasons, hadn’t been doing muchfishing in the previous weeks was meetingup with me Saturday morning.

Pikelines catches up with reflective member Darren Ward

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Happen!

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AccidentsHappen!

26

John managed to pull himself around theboat to the front and was holding onto thehitching eye, shouting for help andshouting to me enquiring if I was ok.I was trapped in the cuddy, shouting toJohn. Due to the fact that the boat was stillcaught up with the anchor and coupledwith the strong wind, the boat’s naturalposition whilst being capsized (basicallynose pointing upwards) was beingcompromised. This made the boat morehorizontal, which meant the air pocket inthe cuddy was a lot smaller than it shouldhave been. I literally had just my head outof water and anything that entered thespace, bags and tackle etc was batteredout of the way.

AYachtCrewSavedOurLivesLuckily, John had attracted the attention ofa passing yacht, on board were threechaps from Stoke and their actions savedour lives. They fired off flares, alerted thecoastguard and the lake wardens. Theythrew John a life line and manoeuvred himto the back of the yacht.

It took all three of them to lift him out ofthe lake, they struggled mainly because ofthe weight of his water-laden clothing(as you know us piker’s wrap up well!).John had also hired the help of a weightloss guru which had in a roundabout sortof way helped the lads from Stoke get himout! There would have been no chance ifthe accident had been 12 months earlier.(sorry pal, only joking). Meanwhile, I’m stilltrapped under the boat and oblivious towhat’s going on outside apart from the oddincoherent shouts. The thoughts goingthrough your mind are not nice.

The longer it goes on, the more negativeyou are becoming and you realise youmight not be seeing your children again.I was very cold and started to struggle.I thought about trying to swim for it but assoon as my head went underwater I lostmy breath. Stupidly, I just imagined myselfswimming under the boat and bobbing upto the surface, when in reality I would havesunk to the bottom.

TheLakeWardensWereBrilliantNow it was the turn of the lake wardens torescue me, it seemed to go on for an agewith lots of noise, bangs and shouts.All terrifying. I did not know what wasgoing on while the wardens thought I wasa goner. On seeing my hands through thehatch they went all out. I do not know howthey did it, but they got the front of theboat more vertical which then meantgetting through the hatch was a means ofescape. Eventually they got me, pulled meout of the hatch and into the rescue boat.Whilst in the boat, one of the wardens

pinned me down to the floor, I was shakinguncontrollably; a mixture of the cold andadrenaline. They then raced me back tothe warden’s office and to a waitingambulance. All I kept asking was “where’sJohn?” The wardens kept telling meJohn was fine, but I wouldn’t believe ituntil I had seen him.

When they got me to the warden’s officeI was stripped off had a hot shower and abrew. The ambulance chap checked meover and advised me to go to hospital,I wasn’t going anywhere until I’d seenJohn. He was indeed fine after the ordealand had been salvaging what he couldfrom around the boat. Seeing him back atthe warden’s office alive and well was, andI am not ashamed to admit, veryemotional! I was so glad he was there.He cracked a couple of jokes, David Blanewas one, and that the contents of hisunderwear were normally a bit bigger.

John with a lovelyLakeland lass.

“TheAmbulanceChapCheckedMeOverAndAdvisedMeToGoToHospital,IWasn’tGoingAnywhereUntil I’dSeenJohn.”

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Pgs.26-27AccidentsHappen02.qxd:Pgs.24-25JuniorGall-JackD.qxd 28/10/08 06:26 Page 1

John always keeps his closed and evenfull of stuff it floated. The one I use is aWychwood game bag and John has aShimano one.

For your camera, get a rubber-sealedTupperwear box, they sell these at thesupermarket and are fully waterproof.One last thing, put some pipe laggingon your rods; if they go overboard thelagging will make them float.

After getting over the initial shock of anaccident like this you inevitably start tocount the cost. I lost a lot of gear as didJohn. The items lost come under yourpersonal belongings policy, make sureyou have adequate cover.

John did, but unfortunately for me I didn’tand only managed to recoup about a thirdof the money required to replace my gear.Check your policy and make a phonecall if you need to. If you know you arecovered you will at least have peaceof mind.

Thanks,AndI’mGladToBeHere!It has been a few months now since theaccident and I hope people take on boardthe things I have mentioned in this article.I’m so glad I’m here to put this experienceinto print.

Before I go I would just like to thank afew people who have helped in one wayor another; John... top man, Fat Harry,Rodders, cheers mate, Eddie Turnerfor the kind offer and Dave Lumb forsorting me out a couple of Loch Tamersquickly for a planned trip and for thediscount (smiley).

Safe piking. Darren Ward.

After the advice we have received, I feelthese jackets offer us the best protection.If you do buy one or re-arm your currentone, just make sure you wear it!We bought ours from crewsafe.co.uka good site to browse.

SomeGear-SavingTipsWhilst on the Crewsafe website I cameacross a fully waterproof mobile phonecase. The case is supplied with a lanyardso you can wear it around your neck.

Obviously, it will come into its own if youdo find yourself in the water and need tocall the emergency services and its alsohandy for making and receiving calls whenraining. I think these cases are a brilliantidea and well worth getting. If you browsethe site just go in to the drybags andholdalls section.

The boat you are fishing from needs to besuited to the types of waters you arefishing, do not venture out onto these bigwaters in an inadequate boat. Also don’ttinker with boats buoyancy; it is there forobvious reasons!

Another worthwhile investment is a gamebag, we use these to carry most of ourfishing gear; floats, terminal tackle, rigbits, scales, sling, unhooking gear, drogue,camera, rod holders etc. The beauty ofthese bags is that they float, unfortunatelyI left mine un-zipped so lost most of itscontents.

Joking aside, we realised how lucky wewere and how different it all could havebeen. The Wardens were brilliant,absolutely superb. We remained with themfor a good few hours and when the winddied down they recovered the boat.I know John shares my sentiments here.We cannot thank the Wardens and thelads from Stoke enough.

What lessons have we learned? Obviouslythe first and most important one is alwaysto wear a lifejacket. This is something thatover time we just stopped doing, the mainreasons being that boats we use nowa-days make you feel safe. I cannot reallyexplain the reasons behind us not wearinglifejackets but plenty of people don’t.If God forbid anything like this happens toyou, believe me you’ll be glad you arewearing a lifejacket. If you are not, you’llrealise just how vulnerable and helplessyou really are.

CheckYourLifejacket!The jackets themselves need a mention.Do not rely on old jackets you have hadfor years. John took his to a shop to test itand then re-arm it. The shop owneradvised him to throw it in the bin!Think about it, if ever the jacket is neededto save your life, you need to be sure it willdo its job. If you are happy with the typeand model of lifejacket you possess,do yourself a favour and get it tested andre-armed every season.

For the sake of twenty quid it is somethingI will be doing every year. John did a lotof ringing around after the accident,determined to get the right lifejacket.The Crewsaver Crewfit 150n automatichammar is the one we have gone for, it willself-inflate once submerged in water over10cm’s and will not go off on it’s own whenwet or if it gets splashed on. Also, it can beself-inflated using a pull chord.

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Pgs.26-27AccidentsHappen02.qxd:Pgs.24-25JuniorGall-JackD.qxd 28/10/08 06:26 Page 2

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YourLetters YourPikelines:YourVoiceThanks for writing in this quarter. Have your thoughts and viewspublished here. Send all letters to Neville Fickling at:thetackleshop@btconnect.com

PL123 deadline for submissions: Dec. 26th 2008.

UptracesAppealI thought the article by Brian Wootton onhelping beginners to piking in the last issueof Pikelines was excellent. I wonder if Icould add a postscript, a kind of appeal?

In the article he rightly emphasises theneed for an uptrace whilst livebaiting. I alsobelieve it is necessary whilst deadbaiting.Think about it a bit. A beginner, especiallymight make a slightly jerky cast and thedeadbait could easily flip back even beforeit hits the water. You may not notice this,especially in the dark. Once the bait has hitthe water it can hit a log or a rock on theway to the bottom.

Or, a pike could pick up the bait and drop itagain, on the reel line before havinganother go at it. It does not harm at all touse an uptrace whilst deadbaiting, onlygood. I usually have a safety clip on theuptrace to allow me to use a semi-fixedlead close to the bait trace (I rarely use arunning trace above the full trace becauseit really isn’t necessary to do so).

Barrie Rickards.

Editor’s addition: Sadly, since publicationof his article Brian recently passed away,our thanks for his contribution to the club.A family obituary is on page 34. NJF.

MoreOnPikeBlindnessFollowing on from David McLachlan’sBlindness in pike article in issue 115 andsubsequently, Phil Wakeford’s letter inissue 117 in which he stated that he hascaught, or seen caught many pike with eyedefects and /or abnormalities. The mostcommon of which is indeed pike develop-ing a white film over the eye. Sometimes Ihave seen this film covering just a portionof the eye, while other pike have had theentire eye covered over.

I am yet to catch a pike that has had thisdisease in both eyes at the same time;a totally blind pike, but know other writerswho have done so. The poor old pike doesseem to suffer from more infections of onetype or another when compared to otherfish species. Diseases such as red soreand tumours which can appear anywhereon the pike’s body, but particularly aroundthe head and back areas are not uncom-mon occurences. The picture below showsa gravel pit pike I caught in 2007 whichclearly has an eye protruding from the

I had to laugh at Colin Goodge, at times ashe appeared to be running around like theproverbial blue arsed fly, a big thanks tohim as well. I know the target of 3,000members has yet to be achieved but this issomething that I am sure will happen andis certainly not for the want of trying on thepart of many people. All the guys haveworked very hard on our behalf, I wishthem all well. The new team have a hardact to follow but I have no doubt they willrise to the occasion. Yours in dangling!

Dick.

MoreThanksToPACHello, I’m a new member of PAC and in myfirst year I have had great success pikingwith help from the magazine. I have fishednew waters with great results. I’m 25 andmy best mate and fishing partner WaynePaget who is 23 have been piking togetherfor a number of years.

This year I decided to join PAC as I felt Ineeded to honour the pike by joining theclub. We had the fantastic Pikelinesmagazine come through the post and witha couple of the articles read we werearmed with the extra knowledge of whereto fish. I have enclosed some of ourpictures from last season.

socket at an alarming degree. My guesswould be that it has been caused by atumour beneath the eye?

The pike weighed 8lb and was very thin,no doubt it had trouble feeding properlyand, apart from this , the fish was in perfectcondition. Prior to this disease it wasalmost certainly a double. I know that thispike was caught at least 4 or 5 times lastyear and we eventually gave it the unflat-tering name of ‘popeye’. This year the fishhas not been seen and I figure that it musthave succumbed to it’s illness.

By publishing these pictures Pikelines maywell get inundated with pictures of weirdlooking pike and we might have to start anew ‘Frankenfish’ gallery?

Darren Carter.

ThanksFromDickCulpinI would like to take this opportunity to thankall members of the current committee forall the hard work they have done duringtheir time in office. I think we all fall into thetrap of expecting everything to be just so,including getting Pikelines through thedoor, having a convention with greatspeakers, getting the chance to fishfantastic places and having a voice withinangling. Without the dedication and hardwork of the team none of this wouldhappen. I have to say I thought that havinga few moments silence in memory ofmembers no longer with us was particularlypoignant and I have to thank Phil Wakefordfor remembering those special people.

For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

Pgs.28-29LettersQoftheQ.qxd:Pgs.28-29Skin01.qxd 28/10/08 06:38 Page 1

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All the fish shown were caught from thedrains. We had over 150 pike raging from4lbs to a massive 24lbs they came byexploring the Cambridgeshire drainsbetween 10.9.07 to 17.02.08.

We have mainly used livebaits caught fromthe water on a paternoster rig, with tworods apiece. Leapfrogging each other downthe drains, we noticed a familiar patternto the whereabouts of the predators(hotspots is something I didn’t know about)with a total 21 pike coming from onesmall stretch.

Anyway, Wayne and I will be pleased torenew our memberships with excitementand gratitude and we both wonder whywe weren’t members a long time before.Thank you and tight lines.

Matthew Collins.

Editor’s comment: What a nice letter;it shows that people do appreciate PAC,it’s just that few put pen to paper! NJF.

the great Bill Winship when he came to doa talk on river piking at our local meeting.What a great guy Bill is for coming down allthat way to show us his love for pike, all heaccepted was the cost of his petrol andsome free grub. I would therefore like todedicate this letter to David Holmes forbeing such an inspiring man in pike fishingin our local region and to myself. Alsothanks again to Bill Winship for a greattalk. The picture below is of the lovely19.02 lady, the other; my award present-ation for RA84 best newcomer, David is onthe left of me. What an honour that was;my first award for fishing achievement.

Tight lines everybody. M.Pursglove.

ADedicationFromMartinI started pike fishing back in Novemberafter a long time spent away from thewater due to the usual things; football,work and buying a home. I was due towork a week of nights near my local waterwhich I had not fished for years. So on theMonday I fished out my piking gear,brushed off the resident spiders and setoff down to the water.

On arrival at the water I was faced withone of fishings biggest decisions, where tofish and what tactics to use. The onlyknowledge I had of the water was that Ihad over heard some match anglers callone bank the match straight, so I thoughtfood fish equals pike. With this decisionmade I set up to fish, two rods out withdeadbaits on them. After about three hoursthe bailiff came round a lovely man calledDavid Holmes (RA84) he asked me if Ihad caught anything. Unfortunately, theanswer was no. I made him a cup of coffeeand we had a chat. He pointed out an areain the water about 50 yards out, he saidthat this area had always produced goodpike for him. What a great man to share hissecrets with me on the strength of just onemeeting. We chatted some more and thenthe alarm sounded, I struck and thought Iwas struck on the bottom, but then the fishtook off. I had never felt anything like thisas my carp PB is 14lb. After about ten min-utes we had the lovely girl on the bankat 19.02.

This confirmed my love for pike. I visitedthe water all winter and caught most timeschatting more and more with David.This experience with David Holmes led meto join Amber Valley RA84 and subscribe toPAC. I have made some great friendsthrough pike fishing these last few months,one of the most inspiring would have to be

Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

QuoteOfTheQuarterSara Bensinger of The New York Times.

“Pike is edible, even glorified by some palates,

though it’s bones make for challenging chewing.”

“

”

Pgs.28-29LettersQoftheQ.qxd:Pgs.28-29Skin01.qxd 28/10/08 06:38 Page 2

Q: Hi Mick, How old are you and howlong have you pike fished? I’m 39 yearsold believe it or not (my nickname at workis old face) and I’ve been pike fishingfor 20 years.

Q: Where do you live and what do youdo for a living? Born in Cambridge, but Inow reside in County Durham. I havebeen a postman since leaving school buthave also just taken up the opportunityrecently to work on a casual basis for atackle company.

Q: Type of transport? A boring FordFocus, not the ideal fishing chariot but afamily car as my wife likes to describe it.I’m hoping to change it in the near futureto something more suitable for fishing.

Q: Where do you fish for pike? At pres-ent I’m into river fishing as it makes formore interesting piking and is sounpredictable, you just never know what’sgoing to turn up on each session. Riversare not the only places I fish. As youknow Nev I organised the pike fishing ontwo trout waters for several years, butthese are closed at present to give thepike a rest and to improve the fishing.

Q: Likes about pike fishing? The hugediversity of it, one day I could be on ariver, the next on a gravel pit, small pond

or reservoir, having to adaptat the last minute to adifferent type of venue andor method keeps me onmy toes and always thinkingabout my fishing. Whenthings ever start to becomepredictable or boring I’ll giveit up. Also, the manymethods that can be usedto catch pike, I just wish Iwas more confident withlure fishing.

Q: Dislikes about pikefishing? Liars, now everyonetells a few white lies aboutwhere they’re fishing I don’thave a problem with that,but it’s the people who lieabout what they catch andthe size of their fish.

This gets my back up, theysoon get found out and areonly kidding themselves.Also, people who dismisslivebaiting as unnecessarywithout ever trying it.

Careless pike killers, andfinally, angling clubs thatimpose stupid rules onour pike fishing.

RiverGlee

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30

ThisQuarterNevilleTalksToMickGleeson

UnderTheSkin

A perfect river21.00 to Mick.

Pgs.30-31Skin01.qxd:Pgs.30-31Skin02.qxd 28/10/08 06:29 Page 1

Mick has really been enjoying catchingbig river pike like this twenty.

Carefully returning a big twentyto her river home.

31

Pgs.30-31Skin01.qxd:Pgs.30-31Skin02.qxd 28/10/08 06:29 Page 2

32 For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

Q: Pike fishing influences? In the begin-ning I suppose my brother Steve and BobMeadows; they caught some big fish inthe late 80’s that really got me into pikefishing. Then later, meeting Richard andHugh Reynolds two very good anglers.

More recently, Mark Ackerley who I wouldsay is one of the best pike anglers andangling writers (when he occasionallyputs pen to paper) who I’ve had thepleasure to fish with.

Q: If you won 10 million on the lottery,what would you do with it? I’d probablylook after my family first and foremost.I would then buy a large fishery of myown, a property in Ireland and one some-where hot for the summertime when I’mnot fishing. Oh... and a better car!

Q: Other fishy interests? Grayling fishingI just wish they grew to double figures.

Q: Favourite fishing book? There aretwo that come to mind; your book Nev‘In pursuit of predatory fish’ I don’t thinkyou’ve ever bettered it (I’m still lookingfor a copy if anyone wants to sell one)and ET’s ‘Mega pike’.

Q: Non-fishing interests? Military history.

Q: Other sporting interests? Supportingthe football team where I was born;Cambridge United. My nephew plays forthem at the moment so I can blame himwhen they lose!

Q: Favourite film? There are two that Ireally like; The League of Gentleman’sApocalypse and The ShawshankRedemption.

Q: Favourite fishing holiday location?I don’t get the chance for fishing holidays,so a long weekend or the odd week inCambridge fishing with my brother andRichard Reynolds is very enjoyable.

Q: Favourite non-fishing holidaylocation? For the last ten years my familyand I have spent three weeks a year at asmall resort on the Spanish island ofMenorca, it’s quiet, ideal for the familyand very hot.

Q: Pike-fishing ambition? To catch athirty pound pike, preferably from ariver, but I wouldn’t turn my nose up at athirty form another type of venue!

Q: Ambition in life? That would be toreceive free bait from you Nev, onlykidding, I suppose it would be continuedgood health for myself and family.To retire at 50 and be able to fish when Iwant and on my own terms.

Q: Last piece of fishing tackle youbought? American Surflon bleedingleader wire in 45lb breaking strain, coatedin a red nylon; superb for uptraces.

Q: Favourite cheese? Red Leicester.

NJF: Many thanks for letting us in on yourworld of fishing Mick.

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Stupid

CarelessDislikes...

anglingimpose

our

killersclubs that

rules onpike fishing!

pike ,and finally,

Proudly cradlinga river ‘27.00’.

Pgs.32-33Skin02-JackD.qxd:Pgs.32-33Letters-JR.qxd 28/10/08 06:32 Page 1

33Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

By the time you are reading this no doubtmost of you will be well into your winterpike season. As I write this it is the lastweek in September. Personally I only fishfor pike from October to March; however,preparation for my winter pike seasonstarts many weeks before. What do Imean in terms of preparation? Well hope-fully I will explain to the younger readersof Pikelines a few tips to improve yourseason, and points on pike welfare thatmust be observed.

Tackle. Let me start with line, whether youuse braid or mono you really need tocheck this for damage. Mono lines,although perhaps more abrasive-resistantthan braid, should really be checked forany small nicks. These will normally be inthe last 20-30 meters or so of line where ithas been on the bottom the most. If youfind any, cut off the damaged section.If you seem to have a lot of nicks ordamage to line further into the spool youreally should consider replacing the wholespool with new line. Good quality monosuch as Daiwa Sensor is pretty cheap andas long as you take care of it a 300 yardspool should last a while.

Remember, mono will deteriate in sunlightso always keep it somewhere dark andcool such as the garage or the shed.With mono please remember never to useanything less than 15lb breaking strain.A lower breaking strain is simply asking fortrouble so why take the risk. There is hard-ly a difference in price between 8lb and15lb line. Remember, if you think lesserdiameter line will be less obvious for thepike to see and will catch you more fishthen you are totally WRONG. Lowerbreaking strain line will lose you fishsimply because it is not up to the job, soplease don’t use it.

A baited trace left either in the water orin a pike is almost certainly a deathsentence. So what of braid? To be perfect-ly honest this is my favoured type of lineand suits my style of fishing well. Whilstnot cheap, if you look after it well braid willlast. Braid is perhaps more prone todamage than mono, especially over roughground and I would suggest if you fishover rocky terrain you should check yourbraid after every trip. Again as with monoyou must replace or take out any damagedline. What I tend to do after one season isget the spare spool for the reel, take offthe one currently on the reel, place the

spare spool on the reel and wind the braidfrom the filled spool onto the empty one.This puts all the braid which has not per-haps ever seen water to the front of thenew spool. By doing this you are almostgetting a brand new spool of line. If youuse braid please make sure you use onewith a good track record.

Power Pro and Berkeley Whiplash are bothworth a look. As a guide, I use 40lb for baitfishing and up to 80lb for lure fishing,(pocket money is not that good that I canafford to lose a £15 lure).

Rods. No doubt, like me, most of you willuse the same rods for pike fishing as youdo for perhaps carp, so any flaws willhopefully have been picked up. It is stillworth checking rod rings for any nicks,especially if you have just replaced line onyour reels. Any nicks in the rod rings willdamage your line.

Terminal tackle. I always like to starttotally from fresh for the new season.If you’re thinking of simply clipping on lastyears trace then you should pay specialattention to any signs of rust to hooks andswivels. Hooks will probably be bluntedand will need sharpening, but mostimportant are swivels. It surprised mewhen checking some used ones just whatproblems they can cause. Any rust willcause weakness to the swivel resulting inbreakage if you snag up, leaving a baitedtrace in the water. You should also checkfor any nicks or rough edges in the eye ofthe swivel; any of these will damage yourline which again will result in parting withyour trace. Remember rust equals weak-ness so avoid it. Put simply, by the timeyou have filed and cleaned hooks, sortedswivels out you could have made a coupleof new traces up!

I must admit, I really enjoy making mytraces up, it gives great satisfaction whenyou catch pike on something you havemade yourself.

Rigs. keep it simple, and if in doubt get anexperienced piker to check them out.

Bait. For those of you who bait fish, gettingit sorted well in hand is really important.Most supermarkets supply fresh sea baitsat a good price and for the sake of acouple of quid each week you can reallystart to build your freezer up if you start inplenty of time. If money is tight simply ringaround supermarkets or fishmongers andask if you can have any fish they do notsell by the sell-by date (it’s surprising what

you can get). I love to experiment withbaits. Before you freeze them up why nottry adding flavours and colours to them?As they freeze-up they will soak anycolours and flavourings into them.Who knows, it may help to give you thatedge? If you buy your bait from a tackleshop they will normally come frozen andvacuum-packed so you can just pop themstraight in the freezer. If you buy baits fromthe supermarket or take from a vacuumpack to add flavourings or colours, alwaysmake sure you wrap them back up in clingfilm and put plenty on to avoid freezerburn. If you wrap them individually you canalso just take what you think you will needfor a session, this saves on wasting baitthat thaws out.

My favourite bait is the lamprey it justleaks attraction to the pike, although dadwon’t tell me where he gets his lampreyfrom... something to do with uprooted treesin the river!

Location. It’s always good to discovernew waters and have some plans for thecoming winter. I am lucky in the fact thatwhere I live I am pretty close to somewaters that have reasonable pike fishing.But don’t despair if you don’t think youhave waters near by. Why not try and gethold of an ordnance survey map of yourarea, you may be surprised at what youfind. Look at it very carefully and I betyou will find waters on it you never newexisted. Simply walking around placeseither at first or last light in the summer willsometimes give you an indication of pikepresence by the sound of them striking atbaitfish. Another point to note is lookcarefully at the water in the summer,even draw a rough sketch and put notes inwhere perhaps lily pads are and weedbeds etc. These are places that pike willno doubt haunt in the winter months readyto ambush prey fish. Don’t be afraid to tryplaces that perhaps you have not triedbefore. Apart from commercial carp ponds,most waters, certainly rivers, drains andcanals will contain a head of pike, so givethem a go.

I hope these points will help you to enjoyyour season and I hope you catch the pikeof your dreams. I would like to thank thePAC committee for putting on yet anotherfantastic convention, it was a wonderfulday with some top speakers and to cap itall I got a drawn out for the Menteith eventin March. I will be back for revenge!Watch this space.

Tight lines to you all. Jack Dinnewell.

Jack’sJuniorPikePagePreparation, preparationand more preparation!

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Pgs.32-33Skin02-JackD.qxd:Pgs.32-33Letters-JR.qxd 28/10/08 06:32 Page 2

35Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

Keep up to date on the latest events: pacgb.co.uk/events

NEW: Chertsey Gravel Pit, Surrey Bank-fishing Sat 28th. Feb. 2009 20 members only.£15 per person. 2 Rods. Deadbaits and lures ONLY, NO livebaiting. First-come first-served basis.Please include an A5 SAE with your application. All rules and details will be sent out with tickets.

NEW: Warping Drain, N. Lincs. Bank-fishing Sat. 7th Feb. 200920 members only. £10 per person. 2 Rods. Deadbaits and lures ONLY, NO livebaiting. First-come first-servedbasis. Please include an A5 SAE with your application. All rules and details will be sent out with tickets.

Hykeham Gravel Pit, Lincs. Bank-fishing Sat. 14th and Sun. 15th Feb. 2009200 acre gravel pit. £13 per person per day. 3 Rods. All methods allowed. First-come first-served basis.Please include an A5 SAE with your application. All rules and details will be sent out with tickets.

Ecton Lakes, Northants. (Jigsaw lake only) Bank-fishing www.ecton.t83.netLimited places. Sat. 21st Feb. and Sat. 14th March 2009 £18 per person per day. 3 Rods. All methods,livebaiting allowed if caught on site. First-come first-served basis. Please include an A5 SAE with yourapplication. All rules and details will be sent out with tickets.

Quays Gravel Pit, Surrey Bank-fishing Sat. 21st and Sun. 22nd March 2009 20 members onlyper day. £18 per person per day. 3 Rods. All methods, livebaiting allowed if caught on site. First-come first-served basis. Please include an A5 SAE with your application. All rules and details will be sent out with tickets.

More special PAC events to follow... watch this space.

Events2009CalendarOfSpecial

PLEASE NOTE: To apply please complete applications slips in this issue of Pikelines. Event packs sent out will include rules and informationsheets. Please include an A5 or large envelope with application slips and ensure your membership will be concurrent for the day of the event.Members applying do so in the knowledge that they accept to fish within the rules set out for that event. Members applying for more than oneevent must please include a separate cheque for each event. Thanks, Mark Skinner.

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36

MembersPictures YourPikelines:YourGallerySee your catch here, send digital pictures toSteve Ormrod at: predhunter.o@virgin.net

See more member pictures at: pacgb.co.uk/gallery/index.htm

Every issue, choosing the winner of the Zoota Lures/Pikelines Gallerycompetition is made harder by the sheer quality of all the entries submitted.It was no different for issue 121, but I am pleased to announce that the winneris Andy Starsmore for his lovely picture of a rainbow over the river Bure.

Well done to him! Alex Prouse.

20-catching machine Ross Greaveswith a bonny Scottish beauty.

PAC stalwart Dave Westwith a gale-force caughtbig girl from Co. Galway.

No stranger to big pike is Rob Christen;looking pleased with a ‘new drain’ 28.10.

Yorkshire member John Meakin with a new PBat 21.10. John says it’s been 11 long yearssince he last had a fish over the magical mark.

Pgs.36-37MembPics01.qxd:Pgs.36-37MembPics.qxd 28/10/08 06:40 Page 1

37Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

Left: You’ve probablyseen this grin before!Steve Spoor with hisnew PB of 24.06.

Below: Jim Tyree sent inthis great capture ofDave ‘Middo’ Middleton.Dave is layed up at themoment due to a badaccident and will misshis winter piking, hopeyou get well soon Dave.

“In the right place, at theright time after a hard dayon the Bure” explainedPeter McGillivray.His reward; a new PBat 26.04.

Another PB at 24.04to a very happyWullie McCauley.

Our man in theHighlands; MickyJones with a newPB of 22.08.

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OfficialPACXmToOrder:CompleteAndPostTheProductsFormIncludedInThisIssueQueries... email Mike Hastings at: pacprodman@btinternet.com

Baseball Cap (one size)

Colours: Green, BlueOrder Code: BCOne Size: £9.00

Wooly hat (one size)

Colour: GreenOrder Code: WHOne Size: £8.00

PAC Badgesa. Round colour car stickerOrder Code: CS. £1.50

b. Three-inch dia. Full-colour clothOrder Code: CB. £3.50

PAC Enamel Badgesc. One-inch dia. Full-colour enamelledmetal. Order Code: EB. £3.00

d. One-inch dia. 30th Anniversary.Full-colour enamelled metal.Order Code: EB30. £3.50

e. Stainless Thermal MugOrder Code: TM. £5.50

f. 6” Boat StickerLarge full-colour PAC logo.Order Code: BS6. £3.00

g. PAC Mouse MatOrder Code: MM. £2.50

Pikelines A4+ BindersHolds 12 copies (not shown)

Order Code: PB. £6.00

h. Roving VestOrder Code: RVAdult Sizes only: M,L,XL,XXL. £25.00

i. Sweatshirt* Order Code: SSChild: £16.50. Adult: £19.00

j. Polo Shirt* Order Code: PSChild: £15.50. Adult: £17.00

k. CamoShirtsHardwood green camo.Short sleeve:Order Code:CSS.£21.00Long sleeve:Order Code:CLS.£25.00Adult Sizes only: M,L,XL,XXL.No personalisation available on these items.

l. Personalised EmbroideryName and other details can bedetailed under the logo on shirtsand fleeces (see sample left).Per Item: First line: £1.50 extra.Per next line: 50p extra.

All clothing is supplied with anembroidered PAC logo as shown.Sizes are approx. and forguidance only. *T-Shirt, Polo Shirtand Sweatshirt in Green only.

Sizes available/sizing Guide:Child: 5/6, 7/8, 9/11, 12/13Adult: Small: (36” chest)Medium: (38”-40” chest)Large: (42” chest)Extra Large: (44”-46” chest)Extra-Extra Large: (48” chest)(unless otherwise specified)

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Note: All items shown are for illustration purposes only and are

not to scale. Errors and Omissions Excepted.

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39

XmasPresentsDid you know you canorder online at PAC’sproduct’s webshop:pacgb.com

Safari ShirtHigh quality long-sleeved inKhaki with embroidered gold PAC logo.Order Code: SAF. £25.00Note: special order only, there is a waiting timeof 3 weeks for delivery prior to order.

Both fleecestyles availablein Green, Grey,Blue and Red.

Full-Zip FleeceOrder Code: FZFChild: £24.00Adult: £28.00

Half-Zip Fleece(Not shown)

Order Code: HZFChild: £23.00Adult: £27.00

HoodyOrder Code: HSChild: £20.00. Adult: £23.50Colours: Child: Red, Grey, NavyAdult: Green only

T-Shirt*Order Code: TSChild: £9.50Adult: £10.50

PleaseOrderByDec1st ‘08ToGuaranteeXmasDelivery

PAC30 is an exciting book,published to celebrate last

year’s 30th anniversary.The book is of the utmost

quality and includes 30piking stories by someof the country’s leading

pike anglers.

An ideal gift for the piker in your life.Hardback: £25 plus £5 P&P.

Leatherbounds:£185 plus £5 recorded delivery.

Available from: pacshop.co.uk

Or, send a cheque payable to:The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain,

to Mark Barrett, PAC Secretary,32 Berristead Close, Wilburton,

Ely, Cambs. CB6 3RS.

Please order before 1st December toguarantee pre-Christmas delivery.

Xmas ishere again!Horrified by thethought of whatyou might get?

PAC canhelp!

Pgs.38-39ProductsXmas-Book.qxd:Pgs.36-37MembPics.qxd 28/10/08 06:41 Page 2

40

he longer I fish for pike, the moreI realise that I will never know all of theanswers. In all probability, this isbecause our voracious quarry is unawareof the questions in the first place.

Unaware and completely disinterested?

Unaware, because I believe a pike lives itslife in a very, very simple way with onlytwo moods. Albeit, the moods of a com-plete psychopath! Sorry if there are anyreading this! I have always thought that thepike has the complete split personality.For much of her life she lies, or ambleswith brain in neutral. No questions areworthy of neither asking nor answering.

Which is why no matter how much we tryto coax it into visiting our world, we enjoy(?) many a blank session. The pike is justnot interested. We can place the equivalentof an Esox gourmet meal laced with theflavours of pike dreamland inches from herface. We can flash the latest, all singing, alldancing, multi-coloured rubber, metal orwooden lure, with vibrating abilities thatwould not be out of place in a sex shop,(or so I’m told!) within a whisker of thoseteeth, and still she sits... or nonchalantlyfollows.

Then as happened during a session back inNovember 2007, the other half of the splitpersonality decides to dominate and logic

disappears beneath the surface. I wasfishing an ACA qualifier on a large pit inBerkshire, the weather had turned mildafter a short cold snap and the water wasgin clear. I was alternating between twofree-lined sea deads, (the conditions werecalm which made it possible for me towatch the line entering the water as well asthe bobbins), and then leaving one bait outand fishing lures around it. The baits werehalf a mackerel and herring, both fresh andfull of oil. The lures were my favouritespinnerbaits and rubber jigs. I wasconfident!..

Nothing! Not a sniff, not a follow, all wasquiet and my swim looked empty, and fornearly three hours.

I have never been confident with fishingdeadbaits beneath a float, especially in midwater. I know it works for others, but I liketo be confident in what works for me.Livebaits yes, but obviously the opportuni-ty to fish this way is becoming ever morerestricted. I guess we all have our provencomfort zones. However, needs must and

the lake bed was barren of interest. So I setup a float rod, waggler-style with a swanshot on the trace and attached a fresh sprat.My thinking, at this point, was that at leastit would add a little variety watching a floatdo nothing, as opposed to a bobbin! I fished4 feet deep in 10 foot of water so that if thewind picked up there would be somenatural drift. Basically, I just tried to makethe bait as obvious as possible.

As you do, I turned and poured a cup ofcoffee and settled back to watch the float...which suddenly wasn’t there! I lookedstraight to the reel to see if line was beingpulled off... It wasn’t. Still no sign of thefloat, so I wound down and struck. Yes!It was on. It felt like a good fish and whenshe swirled and showed her belly this wasconfirmed. I gained control, flicked tobackwind, which is how I love to play allfish and she opened her mouth and let go.Two unprintable words quietly came out ofmy mouth! So I wound in experiencingthat feeling in the pit of my stomach thatonly a lost fish can produce. So close,almost close enough to touch and yet so far.

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UNLUCKYThirteen?

FEATUREARTICLE

JasonWoodsT

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I have never been confident with fishingdeadbaits beneath a float, especially in

midwater. I know it works for others, butI like to be confident in what works for me!

Very half-heartedly and really, just goingthrough the motions, I rebaited with anothersprat and chucked it back out in the samespot. I drained my now cold cup of coffeeand poured another still cursing my badluck. Instantly my eyes moved from left toright; the float had vanished again, and yetstill no line left the spool. Surely not?Does lightning strike twice?

I wound down and again struck firmly,again, she was on! She swirled again. andflashed her belly. But this time she kept hermouth closed, perhaps she wasn’t a she?Sorry girls! Anyway, I had to backwindseveral times to placate her, and she fought

hard and determined while I foughtnervously and tentatively. Soon enough, themoment came when I guided her over therim of the net, gathered the mesh and lifted.Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. By nomeans huge, but a double figure pike(until they decide to eat and be almostpumped full of obscene hi-pro boilies)will always be a big fish. Full stop.

Exactly 13lb... Weighed, witnessed andquickly released, she swam off in a temper.More than likely she was still rather hungryand I half expected her to come back foranother sprat. I really did! I do believe thatthere may have been other pike in my

swim, but they were not interested, simpleas that. She however, was full of rage.Obsessed with a kill, to the point wherea dead sprat suspended totally un-naturally,the right way up, looked like a plausiblemeal, twice in a matter of minutes.

The fact that this feebly small dead fishcould pull back against her attack andprick her mouth appeared not to bother herin the slightest. She was hungry, shewas angry and she was going to eat!

Unlucky 13? Not for me it wasn’t!

Jason Woods.

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41

Pgs.40-41Unlucky13.qxd:Pgs.40-41BPS01.qxd 28/10/08 06:42 Page 2

0

E.T. Predator TackleE.T. MULTIPLIER LURE SERIES RODS

E.T. STINGER 7' casting weight 14 - 42gm £79.99Middle to tip action, two piece high modulus carbon lure rod. Lightweight trigger gripreel seat, aluminium oxide rings. The Stinger is designed for spoons, spinnerbaits, smallto medium sized soft plastics and crankbaits.E.T. DARTER 6' 6" casting weight 21 - 84gm £79.99Middle to tip action, two piece high modulus carbon lure rod. Lightweight trigger gripreel seat, aluminium oxide rings. The Darter is designed for medium sized jerkbaits,large sized soft plastics and crankbaits.E.T. GATOR 6' 6" casting weight 28 - 140gm £79.99Middle to tip action, two piece high modulus carbon lure rod. Lightweight trigger gripreel seat, aluminium oxide rings. The Gator is designed specifically for jerkbaits andlarge soft plastics.

E.T. FIXED SPOOL SERIES RODS

E.T. FLIPPER 6' 6" casting weight 10 - 30gm £59.99Fantastic high modulus fixed spool spin & jigging rod. Featuring new ergonomic reelseat, lightweight, extremely tough, braid friendly titanium rings and the new 'CrackedIce' finish. Suitable for jigs, small/med plugs, spoons and spinners.E.T. THRILLER 8' casting weight 15 - 40gm £69.99Fantastic high modulus fixed spool spin & jigging rod. Featuring new ergonomic reelseat, lightweight, extremely tough, braid friendly titanium rings and the new 'CrackedIce' finish. Suitable for small/med plugs, spoons and spinners.E.T. TORMENTOR 9' casting weight 20 - 60gm £74.99Fantastic high modulus fixed spool spinning rod. Featuring new ergonomic reel seat,lightweight, extremely tough, braid friendly titanium rings and the new 'Cracked Ice' fin-ish. Suitable for med/large plugs, spoons and spinners.E.T. MAULER 9' casting weight 60 - 100gm £79.99Fantastic high modulus fixed spool spinning rod. Featuring new ergonomic reel seat,lightweight, extremely tough, braid friendly titanium rings and the new 'Cracked Ice' fin-ish. Suitable for large plugs, spoons & soft plastics.

E.T. PIKE RODS

E.T. PITMASTER LR 12’ 3.0 lb T/C £119.99E.T. PITMASTER LR 12’ 3.5 lb T/C £119.99E.T. BOATMAN 10’ 6” 3.0 lb T/C £89.99E.T. Pitmaster Long Range and E.T. Boatman - A new series of high performance pikerods produced in a powerful middle-to-tip action high modulus carbon with 'Cracked Ice'finish. All rods feature a lightweight reel seat, lightweight braid friendly titanium rings.

E.T. ULTIMATE PITMASTER £99.99The original version of this classic rod is prized by many of today's leading pike anglers.We have improved on the original by upgrading the blank to woven high modulus car-bon and fitting "braid friendly" aluminium oxide rings otherwise it's the same sweetaction as before!FREE E.T. Ultimate backbiter (worth £29.99) with every E.T. Ultimate Pitmaster purchased!!!

E.T. 'Ultimate' Backbiter £29.99Totally reliable 'reed switch technology' "works whateverthe weather", extremely loud sounder, drop back or dropoff activates alarm, simple adjustable line clip suitable forbraid or mono.

E.T. FISH CARE

E.T. CONTINENTAL CATFISH SLING 7' x 2' 4" Price: £49.99Heavy duty catfish sling long enough to handle the largest continental catfish. Reinforced webbingweigh straps and handles at either end, help lift/drag fish from the water, when straps and handlesare fitted over the scales hook, fish cannot slip out. Constructed from heavy duty PVC.

E.T. UK CATFISH SLING 5'6" x 2'4" £30.99Heavy duty catfish sling long enough to handle the largest UK catfish. Reinforced webbing weighstraps and handles. Constructed in heavy duty PVC.

E.T. JUMBO PIKE WEIGH SLING Size 44" x 24" £17.50The original crescent shaped sling designed for big pike.

E.T. JUMBO PIKE UNHOOKING MAT Size 49" x 23" x 1.5" £33.99Extra long and thick unhooking mat. Heavy duty PVC cover, calming flap. Designed for 'big pike'.

E.T. UK CATFISH UNHOOKING MAT Size 55" x 23" x 1.5" £37.99Extra long and thick unhooking mat. Heavy duty PVC cover, calming flap. Designed for UK cats.

E.T. PIKE TUBE £17.99Long tube constructed from 'air-flo' sacking material, zipped top access & draw cord ends.

E.T. BAIT TUBE £11.99Mini keep net with draw cord top, constructed from 'air-flo' sacking material.

E.T. PIKE OILS

E.T. OILS £8.50Return of the original range of flavours, plus 2extra. Field tested with outstanding success,confirming these are still "the best by test" pikeoils on the market. Freshwater eel, Kipper,Lamprey, Oily Sardine, Sandeel, Smelt.New flavours: Mackerel or Salmon.

E.T. WINTER JUICE £9.50Water soluble even in coldest water without theneed for emulsifier. Perfect for cold water condi-tions experienced from January to March. Freshwater eel, Oily Sardine or Smelt.

E.T. JUMBO SYRINGE £2.99

E.T. TRACEMAKING COMPONENTSE.T. 49 STRAND WIRE 35lb x10m £7.50, 50lb x 10m £7.50, 95lb x 10m £9.50Traces made from 49 strand will out last those made from standard 7 strand as its so difficult tokink! Get more pick ups when deadbaiting withj this extremely limp 49 strand wire, perfect formwobbling and spinning traces too. Can be knotted or crimped.

E.T. 7 STRAND WIRE 30lb x 20m £4.99Very good quality 7 strand pike wire "used by the experts". Can be twisted or crimped.

E.T. CRIMPS All sizes 25pk £1.500.8mm (10-30lb), 1.0mm (30-50lb), 1.2mm (50-100lb)

E.T. DOUBLE CRIMPS All sizes 50pk £2.990.8mm (10-30lb), 1.0mm (30-50lb), 1.3m (50-100lb)

E.T. TWIDDLIN' STICK £2.99Neat tool used for the 'twist method' of making traces.

E.T.' KING SHARP' TREBLES Sizes 4,6 & 8. 10pk £4.99Long point, shallow barb, 'King Sharp', black nickel finish.

E.T. TOOLSE.T. CRIMPING PLIERS £7.99Use these precision crimping pliers forcreating neat, strong joints.

E.T. SIDE CUTTERS £9.99These stainless steel hook cutters willcut easily through thick gauge hooks.

E.T. NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS £9.99Use these stainless steel pliers toremove large lure hooks.

E.T. MULTI PLIERS £7.99Ideal for trace making, lure maintenance and hook removal.

Buy your E.T. tackle from the following dealers:BEDFORDSHIRE

Leslies of Luton 89-93 Park Street, Luton 01582 453542

CAMBRIDGESHIRESheltons 67 South Street, Peterborough 01733 565287

DORSETDavis tackle 75 Bargates, Christchurch 01202 485169

ESSEXK.D.Radcliffe 150 High Street, Colchester 01206-572758

HERTFORDSHIREJohnson Ross 2 Amwell Street, Hoddesdon 01992 462044

KENTAnglers Base 309 Beckenham Road, Beckenham 0208 676 8000Friendly Fisherman 25 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells 01892 528677Danson Angling 159, Blendon Road, Bexley 0208 2989090Tackle Box Watling Street, Dartford, Kent 01322 292400

LANCASHIRETed Carter 85-88 Church Street, Preston 01772 253476Ossy Tackle Box Oak Street, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington 01254 390431

LINCOLNSHIRETackle Shop Bridge Road, Gainsborough 01427 613002

NORFOLKAnglers Corner 22-24 Windsor Road, Kings Lynn 01553 775852Angling Direct 277, Aylsham Road, Norwich 01603 400757

SURREYApollo Angling Unit 1, Bourne Valley Garden Centre, Addlestone 01932 340000Guildford Angling 93-94 Haydon Place, Guildford 01483 506333

YORKSHIREBeverley Angling Centre 8 Maple Drive, Beverley 01482 869948York Carp Centre 2 Oak Street, Poppleton Road, York 01904 788856

SCOTLANDCraftye Fisherman 13 Montagu Terrace, Edinburgh 0131 5511224

NORTHERN IRELANDTight Lines 198-200 Albertbridge Road, Belfast 02890 457357

REPUBLIC OF IRELANDAnglers World Specialist Tackle Balmoral Business Park, Naven, Co Meath

00353 46907 1866

See the full range on the website atwww.etpredatortackle.co.uk

Pgs.42-43Ads.ET Etc.qxd:Layout 1 28/10/08 07:11 Page 1

43Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

Pgs.42-43Ads.ET Etc.qxd:Layout 1 28/10/08 07:11 Page 2

44 For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

GREYS PRODIGY PIKE RODSUNCONDITIONAL LIFETIME WARRANTY AGAINST BREAKAGE!NEW LOW PRICES...Prodigy Drifter 12’6”, 31⁄4lb, 2pc.... Was £109.99. Now £84.99Prodigy Deadbait 12’, 3lb, 2pc....... Was £99.99. Now £74.99Prodigy Jerkbait 6’, 50-150g, 2pc.. Was £59.99. Now £44.99Prodigy Jerkbait 6’6”, 50-150g, 2pc. Was £59.99.Now £44.99Prodigy Jerkbait 7’, 30-100g, 2pc... Was £59.99.Now £44.99Prodigy Spin 8’6”, 20-60g, 2pc....... Was £79.99.Now £59.99Prodigy Boat 10’6”, 2pc................... Was £89.99.Now £69.99

LOZ HARROP LURESProbably the Best Handmade Jerkbaits on the Market!!Various Colours. Models as below:XL Darter .........................................................................£16.99Large, Middle, Small, Darter...........................................£15.95Titchy Darter ...................................................................£14.00Hedgehog’s.....................................................................£15.00All Hogs...........................................................................£15.00Large, Small, Jackal .......................................................£22.50Baby Jackal ....................................................................£18.00Titchy Jim........................................................................£13.50Big Jim ............................................................................£13.50Bull...................................................................................£14.50Time Bomb .....................................................................£15.00

OWNER STINGER TREBLES NOW INSTOCKST36 Sizes 8’s -2’s ...........................................................£4.20ST41 Sizes 6’s - 1/0’s.......................................................£5.50

RUBBER LURESAs reviewed in November 2005 PikelinesBig Curly Shads 9 inch(Firetiger, Mackerel, Perch, & Rainbow Trout)..................£3.99Little Curly Shads 6 inch(Firetiger, Mackerel, Perch, & Rainbow Trout)..................£1.99DAIWA SONIC TAIL LURES...WHY PAY BULLDAWG PRICES!Colours: Black, Gold Red Tail, Green Yellow Tail & Black Red Tail25cm - 45g ...................................UNBELIEVABLE PRICE OF £ 2.9935cm - 110g .................................UNBELIEVABLE PRICE OF £ 3.99

EAGLE FISHFINDERSNEW LOW PRICES - FREE POSTAGE WITH ALL EAGLE FISHFINDERS110-37 Cuda 168............................................NOW ONLY £89.95110-80 Cuda 168 Portable ..........................NOW ONLY £134.95110-79 Cuda 242 .........................................NOW ONLY £109.95110-87 Cuda 242 Portable ..........................NOW ONLY £149.95110-69 FishEasy 245....................................NOW ONLY £139.95110-681 FishEasy 245 Portable...................NOW ONLY £179.95110-302 Trifinder 2 .......................................NOW ONLY £240.00

POWER-PRO BRAID 150yds 300ydsProbably the best braid for lure fishing!20lb, 30lb & 50lb Breaking strain £18.99 £32.9965lb Breaking strain £21.99 £39.9980lb Breaking strain £26.99 £43.99100lb Breaking strain £29.99 £51.99

PIKE REELS RRP CASHABU Ambassadeur 6501 C3 LHW £116.99 £69.99ABU Ambassadeur 5501 C3 £112.99 £69.99ABU Ambassadeur 5601 C4 £109.99 £87.99ABU Ambassadeur 6601 C4 £124.99 £99.99Shimano Cardiff 201A L/H £79.99 £71.99Shimano Cardiff 301A L/H £84.99 £75.99Shimano Cardiff 401A L/H £89.99 £80.99Shimano Corvalus 301 L/H £59.99 £53.99Shimano Corvalus 401 L/H £64.99 £57.99Now in Stock: Fox Stratos FS £129.99 £99.99

FOX PREDATORPRODUCTSFox Piker Deadbait 12ft 2.75lb £54.99 £49.99Fox Piker Heavy Deadbait 12ft 3.25lb £54.99 £49.99Fox Piker Multi Spin 9ft 6in 20-60 gms £42.99 £38.99Fox Piker Jerkbait 6ft 6in NOW ONLY £39.99Fox Trolling Boat Rod Rest £19.99Fox Micron P MkII Drop Off Alarm £29.99 £26.99Fox Micron PS MkII Drop Off Alarm £44.99 £40.99NEW FROM FOXFox Micron PSR Remote Alarm £74.99 £67.99Fox Micron RX3 Digital Receiver £129.99 £116.99

Ted Carter85-88 Church StreetPreston PR1 3BSTel: 01772 253476Fax: 01772 883011

E-mail:enquiries@tedcarter.co.uk

POSTAGE& PACKING

Reels 24hrs £5.50Jiffy Bags from £1.50

Rods & LargerParcels (24hrs) £7.99

E.T. PREDATORTACKLE

THE NORTH WEST’SONLY STOCKIST

PLEASE RING FOR DETAILS

TED CARTERS is now online • Visit www.tedcarter.co.uk • New products added daily!

Pgs.44-45AdsDLSTEtc.qxd:Pgs.44-45Ads.qxd 28/10/08 06:43 Page 1

Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb 45

Pgs.44-45AdsDLSTEtc.qxd:Pgs.44-45Ads.qxd 28/10/08 06:43 Page 2

46 For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

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During the Summer months whilstfishing for catfish and carp at OaklandWaters, North Yorkshire, I becamegood friends with the owners Steve andClaire Firth I was really impressed withtheir attitude towards pike inhabitingtheir specimen lake.

Steve and Claire had purchased the lakein the year 2000 just after the river Aireburst its banks and flooded into Oakland.The Aire holds a good head of pike and itwas unclear how many pike ended up inthe lake from the river. A carp syndicatewas in place at the time so Steve let thesyndicate continue. The carp anglers onthe lake complained about pike attackingtheir marker floats and spod rockets andasked Steve to remove the pike. At thattime Steve was trying to look after hissyndicate as this was his living, acted onthe requests and promptly netted the lakeand removed as many pike has he could.Pike up to 16lbs were taken out andtransferred to another water under asection 30. The following year the carpsyndicate ended due to a fall out withinthe group.

Coincidentally a new Environment AgencyBailiff was appointed to cover the area thatOakland came under. The bailiff in ques-tion is called Phil Smith and Phil has beena keen pike angler for more than 40 years.Phil had also explained and advised Steveabout the importance of pike in a waterand the role that a pike plays. Steve wasinterested in learning all about pike andpike fishing. Phil offered to take him pikefishing with him and that was it, Steve washooked on pike fishing after a few trips.Steve asked Phil’s advice about where hecould get hold of some pike to put inOakland. Phil made some telephone callsand found out that the owner of a nearbymatch lake wanted pike removing free ofcharge. Phil sorted all the relevantpaperwork out for the netting and thetransferring of the pike and three weekslater 14 pike from 4lbs to 17lbs weresafely netted out and put in their newhome at Oakland.

The following March Steve observed thepike in spawning mode and then a coupleof months later he noticed a number ofthree inch pike in the margins. Up until Istarted fishing Oakland in May this yearfor catfish and carp the pike had neverbeen fished for. During an early conversa-tion with Steve I asked him if I couldarrange a pike teach-in day on his lake forthe carp and catfish anglers who had

approached me and asked me about pikeand how best to fish for them (that willteach me not to wear clothing with thePAC logo on whilst fishing for otherspecies of fish!). Steve was delighted tosay the least as he was thinking aboutopening the lake to pike anglers.

After a few phone calls to a few WakefieldRegion members and our good friends theTeeside/Darlington region members whohave helped us out on previous teach-indays a date was set for Sunday Sept. 7thbetween 10.00am and 4.00pm. WakefieldRO and PAC stalwart Peter Green(otherwise known as Dad to me) wasvolunteered to take the helm and beteacher for the day as he has done such agood job with pike teach ins in the past.

I had asked for a few helpers to startfishing from 7.00am on the day in the hopethat a few pike would be caught beforepeople started to arrive at 10.00 am.I was not let down by the Wakefield andDarlington region’s members. Andy Naylordelivered the goods with a low double ofabout 10lbs just as people started toarrive. A crowd then gathered while Andywas bringing the pike to the net so thenetting and unhooking lesson had alreadybeen demonstrated by Andy.

Teeside region member Darron Nixon thendemonstrated the use of deadbait oils andflavourings as well as the deadbaits usedfor pike fishing and the importance and therole a pike plays in water. Darron puts hisviews on pike fishing and his experienceacross very well to people and attracted a

lot of questions and comments from thespectators (well done Darron first classjob). Peter Green then gave excellentdemonstrations on various rigs, traces androds and reels used to cover all aspects ofa pike angler’s armoury. As usual Peterentertained the spectators all day with hisbanter and enthusiasm of pike. Teesidemember Shane Patterson then gave ademonstration on sink and draw andmanaged to land a 6-foot length ofstreamer weed much to the spectator’samusement! Craig Patterson then gave ademonstration on effective bite indicationand the difference between front andrear-mounted alarms and the importanceof a dropback indicator.

I then gave a demonstration on how tomake different traces. I felt this was animportant demo because local tackleshops in our area sell what we consider tobe unacceptable ready-made traces.

Steve then kindly supplied everyone with afree lunch. After lunch we took questionsand answers and the spectators then hadthe opportunity to have a walk round thelake to chat to the members and see theirset-ups and techniques. We must havedone a good teach-in because at the firstWakefield meeting five of the spectatorsattended and joined the PAC on the night.

There was I trying to gain a few membersfor my Selby meetings, when my dadPeter Green poached them off me tojoin his region!

Mark Green.

Andy Naylor demon-

strates handling and

unhooking pike to the

attendees.

Selby RO Mark Green reports on a successful day’s teaching and encouragement towards pike fishing.

OaklandLakePACTeach-InDay

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47Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

Peter Green always pulls in a crowd.

Darron Nixon shows how to catch pike with his hands, or is

he begging for money to pay for his day ticket?

Pgs.46-47SelbyFish-InReport.qxd:Pgs.42-43BPS02.qxd 28/10/08 06:45 Page 2

RA26Nottinghamshire

RA21/89Darlington/Teesside/Durham

RA9Cheshire

What’sHappeningAtYourPACRegion?Send your reports to Neville Fickling at: thetackleshop@btconnect.comPL123 deadline for submissions: Dec. 26th 2008.

48

NewsAndViewsFromYourLocalUKPACRegion

RegionTalk

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For more regional news visit: pacgb.co.uk/regions/regionnews.html

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It has been a busy few months gettingto grips with the RO role since April.I have now managed to secure speakersfor our meetings next season atThe Whipping Stocks, Over Peover, nearKnutsford WA16 9EX.

Many thanks to those of you who respond-ed to my plea on the Pike and Predatorforum. Up to date details are as follows:Mon. 8th December: Mad Mick Bowenwith; ‘Something silly, the life and timesof an average Joe Angler’.Mon. 12th January: ‘Happy New Year’Speaker to be confirmed.Mon. 9th February: Graham Slater, oneof the original members of PAC who hasbeen pike fishing over 30 years.Mon. 9th March: Pete Haywood, anotherpike angler with many years experience.Mon. 13th April: Cheshire Branch AGM.

Many thanks to Phil Gould who steppeddown as RO in April. A change of jobmeans he will now be staying closer tohome in the week, meaning it will be too farfor him to attend our meetings in CheshireAs you read this we will have had our firstcouple of meetings and attended theAnnual PAC Convention, I should havemore to report in the next issue.Until then, ‘tight lines’ everyone.

Andy Bates.

It’s the start of the new pike season andour region has many things planned forthe coming year. We have a full itinery ofclub trips organised with a couple ofweekenders thrown in.

We have the following Guest speakersbooked for the forthcoming season:Steve Rodwell: Tues. 3rd Feb.Graham Slater: Tues. 3rd March.

All to be held at Coxhoe Workman’s Clubat 7.30pm. I am writing this the day beforeI leave for the convention, so I am off topack my suitcase and prepare my liver forsome abuse! I will report on how Piking2008 was in the next edition of Pikelines.

Cheers, Craig Patterson. (there’s still onlyone Keano!)

A rather belated report. The 2007/08meetings were held at The Test MatchHotel Gordon Square West BridgfordNottingham. Our October speaker wasGraham Slater who entertained us in thetrue ‘Slater style’, an excellent slideshow of Graham’s piking seasons.

I have known Graham for many a year andhis enthusiasm and sense of humour comeout in his talks. For November we had ourown Phil Kirk who has developed a newslideshow to complement his initial one onthe river Trent and very good it is to.Mark Barrett came across for our Januarymeeting and gave an excellent presenta-tion. Again Mark’s enthusiasm for all thespecies he targets is evident and he is anexcellent ambassador for the PAC.Our final speaker in February was the oneand only Gary Knowles. Gary is an all-rounder and his presentation reflected thiswhether he is targeting rudd on a smallriver or after the toothy predators on thevariety of pike waters he fishes.Our thanks to all our speakers who gaveup there time to come and talk to us.

Phil Kirk and I have been running region 26for over 25 years and we think it is time tohand over. We have found, certainly overthe last few years, that putting bums onseats is becoming a problem. Despitesending out over one hundred mail shots toPAC members in our post code area,arranging a venue and organising anexcellent line up of speakers andadvertising, numbers have dwindled to anextent that it is not fair on the speaker oreconomical on the region. I think thereasons vary from apathy, the weather, or ifthere is a football match on the telly, ofcourse, a large proportion of members arehappy to be PAC members but don’t like tobe ‘organised’. Another dis-advantage ofrunning for a quarter of a century plus isthat we have been entertained by most ofthe best speakers around.

Thanks to our fishery officer (Shane) andhis vast knowledge of venues as well assome Chinese whispers, the trips couldprove to be our most productive to date.

We have already had our first club tripdown at Fairburn where almost all caught(I blanked!), two caught their first ever pike,so well done Christian Carswell (juniormember) for his 7.14 fish and Paul Curriefor first catching a 5 pounder, only to followit up with a beautiful specimen of 14.06.

New member Vince Maddock also caughta 9 pounder on the day. ‘Jungle’ Jim Tayloraka spawny, had the best days fishingcatching 5 fish of which two were doubles.Well done all let’s see if we can get somemore PB’s on the next trip. We recentlyhelped out the newly reformed SelbyRegion of the PAC to teach carpers onhow to fish safely for pike at OaklandWaters. Shane, Jim.T, Darron, Chas and Iattended to do various demonstrationsthroughout the day from 10am to 5pm. Theevent was a good success and led to newPAC members both nationally, and forSelby, Aire Valley and Wakefield regions ofthe PAC. We have now handed overFairburn to the newly-formed Aire ValleyPAC, so good luck to the new committeeand keep up the good work. I know we arein safe hands.

A quick congratulations to Mick Gleesonwho performed his first regional talk forWakefield PAC, from the reports I have hadit went down extremely well and I will justadd... when are you going to do one forus? (Mick performing to the ‘Wakefieldmassive’ he’s the one with hair!).

Pgs.48-49RegionTalk01.qxd:Pgs.48-49RegionTalk01.qxd 28/10/08 06:46 Page 1

RA31SouthLancashire

RA48Lincoln

Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb 49

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nice doubles. I’ve had 34 doubles, 4 overtwenty since 1st March, I can’t complain.I hope to see all of the lads back again atthe meetings and hopefully picking up afew new members along the way.

Tight lines one and all, Jon Neafcy.

Greetings from the Mighty 48, thingshave been quiet over the summerperiod, but that sense of calmness wassoon shattered with the first speakerof the season; Stephen Harper of‘Broadland Pike’ fame kicking us offin September.

Stephen was cool, calm and collected butwe had the unknown to deal with; a newvenue, and our tech-head had decided thatthe wife’s birthday was more importantthan we were, so no support from hislaptop on the night. After an hour of Steveand Darren hitting every key at least sixtimes things were working perfectly. I wassweating like Kosh going for a job as thetypesetter for the O.E.D, but Stephenarrived and all was well. Over 40 eagerpikers arrived, including a few very wel-come raiders from darkest Norfolk (love tosee you again Andy, perhaps stood upnext time!).

Stephen began, the laptop went into‘kamikaze mode’ and I ran away leavingour ‘team’ to sort it out, instant successafter 10 minutes and we were away again.Stephen put on a fantastic talk and stunnedus with his enthusiasm and encyclopaedicknowledge of everything pike-related fromhis beloved Norfolk. It was a fantastic startto our speaker season and was thoroughlyenjoyed by all, huge thanks Stephen.

The new venue although slightly lessroomy was a huge success, prettybarmaids and good beer are always agood mix and makes up for a little lessroom than we were used to. Ian Weatherallwas particularly smitten by one of thebarmaids (Suzie) who sang to him whilstpulling him a slow one, apologies toMrs.W if she is reading this!Continues on page 50...

Phil and I would like to thank the regularband of members who have alwayssupported us and if anybody with a flairfor organisation would like to take on theregion give us a ring. I will be continuing inmy role as E. Midlands LO.

Regards, Pete Haywood.

Greetings pikers and I hope that youare looking forward to the start of the2008-09 piking season as I am. We havehad a few events for the lads over thesummer to keep up interest, these havebeen for other predatory speciesdocumented in the previous issue ofPikelines.

We have launched a range of regionclothing and have certainly kept ourselvesbusy over the summer. Their have beenchanges to our committee structure asJames Dean stepped down as assistantRO and his mate Dave Cotrial also steppeddown as treasurer. On behalf of RA31 Ithank these two lads for all their help lastseason and wish them well in their ownfishing exploits whichever direction thatmay take them in. Stu Randle has replacedJames as assistant RO and Ian Whitakerhas taken up the mantle of treasurer.

This season we have a great line up ofguest speakers:October. Local Wigan lad Damien Wood,top eel angler and accomplishedspecimen hunter.November. ‘Mad’ Mick Bowen on hisriver-piking exploits.December. Piking legend, Steve Ormrod.Jan. Big fish expert, Geoff Parkinson.Feb. RA 31 members and big fishhunters, Paul Haughton and MartinSalisbury.March. The Godfather of piking himself,the one and only Neville Fickling.April. Presentation night trophies will bepresented by none other than esteemedPike and Predators editor JamesHolgate.

We have monthly club fishing trips plannedincluding local reservoirs, land drains andScottish lochs giving a good range ofdiversity with some big pike to be caught.The regions second teach-in went very welland my thanks to those who attended.Not just our own region 31 members butalso Geoff Gauton who came across fromthe Cheshire region to help out and MarkGreen and his mate who came over fromWakefield. This demonstrates that itdoesn’t matter which region we are in we

are all part of the same club and needto work together. My thanks also to PeterWaterfield of the NAC who donatedsome goodies.

We have already had a bit of a social meetwith a BBQ as a bit of a catch up whichwent very well.

The lads in the Region have now started toearn themselves nicknames, this bit ofharmless fun started with nicknaming theregion ‘the squirrels’ (as in secret). Somemembers have more than one nicknamesuch as Andy Cooke AKA ‘The Baron’,‘Captain Cookey Pugwash’ or ‘Cookey twobrews’ dependent on the situation. Othermembers have still to be nicknamed, onenickname that stands out in particular isR31 member Adam Caulfield who earnedhimself the nickname of ‘The Bulldogger’at an event. I’m sure he can explain thisone to you when you bump into him onthe bank or in the carpark! Feel free toask him folks!

There have been numerous catch reportsof various species including Mashy whohad a 20lb grass carp, Paul Haughton’shad a nine pound tench several times andis now on pet terms with the fish. GaryKnowles’s brace of double figure barbel,Neil Stubb’sfirst twentypound pike (asreported onpage 62 of thisissue). EricEdwards andhis son Joehave had theboat outcatching somenice doubles,Adam C hashad his boat outon the riverscatching several

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RA40Selby

RA70EastSussex

RA48Lincoln

For more regional news visit: pacgb.co.uk/regions/regionnews.html

RegionTalk2NewsAndViewsFromYourLocalPACRegionPL123 deadline for submissions: Dec. 26th 2008.

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Hello from the rugged lands of NorthYorkshire. I have been a member ofWakefield RA96 for 27 years now anda few years ago I served as joint ROwith ‘Sir’ Peter Green. I have recentlymoved house to Selby North Yorkshireand I thought, why not re-start theSelby region again.

I had my first meeting on Tuesday the16th of September many thanks to JohnDinnewell, Andy Webster and Mark Collinsfor attending and supporting me. Betweenthe four of us it was decided that mylocation for the meetings was a little out ofthe way for people to attend. This in mind,I’m in the process of finding another venuewhich will probably be more Selby towncentre based. I am hoping that the Selbyregion will be a success and if I can getenough members to attend the meetings Iam planning to have more guest speakers.

It would be nice to arrange monthly cluboutings for members to have a get togetherand hopefully catch a few Esox. The nextmonthly meeting will be Thursday the 20thof November which gives me enough timeto sort out another venue to hold themeetings, RA31 RO Jon Neafcy has kindlyoffered to come along on the night and dous a Talk-Slideshow titled ‘SteppingStones’. I have been to a couple of Jon’stalks before and they are excellent, so ifthere is anyone interested in coming alongto the meetings please feel free to emailme at: markpike73@googlemail.comor check out Selby RA40 blog pagefor details.

Mark Green.

Well, another winter’s piking is well andtruly underway, and hopefully a few fishwill oblige me this year; time will tell!It always amazes me how quicklywriting these reports comes around,its already 2 days late as I write, butthought I’d include this yearsConvention in the write up for those ofyou who couldn’t attend. Thanks toSteve’s flexibility in including it!

Before I do so, a little news on the regionsactivities, and it starts with good news.Dave Wilkins and Jeff Smith are resurrect-ing the old West Sussex region. Dave andJeff will be publishing details in the nearfuture, but for those that want to contact

them, please email them at:Davewwilkins@yahoo.co.uk orcompleteangler@sky.com

With two PAC regions running in Sussex,the meetings will be held in alternate partsof the county every other month, with eastSussex continuing to remain where it is atthe Kings Head in East Hoathly.Our meetings will continue to be held onthe 2nd Tuesday of the month starting inNovember. Meetings dates for this year’sseason are as follows:Tues. 11th Nov. This month seesrenowned local big fish catcher Dr. JamesGardner entertain us with his wealth onknowledge. From trolling the large opentrout waters, to his more local fishing, thisreally is one not to be missed.Tues. 13th Jan. Keeping it local again thismonth, the region has the honour of fish-eries expert and manager of Bough beachreservoir Ken Crow. Ken runs one of themost successful fisheries in England, andhas the knowledge and understandingmaking him an exceptional piker in hisown right.Tues. 10th March. Our Guest speaker thismonth is yet to be confirmed. Who knows itmight even be me! Normal prices on thedoor being £2.50 for members and £3.50for non. After some great turnouts last yearthe region will hopefully continue to grow,which is where the members come in. If wecan all persuade just one person to join thePAC locally, the region will go from what itis currently to an exceptional one.This means more clout both nationally andlocally. You know it makes sense!

The Convention as ever was a greatsuccess with Region 70 manning thesecond hand stall along with ScottDavidson (when he actually did somework!) and Mark Green. A good day washad by all, with some first class speakersand tackle deals to be had.

Speaking of tackle, Region 70 has somecracking raffle prizes, which have beenkindly donated by various shops, we saluteyou. See our blog for the fully updated listof sponsors and I ask that you give them alook. Not only do they do some crackingdeals, but they all support not only theregion but the PAC as a whole.

The list is long but it wouldn’t be right notto give them a quick mention here.Special thanks to Esox and more, The PikeShop, Eddie Turner, Mark Barratt,Sovereign Superbaits, Catmaster Tackle,The Friendly Fisherman, Polegate AnglingCentre, Dave Lumb’s DLST, Anglers Cabin,Predator Publications and last but notleast Neville at The Tackle Shop.

See you soon, Jon and Gary.

Continued form page 49...

Big news is that the first Mighty 48 fish in,supporting the St. Barnabas Hospice is tobe fished on a syndicate water kindly lentto us for the day by Mighty Mick Cobb onSunday November 23rd. We are hoping toattract a very good turnout from the Mighty48 and raise plenty of money for St. B’sHospice. Entry is £15 and can either justbe paid or raised through sponsorship ofthe angler fishing. Deads and lures are themethods on this very nice water. I’m yet tograb the chequebook from Rick our treas-urer, but we will have a fancy non-tackyshield engraved up after each event and asmaller shield for the winner of the day tokeep. Anyone who is connected to LincolnPAC is more than welcome to fish theevent so contact me as soon as you can.

As the season proper is almost upon us afew of our faces have been getting intosome nice fish at their first attempts, theGallery section of our blog is littered withsome cracking fish, 2 early ones to mentionare the pin-up lad Simon Blaydes. Noticingpredator activity whilst breaming thenfinding a double figure zander attachedto his lure.

Steve Hood discovering that the hat hewon in our raffle was in fact his new luckyhat after he tracked down a cracking pikeof 22.00. I hope that this is the way every-one’s season will carry on.

Chico.

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RA99Rotherham/Sheffield

RA74Inverness/Highlands

RA96Wakefield

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Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb 51

As normal, our meetings are held at theGreen Dragon Public House,Kimberworth, Rotherham on the firstMonday of each month at 8.00pm andeveryone is welcome to attend. Finally,I would like to wish you all a MerryChristmas and a productive New Year.

Phil Heaton.

Well meeting season is off and runningagain, Wakefield region started with abang this year with Mick Gleesoncoming down from parts ‘up North’to do his show and bring with him theEddie Turner tackle stand.

A very good show was mixed with a greatdeal of good business; thanks must alsogo to Craig Patterson who came down withhim to help out. This proved important onthe night as loads of normally ‘careful’Yorkshire lads dug into their deep pocketsand parted with their hard-earned cashthey normally guard so well. Very bigthanks to Mick for doing such a good joband kicking off the season so well.

I unfortunately could not be present on thenight as I was suffering badly at the timeand lying on a beach in Egypt looking atthe warm and inviting Red Sea, thehardship was terrible. Mick I will catchyour next show I promise.

The season started early this year forWakefield region as a teach-in was carriedout at the start of September on OaklandsLake in Gowdall to show pike fishingtechniques and correct handling practice.This was done with the support of theowner of the lakes who is quietly establish-ing a very nice little specimen lake for carp,catfish and of course pike.

So if you fancy catching fish above 20lb’sfor any of these species pop over and havea go on this up and coming day ticket fish-ery. The event was well attended and as aresult several new members attended thefirst meeting a week later.

Our first fish in took place the weekendafter our first meeting, and a few doublesgraced the nets of those who fished,I was still in Egypt so missed that as well.Mark Collins took the honours on theday and heads our points table at present,when he caught two mid-doubles.A cracking start to the season, but it’sa long way to go to claim the outingstrophy in April.Continues on page 52...

Hello again from the Highlands. Well aswe ended the last report with news ofIan Hopkins being our first member inthe RA 74 ‘thirty’ club I will start thisreport with news of another memberjoining the elite ranks.

Again, extra special congratulations tomember Robbie Milne on this finespecimen and new personal best of 30.06.He was so chuffed I even got pictures sentto me in Spain whilst I was on SpanishSafari (just rubbing it in, I think, wink).

Club outings have been going very well oflate, with some good turnouts frommembers and some very good catchreturns, a lot of high doubles and twentiesgracing us. So well done to GeorgeCassels with a 21.04 amongst others on afine days fishing. Allan Stewart keeps hisfine form going with a new PB of 22.06,Ewen Lyon also increased his PB to 21.04along with others on another red letter day.Well done to you all.

Away from club outings there’s also beensome good days. Andy Grant has had hisfirst twenty of the year at 20.08, well doneAndy. Allan Stewart had his first fly caughtfish at 14.07. This fish sees him win a baitcasting reel courtesy of the GlasgowAngling Centre during a weekends fish inwith members from Inverness RA74 andNorth Lanarkshire RA93. I must give a weemention here to my boat partner DougieLoughridge who had fish of 22lb+, 16+ aswell as others, a total master class in flyfishing for me (cheers mate). Club secre-tary Ewen Lyon has also had a new PB of21.04 as well.

On a personal note, after jetting of to Spainand getting my first Spanish pike to 16.04with some barbel too on Spanish Safaris,my better half then get her new PB on aweeks holiday to Loch Fad. I had to wait tillI got home again for my red letter day; amidweek session saw me land 2 twenty’s,3 mid doubles and 2 jacks (we’re having agreat year!).

Memberships are still growing, and the clubwould like to welcome Robbie Officer

aboard. With members Sandy and Tafffrom north Lanarkshire RA93 strengtheningthe bonds between both clubs, we are nowsending newsletters between regions.This keeps RA74, North Lanarks RA93 andAyrshire RA52 up to date with each otherand builds on some very good friendshipsalready made.

We now look forward to the winter fishing;rain, sleet, snow and high winds; hang onit’s the same as summer but without all themidges! Tight lines and wet nets to you all!

Micky and Rab.

As I’m writing this in early September,before our first meeting I would hopethat by the time of reading we will havehad some good pike and hopefully a PBor two. It seems that pre-Christmas isthe more productive and comfortablepart of the winter season.

Once again I have a ‘Plan A’, for thecoming season’s campaign. Once again,I will probably be sidetracked intosomething completely different butenjoyable and then wonder if I would havedone better sticking to my plan!

We have some excellent guest speakersarranged for the remainder of the winter,the details are:Mon. 2nd Feb. Mark Barrett, GeneralSecretary of the PAC, catcher of qualitypredators and well-documented author ofvarious articles and books.Mon. 6th April. Jeremy Wade. This manwill be well known to all the Sky viewersamong you as the presenter of ‘JungleHooks’; the chronicles of a travelling fisher-man. This, in countries we have probablynever even considered visiting to catchfish, let alone heard of. This will certainlybe a night not to be missed.

The remaining outings for the season are:

Sun. 14th Dec. Dam Flask reservoir.Sun. 18th Jan. River Torne.Sun. 15th Feb. Underbank reservoir.Sun. 15th March. Ulley reservoir.

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RA96Wakefield

RA111NorthernIrelandSouth

52 For more regional news visit: pacgb.co.uk/regions/regionnews.html

seeing some sort of action. However, to behonest, the fish came second place as thebanter and cohesiveness shown betweenthe two regions was to be applauded.Both regions would like to thank all 26members that turned out with specialthanks to Gerry Linden (RA111 EventsOrganiser) for cooking everyone sausages,burgers and steaks.

Thanks also to Sandy Mackie and the ladsfor keeping to their word and supplying thecheeky refreshments, we’re already lookingforward to the away leg. If any otherregions feel like taking the step and comingover to join us I’m sure the lads willaccommodate.

With such great success on the first topetrip we arranged another date for our thirdfish-in and again there was no disappoint-ment as 4 fish came to the boat, Matt Deanwas blessed with a fine brace whichincluded a 42 and 55.00 PB. Ian Coulteralso had a new PB at 54lb and GerryLinden pulled a 29.00 out of the hat.We’ve already two dates booked for nextyear for which we will be taking namesduring the first meeting.

It’s safe to say that there’s a real buzzabout the club at the minute with all mem-bers pitching in to make things happen.

The committee has had their first meetingand set a great schedule for the up andcoming season. Matt Dean has justcreated our very own website:www.pikemania.co.uk/home.htmland we’ve had some top names offering tocome over to do talks which will only boostour membership numbers.

For all those that are not able to get ontothe PAC website I’ve included our Agendafor the following season. The winter leaguewill be a team event where your top 5sessions will be added along with yourteam mates. Gerry Linden is taking namesand the teams will be drawn during thefirst meeting...

8th Nov. Fish-in and BBQ: LoughMuckno Gas Lake slipway and facility.Thur. 4th/11th Dec. Guest Speaker:George Higgins. Venue TBC (probablyPortadown T.H.)Mon. 29th Dec. Fish-in: Lough Ernewith lunch at Round O quay and slipway.Weekend of 17th Jan. 09. Angling InIreland Exhibition Region 111 PAC stand.Feb 7th. 09. Fish-in: Lough Ramorlunch etc.April 17th. 09. Annual Members Dinner.Venue TBC. Will include prize giving;Piker’s Cup and Region 111 Pike Anglerof the Year.

RegionTalk3NewsAndViewsFromYourLocalPACRegionPL123 deadline for submissions: Dec. 26th 2008.

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Continued from page 51...

The next meetings are listed below:Oct. 14th. Steve Ormrod. (taken place asthis goes to print).Nov. 11th. Neville Fickling.Dec. 9th. Peter Green and friends.

Each meeting will be followed up thefollowing weekend by outings for membersof the region. This year we are mainlyfocusing on local fishing due to fuel costsand the decision to explore what piking isavailable locally. We are all guilty of drivingpast many waters on the way to what isbelieved to be greener grass in someoneelse field, so this year we will try to estab-lish just how green our own grass is.

Although at the time of writing, this couldeasily apply to our lakes as most are stillchoked with weed. So much so to theextent that I could walk across a lake I amcurrently fishing! Roll on the frosts, see youall soon.

Chris Betts.

The PAC in N.Ireland has taken a stepforward over the last few months by theintroduction of our new Region.We already have over 40 members onboard and at least another 10 puttingpen to paper; the stage is set forsomething really special.

Already we’ve enjoyed three successfulfish-ins, the first on the 17th August where10 regional members enjoyed a fantasticintroduction to tope fishing. 12 fish came tothe boat and amazingly half were over themagical 40lb mark. Congratulations to allthat broke their PB’s that day especiallyStevey Cromie who boated a fine 60lbspecimen.

RA93 and RA111 met up at Derravargh forthe first inter-regional fish in, two doublesshowed with the best being a slim 18.00for Neil Todd and an 11.00 for piking guruGeorge Higgins, and although the waterlevels were high, the weather conditionscouldn’t have been better. There wereplenty of jacks caught with all boats

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RegionSnaps

53Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

August 09. Annual AGM. Nomination ofnew committee/review of year. Actual dateand venue TBC.Tope Trips 2009: 28th. June. 16th. August.

Please note also that we intend to supple-ment Region 111 funds in the followingmanner: Region 111 Yearly Levy: £10.00.Regional meeting entrance fees: £3.00 atdoor. Refreshments: £2.00. Please supportthis attempt to raise funds, as it enablesthe region to offer the above calendar ofevents and attract new members!

All non-members and non-Region 111affiliates welcome. Please note: votingrights, Committee membership etc. is onlyconferred to paid-up Region 111 affiliates.The region would also like to invitemembers to put themselves forward togive presentations, talks, demonstrationsetc to make our meetings more interactive.

On a not so positive note some of our bestanglers have been fishing the Lower Bannand Lough Beg without any fish making anappearance. Anyone that had the pleasureof fishing these waters during their primewill know how big a loss these waters arewith the years of illegal netting finally takingtheir toll.

We’ve also had to endure three fish kills onthe upper Bann and another on the riverQouile in recent weeks which has beendevastating. Miles of prime fishing hasbeen wiped out in a blink of an eye, lookslike it will be a busy year for us!

Just to finish up our first regional report I’dlike to thank all the members of RA111 fortheir continued support over the last coupleof months, as well as George Higgins foragreeing to do a talk for us at the end ofthe year. We’ve already had interest fromother pike fishing clubs wanting to comealong, now that’s what I call progress!

Robbie Marsh.

Retired Cheshire Ro Geoff Gauton sent inthese amusing pictures; “fancy a newsporty boat?”

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signs of pike activity and analyse what’shappening. A couple of winters back I’dbeen moving along a narrow side drain andhad the sum total of one jack to show formy hard work. I then noticed a huge swirland subsequent puffs of silt as somethingbig struck at a shoal of bream in theshallow water. I then sat it out in thatone spot and had a 22lb fish two hourslater, a just reward for observation andhard work.

I tend to use just 2 rods when movingalong a drain as not only is it easier, but Ifail to see any advantage in using morethan that, you’ll be covering the wateranyway. Whether to use rod rests/buzzerscomes down to the method in use at thetime. If I’m legering baits I’ll always usethem but my favourite method by far is tolay the rods on the ground and watch afloat, efficient and less to carry.

Fishing Lures Reveals A Lot.Having said that, the one thing I never gowithout is a lure rod. I may only take 3 or 4lures in a small box in my pocket, but theyare invaluable, and have produced somereal bonus fish, on the days that the pikedon’t want lives or deads. Whilst on thesubject of lures it might be worth mention-ing that they are a very good method ofevaluating an unfamiliar stretch of drain asthey are a quick and efficient method oflocating fish. Look for follows, swirls etc. aswell as hits. I did just that on a new drainlast year and had follows from fish in onesmall stretch of water although I didn’tactually catch anything.

Having identified an area with pike in,I went back at the next available oppor-tunity with my bait rods. Over 5 shortmorning sessions I had 30 doubles toaround 17lb and a load of single figure fish,brilliant fishing by any standards. One lastpoint before I move onto the tackle andmethods I use. Due to my location, I fishthe Lincolnshire drains which tend to beshallower than the correspondingCambridgeshire Drains. For this reasonI don’t use paternostered baits as themethod is useless in 2 feet of water!

‘‘’’KeepYourEyesOpenForAnySignsOfPikeActivity

AndAnalyseWhat’sHappening

Everything else is applicable to the deeper,wider waterways. If you’ve read this farthen it must be obvious that I considermobility to be the key to success. You arefar more likely to move if you have the bareminimum of gear with you. The verythought of having to pack away anumbrella, bedchair, cooking gear etc. isenough to put anyone off before they’veeven started! With that in mind I’ll detailwhat, for want of a better description, is mystandard gear for roving tactics on thedrains.

Tackle Up For Mobility.Rod’s are Dave Lumb’s P5’s fitted withShimano 4500 Baitrunners loaded with65lb PowerPro braid. Traces made fromMasons Multistrand wire in 30lb bs fittedwith Owner trebles. Homemade floats,leads etc. Redport 42” Fastnet alloy banksticks fitted with Delkims and drop-offs.Spare traces, floats, leads etc. in anex-army rucksack along with camera,food, towel and any assorted bits I mayfeel I need.

My simple floatleger set-up.

Sometimes the lure rodproduces a bonus fish.

55

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but I try and avoid them as it’s just some-thing else to carry. As I mentioned at thebeginning of this piece due to the shallownature of the Lincolnshire drains I rarelypaternoster livebaits, much preferring toleger them as it is a far more effectivepresentation in 2 feet of water. As abovemy rod/reel/braid remain the same but thefloat is dispensed with. I like to think thatI’ve refined my methods over the yearsuntil they are as efficient as possible.

This, both from a presentation and biteindication point of view. With this in mind I’llgo into some detail about the actualterminal tackle. I used to use standard 18inch to 2 foot long traces when legeringlives, but I suffered a couple of bite-offs asa result of the bait swimming back up themainline and the pike engulfing the lot.

Lesson learned, I set about altering thingsto prevent this, here’s the set up I usetoday. The hook trace is 10 inches longand is attached, via a link, to a 2 foot longuptrace of 100lb Ti wire, this has a cork ballpermanently fixed above the link swivel.Running freely on the uptrace is a lead linkof 8 inches which has a suitable-sized leadattached, via a paperclip. Why a paperclip?They are perfect for retrieving a snaggedlead, but strong enough to cast withoutopening up. Any of the dimensions abovecan be altered to suit your own set ofcircumstances. You may wish to lengthenthe lead-link due to weed for example, butbear in mind that the hook trace mustalways be shorter than the uptrace or youare back to inviting bite-offs.

With everything in place it is then simply acase of placing the rod in the rests andattaching a suitable form of bite indication,my preference being for home made drop-off indicators used in conjunction withDelkim front alarms. I’ll let you into a secrethere, I used to use electronic drop-offs but

buoyancy to the bait to keepit clear and within site of anypike. My actual set upcouldn’t be simpler, a bottom-end only float with enoughweight to cock it against anda suitable wire trace.Using this method I can laythe rod on the floor andtighten up to the float until itlays at half cock. The braidis then tucked into an elasticband above the reel seat,thus giving a very sensitivebite indication. This must be one of myfavourite sights as the float keels overbefore moving off across the drain. In truth,any rod will do as long as it has thebackbone to set the hooks and land a fishas quickly as possible. I use the aforemen-tioned DLST P5’s as I find them a pleasureto use and they are more than capable ofsubduing any pike I’m ever likely to meet.I’ve lost count of how many fish I’ve caughton this simple set-up and, truth be told, ifyou were never to use anything else, thenyou’d catch plenty of pike. By all meansuse banksticks and alarms if you wish,

The unhooking mat is attached to therucksack. The only luxury I allow myself onthese forays is a lightweight chair, butthat’s purely down to the fact that if I sit onthe bank for any length of time my back ismurder for days afterwards so I try and besensible (no comments please!).

How you choose to transport your frozenbaits is entirely up to you but for mobility Ifind the Cotswold Aquarius cool bag hardto beat and it fits easily into the rucksack.The whole idea being that I can moveeasily in one go without struggling alongthe bank or having to make a second trip.

Simple Set-ups Work For Me.Having given you a basic outline of thetackle and modus operandi I’m now goingto take a closer look at the actual set-upsthat I commonly use when tackling thesewaterways. I’ll start with deadbaits whichare probably my favourite, and mostproductive, method on the waters I fish.Given their shallow nature I fish them hardon the bottom for most of the time unlessthere is an excessive amount of weedpresent in which case I’ll add some

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My preferredset-up forlegering baits.

21.00 from a bigger drain system.

Low 20 from the upperreaches of a drain.

56

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pole and open out in one simple move-ment. I began using one of these as Ifound one of two things was happeningwith my standard net. Either it got caught inevery bramble and thistle as I walkedalong, or I rolled it up and promptly forgotit when I had a take! Probably not an itemyou’d purchase unless you were going todo a lot of this type of fishing, but certainlysomething to bear in mind. On a similar

vein I don’t carry a tripod for my self-takeshots but prefer to use a bankstick andcamera adaptor, just one less thing to carry.That about brings me to the end of thispiece, I hope it’s given you some insightinto the way I tackle these unique waters.Keep mobile, keep trying and you will catchpike from the drains. Good Luck!

Graham Slater.

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‘‘’’ItReallyIsASightToBeholdWhenTheFloatDisappearsInAHugeVortex

AsAPikeHitsTheBait

moved over to the Delkims because I canplace the receiver in my coat pocket and Idon’t have to let the world know when I’vegot a take. They are my two most commonset-ups, but there is just one more that canreally come into it’s own some days, andthat’s the free-roving livebait simply fishedunder a float. I tend to use polystyrenefloats bought from a sea angling supplierthat take 2 ounces of lead to cock them.They will support a decent-sized bait whilststill being of a size that even a modest pikecan pull them under. Used in conjunctionwith floating braid a bait fished in thismanner can cover a considerable amountof water. It really is a sight to behold whenthe float disappears in a huge vortex as apike hits the bait. At the very start of thispiece I mentioned the Redport Fastnet.For those of you not familiar with this itemof equipment it is a full-sized 42” landingnet but, rather than pushing the arms intoa tensioning block, they slide along the

Another fish from anarrow drain; 26.10.

57

Sunset on a drain; always worth fishing until dark.

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Manufacturers/Members:AnythingNewToReview?Please contact Steve Ormrod at: predhunter.o@virgin.net

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oars and rowlocks and mooring cover,available from H2o. It comes witha limited 2 year warranty. Portableaccessories, such as fish-finders, trollingrests etc. can be fitted to the boat. I haveachieved this by some simple woodwork onthe rub rail to reinforce it. The boat can becustomised in several ways to achieve yourown needs e.g. engine safety chains andanchor rope mountings etc.

Summary: At £546 the boat is excellentvalue for money and makes a very goodpike fishing boat on waters for which itwas intended. I have no hesitation inrecommending it.

Distribution: H2o Kayaks Ltd.The Willows, Common Lane, BramptonNorfolk NR10 5BD. Tel: 01603 279411www.h2okayaks.com

DenisMoules

For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

H2oKayaksJonBoat The boat is robustly constructed of Fortiflexhigh density polyethylene. It will take anoutboard engine up to 6hp and has a lugon the front to accommodate an electrictrolling motor. It weighs in at just under1cwt (50 kilos) and is light enough tolaunch it more or less anywhere. It cancarry up to 3 anglers and is virtuallymaintenance free. In common with mostboats, care must be taken when launchingon gravel, tarmac and concrete slipways.

The boat is rated in Marine Category D,i.e. inshore, on rivers, drains and lakes.In conditions where waves do not exceedhalf a metre and wind force 4. The boattransports well on a trailer. Some have tobe altered slightly to accommodate itsalmost flat bottom with small triple keel.

The owners manual explains how to do thisfully. Afloat the boat is stable and you soonget used to the sitting positions. The mainfloor well is long enough to take a largeunhooking mat and equivalent sized pike.There are several accessories, namely

During the last 40 years I have fishedfrom all types of boats on Fenlandwaterways, still waters and reservoirs.I have never owned a state of the artvessel, but on several occasions I havebeen a guest on such boats owned bymy young piking friends.

Most of my boats have been of light fibre-glass construction, enabling me to launchalmost anywhere. At this year’s FenlandFair, whilst manning the PAC stand myattention was drawn to an array of canoes,kayaks and wildfowling boats on the tradestands opposite ours. In particular a 12 footboat in green and beige, known as TheAmerican 12, or Jon Boat, caught my eye.

It looked an ideal pike fishing boat andvisitors to our stand agreed. Neil Buchananof H2o Kayaks Ltd of Norwich importsthese from the USA at user friendly prices.After speaking to Neil, Tim Anderson andmyself took the boat from the Fair to fieldtest it on Fenland waters.

RealReviewsTriedAndTestedItemsOfInterestToThePikeAngler

58

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RRP £1.80. Snaptackles: £1.70 eachRRP £2.25. Min Order: 25 pieces.All products are covered by a ‘no fuss’ fullmoney back guarantee. See the full rangeavailable at: piketrace.co.ukAlan Dudhill, Pikemaster Traces.Email: adudhill@btinternet.comTel: 07815 308463.

SteveOrmrod

Boyes, the famous north east chain ofretail stores with 34 outlets are testingthe water in their Scarborough storewith a great range of fishing tackle.Boyes are famous in northern Englandfor selling good quality products atlower than average prices providinggreat value to the consumer.

If the test is successful it will be great newsfor angling in the north as it will meanquality tackle at lower prices. Last week Ivisited the test store in Scarborough tocheck out what was going on.

I was surprised to find a wide range ofquality tackle for carp anglers, sea anglersand even a wide range of coarse and pikeand trout gear. The first thing I noticed wasa boat rod kit for £25.00 which included aboat rod and expensive looking multiplierall packaged in a lovely presentation kit.I am no sea fishing expert but it lookedgood value to me.

Then I checked out the pike spinners,many of which were new to me sold by aSwedish company called Fladen.The spoons, spinners and plugs wereheavy and very solid and lures of thisquality would normally cost anything fromthree to six pounds each, these were onsale for 75p each! or 2 for £1.00!

Needless to say I bought a good range andI soon set about field testing them withgreat success. The heavy spoons workedand cast great, the pike liked them too, butmy favourite from the Fladen stable is thered and silver headed spinner. It casts welland moves through the water with a deadlyvibratory spin which keeps going even atvery low speeds.

The plugs were great value too, indeed a16cm plug normally retails at around ten tofifteen pounds, at Boyes they were £1.99!

I would be happy to use these baits forthe rest of my life they are so good, andat a time we are all been hammered byincreasing fuel costs its refreshing to seeprices go the other way for a change!

BillWinship

I was a great fan of ET’s first travel rodthe sneaker, and have used it both hereand abroad to catch both pike andzander; it really is a great piece of kit,so when a new version was added tothe range I had to have a look!First off initial impressions are of a muchmore finished piece of kit; in so much asit’s got a lovely cross-weave finish andcontoured handle than the original version.The newer one though is more of adelicate piece of kit, it can easily double upas a very good jigging or light spinningrod, without losing any low down grunt tostop a big pike. But for me the real beautyin this rod is that you can almost put it inyour pocket when it’s folded down, and asa go anywhere knock about rod for yourtravels it will take a lot of beating.These rods are always going to find aplace in my suitcase, and I can easily seethem becoming the number one choice forthe travelling angler. RRP £45 from:www.etproducts.co.uk

MarkBarrett

Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

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Alan Dudhill is keen to promote hisnew ready-made trace and snaptacklebusiness and sent me several samplesto test for review.

As we go to press I haven’t had enoughtime to thoroughly ‘bank-test’ the samples,so will give an initial ‘bench-test’ here andfollow up with a further review in the Springedition of Pikelines. First impressions arethat the traces and tackles are ofprofessional quality and presentation beinghand-made and using top quality 7 and49 strand wire with Mustad trebles asstandard, ie. no poor materials!

The samples I have been sent cover agood selection of what is available;everything a pike angler needs for generaldeadbaiting, wobbling, or light to mediumweight lure fishing. All are made up toaround 18 inch lengths too, so noscrimping on the wire!

I’ll comment on the traces first.As mentioned, top quality materials areused, although I would personally prefer‘Crosslock’ clips as apposed to the ‘D’-styleones I was sent to review. These can priseopen too easily, especially if using lures.They would be ideally suited for use withlighter shads and spoons. However, Alandoes provide a ‘custom-made service onthe website where you can specify yourown needs. Maybe Alan could alsoconsider some much heavier traces tocater for the larger lure market.

Onto the snaptackles. I was sent severalsamples, all made from quality materials,crimped properly and neatly protected bysilicone sleeving to match the wire colour.Some are coated, some not, indicating thewide choice available. These are availablein fixed or adjustable top treble styles too.I must admit that I am not a fan ofadjustable top trebles, but that is just apersonal preference.

The hooks are stated as being ‘semi-barbed’ on the packaging, however, theones I have been sent are definitely‘barbless’ having no small hump on twoof the points and the usual full barb on thethird for bait-holding?

Strength; I tested a trace and tackle verythoroughly with pliers giving them a goodtugging etc, none came apart I’m glad toreport! Good so far, next, I will get somebaits hooked up and soaking and reportback on how they perform in actual pikingterms in the next magazine.

Alan is offering discount to PAC membersif you order 25 or more snap tackles ortraces as follows: Traces: £1.35 each

PikemasterTracesPart1

VFMPikeTackleAtBoyes

ET‘Sneaker’TravelRod

59

Pgs.58-59RealReviews01.qxd:Pgs.56-57RealReviews01.qxd 28/10/08 06:51 Page 2

There has not been a lot written aboutpike fishing specifically on big watersand yet this branch of the sport hasbecome very popular in recent years.Some other authors had promised towrite on the subject but nothing hasmaterialised until now.

Nev has also got his timing spot on withthe release, well in time for Christmas andall those piking widows buying presents fortheir husbands. The book is good quality interms of both production as well ascontent. Nev has used the same format asa number of other compilers in gettingco-authors to write about their specialistwater type.

Several recent pike books utilising thisformula have failed to hit the mark but thisone is spot on. The book does not have aloose dust jacket which should help it toage well. All of the authors have gone intogreat detail in passing on their hard wontips as to how to get the best of theirwaters and in some cases methods andlocation are described to the extent ofalmost marking the spot with an X. But asNev says “It’s all about boat fishing I’mafraid” so you will need to go afloat to takeadvantage of much of this sound advice.

That said there is a chapter on EnglishLake District pike from the bank by GeoffParkinson but even he is well into baitboats. Another author I’ll pick out is JimmyWoolnough writing about SpanishReservoirs and his pioneering work to trackdown the big pike that live in them.You may be aware that Jimmy has sincegone missing. There are 14 chapters intotal and they cover all of the major watersavailable in the UK and Ireland as well ascovering Spain and the Baltic Sea.

Nev could perhaps have found room forsomething about the waters in NorthAmerica such as Lake Of The Woods butthat is a small point and with theknowledge gained from reading ‘Big WaterPike’ the reader would be well equipped totackle any large water containing Esox.I enjoyed reading the book and highlyrecommend it. It is available in hard backfrom the Tackle Shop and selected shopsat £25 plus £5 post and packaging.

PhilWakeford

I was given this rod to try out at the CLAGamefair that I attended on behalf ofthe PAC and from the moment that itcame out of the bag it got an awful lotof admiring glances from the otherworkers on the stall, so much so that Imade sure it got locked away in the carpretty quick!

What can I say about the looks of this rod,other than it is stunning. OK, so beautymay be in the eye of the beholder, butthere are some very nice touches to thisrod like the engraved butt cap, and etchedDuplon in the handle, but the real test of anrod is in the use as a fishing tool, and onceagain here it ‘XL’s’. I have had a few fishon this rod now to low doubles, and allhave been handled with ease. Further-more, it fits and stows away nicely thanksto its two-piece construction, which in noway inhibits its action. My test sample han-dled lures from Replicants to Mag Dawgswith no problems at all, but does actuallyhave a bend to it when a fish is hooked.The range of products by ‘Fishing Matters’is growing, as can be seen by the stand atthis year’s convention with some excitingproducts to come. RRP £80. Visit theirwebsite at: fishingmatters.biz

MarkBarrett

60 For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

Manufacturers/Members:AnythingNewToReview?Please contact Steve Ormrod at: predhunter.o@virgin.netRealReviews2

TriedAndTestedItemsOfInterestToThePikeAngler

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NJFNewPikeBook

EsoXLuciusJerkbaitRod NewPredatorBookFromDr.SteveRogowskiPike and Freshwater Predator Fishing inthe British Isles is a brand new releasefrom Steve Rogowski and is a uniquevolume of very in-depth chapters on theUK’s main predatory species.

Similar to other recent books, Steve haspooled the resources of several writerswho are each single-species specialists.This ensures that the reader is thoroughlyinformed on the habits of pike, catfish,zander, perch, eels, even chub, salmonand trout are covered. More importantly,each author then gives in-depth informationon how to locate and fish for each species.

To kick the book off there is an honestforeword by Barrie Rickards that sets thetone of the book perfectly. This is followedwith a fascinating introduction by Stevehimself to all the species featured in thebook which then whets the appetite formore information.

We then move onto the 6 main chapters,which focus on: pike; Steve Rogowski,Catfish; Simon Clarke, Eels; Steve Ormrod,Perch; Mark Barrett and Zander; NevilleFickling. Each author covers their specialistspecies in their own style with detailed

Pgs.60-61Reviews02-PAC30Ad.qxd:PL116BrenigEventRef.qxd 28/10/08 06:52 Page 1

61Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

advice given on tackle, rigs, baits and howto care for your fish. There are also talesof fishing experiences to put the readeron the bankside. Steve then concludesthe book with a sobering chapter on futurechallenges that freshwater predators face.

Price: £25.00 from all good Quiller bookoutlets, or visit: countrybooksdirect.com

SteveOrmrod

With only two books on the subject andno new ones for over a decade, its fairto say that the zander angler has beenstarved of literature on the subject.

Well that has now changed thanks to PACsecretary Mark Barrett and a number ofguest chapters from other dedicatedzander anglers, including membershipsecretary John Cahill. The book covers justabout every aspect of zander fishing on thesignificant zander waters of the country,with separate sections on lure fishing andthe rivers of the midlands that have practi-cally re-written the zander record list.

As the spread of zander continues,and more and more pike anglers switch-over for periods to zander fishing this bookis a timely manual on just how to get thebest from your zander fishing. The book isavailable in hardback and a very limitededition leatherbound of 25, of which thefirst ten contain a limited edition StephenHarper print of the cover design. Both ofthese are available direct from Mark at:32 Berristead Close, Wilburton, Ely,Cambs. CB6 3RS. 07733 306921.Price: £19.95 for the H/B and £200 for theleather. Please add £5 for P&P.

SteveOrmrod

I can imagine that for a lot of pikeanglers the idea of using traces madeby someone else will fill them withdread, well if that’s the case, think on.

These traces can be made to your exactspecifications, or used straight from thebox. They really are lavished with a lot ofcare and to be honest, far better madethan my own home-made ones! This ismainly down to Bill Hancock who makesevery single trace by hand, Bill is certainlywhat you would call a perfectionist.Personally I use the traces that Bill makesas standard, made from 30lb BS AFW wireand impressive Owner hooks that ET andBill sell. With a 2 twenties and back updoubles on them last year, I will never bemaking a trace again! RRP is dependantupon what your requirements are.www.etproducts.co.uk

MarkBarrett

Bazza’sNewZanderBook

ETTackleBespokeTraces

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Pgs.60-61Reviews02-PAC30Ad.qxd:PL116BrenigEventRef.qxd 28/10/08 06:52 Page 2

62

Region 31 South Lancashire is arelatively new entity, its predecessorbeing the old St Helens Region and theenthusiasm and passion for piking ofmany members is evident. Membershipranges from lads seeking to catch their1st pike to seasoned veterans (such asEric Edwards) and indeed severalmembers have had fish to over themagical 30 pounds mark.

Many members, like myself, are verykeen, but average piker’s. I reminisce andcast my mind back to my early teenageyears when I met a chap from St Helenson a local water, Eric Edwards. He encour-aged me to join the PAC and the old StHelens Region 31, which I did. The ROKev Glover and his dad would pick me upand take me fishing, a much needed help-ing hand. On my very first outing I waslucky enough to ‘scoop the pot’ for biggestfish. I hadn’t the money to enter thesweep, so Kev had paid it for me! What atrue gent! That money paid for a muchneeded new rod.

Such camaraderie was part of the ethosthat I firmly wanted to embed in the cultureof the resurrected Region 31 as I have nodoubt whatsoever that my own develop-

back and see the improvements made inyour own fishing over the years.The Region has implemented a trophy for‘continuous improvement’, hence thefeature was born. My own personal com-mitment to these lads being that I woulddo my best to help them catch their first20lb plus pike.

Now I have not caught hundreds of 20’s,but I’ve been fortunate enough over theyears to have a number of good fish.My intention is to give the lads a helpinghand where I can and help them to avoidsome of the pitfalls along the way. It washoped that this would further motivatethese guys and give them a little helpinghand to hit the 20 milestone. They in turncould then encourage new pikers to lookup to them to get a bit of assistance incatching their first pike, their first doubleetc. Therefore creating an ongoing,self-generating cycle of improvement.

Helping each other to mutual benefit is ofcourse one of the things that the region isall about. Here are some of the escapadesof some of our Region 31 ‘Continuousimprovers’ by way of a profile on eachmember, included are some photos ofthe pike the lads have caught.

For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

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Jon Neafcy reports on Region 31’s scheme to encourage self-generating learning and success.

ment as an angler has been furthered bybeing a PAC member. The Region hascelebrated member’s individual successesthrough the newsletter and club awards.Several of the lads stood out from thecrowd over the last season as havingmade considerable progress in their ownfishing examples. This includes guys whohave learned new skills such as boatfishing and those who have tried out andcaught some nice pike from different watertypes. All of these guys have one thing incommon in that they have all put inconsiderable time and effort into theirown fishing.

They are all also hungry to catch thatmagical first 20 plus pike. I’m sure that weall (or will) recall that all important andmagical ‘first 20’; a memory that no pikeangler ever forgets.

Continuous Improvers was born.In Region 31 South Lancashire it wasdecided to do a bit of a feature on this inour own newsletter and subsequently thatwas the catalyst for this piece. My ownslideshow is based around my milestonesin piking; a journey which I’m still verymuch on the road with and still looking forcontinual improvement. It’s good to look

RA31’sContinuousImprovers

Neil and his first twenty.

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Peter Kendrick.Pete helps organise our club outings, he isa school teacher by day and has been aninternational globe trotter travelling theworld. He got into boat fishing and hadsome right disasters including wreckingmore than one trailer, narrowly avoiding aserious accident. He could have easilyjacked in boat fishing and remained on thebank. Being determined to succeed, hegot another boat, did it up himself andbought a new trailer, going on to beat hisPB twice in one day (as previously report-ed in Pikelines).

Stu Randle.Piking mad Stu is now assistant RO, hehas cracked his local river catching somenice pike and has caught his first glaciallake pike. Stu has had to juggle his fishingaround launching his own business withhis partner and has continued with hisfishing despite having very limited time.

Andy Cooke.Andy was a keen angler as a boy andthen discovered the world of women, workand beer, (sound familiar?) he returned tothe sport three years ago accompanyingme on many a trip. What Andy neededwas to ‘go it alone’ for a bit, find his ownway and succeed. The guy has done justthat! I received texts off him one day, hewas out on a big pit struggling.

A bit of moral support was all he needed,going on to finish the day with 3 crackingdoubles by making a couple of subtlechanges to his approach. Andy is now aboat owner and re-furbished his own craft,he has had to make changes to hisworking life to accommodate his fishing.

losing a big fish at the boat. However,Andy had been ‘top rod’ on a previousriver fishing trip. Andy mate, you can’t winthem all. We contacted some of the ladsto tell them of the capture of Neil’s firsttwenty, I’m glad to say that we receivedback a flood of ‘well done’s’! On our firstclub outing of the season, Neil receivedmany pats on the back and handshakes.The lads being genuinely made up for him.

Sometimes all you need in life is a helpinghand. Having received his own helpinghand, the following week Neil was at ateach-in showing local kids how its doneand putting something back into the sport.

For me, this is what the ethos of theRegion is all about, helping eachother for mutual gain and sustainablepike fishing.

We may look to extend this scheme in thefuture and could be on the look out forvolunteer ‘piking mentors’ to help the‘aspiring’ ones.

Tight lines, Jon Neafcy.

Andy is our ‘mister fix it’ and he hasalready helped me and some of the ladswith boat engines and trailer work.

Neil Stubbs.Neil has fished all his life, an accom-plished match angler, he then startedpiking and joined the region. Neil now hasmany good doubles under his belt from avariety of waters. Being temporarilydeprived of his driving license is anobstacle that Neil has had to overcomeand adapt his fishing to suit.

I thought it fittingly appropriate to end thispiece with a nice success story. This yearNeil Stubbs accompanied me on his firstScottish piking trip and he caught his firstScottish pike. Suitably inspired, he went onto catch a Scottish double on another tripwith me and the lads. Recently, we had atrip to a large Scottish loch with Andy Cookand Stu Randle, the venue can be veryproductive but can be a tough nut to crack.Crack it Neil did, with the first fish of thetrip a nice fighting ten pounder. I counteredwith a 14, a 16 and a 10 in that order.Neil then followed up with his first twentyat 20.03, she was a cracking fish and thehighlight of the trip. Neil was boat-partner-ing Andy Cooke myself andStu went over to congrat-ulate Neil and look at thephotos of his fish.

Neil’s good fortune certainlyrubbed off on me as anhour or so later I tooboated a twenty at 20.02.Stu followed this up with a14.14 and a nine. Neil wenton to catch a few morejacks and I managedanother low double. Not forwant of trying, poor oldAndy Cooke blanked,

63Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

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Stu takes

control of

a 17.00.

Peter looks pleased with

this lakeland 15.00.

Never stop improving:

Jon with a recent 23.00.

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64 For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

the country if the Environment Agency’s datais to be believed. I have no doubt though thatthe club is still suffering from the fallout fromthe Blithfield debacle, otherwise we would bynow have met the three thousand target veryeasily. That episode was handled very badlyby the committee of the day and ultimately ledto a damaging fragmentation of the club.Contrast the way that was handled with theway in which the current committee dealt withthe problem of members translocatinglivebaits across national borders. No big fuss,no ‘show of strength’ but swift and effectiveresolution of the issue in a way that kept theclub together and still satisfied the demandsfrom the membership, the media and thegeneral public.

PAC has had a tremendous impact on the waypike are perceived in my local area but thathas been brought about by having a stronglocal region rather than by direct action bycommittee. Some years ago we had an issuelocally, which caused the region’s members toband together and successfully take on one ofthe larger clubs in the area. The effect wasboth dramatic and long lasting and there isn’ta club in the area that would risk taking thePAC on even now, years after that happened.

You are quite a prolific writer of articlesand have your own blog site. Do you usethese to try and educate people and gener-ally spread the good word or are thereother reasons?

The blog was never really intended to be ashop-window, but rather a personal onlinefishing diary of sorts. Shortly after setting itup however, the omnipresent PAC pressofficer somehow trawled it up from Googleand plastered it across the PAC website.Quite a few people have confessed that theylook in on it regularly now. My style ofwriting in Pike and Predators, Pikelines andothers is very definite, I write to educate andinform rather to entertain. I’m sorry if thatsounds a bit pompous but it’s true. I’m not afan of writers who deal only in the experien-tial. I think it’s a bit of a cheat to simply writeabout a day’s fishing and get paid for the

for membership is exactly what the clubneeded. Freezing the cost of membership wasanother good move, I see little point in push-ing subs ever upwards only for the money tolie in some bank account.

I know that you have organised severalpike fishing teach ins for youngsters Eric.How did this arise, what has the experi-ence been like and has it achieved whatyou hoped for?

I made a conscious decision a couple ofyears ago to try to do more for pike fishing inmy local area rather than fly around thecountry helping out others who, frankly, havemuch better local piking available than I do.Local youngsters in my area have very littleopportunity to catch pike so they don’t haveany idea where to start. Running teach-ins isan attempt to break this chicken-and-eggproblem and get them interested. Teach-insare great fun. Most people who attend showa genuine interest and I like to think they alllearn something. Watching someone who isnew to lure fishing try to ‘walk the dog’witha surface lure can be hilarious at times andfunnily enough, the youngsters seem to pickit up far more easily than the grown-ups.

We’re very lucky at Region 31 in having anRO who is a qualified angling coach, JonNeafcy. Jon Makes sure things are done inaccordance with the law taking into accounthealth and safety legislation as well as childprotection concerns. The very best thingabout teach-ins though is when I look aroundat a local PAC region and see faces therethat we first saw at a teach-in. That tells mewe’ve managed to set those people off on theright road to pike conservation.

How do you feel about the PAC in generalin terms of does it make a difference inpike fishing/protection? Do you see ithaving a rosy future and is 3,000 membersachievable?

I honestly think TEN thousand members is anachievable target. There are certainly inexcess of ten times that many pike anglers in

What first got you interested in Pike Ericand why/how did you first get involvedwith the PAC?

I caught my first pike on a worm when I wasa lad; it weighed about two pounds and Itook it home for tea! It seemed huge to meand I couldn’t believe that these creaturesgrew to over twenty pounds, so I set out tocatch a bigger one and it went on from there.Ronnie Pendleton ran the St. Helens Regionof the PAC in the early days. Ronnie was theclub’s first-ever ‘Pike Angler of the Year’ andwhile he rubbed people up the wrong way attimes, me included, he did a huge amount forpike fishing in the town. I still see Ronniefrom time to time and I don’t think he fishesany more; I must try and bring him back intothe fold.

I seem to recall that over the years youhave been ‘an officer’ of the PAC. Couldyou just clarify that for the readers pleaseas well as tell us how you view the runningof the club, now and in the past (lightsblue touch paper and stands back).

That’s a big question to ask an opinionatedperson like me. I’ve never been an officer,only a humble RO in my time but I’ve beenaround a while and seen a lot happen.My view is, and always has been that theclub is its members. I don’t belittle the workthe committees do at all. I know it’s adifficult and, at times, thankless job and Iapplaud anyone who takes it on but I reallybelieve the strength of the club lies in itsregional structure. The regions are close tothe action and have an ear to the ground forany potential problems or opportunities theymay arise and so are able to act quicklywhen they do. I believe the real talent in theclub lies in the regions and not necessarily inthe committee and with that in mind I’d liketo see less centralisation but rather, activesupport for regional projects; of which thereare many! There does seem to be somethingrather destructive about the generalsecretary’s position though. It appears toturn normal rational people into megaloma-niacs at times! The current committee’s drive

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AWARDThePresident’sShield

‘PAC’s almost constant‘slide show on the road’

W I N T E R 2 0 0 8 N O M I N E E

EricEdwards

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65Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

privilege. That’s why I don’t write nearly asoften as some others do, I have to havegenuine inspiration you see. I get very excit-ed about my fishing, I’m always experiment-ing one way or another and I like to share myfindings. My ultimate hope is that by tellingothers about the things I have discovered itgives them the opportunity to take myfindings a step further so that they can feed itback to me. That way we all improve andpike fishing gets better for everyone.

How do you view pike fishing in thepresent day in terms of threats to it andhave you got any solutions? (Note padat the ready!).

Attitudes to pike in the north of England areimproving. Education has always been thekey and there are few anglers now whowould admit to believing the old idea that theonly good pike is a dead pike. That’s becauserank and file PAC members are out thereattending club meetings and spreading theword on the websites and in the tackle shops.I’m talking here about people like KarlDevlin and John Woods, names you might nothave heard of but who, locally, are cruciallyimportant people when it comes to challeng-ing anti-pike sentiment wherever it crops up.

This is why PAC needs to be big. We need tobe working in the angling community, dottedabout like currants in a cake, teaching,challenging and speaking up for our sport.Those people who proudly announce thatthey “keep themselves to themselves anddon’t get involved” don’t actually help theirown sport much. My solution is simple,be big and have influence.

To my knowledge you hold strong opinionson a number of fishing related matters.One that stands out is your opposition tothe massive spread of carp into a greatnumber of fisheries. How could you get themessage across to people that carp shouldbe culled but pike preserved withoutsounding like a hypocrite or contradictingyourself?

You know I guess it’s easy for people whohave a narrow perspective to consider myviews hypocritical but I’ve been around along time now and I’ve seen big changes inangling. Time was when carp were a rare fishround these parts, hard to find and hard tocatch. Trouble is, I live in a massive conurba-tion, one of the biggest in Europe and peoplewant instant gratification in everything;angling included. This has resulted in ridicu-lously heavy stocking of carp in almost everywater in my area. Carp are useless as pikefood, they occupy the biomass, pushing outmore suitable prey species like roach andonce they get above five pounds or so thepike can’t eat them. What’s more, they stir thewater up and make it muddy, that’s not goodfor sight-feeding fish like pike. I’ve seenmany waters transformed from decent pike

fisheries into filthy mud-holes where the pikeare small thin and really not worth catching.Well I’m sick of it and I know I’m not alonein wanting it to change. The crazy thing isthat even carp and match anglers in my areawant this level of stocking to be stopped.It results in waters that are jam-packed witheight to twelve pound carp, too small for thecarpers and too big for the match fishermen.What am I to do? Keep my strident views tomyself for fear of offending people who livein pike-rich areas and don’t have this prob-lem? Think again, I’ll be shouting my viewsfrom the rooftops for a few years yet!

I have been quite impressed how you oftenfind a new angle on old issues. Similarlywhilst writing about Angling Companionsin Pikelines you wrote about your sonwhich was a great thing to do. Can you tellus something about your outlook on pikingor life in general if you like?

You know Phil, as I get older and this bodycreaks and groans more each year, I findmyself drawn to my pike fishing more thanever. I’ve been fortunate enough to catchsome very big pike and that tends to changeyour outlook a bit. The pressure is off menow, I don’t have to catch, I’ve nothing toprove and that means I can really enjoy myfishing. This gives me the opportunity to playaround with new ideas, most of which cometo nothing, but while everyone else is pilingonto ‘Thirtymere’ I’ll avoid the crowds andgo and do my own thing; sometimes withgood results! Fishing with my son is just thebest thing in the world. We had a great trip toBlithfield earlier in the year where hethrashed me soundly with three twentypounders to my one. Was I jealous?Too right! Would I have changed it? Not foranything!

There are fewer and fewer youngsterscoming into pike fishing especially com-pared to carp fishing. Why do you thinkthis is and can anything be done about it?

It’s this old chicken-and-egg thing again.Every water bar one in my area is heavilystocked with carp and there is no decent pikefishing at all. Of course, the youngsters aregoing to turn to carp fishing, it’s all they haveavailable. You have to travel for your pikefishing if you live in St. Helens and younglads don’t have the means to travel far.

Once again it’s the regional structure of theclub that can help here and once again wehave an RO, in Jon Neafcy, who’s doing someterrific work. Jon organises fish-ins through-out the winter where lads and dads can gettogether with experienced pikers and travelto some very good venues. Child protectionissues can really get in the way, thank good-ness Jon is properly qualified and police-cleared. I do see a lot of selfishness in pikefishing. This masquerades as ‘conservation’but make no mistake most of it is selfishness.

Some of those people who have racked uphuge numbers of big fish and who are lookedup to and revered by the pike fishing commu-nity have never done a thing to help othersfind their way in the sport. We should belooking up to people like Kosh, SandyMackie, Stewart McMath and Denis Moules,people who really work for pike fishing.

If you were given full control over fishingin the UK what direction would you take itin and why? Are we as pikers all doomed?

I would bring in much tighter regulation overstocking of fish. I believe this will come any-way in time but we mustn’t let theEnvironment Agency have an easy ride.The Environment Agency are supposed topromote biodiversity in our waterways yetthey allow the indiscriminate stocking ofinvasive species into almost every bit of waterwhilst at the same time pointing at pikeanglers and accusing us of transferring fishfor livebaits. THEY are the hypocrites not me.

I firmly believe that the EA is anti pike anglerand we must not allow them to get away withit. Only pike anglers have had to face wide-spread bans on baits and methods, no oneelse. Piking isn’t doomed but it is inevitablethat it will change and we must insist that wehave a say in the way it is shaped.

You put yourself out tremendously to visitdifferent regions of the PAC and give slideshows. How do you motivate yourself tokeep doing this, as I know from personalexperience how demanding it is. What doyou get back from doing it please?

I’m only too well aware that without speakersthe regional meetings would soon peter out.No meetings means no region and pikingwould very soon return to the dark daysbefore the PAC came to prominence.I’ve already said how important I believe theregional structure is and I feel I have aresponsibility to help the regions out, we alldo! I’m generally looked after very well whenI give a talk and once in a while I get treatedto a day’s fishing as well, which is very nice.

I love talking to other pikers and I love thesound of my own voice, so giving slide showscomes quite easily. I did a lot of shows lastyear though and most of them were at longdistance. This eats into your fishing time soI’ve cut back a little. No one wants to listento someone who isn’t catching and you’re notcatching if you don’t get out fishing so I’mgoing to spend a couple of years building upsome new slides now and come back with awhole new show.

As ever Eric it has been interesting talking toyou. You are definitely a thinking mans pikerand I’m sure that this has led more than alittle to your outstanding list of captures.

Phil Wakeford was talking to Eric Edwards.

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66 For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

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Visit the PAC Forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

SpecialistAnglers’AllianceBulletin

Photocopiesofthisformareacceptable.

Wild trout fishing on the River Ebble.Do you want it? There are just a few weeks to go for people wholive in the Salisbury area to let the Environment Agency know whatthey think about plans to turn the river Ebble into a wild trout fishingriver, one of the few in England. The Agency has been consultinglocal people for the past few months about reclassifying the Ebble(one of the best trout chalk streams in England) into a Wild FisheryProtection Zone. If local people agree to the idea, it would meanonly wild trout would thrive in the river.

Stocking it with farmed trout could no longer take place. Doing thiswould mean wild trout in the Ebble are not mixed up with farmedfish. DJ Gent from the Environment Agency said: “Every responsewe've had to the proposal so far has been really positive. We arenearing the end of the consultation process, but there is still timeto tell us what you think about reclassification proposal. From ourpoint of view we are keen to protect the native wild fish population,but there is also potential benefit here for local angling businesseswho will be able to market themselves to the niche market of wildtrout fishing. The Environment Agency is keen to formally re-classi-fy the river by the end of September, so if anyone has a point ofview on the proposal, they are being urged to get in contact withus as soon as possible”.

People can do this by calling DJ on the Environment Agencycustomer service line on: 08708 506506.

Koi Herpesvirus disease outbreak confirmed.Movements of fish in and out of the Royal Horticultural SocietyGarden Ponds at Hyde Hall, Essex have been restricted, followingthe confirmation of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Disease.

Apparently the RHS was willing to accept donations of fish frommembers into their ponds! Defra has issued a Designated AreaOrder prohibiting the movement of fish to and from Hyde Hall(Top and Bottom Pond), Royal Horticultural Society, Hyde Hall,Hyde Hall Road, Rettendon Common, Chelmsford, Essex.

Samples were taken from the affected pond following reporteddeaths of fish. KHV Disease affects common carp and carpvarieties such as Koi. It can result in high rates of fish mortalities.There are no implications for human health. It became a legalobligation to notify suspicion of KHV Disease on 6th April 2007.The measures developed in partnership between government andindustry to help combat outbreaks were announced on 21st May.Suspicion of the presence of the disease should be immediatelyreported to: the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and AquacultureScience (Cefas) in Weymouth.

Mike Heylin.

67

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Shakespeare RA20Steve Bown, 32 Saxonwood Road, CheswickGreen, Shirley, Solihull, West Mids. B90 4JN.Email: ra20shakespeare@btinternet.comWebsite: pac20shakespeare.blogspot.com

Walsall RA37 (Vacant)Gloucester RA41 (Vacant)

Cotswold RA46Malcolm Yates, The Old Post House, Salperton,Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 4EE.Tel: 01451 850659.

EAST MIDLANDSLiaison OfficerPete Haywood, 20 Carisbrooke Avenue, Gedling,Notts, NG4 2RD. Tel: 01159 615958.

Nottinghamshire RA26 (Caretaker RO’s)Pete Haywood, 20 Carisbrooke Avenue, Gedling,Notts, NG4 2RD. Tel: 01159 615958. Phil Kirk,8 Edge Hill Court, Long Eaton, NottinghamNG10 1PQ. Tel: 01159 731347.

Leicester RA67 Soar Valley RA80 (Both vacant)

Burton-on-Trent RA49Gary Edwards, Honey Cottage, Hatton Fields,Sutton Lane, Hilton, Derbyshire DE65 5GQ.Tel: 07875 133682.Email: gary@garyedwards.orangehome.co.uk

Amber Valley RA84David Holmes, 33 Thurston Avenue, Somercoats,Derbyshire DE55 4JP. Tel: 01773 603607.Assistant RO: John Milford,Email: John.Milford@drakauk.com

ANGLIANLiaison OfficersDenis Moules, 32 Fairhaven Close, Lode, Cambs.CB5 9HG. E-mail: moules@btinternet.comDave Batten, 14 Mill Lane, Carbrooke,Thetford, Norfolk IP25 6TD.

Cambridge RA2Andrew Blazey, 3 Mason Gardens, West Row,Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 8PH.Tel/Fax: 01638 717128. Mob: 07770 970946.Email: andrew.blazey@primeag.co.ukJoint RO: Richard Wesley, 15 Holland Park,Cheveley, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9DL.Tel: 07812 161955.Email: Richard.Wesley@incadigital.com

Suffolk RA8Colin Hall, 2 Rymer Point Cottages, Barnham,Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PN. Tel: 01842 890652.

Herts/Chiltern RA16John Lawrie, 12 Mallard Walk, Biggleswade,Beds. SG18 8DY. Tel: 07894 561348.Email: lawrie1@ntlworld.comJoint RO: Dave Thompson. Mob: 0703390045.

Kings Lynn and West Norfolk RA72Chris Bishop, Tel: 07789 592834.Email: chris_bishop1@hotmail.comJoint RO: Steve Rodwell, 10 Methwold Road,Methwold Hythe, Thetford, Norfolk IP26 4QH.

68

NORTH EASTLiaison OfficerRobert Murray, 33 Greenlaw, West Denton,Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE5 5DD.Email: northeast.lo@pacgb.co.ukWebsite: pacgb-northeast.co.uk

Teesside and Darlington RA21/89Craig Patterson Tel: 07984 164746.13 Castlefields, Bournmoor, County DurhamDH4 6HH. E: peter@patterson5177.fsnet.co.uk

South East Northumberland RA24Mike Bell, ‘Stonepykes’, 2 Holystone Drive,Holystone, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE27 0DH.Email: pikeymikeyatra24@blueyonder.co.ukNeil Baker, 2 East View, Burnopfield,Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE16 6HP.Email: neillyn.luke@virgin.net

Tyneside RA86Geoff Clarkson, 17 Monks Crescent, DurhamDH1 1HD. Tel: 07872 188658.Email: geoffrey.clarkson@hmps.gsi.gov.ukAssistant RO: Dave Mitchell, 13 Cauldwell Villas,South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE34 0RZ.Tel: 01914 235188. Website: pikergrove.co.uk

YORKSHIRELiaison OfficersBrian Birdsall, 3 Hough End Crescent, Bramley,Leeds, W Yorks. LS13 4RU. Tel: 01132 298789.Email: brian.birdsall@ntlworld.com

Restarted: Selby RA40Mark Green, Oakland Waters, Gowdall Road,Gowdall, Goole, East Yorks. DN14 0AP.Mob: 07960118685.Email: markpike73@googlemail.com

Halifax RA47 (Vacant)

East Yorkshire RA42Ady Brayshaw, 11 Hall Walk, Walkington,Beverley, E Yorks.

Ripon RA50Bill Winship, 7 Knox Chase, Harrogate,N Yorks. HG1 3HZ. E-mail:bill@pacp.fsnet.co.uk

Restarted: Leeds & Bradford RA66/44Andrew Brown, 37 Coppicewood Avenue,Guiseley, Leeds LS20 9JP. Tel: 01943 871765.Email andyjanebrown@aol.co.uk

Doncaster RA78Jeff Squires, 147 High Street, Dunsville,Doncaster, S Yorks. DN7 4BT.Email: esoxjeff@talktalk.net

Wakefield RA96Peter S Green, 17 Lincoln Street, Wakefield,W Yorks. WF2 0EB. Tel: 01924 782705.Email: psgreen@blueyonder.co.ukRoad, Ossett, W Yorks. WF5 8BA.

Restarted: Hull RA95Tony Derrick. Poplar House Farm, Church Lane,Skirlaugh, Hull HU11 5EU. Tel: 01954 563645.Mob: 07976965756. Email: tony@skirlaugh.co.ukWeb Blog: hullpac.blogspot.com

For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

Keighley RA79 (Vacant)Huddersfield RA100Craig Beverley, 93 Knowle Road, Golcar,Huddersfield HD7 4AN. Tel: 07815 785726.

Rotherham and Sheffield RA99Philip Heaton, 4 Straight Lane, Goldthorpe,Rotherham, S Yorks. Tel: 01709 888996.Email: rotherhampac@yahoo.co.ukNEW: Aire Valley RA104Brian Birdsall, 3 Hough End Crescent, Bramley,Leeds, W Yorks. LS13 4RU. Tel: 01132 298789.Email: brian.birdsall@ntlworld.com Joint RO:Jim Taylor, 4 Trent Road, Redcar TS10 1NN.Tel: 01642 472636. Email: jimataylor@google.com

NORTHWESTLiaison OfficerMark Johnson, 6 Chestnut Road, Market Drayton,Shropshire TF9 1LY. Tel: 07817 419286.Email: mark-cheshirepiker@fsmail.net

Preston RA6 (Vacant)

Cheshire RA9Andy Bates, 4 The Close, Northwich, Cheshire,CW8 1JX.Tel: 01606 871066. Mob: 07834999129.Email: andybates7@sky.com

Blackpool RA17 (Vacant)Manchester RA65 New RO TBA.

Newton-le-Willows RA73Gaz Hackett, 12 Dixon Avenue, Newton-Le-Willows WA12 0NE. Tel: 01925 291349.

North Lake District RA5Tommy Thompson, 32 Clifton Lodge,Great Clifton, Workington, CumbriaCA14 1UR. Tel: 01900 602253.

Colne RA82 (Vacant)

Glossop RA88Andy (Kosh) Kershaw, 18 Meadowfield, Hadfield,Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 2BL.Tel: 0797 6797158.Email: pike4kosh-22@zen.co.uk

Southport RA103 (Vacant)

South Lancashire RA31Jon Neafcy, 30 Greenbank, Abram, Wigan, Lancs.WN2 5XU. Email: roregion31@blueyonder.co.uk

WESTMIDLANDSLiaison OfficerSteve Bown, 32 Saxonwood Road, CheswickGreen, Shirley, Solihull, West Mids. B90 4JN.Email: solihullpac@hotmail.com

Birmingham RA1Robert Tonks, 5 Barford Close, Sutton Coldfield,West Midlands B762UL.

Dudley RA3John Tate, 12 Cherry Orchard Avenue,Halesowen, W Midlands B63 3RY.

PACRegionalAssociationsAnd...............................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................

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Restarted: Norwich RA33John Currie, Lodge Farm, Halesworth Road,Ilketshall St.Lawrence, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 8NJ.Mob: 07776221959. E-mail: jcurrie@ymail.comJoint RO: Steve Roberts, Comfrey Cottage,2 Low Common, Swardeston Norwich NR14 8LG.Mob: 07950292933.

Ely/Fenland RA32Colin Goodge, 2 Barton Close, Witchford, Ely,Cambs. CB6 2HS. Mark Barrett, 32 BerristeadClose, Wilburton, Ely, Cambs. CB6 3RS.

Corby RA91David McLachlan, 15 Jubilee Close, Islip,Kettering NN14 3DU.

Fenland/Lincs. RA45 (Vacant)

Lincoln RA48Mark Winterton, 53 Silver Street, Bardney,Lincs. LN3 5XG. Tel: 01526 397174.Email: thewaits@btinternet.com

THAMESLiaison OfficerPhil Wakeford, 17 Ramsbury Drive, Earley,Reading, Berks RG6 7RT.

Reading RA14Lyndon Barrett, 15 Adam Close, Baughurst,RG26 5HG. Tel 07771931739.Email: Mandylyndon@tiscali.co.uk Joint RO:Peter Wardle, 65a Kings Road, Caversham,Reading, Berkshire RG4 8DS. Tel: 07876 503569.Email: petersrgi@hotmail.com

Walton on Thames RA15Dave Fish, 63 Ashurst Drive, Shepperton,Middlesex TW17 0JH. Tel: 01932 562929.Email: dave.fish@waltonpac.org.uk

Swindon RA34 Guildford RA51 (Both vacant)

Lea Valley RA85Caretaker RO: Dave Horton, 88 Berecroft, Harlow,Essex CM18 7SD.

Tring and District RA101Brad Sinfiend, 89 Kingsley Walk, Tring, Herts.HP23 5DR. Tel: 07879 070167.

North Essex RA102 (Vacant)

SOUTHLiaison OfficerMark Skinner, 41Brook Street, Polegate,E Sussex BN26 6BH. Tel: 0771 754993.Email:south.lo@pacgb.co.uk

Restarting: West Sussex RA11 Details TBA.

Canterbury/Thanet RA30/60John Roberts, 102 Minster Road,Westgate-on-Sea, Kent CT8 8DG.

Southampton RA39Lewis McCall, 264 Warsash Road, WarsashSO31 9NZ. Tel: 01489 575077.Email: esox9@btinternet.com

Visit the regions: pacgb.co.uk/regions/index.htm

Medway RA59 (Vacant)

East Sussex RA70Gary Hodd, 14 Smith Close, Ninfield, E. SussexTN33 9RB. Mob: 07734 045233.Email: garyregion70@aol.comJoint RO: Jon Cook, 17 Swale Close, Stone Cross,Pevensey BN24 5GY. Tel: 01323 743736.Email: jonregion70@aol.com Web: sussex-pac.co.uk

Thames Gateway RA19Steve Gould, 52 Coptefield Drive, Belvedere, KentDA17 5RL. Email: Esoxlucius1964@aol.comWebsite: pacregion19@aol.comthamesgatewaypac.blogspot.com/

SOUTHWESTLiaison OfficerPete Austin, 1 The Myrtles, North End, Creech St.Michaels, Taunton, Somerset TA3 5AD.Tel: 01823 444116. Email:Levelspiker@aol.com

Somerset Levels RA12Pete Austin, 1 The Myrtles, North End, Creech St.Michaels, Taunton, Somerset TA3 5AD.Tel: 01823 444116. Email:Levelspiker@aol.comJoint RO: Mick Saunders,113 Hamilton Road,Taunton, Somerset,TA12EP. E: Pikemad@aol.com

Devon RA13 Bristol RA25 (Both vacant)Plymouth RA36 W. Cornwall RA81 (Both vacant)

SOUTHWEST SCOTLANDLiaison OfficerScott Davidson, 7 Old Glasgow Road, Kilwinning,Ayrshire KA13 7QJ. Tel: 01294 542843.Mobile: 07886 435139.Email: ayrshirepikeangler@hotmail.co.uk

Ayrshire RA52Scott Davidson, 7 Old Glasgow Road, Kilwinning,Ayrshire KA13 7QJ. Tel: 01294 542843.Mobile: 07886 435139.Email: ayrshirepikeangler@hotmail.co.ukJoint RO: Dave Morris, 7 Trabboch Avenue,Drongan, Ayrshire KA6 7DR. Tel: 07960 368053.email: davemorris62@aol.com

Castle Douglas & Kirkcudbright RA61 (Vacant)

Newton Stewart RA57Duncan Vincent, Galloway Angling Centre,87 Queen Street, Newton Stewart DG8 6JR.

CENTRAL SCOTLANDLiaison OfficerJohn Oliver, Flat 1 Left, 91 Fotheringay Road,Pollockshields, Glasgow G41 4LH.Tel: 07764 635206.

Clydebank RA58Jonathan Sykes, 3 Watt Place, Milngavie,Glasgow G62 7LQ. Tel: 0141 9567742.Email: ycfcpike@hotmail.com

North Lanarkshire RA93Sandy Mackie, 2 Raeburn Walk, Bellshill,North Lanarkshire, Scotland ML4 1ILH.Tel: 0771 7175353.Email:sandymackie@blueyonder.co.uk

LiaisonOfficers-RegionalOrganisers...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

NORTHERN SCOTLANDLiaison OfficersRab Hay, 15 Elizabeth Street, Nairn. Tel: 01667456506. Mob: 07766 439860.Email: helenandrab@talktalk.netJoint RO: Micky Jones, 17 Miller Street, InvernessIV2 3ND. Tel: 01463 712591.Email:esoxness@hotmail.co.uk

Inverness RA74 (Highlands RA54 Elgin RA75)Rab Hay, 15 Elizabeth Street, Nairn. Tel: 01667456506. Mob: 07766 439860.Email: helenandrab@talktalk.netJoint RO: Micky Jones, 17 Miller Street, InvernessIV2 3ND. Tel: 01463 712591.Email:esoxness@hotmail.co.uk

Aberdeen RA76Jim Horsburgh, 66 Harlaw Road, Inveruie,Aberdeenshire AB51 4TB. Tel: 01467 622381.

WALESLiaison Officer (Vacant)North Wales South Wales RA10 (Vacant)

NORTHERN IRELANDLiaison OfficerGeorge Higgins, 201 Lower Braniel Road,Belfast BT5 7NP.

Northern Ireland RA43Gordon Nesbitt, 25 Glasvey Drive, Ballykelly,Limavady, Co. Londonderry BT49 9HQ.Tel: 028 777 29324. Mob: 07765 896016.Email: region43pac@btinternet.com

NEW: Northern Ireland (South) RA111Robbie Marsh, 21 Springdale Cresent, Kilkeel,BT34 4XY. Mob: 07727044623.Email: marshpike@aol.comWebsite: pikemania.co.uk/home.html

PAC Affiliate OrganisationsIrish Pike Society (IPS)Contact: Ian Forde, No.4 Effernoc Manor, Trim,County Meath, S Ireland. Web: irishpikesociety.com

Specialist Anglers Alliance (SAA)Contact: Mike Heylin, 41 Crofts Path, HemelHempstead HP3 8HB. Website: saauk.org

Pike Flyfishing Association (PFFA)Chairman: Peter Jones, 28 Crown Avenue,Holbeach St. Marks, Spalding, Lincs. PE12 8EU.Email: pffachairman@btinternet.com Web: pffa.co.uk

Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland (PAAS)General Secretary: Joe Toner.Email: gensec@esoxecosse.com

Note: Will all RO’s and LO’s please check theirdetails with care. Any alterations please contactSteve Ormrod asap at: predhunter.o@virgin.netIf any RO’s want to advertise their meetingsevents on the PAC website regional events page,contact Dave Lumb at: webmaster@pacgb.com

What’sHappeningAtYourPACRegion?Send your reports to Neville Fickling at:thetackleshop@btconnect.comPL123 deadline for submissions: Dec. 26th 2008.

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WelcomeToPikelines122

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Yes, I know it’s a catfish not a pike,but you’ve got to do something in thesummer. For some reason the catfishfishing was quite easy at my lakesexcept for odd people who shall remainnameless (eh Steve?).

Then in September it’s back to pike fishingand reality bites. A whole month of tryingvarious waters including a week in Eireand the biggest pike is 17lb. Never forgetthat pike (and zander and eel) fishing isreal fishing. To catch a 20lb pike is onlyeasy if you have a water full of them.They really are a pain in the neck. Yet it isthe challenge that makes it interesting. Aslong as I have the desire to catch big pikeI’ll still be pike fishing when I drop. If I everlose that desire I’ll pack it in. Pike fishingfor 40 plus years does alter the way youthink about pike fishing. I’m not botheredabout catching small pike though the initialrun or the hit on a lure is exciting no mat-ter how many times it happens. Other pikeanglers who enjoy catching anything areblessed, but there is a limit to how many

I’m sure this rings true with many of ourmembers too. It does make you think twiceabout travelling any distance on a regularbasis to fish. Of course, the alternative is tostay local and rediscover some venues youmay well have been neglecting.

This is exactly what I have done to start mypiking season, being happily rewarded witha bonny lass of 25lb on only my secondouting (reality bites eh Nev, LOL!). I’m nowhoping my luck will last! I think this reflectson other folks’ plans too as they are nowthinking more to what’s available on theirown doorsteps. A sign of the times?

I must make an apology to PeteWaterfield for wronglynaming him as‘Woody’ re. theNAC fish-in report in

the last mag. ‘Woody’, isof course eel fanatic

Hmmm, Nev has made an interestingpoint here re. my catfishing this sum-mer. I must admit it has been ratherfrustrating when you are doing every-thing right, but with nil results.

The only thing I can say in my defence isthat I haven’t managed enough ‘rodhours’ there this season. Living100 miles away, escalating

motoring costs haveinevitably affected

angling plans.

Damien Wood’s nickname, not Pete’s, sorrylads; magazine blindness!

The Convention was as great as ever thisyear. It was a pleasure to meet so manyfriends and associates again, especially thelads from PAAS who made the long tripdown to attend their stand. I hope you allfound the talks interesting and that you willsupport the day as well next year, thanks.

I must also thank several of our stalwartmembers for helping with a call for a specif-ic cover image needed for this edition, youguys are stars. The cover image is a veryimportant element of Pikelines, the archiveis rather empty at the moment, so if youfeel you have something that is worthy,please email me any samples. Who knows,a forthcoming edition may raise a grin onyour face! Merry ‘thingy’ by the way.

For the love of Esox... SteveOrmrod

pike you can catch without wantingsomething special. One thing that I do notlike is the concept of light line fishing forpike. I’m firmly in the ‘get them landedquick’ camp. I’m also worried about thenext craze; ‘drop shot fishing’. If it’scarried out with a wire trace and strong

line I’m fine with it, otherwise, it can stayon the European mainland. They can killtheir pike if they so wish to. We havetaken 30 years to get to where we are nowand going backwards is not an option!

NevilleFickling

ProductionNotes

Articles/Reports/Letters/News?email Neville at: thetackleshop@btconnect.comPL123 deadline for submissions: Dec. 26th 2008.

3Visit the exclusive PAC forum: websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/pacgb

Editor’sViewpoint

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34 For the latest news visit: pacnews.blogspot.com

BrianWootton 1936-2008

PACObituariesPAC is saddened to announce the passing away of a valued member.

Brian sadly passed away on 13th August 2008 aged 72. Brian had been an anglerall his life catching pike up to 25lbs. Brian adored his pike fishing frequentingwaters in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Norfolk.

He will be sadly missed by his family and friends, including his wife Shirley,son Ian, and daughter Jane. Shirley, Ian and Jane.

DaveStanding 1958-2008

PAC is saddened to hear of the passing away of a legendary pike angler.

Many newer members of the PAC may not be familiar with the name of Dave Standing,who sadly died in September of this year. However, Club members who have beenfortunate enough to see one of Dave’s numerous slide shows, which he undertook formany local branches, will undoubtedly remember both him and the slideshow with greataffection. Never one to take fishing, or himself too seriously, these talks often seemedto have only an oblique connection to fishing. Thankfully, Dave’s sheer chutzpahalways managed to win over the most cynical and hard-bitten audience. I first startedfishing with Dave way back in the late 1970’s, and shared many an adventure in thoseformative years. Some of those trips were successful in terms of pike caught, othersless so, but in the company of Dave even the hardest most weather beaten sessioncould be transformed into something equally if not more memorable.

The news of his premature death was received by Geoff and I whilst on a weeklongpike-fishing session. Interspersed with the sadness of the loss, as we reminisced whatwe remembered most of all was the laughter and the sometimes bizarre situations wemanaged to get ourselves in, often, it has to be said, due to Dave’s highly trustingnature, and his ability to attract every nutter within a mile radius! In fact, I didn’t knowanyone who didn’t like Dave; perhaps because he genuinely didn’t have a bad word tosay about anyone he met.Whether fishing in this country or abroad, his sheerbonhomie and good nature seemed to transcend mere language, just as well reallybecause Dave never managed to learn one ungarbled word of another language.It just didn’t matter; he still managed to communicate, somehow.

Dave had suffered some serious healthproblems in recent years, which latterlyseriously curtailed his fishing.

Still, visiting him to talk fishing wasalways a real boost, and I am sure Ispeak for his many friends when Isay that fishing will never be quitethe same with his passing.

James Holgate.

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Drains:MyFavouriteVenues

A brace of twenties at 20.10 and 21.00, caught half a mile apart.

ASeriesThatGivesMembersTheKnowledgeToSucceed

ThisQuarterGrahamSlaterCoversHisDrainPiking

TalkingTactics

Pike fishing on drains seems todivide people into two camps; thosethat hate it and those that love it.I’m firmly in the latter category andwould go as far as to say thatdrains are probably my favouritevenue. Judging by the amount oftimes I hear “I wouldn’t knowwhere to start” I think this must bethe biggest stumbling block for thenovice drain angler and there is noeasy answer.

What doesn’t work, in my experience,is relying on backside features such astrees, telegraph poles, fences etc. I havecaught pike from near these but I’ve alsocaught an awful lot from completelyfeatureless areas. I would even go as faras to say that pike captures close to exter-nal features can be a self-fulfilling prophecyin as much as always fishing near a certaintree produces a few pike! Well it will ifthat’s the only place you fish! My advice isto pick a stretch of water and work along itmethodically using the oft maligned‘leapfrogging’ method whereby the last rodis constantly moved in front of the first rodto cover new water until pike are located.

Search For Holding Areas.How far you space your rods, and theinterval between moving, is open to debateas everyone seems to have their ownideas. 20 minutes and about 20 yardsseems to work for me. What you aresearching for is an area that holds somepike. This may be as small as twentyyards, or as big as 100 yards in a mile ofwater. However, whatever the size, it canprovide fantastic sport once identified.

As odd as it may sound you sometimesneed to work your way along a productivestretch until you are no longer catchinganything before you realise what theboundaries are. With this done it is worthgoing back and sitting it out in an area withpike present. Keep your eyes open for any

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