PIKELINES

Angler killed in Trent tragedy named

2012-01-20T18:49:00.001Z

A pike angler who died of hypothermia after his boat overturned in a weirpool was named today, along with the friend who was also plucked from the water by rescuers and survived.

Ian Steel and his companion Neville Payne were fishing at Collingham Weir, on the Trent, when their folding craft was sucked into the weirstream and overturned.

Both men were pulled from the river, but Mr Steel, 57 later died in hospital. Mr Payne is still being treated for the effects of hypothermia, local paper the Newark Advertiser reports.

"Collingham Angling Association, which controls angling on that stretch of river, has called for a barrier to be installed to prevent fishing boats getting too close to the weir," the paper says.

"British Waterways said it was reviewing safety at the weir, and would discuss the matter with the association and the fire service. It said it would consider extra warning signs and other measures."

Firefighters said the men had been in the water for up to 20 minutes when they arrived at the scene, after the alarm was raised by a lock keeper. Click here for the full report.

The PAC is urging all anglers to make safety their number one priority when going afloat.

"This tragedy underlines how dangerous being out on the water can be, no matter how experienced an angler you are," a spokesman said.

The death is the latest in a string of fatal accidents involving pike anglers. In March 2009, four men drowned after getting into difficulty on Scotland's Loch Awe.

The PAC is urging all anglers to wear lifejackets and ensure that their craft is capable of coping with weather and water conditions they are likely to encounter.

"All too often, we hear of people going out who are ill-equipped, in boats which are not up to the job," a spokesman said.

"Anyone going afloat this time of year should bear in mind that while a life jacket may keep you afloat, cold water can cause shock and the onset of hypothermia within minutes.

"Our thoughts and those of the angling community are with those involved, their families and friends at this time."

Click here to download a fact sheet about boat safety.

PAC in Keeping Loch Lomond documentary

2012-01-20T18:29:00.004Z

Pike fishing is included in a new TV documentary about Loch Lomond being broadcast next week.

PAC Secretary Graham Slater (left) was interviewed on the loch shore by film makers shooting Keeping Loch Lomond - a half-hour programme about the wide range of people who use the iconic Scottish water.

The programme is being broadcast on BBC2 on Thursday morning (5am, January 26) and will also be available online afterwards on the BBC iPlayer.

Programme notes say: "Jonathan Sutherland visits Loch Lomond to find out how the National Park Authority gets on with campers, hydro power developers, seaplane pilots and even gold miners. He looks at the ongoing delicate balancing act between development and conservation."

Graham flies the flag for pike anglers - many of whom were affected by a ban on camping on parts of the loch shore. As well as campers, who have been blamed for anti-social behaviour and litter along the banks, the ban includes anglers wishing to bivvy up by the water.

Programme information will also be available here on the BBC Scotland website.

Booze, drugs, nudity and swearing - that'll be the latest DVD on the gentle art of fly fishing for pike

2011-12-08T15:38:00.000Z

Inspired by tales of massive pike, they head for the wilds. But when they meet the locals, they find more than they bargained for...

A Backyard in Nowhere is subtitled a Fly Fishing Western but is actually a documentary, which charts the true story of a wilderness trip to Alaska by a group of Danish pike fly fishers.

Makers Mathis Eskjær, Peter Christensen, Peter Lyngby and Mikkel Poppelhøj say: "A Backyard in Nowhere is an independent film that mixes Western and Gonzo elements with traditional fly fishing.

"Blinded by stories of giant Northern pike, a trio of fly fishers set out to explore the remote Innoko River in Alaska. They end up getting a whole lot more than they bargained for.

"After the fly fishers meet the Native Americans that live in the drainage, their adventure begins to take wild twists and turns Moving deeper into the Backyard, the fly fishers find some of the best pike on the fly fishing ever caught on film.

"But, to their misfortune, the Backyard turns out to be a lot like the old West. Generous servings of booze, taking the law into ones own hands and gun slinging over a piece of land, are challenges that need to be overcome to find the giants of the Innoko."

The trailer (see above) contains some stunning shots of fish being hooked and returned in incredible surroundings.

Click here for more and details on how to order a copy.

King's Lynn PAC Christmas Bash on the Ouse

2011-11-17T22:41:00.001Z

King's Lynn PAC are having a Christmas social with a difference on the Ouse at Ten Mile Bank (left) on Sunday, December 11.

It's a roving predator comp, with a £250 first prize plus £50 for the biggest fish.

Have a look at their blog for more info here.

The latest lure fishing gimmick..?

2011-11-17T22:40:00.000Z

A clippy-on thingammy that makes the line "pulse"..? Who reckons that one's going to catch on then.

In pictures: 36lbs scottish pike to Kevin Martin

2011-11-14T19:29:00.001Z

The following e-mail has arrived at PAC Towers from scottish angler Kevin Martin. It comes after rumours of a near 40lbs pike from an un-named loch - Kevin has now sent us two pictures of the fish.

"I caught a 36lb 2oz pike on the 12th of this month with rod and line using dead bait a 12 foot zenith pike rod a bait runner 60 reel and 20lb braid using (full eel) my wife and I were fishing a loch in scotland that I would prefer not to name as we are the only two people who have permission to fish it," he said.

"The fish weighed 37lb 5oz weighed in my fox landing net the nets weight is 1lb 3oz when wet. We used digital scales and non digital scales to weigh the fish. The fish was clean hooked in the upper lip and was returned to the loch unharmed.

"I have been pike fishing for 20 years and this is by far my pb, it would be grately appreciated if you could list this catch on your website as its a massive achievement for me after so many years angling."

Kevin describes himself as a big chap - 6ft and 20-stone. Clearly a big fish, as you can see from the second picture.

EA averts major fish kill on Norfolk river

2011-11-14T19:21:00.001Z

A major fish kill may have been averted on Norfolk's River Wissey after the Environment Agency deployed aerators to boost oxygen levels in the river.

Fisheries officers stepped in after fish including more than 50 large bream, roach, tench, perch and pike were found dead on Wissey Pools, near the Wissington Sugar Factory.

Tests revealed low oxygen levels, believed to have been caused by low flows during the ongoing drought. The Wissey is shallow, particularly upstream of the pools where there is a large, silted mere.

The EA has placed aerators near Wissington bridge and further downstream on the Hilgay village stretch (pictured). Experts are now monitoring oxygen levels in the river daily.

Lure match aims to build bridges between anglers

2011-11-14T19:19:00.001Z

A lure match is being held at Ferry Meadows, at Peterborough, on Saturday, November 26, as part of a project to integrate Eastern European and British anglers.
It's being organised by Rado Papiewski, the Angling Trust's Building Bridges project manager. Registration will start at 8.30 am with fishing starting from 9.00am - 1pm.
"Prizes and barbecue will take place at 2pm so we will have some time to discuss the catches and exchange some experience," said Rado.
Entry is £10, plus £5 day ticket. For more information or to book a place, e-mail radoslaw.papiewski@anglingtrust.net . Click here for more on the venue.

Farewell to much-loved Norfolk bailiff John Block

2011-11-04T20:15:00.000Z

Pentney Lakes, where John Block was the much-loved warden

Norfolk's countryside lost one of its true characters when John Block lost his battle with cancer, writes Chris Bishop.

He was as old as the hills and he lived on steak and potatoes, washed down with the odd whisky or two, in a cabin in the woods at Pentney Lakes, where he was on-site warden after retiring from farming.

John wasn't a man for the indoor life. He knew the wildlife above and beneath the surface like the back of his leathery hands.

His wry observations on life and the many anglers who crossed his path peppered our bankside chats like buckshot - not to mention the occasional brush with officialdom.

"You won't catch 'em here - they're all over there," he said countless times, pointing off to some distant swim. "I keep telling you boys you're in the wrong place but no-one listens to Old John."

With his ancient spaniel Mr Fonty plodding along behind, he did his rounds on an electric mobility scooter for the last couple of winters as age and illness finally began to overtake him.

This silent mode of transport meant he could creep up right behind you and make you jump out of your skin, before he'd disappear in a fog of cigar smoke, laughing like a drain.

Not so long ago, he'd be thundering up the Coast Road to Hunstanton on his Harley Davidson on fine afternoons. He never took his 'Hawg out when it rained.

But he'd be out beside his beloved lakes through the worst of the winter, pondering nature's comings and goings with our rag tag crew even when he knew his days were numbered.

His vice-like grip had loosened a notch or two when we shook hands at the end of last season. "Don't you worry, I'll see you come September," he said.

John died on October 29, surrounded by his family. When I heard he'd left us, I thought about leaving a wreath in the Barbecue Swim, but somehow that wasn't John. I went fishing elsewhere, leaving the pike in Pentney in peace.

As dusk fell over the Fens and I wound the baits in, the geese cried like they were mourning a lost friend. I poured a whisky, mouthed a toast and threw the rest in the river, before I packed the rods away in tears.

John left a lasting mark on many anglers. His funeral is at Mintlyn Crematorium, near King's Lynn, on Wednesday, November 9 (4pm). Family flowers only, donations to Cancer Research UK.

Old Bedford River crisis latest from the EA

2011-11-04T20:07:00.002Z

Environment Agency officials have responded to concerns over the state of the Old Bedford River - a once-prolific drain in the Fens, where fish surveys have shown a 90% decline in silver fish stocks.

"The fish survey carried out in the spring this year showed a decline in the number of silver fish caught," the EA said. "This does not necessarily mean that there has been a decline in fish stocks per se, just that that there were not so many caught in the survey areas.

"There were some large tench, large pike over 20lbs and big perch caught in the survey. We believe the silver fish were shoaling around Welches Dam. We will continue to closely monitor the fish population in future surveys."

Yes, there were a handful of large fish caught, during surveys carried out at five locations on the Bedford. Anglers have been catching a few as well - like this 19lbs sample pictured above, caught by PAC member Mark Ross.

But roach and bream can't all have cleared off to Welches Dam, because the sluice downstream of Welney Bridge remains closed most of the time.

And the issue of siltation in the lower reaches, resulting from muddy water being allowed in from the tidal Ouse via the sluice at Salters Lode to replenish levels after abstraction, is a disaster waiting to happen.

When the Bedford suffered a catastrophic fish kill in 2002, the experts blamed a build-up of silt. Toxins were released after the bed of the drain was disturbed by heavy rainfall. The same experts recommended dredging, and this took place on the Welney stretch the following year.

There's anecdotal evidence water was being abstracted from the drain at the height of this summer's drought.

The EA went on: "There has been a really dry summer and we needed to balance the demand for water for irrigation of food, public consumption and the needs of the environment."

How about an investigation into exactly where the water's going..? Who's abstracting it and why can't irrigation reservoirs be topped up during the winter, to tide farmers through dry summers.?

The EA also said it operated an ongoing dredging programme. This winter, it plans to clear a 5km stretch of the upper drain at Sutton.

"We should return to the Salters Lode sction in the next two to three years," it adds. "However, we are reviewing the condition of this stretch to assess whether there is a more urgent need to do works before the planned cycle."

Locals who know the water believe it needs action now, with dredging to restore depths to 6ft before a re-stocking programme.

Click here for our story on fears for fish stocks in the Bedford. More on this soon.

Pikelines is on the presses, out soon

2011-11-04T19:39:00.000Z

Presses roll.... Pikelines is at the printers, meaning it will be winging its way to members next week.

One highlight is Dilip Sarkar's investigation into the cased pike claimed as the River Wye record - the true story behind the headlines, in an incredible tale that made the Daily Mail.

There are one or two thought-provoking pieces on tactics, plus all the usual news, views and reviews from the PAC.

Keep an eye out for the postman (or postwoman, or postperson...) if you're a member. And stand by for another cracking read.

New fears for fish stocks in Fen drain

2011-11-03T07:46:00.000Z

Fish numbers have fallen by 92% in a once prolific Fenland drain, which is under threat from over-abstraction and siltation.

Surveys carried out by the Environment Agency earlier this year show stocks of roach and bream have almost completely collapsed in parts of the Old Bedford River. Few adult fish remain in isolated pockets around Welney and Welches Dam.

Despite this, EA officials have allowed turbid water from the tidal Ouse to flow into the drain all summer, to restore levels after abstraction by drought-hit farmers.

Large amounts of blanket weed have also been pushed through the sluice, prompting fears fish could be wiped out completely in the lower reaches.

The Bedford was dredged in 2003, after a catastrophic fish kill claimed thousands of pike, tench and silver fish. Experts blamed toxins released from silt on the bed of the shallow waterway, which was disturbed by a heavy downpour.

Now the bottom end of the drain has silted heavily upstream of the sluice at Salters Lode, near Downham Market. Reed can be seen growing in the middle of the channel, while parts of the lower reaches are also covered in blanket weed.

PAC anglian liaison officer Denis Moules, who represents pike anglers on the Lower Ouse and Fenland Fisheries Consultative, has fished the drain since boyhood.

“I would like to see it restored to its former glory,” he said. “That means silt removal from Salter’s Lode, and blanket weed removed from sections where it’s abundant. It needs re-stocking but they can’t just put fish back in if they’re just going to be lost again.”

A report compiled by the Angling Trust’s Eastern Region Fishery Forum warns: “During the summer, levels in the Old Bedford reduce to danger levels during times of heavy irrigation. We suggest that much of this abstraction is indiscriminate and unsupervised and water stored in reservoirs is not being used by farmers.

“The situation is being made worse in that low water levels are being replenished by dirty water from the tidal Great Ouse. This silt-ridden water has once again reduced the depth in the lower reaches and the drain is now shallow and half its normal width.

"Added to this, mitten crabs have now entered the drain with the tidal water and are present in great numbers."

Regional chairman Kelvin Allen said trust officials hoped to bid for government funding to restore the Bedford. Clubs which control fishing on the drain want dredging to be carried out from Salters Lode towards Welney, restoring depths to 6ft.

They are also calling for an investigation into abstraction by farmers and whether levels could be replenished from other sources than the tidal Ouse.

+++ Click here to download the report from the Angling Trust's regional forum. So far, the EA has not responded. More on this story soon.

Denis Moules talk in King's Lynn

2011-10-23T19:34:00.002+01:00

King's Lynn PAC have their first meeting in yonks this week. It's at the Wm Burt Club, West Winch, on Wednesday night (7.30pm).

Denis Moules is special guest, with a talk about his pike fishing career in the Fens and some of his recent catches.

Then there's some grown-up stuff they want to bounce off local pike anglers, like what they want from the re-launched region, the state of a key local fishery and setting up a River Watch.

They've got Neville Fickling and Derrick Amies lined up for talks before Christmas and other activities in the pipeline.

Mick Brown special guest at Essex PAC

2011-10-20T18:56:00.001+01:00

Mick Brown's on his way to Basildon to be special guest of the Essex PAC on Thursday, October 27. It's all happening at the Winged Horse pub, Luncies Rd, Basildon, Essex SS14 1SB, at 7.30pm.

Entry is £4 PAC members and £5 non-PAC members, everybody welcome. That includes some haute cuisine (Essex speak for hot food...).

Mick's topped off a predator fishing career which has seen him catch more than 300 twenties, including 23 over 30lbs, by writing a book Mick Brown Professional Pike Angler. This sold out at the Convention earlier this month, but Mick will be bringing some with him and his biro.

For more info on forthcoming talks and outings, click here to visit the Essex PAC blog.

Courtship of the pike filmed underwater

2011-10-20T12:30:00.000+01:00

Remember Dean Burman from a PAC Convention or two ago..? Here's some underwater footage of pike courtship, presented by Alan Titchmarsh.

This is amazing stuff, if you haven't seen it before.

Pike comes to sticky end

2011-10-20T10:00:00.000+01:00

Curious how some stories about pike capture the imagination of the mainstream press.

Here's the latest from the East Anglian Daily Times, in Suffolk - about a pike which "survived capture three times", before choking to death on a carp. More here.

Not everyone's been struggling in the Fens

2011-10-19T19:04:00.001+01:00

While many have had a run of poor results in the Fens, King's Lynn RO Ashley Brown had two 28lbs pike from different waters near King's Lynn last winter, plus a repeat capture of one at 27lbs.

Check out the King's Lynn PAC gallery for bigger pics of the pair here. One of the fish is believed to have died over the summer, but the other's very much alive as far as we know - and she might just push the next person who catches her's PB over the magical 30lbs mark this winter.

You'll have to find her first though. Ash is tight-lipped, saying only that the fish came from a drain on a lure.

One way to find out more about fishing the Fens is go along to the re-launched King's Lynn PAC's first meeting next Wednesday, October 26, at the WM Burt Club, at West Winch (7.30pm).

Guest speaker is Denis Moules - who's also got a knack for bagging big pike while others are struggling. Click here for an interview with Denis about that.

Could new super line spell the end for braid

2011-10-19T18:23:00.002+01:00

Most predator anglers these days use braid. Its super strength and zero stretch have revolutionised both bait and lure fishing.

Now tackle giants Berkeley have unveiled what they claim is the next generation of super-line. Called Nanofil, it's being billed as a cross between braid and a hi-tech mono, spun from hundreds of micro filaments.

Total Coarse Fishing has more on the story here.

From one of our Twitter followers @canadiandayman: "That Nanofil is absolutely awesome! Super sensitive an I CANNOT break the 8lbs test without a knife..." Anyone else tried it..?

Frost, snow - pike fishing weather on the way

2011-10-16T20:03:00.000+01:00

If you've been moaning about how how mild it's been, be careful what you wish for. For arctic temperatures are on the way this week, according to the papers.

The mercury fell to nearly -2C in Santon Downham, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. last night. Parts of the Fens saw their first frost. Elsewhere, forecasters reckon Scotland and the North could even be in for some snow this week.More on that here.

Rain's on the way too, which will warm the hearts of river anglers. We posted some links to weather sites a few days back - click here if you missed it.

Whether the first proper cold snap gets 'em on the feed or more pike are caught because more people are out fishing for them's a moot point.

But one thing's certain - there's nothing like the first frosts to get pike anglers itching to get out there and at 'em.

Graffham does a thirty

2011-10-15T20:10:00.001+01:00

Total Coarse Fishing is tonight reporting the capture of a 33lbs pike from Graffham. More here.

Rotherham and Sheffield PAC fish-ins

2011-10-12T10:30:00.000+01:00

Rotherham and Sheffield PAC have announced a programme of fish-ins, from Hornsea Mere to the Tidal Trent, including stillwaters and a trip to the Broads. More on their blog here.

British Pike Squad beat the Irish

2011-10-11T19:43:00.002+01:00

Team GB regained the International Pike Challenge trophy in a thrilling display over the weekend against Ireland on the Fens around Peterborough.

The British squad amassed a total on Saturday of 63 pike for 150 lbs 11oz, against that of Ireland's 53 pike for 97lbs 3oz. A lead of 53lbs 8oz to take into the second day of competition.

Sunday saw a spirited fight back from the Irish which at one stage threatened to overhaul the impressive Day 1 lead held by Great Britain. However, the British soon started to match the Irish and to maintain a catch rate throughout the remainder of the day.

At the end of the day, Great Britain had but for a few ounces matched the weight of that of Saturday, whilst Ireland had managed a very creditable 139lbs 6oz. Team GB taking the honours again with a lead on the day of just over 9 lbs.

Overall the British had a two-day total of 300lbs 13oz against that of Ireland's 238 lbs 9oz. A win for Great Britain by 62 lbs 4oz.

The Two teams were:

Great Britain: Jaub Potrykus (captain), Andrew Waller, Paul Danby, Mark Groom, Derek Lowe, Mark Lloyd, John Currie, Adam Holmes, Gary Edwards & Wayne Lees.

Ireland: Paul Dennis (captain), Jimmy Clarke, Eugene McCabe, Andrej Duran, Brendan Jarvis, Joe Coleman, Robbie McShane, Ibar Condron, Gary Quinn & Eddie McGurk.

The International saw the first ever non-nationals representing Britain and Ireland in Jakub Potrykus (Poland) as captain for Great Britain, and Andrej Duran (Slovakia) for the Irish.

Next year will see the 21st International meeting between the two nations held somewhere in Ireland at the beginning of October. Click here for a report on the recent team selection event.

New predator fishing "bookazine" launched

2011-10-11T19:25:00.002+01:00

A new predator fishing "bookazine" is about to hit the shelves. It's being launched under publisher David Hall's Total Coarse Fishing brand, which also includes general coarse, match and carp fishing titles.

A few details were announced on Twitter earlier today. A post on the firm's website said:

"Total Predator Fishing is crammed full of tips, information, ideas and features to improve your predator angling.

"Whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first specimen perch, an experienced pike angler looking to get that extra edge, or a seasoned eel pro just after a great read, this is for you.

Bringing you the very best tactics and inspirational features from such top anglers as Mick Brown and Duncan Charman, Total Predator Fishing is available exclusively in WHSmith stores, as well as direct from Total Coarse Fishing through the magazine."

So what's the weather really going to do..?

2011-10-11T10:00:00.000+01:00

BRRRR - a frosty dawn on Norfolk's River Bure

So what IS the weather going to do this season..? More to the point, are we facing the freeze-up that's hit the headlines over the last couple of weeks - hot on the heels of the drought and short-lived indian summer..?

There are stacks of weather sites where you can check conditions before you head out. Some give longer-term predictions, though these don't always prove to be on the button. Here's a couple of useful sites:

Metcheck.com - offers tailored forecasts by postcode, which are useful if you're watching a particular water or area to see how conditions pan out. More here.

Metoffice.gov - the Met Office website. Lots of data and forecasts you can dip into by region or area, along with real-time(ish) maps. They also do an app you can download if you have an iPhone More here.

Accuweather.com - new kid on the block that offers forecasts by postcode and 15-day predictions, along with a mobile app that offers an hour-by-hour forecast. More here.

Found any others that are worth a look..? Let us know.

+++Heavy snowfalls and temperatures as low as -20 on the way. More here.

Police appeal over missing angler

2011-10-10T22:09:00.000+01:00

Police in Scotland are appealing for information about an angler missing for more than a week.

John Stewart (pictured) was last seen by his father leaving the family home in Auchnacraig Road, Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, to go fishing with a friend early on Sunday, October 2. His father reported him missing after he did not come home after two days.

John is described as 38 years old, white, 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build with brown hair going grey. He has tattoos on both arms; a unicorn and a cross on his left arm and an eagle on his right. It is not known what he was wearing at the time he disappeared.

Sgt Alan Orr, from Clydebank police, said: "John, who lives with his elderly father in Clydebank, used to go fishing sometime ago, however, he has not expressed an interest in this for a good while.

“On Sunday he said that he was going out fishing with an old friend he had met from Bearsden. He said the man was called Peter, however, we do not know who this person is – although it is thought he may be an old army buddy.

“The areas he would have gone fishing are Greenside Reservoir, Carneddans Wood, Queens Reservoir and the Endrick River, however, all of these areas have been searched by officers with no trace.

“It is not like John not to keep in contact with his dad or family or to be away for any length of time, hence the concern for him.

“I would ask that either himself contact police to let them know all is ok, or for ‘Peter’ or anyone with information that will help find him to speak to police."

Sgt Orr said anyone with information should call 0141 532 3300.

PAC regional meetings calender

2011-10-10T20:58:00.001+01:00

What's happening down your way on the meetings front..? Over on the Pike Angler website, Andy Webster's done a complete list stretching right through the season. Click here for all the latest diary dates.

Mega thanks to Andy. If you skim down the right hand side of this blog, you'll find links to lots of regional blogs and other sites - also well worth a look.

If you've found us via an e-mail, feed or tweet; click here to see the whole blog.

Klever Klips for pike fishing

2011-10-10T19:44:00.000+01:00

Every now and then, someone flags up some clever little bit of kit which costs pennies but makes pike fishing just that bit easier.

Check out Dave Lumb's latest blog post for more on these new clips, which enable to you add or remove a float from your rig without breaking everythig down.

We know, you can use a snap swivel to attach your float. But when you remove the float, the swivel stays on the line. These look like a serious improvement. Hat tip Dave, click here to read the full post.

Dom Garrett hits Devon for talk

2011-10-10T11:30:00.000+01:00

Dom Garrett's been hailed as one of our most promising new angling writers. He's the guest speaker at Devon PAC's meeting at the Mill on the Exe, Exeter, on Tuesday, October 25. More here.

Denis Moules interviewed by Lynn PAC

2011-10-09T18:53:00.000+01:00

King's Lynn PAC have Denis Moules as their special guest, when they relaunch their region at the Burt Club, West Winch, on October 26.

There's a sneak preview of what Digger's going to tell the carrot crunchers on their website here.

World record pike - claimed to be 63lbs....!

2011-10-09T10:30:00.000+01:00

Here's another brute shown on YouTube with scant detail, other than caught in Poland, at a claimed weight of 63lbs 14oz.

There's no denying it's one very, very big pike. What do you think weight-wise..?

52lbs pike from Italy on YouTube

2011-10-08T17:50:00.003+01:00

Check out this Italian lump on YouTube. It's claimed at 24kg - more than 52lbs - by Maurizio " Pikeman" Rossini, from a water in Tuscany.

TV turns spotlight on Lomond bivvy ban

2011-10-07T18:26:00.003+01:00

Newly-introduced by-laws banning camping on the East Shore of Loch Lomond will drive pike anglers away and deprive the local economy of a much-needed winter boost.

That was the warning from Pike Anglers Club secretary Graham Slater (pictured), in a soon to be broadcast BBC documentary.

Anglers visiting the loch have camped peacefully beside the water for generations. Now those sleeping in "bivuoacs", "wigwams", tents or "any kind of shelter" face a £500 fine - along with those sleeping loch-side in vehicles.

Graham joined a film crew covering the ban beside the loch, to put pike angling's view across.

"I told them we don't condone rubbish in any way and that the camping ban is affecting our members," he said. "We feel that they could have tried other measures first with a total ban as a last measure, our members no longer bank fishing are depriving the local economy of much needed tourist cash, while the signs all over are putting off visitors."

National Park officials claimed litter and anti-social behaviour from gangs of rough campers were turning the Bonny Bonny Banks into an eyesore.

But the PAC joined the Scottish Ramblers and other outdoor enthusiasts in opposing the proposals when they were first announced last March.

There have been calls to extend the ban to other lochs, including Tay and Tummel. More on the background here. Details of new by-laws here.

Download free pike fishing magazines

2011-10-04T10:00:00.000+01:00

We've added a couple of more recent issues of our members' magazine Pikelines to our website, which you can download for free.

Click here for the Winter 2008 issue. Or here for Spring 2009. There are several other magazines from way back when you can download and enjoy from the Tips and Articles section of our new-look website here.

PAC members get four issues of Pikelines a year. Many tell us the magazine alone is worth the price of their subscription.

UK Monsters trailer vid, with Mick Brown

2011-10-03T17:05:00.001+01:00

The latest pike fishing gadget - from TESCO

2011-10-03T16:34:00.001+01:00

It was Mrs Pikelines who found it on a trip to Tesco. "I've got you a present," she said. "It was only £3 but I thought it would be good for fishing."

Mrs P turned out to be spot-on, because for £3 you can get this sexy little precision file that's just the job for sharpening up the hooks on your bait fishing traces.

It's pen-sized, with a clip to go on a pocket or keep it safe in your bag or rucker. Unscrew the knob at the end and a retractable file slides out with a groove (left) that's just right for the size of trebles most people use for bait fishing.

One or two swipes soon restored the point to some tired old VMC hooks out of one of last season's rig bins.

Blunt hooks can cost you fish. It really is that simple. If they fail to find a secure hold, sod's law says they'll come out when that big twenty rears up and tail walks, throwing your bait as it goes skywards.

Most modern hooks are sharp straight out of the packet. But you'd be surprised how quickly they blunt - especially if you fish gravel pits.

Who'd have thought Tesco would have the answer, in a surprisingly good little gadget..?

Mick Brown talk in Dartford on Tuesday

2011-10-03T15:44:00.000+01:00

Mick Brown's giving a rare talk at a Thames gateway PAC meeting on Tuesday night.

More details on the Thames Gateway blog here.

How to fish for pike on fen drains

2011-10-02T17:00:00.000+01:00

You either love fishing 'em or you hate 'em - but there are some great pike to be caught on fen drains, according to a new article by Graham Slater on our website.

Graham explains how he keeps mobile and the simple rig he uses to cut down on the amount of kit he has to carry.

He also answers the biggest question facing those who struggle on these seemingly-featureless waters, which criss-cross the Fens of Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire: How to you find the pike in the first place, and locate the bigger specimens like this belter on the right..?

What counts is what's under the water - not the obvious features you see on the bank, argues Graham.

Click here to read the full nine yards. We'll be adding new pike fishing tips to our new-look website throughout the winter to help you catch more pike.

If you bookmark us, subscribe to this blog or click here to follow us on Twitter, you won't miss a trick as the season gets under way.

Derrick Amies talk on Teeside

2011-10-02T16:30:00.000+01:00

NORFOLK LEGENDS: Dennis Pye and Derrick Amies

Former record holder Derrick Amies is guest speaker up on Teeside on Tuesday night.

Derrick was taken under the wing of Broads legend Dennis Pye as a young lad and went on to eclipse his catches, developing his unique method of dumbell fishing along the way. His theories fly in the face of many modern assumptions about pike location, so it's bound to be an interesting night.

It's being held at the Coxhoe WMC, 3 Blackgate East, Coxhoe, Durham DH6 4AA (7pm). Entry £4 on the door, under 16's free.

Eddie Turner will also be taking along his tackle stand.

Read an interview with Derrick from Pikelines on our website here.

BREAKING NEWS: Perch record broken

2011-10-02T13:44:00.001+01:00

Ken Brown has beaten the perch record by an ounce, with a 6lbs 4oz fish from Wilstone Reservoir. Total Coarse Fishing are reporting the story here.

Ever had this happen..?

2011-10-02T08:00:00.000+01:00

Salisbury-based Pike Anglers Club member Rob Nixon got a shock when a jack followed a 20 literally right into his landing net.

We've got an online gallery featuring pictures from our members.

Whether you've caught a big pike or just want to show off a well-marked fish or even one of the amazing landscapes pike anglers enjoy on their winter forays, why not e-mail it to our webmaster Skip..?

Here's another shot from Rob - a cracking, mint 30lbs fish, no less.

Have a scroll through our gallery for more great pike pictures here.

Pike anglers pack out PAC Convention

2011-10-01T18:29:00.000+01:00

MOBBED: Today's Convention, at Kettering

Pike anglers from across the UK flocked to the PAC Convention at Kettering today. The event saw a healthy rise in attendance, first-class speakers and one of the best displays of tackle and all things pike-related we've enjoyed for several seasons.

There were long queues before the doors opened at 9am. Bleary-eyed organisers and traders were mobbed from the word go, as crowds surged into the venue.

Stands did brisk business for the first hour, as bargain hunters blitzed the second-hand stalls and crowded around the likes of Eddie Turner, PikePro, Fox and Franglais Fishing to sample this season's latest gear.

Alan Dudhill, from PikePro, said trade was much busier than at our 2011 event. "It's always worth coming to the event," he said. "Last year, it was busy for the first hour than it tailed off, but it's been constant this year."

One of this year's new attractions was the day-long series of junior teach-ins organised by Eric Edwards, with help from Mick Brown, Denis Moules, David Wolsencroft-Dodds, Jules Chidgey, Ashley Brown and other coaches.

Many PAC members are concerned at the lack of younger anglers joining their ranks, at a time when specialist angling appears to be becoming an increasingly middle-aged sport.

That view struck a chord with sponsors PikePro and Baitbox, who donated gear for workshops on trace making and other pike fishing basics - and ensured every junior went home with a goody box of essential end tackle and forceps.

PikePro boss Paul Bird - pictured left with one of the packs - explained: "It's for the future of the club, that's why a load of old fogeys are doing it. It's a worthwhile thing to do."

"It was excellent," said Mick Brown. "The average age was younger than we were expecting, but they were very receptive to what we were saying."

"If you look around you, how many people do you see in their teens and twenties," said Mick. "When I hang up my rods, I'd like to think that everything I've enjoyed will be enjoyed by the next generation - not that I'm planning on hanging up my rods any time soon."

Above the banter generated by hundreds of pike anglers, the din was punctuated by loud shrieks coming from Eddie Turner's stand. Enter the Nano Biter - a new, compact rear alarm that was making heads turn.

Developer Richard Halliday, who has spent two years perfecting the £59.99 gizmo (seen right), said: "The whole thing weighs less than 45g, if you're worried about space and weight in your bag. It's got a mercury tilt switch and a carbon fibre arm.

"There's been amazing interest, we've sold far more than we expected and everyone seems excited about it - it's really encouraging."

One thing that's less than encouraging right now is the weather. If you believe the forecasts, it's going fluctuate from one extreme to the other, with a brief indian summer followed by plummetting temperatures and another freeze-up.

But Stephen and Diana Crook might just have the answer to that one. For the couple, who come from Surrey, brought along a display of the gear they use on their annual trips to Canada, where they're caught pike to 27lbs by fishing through the ice.

"We've been going to Canada every year to fish for channel catfish and a friend out there asked if we'd ever thought of coming back for the winter," said Stephen (seen left). "We went over for the first time in 2005 and we've been going back ever since."

If you think recent winters over here have been harsh, spare a thought for the Canadians. They drill holes through three feet of ice and fish using tip ups - a hand line on a spindle packed with grease, which suspends a bait through a borehole, with a flag which pops up to indicate a run.

"The average over there is -20C," said Stephen, demonstrating a tip-up alongside his ice centre and thermal suit. "Last January, it was -47C."

Let's hope this winter doesn't see things get quite as cold as that. As attendees took a breather outside in today's sunshine and the coaches laid on casting contests for the youngsters, the view was that this year's Convention was the best in some time.

Dave Horton kicked things off in the packed main theatre, after PAC President Tim Kelly's welcome address. "Dave did a cracking talk, it was heaving in there and he was really funny," said Tim.

Next up was Micky Jones - resplendent in traditional kilt and sporran - for a Highland McPike Fest called Setting the Heather Alight.

Once trough-up was over, Norfolk author and historian Stephen Harper took to the stage with his tales of the Pike of Broadland. Then it was the turn of Neville's Pike Panel, chaired by Neville Fickling, for the usual lively Q&A session.

As Convention Organiser Colin Goodge revealed in his closing address, we're off to pastures new next year. Harrogate's the venue for Piking2012, on Saturday, September 22.

We'll br bringing you more news as we get it on next year's event. In the meantime, thanks for coming along today, whether you were one of our army of helpers, one of the traders who did us so proud, or one of the hundreds who came to enjoy the talks, the banter and stock up for the season.

See you in Harrogate, if we don't bump into you on the bank this winter.

Piking2012 venue announced

2011-10-01T17:30:00.000+01:00

Next year's Pike Anglers Club Convention will be held at Pavillions of Harrogate on Saturday, September 22. PAC Convention Organiser Colin Goodge announced the news at the close of this year's event at Kettering.

"I thought to be fair we should go further north to show support for all those lads up that way," said Colin. "I asked Brian Birdsall and Peter Green to look at and select a number of venues up that way, I then went up and met Brian and we looked at them and decided Pavillions of Harrogate was in the best accessable position and offered us the best facilities at the right price."

Work on organising next year's event is already under way. In the meantime, stick September 22 in your diary. And stay tune for more news soon - subscribe to our blog, or follow @pikelines on Twitter for all the latest on Piking2012.

Click here for more on today's event.

Twitter for pike anglers

2011-10-01T06:30:00.000+01:00

One reason we keep banging on about Twitter, is it's just about the best way to keep in touch these days.

Today's a great example - follow @pikelines and get all the latest on the Convention straight to your mobile phone, whether it's when a speaker's on or when the bar's open.

Sign up here to get an account - it literally takes two minutes. Then follow @pikelines. Simples.

We're off to Kettering for the PAC Convention

2011-09-30T06:00:00.000+01:00

Not long to go now - just 24 hours, if you're coming to Kettering for the PAC Convention tomorrow.

A night of arm-ache, sweaty lifts and the odd expletive for the happy band of PAC roadies, who are heading up today to help traders get set up and check the beer's OK.

It's looking good, with the best part of 30 trade stands, ranging from big names to independent rod and lure makers - click here for latest list.

We'll be posting the odd update to let you know how things are going. Or you can follow us on Twitter - if you've not already joined, just set up an account, which takes all of 30 seconds at http://www.twitter.com/, then follow @pikelines for all the latest from the event. Tweet us with the hashtag #pac.

Follow us on the day for info on when speakers are starting, when the bar's open etc.

Directions to the venue via a map here. If you're using a SatNav or mobile phone app, it's in Thurston Drive, Kettering - postcode NN15 6PB.

Doors open 9am, first speaker Dave Horton and the junior workshops both kick off at 10am. Click here for the day's programme in full.

Remember, the event's for all pike anglers - you don't have tio be a PAC member to attend.

Advance thanks, by the way, to all the helpers who've volunteered their time to help us set up or give a hand with all the countless tasks that need doing on the day.

Thanks to all the traders for continuing to support us, despite the economic gloom. And most of all thanks to everyone who's coming along to the event, whether you're a regular or a first-timer.

We hope you have a great day - and go away fired up for the start of another season's pike fishing, wherever it takes you and whatever ends up in your landing net.

We'll be announcing the venue for next year's Convention towards the end of the afternoon.

And in case you missed it. click here for a few tips on how to get the most from the day.

New look Pike Anglers Club website

2011-09-29T15:17:00.000+01:00

Webmaster Mike Skipper's been beavering away down in deepest Sussex re-designing our website to freshen up the look and add some new content.

There are new issues of Pikelines to download, new articles and tips on pike fishing. Big hat tip to Skip.

Click here to see it.

Subscribe to the Pike Anglers Club by e-mail

2011-09-26T16:00:00.000+01:00

Got a BlackBerry, an iPhone or an Android..? If you pick up your e-mails on a handset rather than a PC or laptop, you can get info straight from the horse's mouth, straight into your inbox.

All you have to do is sign up to subscribe by e-mail - and make sure you click on the link in the confirmation message, which will probably end up in your spam or junk mail folder.

Once your account's confirmed, you'll get an e-mail every time we update our blog, formatted to look just peachy on your mobile.

How to get the best from the PAC Convention

2011-09-24T17:04:00.002+01:00

If you haven't been to a Pike Anglers Club Convention before, you're in for a treat. It's the biggest and best event of its kind on the UK predator fishing scene, which is why so many see it as the best way to kick off their season.

But PAC Conventions can be a bit daunting to newcomers, because there's so much going on. So here's a quick guide to how to get the most from the event - which is open to all, you don't have to be a PAC member to come along to pike fishing's showcase event..

Get there early's good advice. The venue's in Thurston Drive, Kettering NN15 6PB. Key the postcode into your SatNav or mobile app for directions. Click here for a map from the venue's website - it's 15 minutes' walk from Kettering station for those travelling to the event by rail.

There's usually a queue before the doors open at 9am for a good reason - seasoned bargain hunters know the second-hand lure and tackle stalls do a roaring trade right from the off, so the first through the doors get the pick of what's on offer.

Bring your own kit to sell, if you've got any reels, rods, luggage, lures or other odds and ends you no longer use. Especially popular are Baitrunners (particularly the US-style), ABU multipliers (particularly left-hand wind 6000 and 5000 models), electric outboards, Delkims and any hard to find lures.

Mint, boxed lures command best prices. But time honoured favourites like Burts, Replicants, Shad Raps in unusual colour schemes and Landa Pikkos that have seen some use will also sell.

To save time, download and print off seller's form and stickers from the info library section of our website here, to give to stall helpers on the day.

If you're buying, examine any reels or rods carefully before you part with your hard-earned. Check the gears are smooth and the handles aren't bent on fixed spools and multipliers. Bail arms should snap shut with a turn of the handle, while the spool should re-engage first turn on a multiplier.

Give the spool a spin on multis, to check it rotates freely in free-spool (casting) mode. If it doesn't, it could mean a bent spindle - sometimes caused by pointing the rod at a snag and pulling for a break using strong braid.

Check the eyes and reel seat on rods before you buy, along with the spigots or overlap joints for excess wear.

It's worth bringing a backpack or bag to carry any small purchases you make - stick a plastic lunchbox or two in to carry lures safely.

Haggle - some sellers are willing to do a deal. Remember whether you're buying or selling that a percentage goes to support the work of the PAC.

Check out the programme and plan your day so you don't miss the speaker you've come all this way to see. Click here for line-up and times.

One reason the venue's been so popular is the food's reasonably-priced - it's a chips with everything hot buffet, so lunch shouldn;t break the bank. But queues do build up around lunchtime.

Several authors will have stalls selling their new books or current works. They're more than happy to sign them. You can bring books from your collection for people to sign as well.

It's free admission for accompanied juniors, and admission to this year's programme of junior teach-ins is also free. Any youngsters joining on the day at the reduced price of £7.50 get a 'goody bag' with kit worth more than twice that thanks to Pikepro/Baitbox, who are generously sponsoring this.

Please consider joining the PAC if you're not already a member. Anyone who signs up on the day gets a £5 discount, to reflect different admission prices for members (£10) and non-members (£15).

There wouldn't be a Convention without the traders who continue to support the club. We've got a good line-up again this year, ranging from one or two big names to independent rod and lure makers. Click here for full list.

One of the great things about the Convention - in this age of the internet - is it gives you the chance to try before you buy, and handle tackle items before you hand over your hard-earned. Almost all of our traders are pike anglers, who actually use the stuff they sell, so don't be afraid to ask questions.

While some may be able to accept payment by card, others will only be able to accept cash for payments - so make sure you bring enough folding stuff, as there's no cashpoint at the venue.

Please try to have the right money to hand on the door, as it helps keep the queue moving and get everyone into the venue in time to have a quick nose round the stalls before the talks begin.

Remember we're all volunteers and a lot of people are giving up their time to help us run the event, by staffing stalls, helping out on the door and doing all the other 101 things that need doing on the day. It's been virtually a full-time job at times for Convention organiser Colin Goodge.

The PAC Committee, speakers, traders and our army of helpers hope you'll have an enjoyable day and go away inspired to start your season.

We'd like to thank the incredibly accommodating staff at Kettering Conference Centre for putting up with us on our third convention at this superb venue.

We aim to move the event around every three years, so we'll be off to a different part of the UK next year. We'll be revealing the venue for Piking 2012 towards the end of the day. Work on organising the next Convention will start almost as soon as this one ends.

+++Follow @pikelines on Twitter for all the latest in the run-up to the event and on the day. Tweet us using the hashtag #pac.

Just a week to go...

2011-09-24T10:30:00.000+01:00

POLL: How good's the pike fishing going to be this winter..?

2011-09-23T08:00:00.000+01:00

There's a drought on in the Fens. The rivers are clear as gin elsewhere.

And to cap it all, they reckon we're heading for another freeze-up, with one forecaster predicting snow as early as the end of October for parts of the North and Scotland.

So the question everyone's asking is will this winter be any better than the last one on the pike fishing front..?

Can things get any worse than last winter, when many waters were frozen solid for weeks on end - or do you think things can only get better, results-wise.

Add your vote to our poll over on the right. And let us know how you think the winter will pan out.

PAC Convention programme in full

2011-09-22T18:30:00.000+01:00

Here's the full order of battle for the Pike Anglers Club Convention at Kettering Conference Centre on Saturday, October 1:

9am - Doors Open, Annual Members' Meeting

9.45am - Welcome Address from PAC President Tim Kelly

10am - Guest Speaker Dave Horton (main theatre...), Junior teach-ins get under way in Eric's Room.

11.05am - PAC Award Presentations, draw for Menteith events and competition winners (main theatre...)

11.30am - Coffee Break

11.45am Guest Speaker Micky Jones (main theatre...), Junior teach-ins continue in Eric's Room.

12.50pm Lunch is served

1.50pm Auction and Mega Raffle

14.45pn Guest Speaker Stephen Harper (main theatre...), final junior teach-in in Eric's Room.

15.50pm Coffee Break

16.15pm Neville Fickling's Pike Panel

17.15pm Closing Speech and thanks from Convention Organiser.

15.30 Close.

If you're using a SatNav or mobile phone app to find the venue, it's in Thurston Drive, Kettering - postcode NN15 6PB. Click here for a google map you can use to get directions.

British Pike Squad team selection 2011

2011-09-22T17:52:00.000+01:00

Mark Groom, with one of the fish that helped earn him a place in the British Pike Squad

They throw wobblers every year, when they do battle with their old rivals, the Irish. But before the gloves come off and the deadbaits and the banter fly in earnest, there's the small matter of deciding who's going to represent their country in a unique pike fishing show-down, when the two nations meet in Ireland in October 2012.

Welcome to the world of the British Pike Squad - a die-hard band who have perfected a uniquely mobile way of targeting predators. Two weeks ago, they held a a two-day Team Selection Final, as hopefuls slug it out in deepest Lincolnshire.

With 30 miles of drains to choose from, how can you show your skill in locating pike and your watercraft when it comes to catching them..? That was the question facing the band of hopefuls scanning the Sibsey Trader, near Boston, and the West Fen drain on day one. Squad PR man Peter Timmis takes up the story.

The Sibsey Trader was clear with plenty of weed and lily’s to hide the elusive pike, the West Fen was by far a much bigger water and far deeper, writes Peter. Below the sluice the water was clear with lots of weed cover but above the sluice the water looked much deeper and far more coloured with not so much weed.

An early start saw us all move off at 10.00am; we would then fish until 16.00, plenty of time to find where the pike were. Mark Groom (Northamptonshire) and Paul Higginson (Cumbria) went up the Sibsey Trader to areas that are rarely fished.

Jon Harcourt (Worcestershire), Rob Cook (Worcestershire), Peter Timmis (Stoke on Trent), Stuart Parker and Louise Hunns (Wisbech), and Jakub Potrykus (Cheltenham) stayed around the Golf club area, had they some knowledge that they were not sharing?

Up the main West Fen, some-one was landing a fish, looked decent from afar, Derek Lowe (Cumbria) had one fairly quickly and things were looking good.

Glenn Neave (Norwich), Roy Rushbrook (Norwich), Andy Waller (Worcestershire), Adam Holmes (St Neots) and Wayne Leese (Oxfordshire) were busy around the sluice gates, Wayne latched into a fish of around 5lb – 6lb only to see it roll and shed the hooks, fuur baits quickly hit the water around where he had lost it, but this fish was not stupid and was not to be caught.

Glenn Neave and Paul Danby (Derbyshire) had found an area of pike that seemed to be queuing up to be caught, one after another in such a short stretch of water, lady luck was smiling.

Meanwhile Adam Holmes and Andy Waller decided that they would see if it was possible to walk the 30 miles, how they expected to catch any pike only god knows, truth be told they only did to Boston and back and then up another 3 mile up the trader and another 3 mile to a tiny drain that ran off the Trader.

First cast and Andy Waller was into a small jack of 2lb, Adam Holmes very soon after was also into a fish only to strike into nothing. Andy’s 4th cast was into another fish, this drain was full of tiny Pike 7oz upwards and up but to his surprise latched into a fish just under 5lb, this drain looked good, bank side evidence showed someone had been here earlier but did they go all the way down?

Gary Edwards (Derbyshire), John Currie (Norwich), Steve Roberts (Norwich), Pete Watson (Cumbria) and Ian Johnson (Cumbria) all seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth but such was the extent of the water we were fishing it was hard to try and keep track of everyone.

News was filtering back that Mike Brookshaw (Cumbria) and Mike Fretwell (Cumbria) was catching on the Trader, Louise and Stuart had walked up to the first bridge and crossed over to fish the other side, Louise had 2 fish to 10lb with over 2 hours left, Stuart was adamant he had only two small jacks (complete fabrication of the truth of course). The end of the first day came too soon.

Day two saw proceedings adjourn to the South Forty Foot drain, a big water which looked very daunting.

Static dead baits could be the order of the day but this is not what we do, its sink and draw or the odd lure.

We had three miles down the drain and approximately the same upstream, Adam Holmes had googled the maps and found a small fen running off the main drain, a long way up and risky but could be worth it.

Andy Waller and Adam Holmes went on their hike and walked for nearly an hour before they found the small fen, Adam fished the outlet and almost instantly struck into a fish of about 6lb only for it to spit the hooks, Andy meanwhile had 3 takes on the small fen and had a small jack of 2lb 6oz.

The water downstream was the local course match water and a number of the competitors headed that way, several anglers or more thought, “course fish = pike” only time would tell.

Paul Higginson was way up stream looking for some of the big fish that would see him into the team, they would surely be in this water, a fish of 38lb was known to have been caught right at the end of the match water.

Peter Timmis, Steve Roberts, Mark Groom and John Currie soon caught Andy Waller and Adam Holmes up, Andy was rooted to a corner of the small drain which met up with two smaller ones, it turned out he had lost a 9lb fish in that swim.

Adam was soon into fish, not big at 7oz but they all count. News was that only two pike had been caught on the main drain, without doubt this was going to be a crueller, or so we thought.

But Paul Danby, Louise Hunns and Gary Edwards were picking up a decent stamp of fish on the main drain.

Jakub Potrykus had a small jack of 2lb and followed up with a pike of 3oz and 1 of 1oz, a record surely and this would also turn out to be very important at the end of the match.

Peter Timmis (pictured right) tagged along with Paul Danby, Louise Hunns and Gary Edwards, a smart move as he hooked into a pike which would, if landed, cement his place in next year’s team, giving the fish time to turn the bait he struck into the fish only for it to hit the surface and spit the bait, what else could go wrong, so close yet so far. He cast out again and the fish hit the bait like an express train, no need to give this one any time he thought, it’s well and truly hooked, a short fight ensured and the fish was safely netted, weighed and returned.

Mark Groom was doing his best to pinch first place from Paul Danby but for all of his efforts could only manage 5 small pike, 3 under a pound.

Steve Roberts, who was still on the small fen wobbled a smelt under a footbridge and was rewarded with a jack of 2lb; this would certainly guarantee his place in next year’s team.

Paul Higginsion, still on the main drain, had found a few fish which had bumped up his weight, but would it be enough?

Stuart Parker was in panic mode, Paul, Gary, Louise were all catching fish on both sides of him and slowly but surely he was dropping down the list, was this to be another year he missed out?

As the match finished at 4pm, news came in that those that had walked had all caught reasonable fish (Adam Holmes and Andy Waller excluded). No one knew who had done what, all was soon revealed and this turned out to be one of the closest selection finals for many years.

Total fish caught day 1 = 116

Total fish caught day 2 = 35

The overall results and the team to face the Irish in Ireland next year are as follows:

1st Paul Danby (Derbyshire) 54lbs 3oz;

2nd Mark Groom (Northamptonshire) 34lbs 6oz;

3rd Gary Edwards (Derbyshire) 30lbs 3oz

4th Louise Hunns (Wisbech) 25lbs 8oz

5th Steve Roberts (Norwich) 21lbs 5oz

6th Glenn Neave (Norwich) 21lbs 4oz

7th Peter Timmis (Stoke on Trent) 20lbs 10oz

8th Stuart Parker (Wisbech) 19lbs 2oz

9th Mike Fretwell (Cumbria) 18lbs 15oz

10th Jakub Potrykus (Cheltenham) 18lbs 4oz

1st Reserve John Currie (Norwich) 18lbs 1oz

2nd Reserve Andy Waller (Worcestershire) 15lbs 3oz.

"Many thanks to Boston Angling Association for allowing us to use their water and in particular to Barry Mallet without whose help this close competition would not have been so rewarding for all," added Peter.

"Thank you to everyone that turned up, its just a shame that day two did not fish as well as day 1 and thanks to all the BPS committee for all their hard work in staging this event - roll on next year and this years International in Peterborough when we will be winning GOLD."

For more on the British Pike Squad, click here for their website. And click here for a piece on their unique method of fishing for pike.

PAC regional meetings diary

2011-09-21T23:25:00.003+01:00

Hat tip Andy Webster, who runs the Pike Angler website. He's put together a list covering stacks of regional meetings going on up and down the country, as the season gets under way.

They're in Pikelines and many regions have their own blogs, but this is probably the first time anyone's sat down and crashed out a complete list. Click here to see it.

The rest of his website's well worth a look as well, espcially if you're from the East Yorkshire area.

PAC Convention traders latest

2011-09-21T19:12:00.002+01:00

You might think we'd struggle to attract the usual number of traders what with all the recession doom and gloom.

But the latest word from organiser Colin Goodge is we've got nearly 30 large and small attending this year's show at Kettering, on October 1.

That means there'll be a hall full of tackle to browse and stock up on all those essential bits and pieces for the season ahead - along with stacks of books and other pike-related stuff.

Fox are bringing along a large tank, so you can try out their lures and see their action before you buy. And we're not sure if they're trying to tell us something about the kind of weather we can expect this winter, but we've also got an ice fishing guide coming over from Canada.

So far, the list looks a bit like this...

Fox International, Vale Royal Angling, the Tackle Shop (Gainsborough), Zoota Lures, Franglais Fishing, Dave Garner (lures), Dave Lumb Specialist Tackle, Baitbox, Pikepro, Eddie Turner, Coch-y-Bonddhu (books), Derrick Amies (book), Karen Sarkar (art), Zandervan, Chico's Lures, the Pike Shop, Dave Smith Ultralures, Esox on Ice, Bob Buteaux, Fenland Pike (book), Graham Booth (book), Mick Brown (book), David Miller Art and Catfish Pro.

Don't forget we'll also have the second-hand tackle and lure stalls - if you've got a few jerkbaits too many or a couple of old rods you no longer use, why not bring 'em along to flog.

Start your winter at the PAC Convention

2011-09-07T20:40:00.004+01:00

Mick Brown - who'll be helping out with junior coaching at the convention

There's no better way to kick off your winter campaign than the Pike Anglers Club's convention.

That's the message from Britain's top predator club, as it gets set for this year's bash at Kettering on Saturday, October 1.

"It's going to be a great day out for pike anglers of all ages, with something for both seasoned hands and beginners," said organiser Colin Goodge.

"We've got some top speakers, all the latest kit and everything you need to get your winter off to a good start."

New attractions include a programme of free junior teach-ins the PAC hopes will inspire the pike anglers of the future.

Top names like Mick Brown, Gord Burton, Eric Edwards and Denis Moules will be showing the youngsters everything from how to tie a trace, to how to make their own lures.

There's plenty for the grown-ups too - including speakers Dave Horton, Micky Jones and Stephen Harper for starters, in the 500-seat theatre at Kettering Conference Centre.

There'll also be stalls with all the latest tackle - including for the first time a tank where you can check out the actions of the latest lures from Fox. Bargain hunters will be making a beeline for the secondhand tackle and lure stalls.

Mick Brown will also be launching his new book Mick Brown, Professional Pike Angler.

There's free admission for accompanied juniors - and a free "goody bag" of tackle essentials for those joining the club on the day, at the reduced price of £7.50.

Supporters Pikemaster and Pikepro will be donating a pair of forceps, float, lure trace, twin treble trace and other rig bits worth £20 for every junior who signs up on the day.

The Convention is being held at Kettering Conference Centre on Saturday, October 1.

Parking's free. Doors open 9am. Admission is £10 adult members, £15 non-members. For more information see the PAC website http://www.pacgb.com,/ or follow @pikelines on Twitter.

Rod licence fee frozen for three years

2011-09-02T15:47:00.002+01:00

Rod licence fees are set to be frozen at their present levels for thre next three years, it emerged today.

But while the charge for an adult licence will remain at £27 until 2014, predator anglers who routinely use three or more rods will still have to buy two.

Full story here.

Ever wondered what lures sound like..?

2011-08-20T19:56:00.002+01:00

We've all heard of buzzbaits and lures which are designed to kick out vibes to attract the pike.

Mepps have got some audio clips on their website, which give an idea of how different lures make different noises.

"It's pretty easy to see the flash of a Mepps spinner blade as it's pulled through the water, but hearing just what it sounds like has been a well kept secret up until now," the site says.

"It took us a while, but we've managed to digitally capture the sound of several Mepps spinners as they are retrieved. And, what we recorded even managed to surprise us.

"Remember, what you are about to hear are the actual sounds produced by Mepps spinners as they are retrieved. These sounds have not been enhanced or altered in any way. We make no claim as to how fish interpret these sounds, but fish do hear them."

Of its Aglia "Musky Killer" spinner, it adds: "The sound of the #5 Aglia blade is steady and deep with a rapid repetitive thump. The Magnum Musky Killer blade sounds similar, but, the thump is deeper and slower.

"Both sound like a slow moving locomotive, and both are very easy to hear underwater."

Click here to go to the sound clips, then just roll you cursor over each spinner to hear what it sounds like.

New safety campaign on the Broads

2011-08-20T18:32:00.000+01:00

A new safety campaign has been launched to encourage boat users to wear life jackets on the Norfolk Broads - like these anglers fishing the Bure from a hire boat.

So far there have bee four deaths in the area this year. More here.

Click here for the PAC's guide to safety afloat.

Cormorants - are eagles the answer?

2011-08-20T17:22:00.003+01:00

An interesting piece from a bird blog regarding cormorants - could white tailed sea eagles help keep their numbers down..? Read it here on Raptor Politics.

Moves to re-introduce the eagles - dubbed the flying barn door because of their 8ft wingspan - to Norfolk ended in controversy.

But apparently, there's nothing they like more than munching on a cormorant. Talking of which, local papers in Cumbria have been reporting a plague of cormorants of late.

But the Cormorant Watch website shows the Thames Valley is their current stronghold, with more than 400 sightings logged. Click here to report your sightings.

Download a free archive issue of Pikelines

2011-08-20T15:57:00.001+01:00

If you follow us on Twitter, you'll know we've been uploading a few vintage copies of Pikelines to download for free. As well as some ground-breaking, entertaining articles, they provide a fascinating insight into how much pike fishing's changed over the years.

Click here to download Pikelines from August 1991. Click here to follow us on Twitter.

Mick Brown at PAC Convention with new book

2011-08-15T18:30:00.004+01:00

Mick Brown, Professional Pike Angler, is the latest book on pike fishing. And you'll be able to get your hands on a copy - signed by Mick - at the PAC Convention.

Mick will be bringing copies of his latest - and long-awaited - book to Kettering for the biggest event in predator fishing on Saturday, October 1.

He told Pikelines: "The book is about my 20 years as a professional pike angler. It covers every thing I've had to do to make a living from pike fishing from sponsorships to TV work.

"It's not a rigs and methods book, its anectdotal but with a strong emphasis on my thoughts about pike behaviour and how they affect my tactics.

"It retails at £28.00 and is normally only available through my web site but I will be selling them at the PAC conference this year."

Lincolnshire-based Mick's one of a number of top pike anglers who will this year be taking time out to run junior workshops at the event, to help give the young pike anglers of the future a good start. "It's going to be a busy day," he said.

Pikelines magazine sneak preview

2011-08-10T07:28:00.000+01:00

We're just putting the finishing touches to Pikelines before it goes off to the printers. August's magazine has a great piece on boat fishing basics from Eric Edwards, the next installment of Ivan Cooke's adventures on the Broads - and talking of adventures, John Synnuck's trekked thousands of miles to a Pacific Atoll to do battle with some exotic giants.

Nearer home, we've got all the latest on the forthcoming PAC Convention, at Kettering, on October 1 - including the final line-up for the day, more details on the junior coaching workshops and a picture of Neville Fickling wearing a deck-chair.

Keep 'em peeled for the postman...

Junior coaching on offer at PAC Convention

2011-08-08T19:44:00.001+01:00

COACHING: Eric Edwards shows a youngster the ropes

This year's PAC Convention will feature special coaching sessions aimed at junior anglers.
Hat tip Eric Edwards, who's organised an interesting programme for the youngsters - not to mention Mick Brown, Gord Burton, Denis Moules, David Wolsoncroft-Dodds and Alan Dudhill; who'll all be lending a hand through the day.
With free admission to the Convention for accompanied juniors, we're hoping it will help encourage some of the pikers of the future.
"Several PAC regions now have qualified angling coaches within their ranks and many of them have offered their services to make it a great day for our younger pikers," said Eric.
"Mick Brown will be presenting the opening address at the junior event and we also have presentations by Gord Burton, Denis Moules and David Wolsoncroft-Doods."
Eric told Pikelines the emphasis would be "hands-on", with juniors getting the chance to build their own lure, make traces, learn abiout pike and try their hand at fly casting.
"The team of qualified coaches will be on haand to ensure no-one gets left out and give evryone one-to-one expert tuition," he went on. "What's more, thanks to Alan Dudhill and Pikemaster Traces everyone who joins the PAC at the new greatly-reduced price will receive a 'goody bag' containing lots of items that can get them started at fishing for pike."
Eric said he was determined to improve on the club's flagging junior membership and get more young people involved in our sport.
"Over the past year, as I've come into contact with many young people at PAC-run coaching events, it's become clear that there is a great demand for proper pike fishing tuition," he said. "This is our opportunity to swing our club's resources into gear and deliver what the youngsters want.
"I want to make this appeal to regional organisers: Talk to your members and encourage them to bring along a kid to the PAC Convention 2011 - and help preserve the future of UK pike fishing." More on the Convention here, here and here.

Help promote the PAC Convention

2011-08-08T06:58:00.006+01:00

Here are a few easy ways you can help us to promote the PAC Convention.

- If you've got a blog or a website, please add the flyer above to help us spread the word.

- If you're on Facebook, please upload it to your pictures.

- If you're on twitter, please tweet it - here's a link to the picture, just copy into a tweet: http://ow.ly/5X4qq . You can follow us too - @pikelines, or click here .

- If you know anyone who's into pike fishing, e-mail them the link to let them know about predator fishing's biggest event.

Free download - vintage pike fishing magazine from 1991

2011-08-08T06:33:00.001+01:00

Pike fishing's changed a lot over the years - see how much by downloading a free copy of Pikelines from August 1991. Click here to download PDF.

Members will be getting the latest modern-day equivalent in a few days' time, when Pikelines 133 hits their doormats. One of the benefits of belonging to the PAC is you get our acclaimed quarterly magazine.

PAC Convention update

2011-08-06T12:52:00.005+01:00

One or two new details we can now reveal about this year's PAC Convention, being held on Saturday. October 1, at Kettering Conference Centre (left).

First of all, talks will be taking place in the centre's new 562-seat theatre. Apparently, they found a lure in the roof of the last one while they were clearing it out.

The new threare's where you'll fond speaker's Dave Horton (10am), Micky Jones (11.45am) and Stephen Harper (2.45pm); along with various awards and other presentations during the day.

We'll be telling you a nit more about the talks nearer the time, to whet your appetite. Once again, we think there's going to be something of interest to everyone.

For the first time, we'll be running a series of special junior teaching workshops throughout the day thanks to PAC stalwart Eric Edwards. See Pikelines for more details.

Trade stands confirmed as of today inlude The Tackle Shop (Gainsborough), ET Specialist Tackle, Franglais Fishing, The Pike Shop, Baitbox PikePro, Zoota Lures, Zandavan Products, Ultre Light Lures and Fox International; along with the popular second-hand tackle and lure stalls.

There'll also be a new books of interest to the pike angler on sale by the aothors - including Graham Booth's Pike Fishing History, Volume 1 and Mick Brown's new book Mick Brown: Professional Pike Angler.

Admission is £10 (members), £15 (non-members). Accompanied juniors free. Parking at the venue is also free.

British Pike Squad e-magazine

2011-08-06T11:35:00.000+01:00

The British Pike Squad are training hard for the forthcoming international against Ireland in the Fens (October 8/9). Ever wondered who they are or how do you get picked for the team - or wanted to find out more about the roving wobbling tactics the squad have developed over the years..? They've just published a free e-zine on their website - click here to read it.

New hope or a cosmetic exercise..?

2011-08-02T14:43:00.005+01:00

Are they finally going to let angling clubs and fishery managers protect their waters..? That's the question many pike anglers will be asking tonight, after Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon announced a review of the impact of cormorants, mergansers and goosanders and the effectiveness of current control measures.

Research out late last year showed that despite limited culling, cormorant numbers were on the increase.

More than 2,000 were culled in 2010, according to Swansea University. But overall numbers have increased from 18,000 in the mid-1990s, to a current estimate of 21,000.

Dr. Dan Forman, the academic who led the study, said cormorants can destroy a fishery. He said eight birds can kill 100 fish in one session, while the birds will return three or four times a day to a water and gorge themselves until stocks are exhausted.

The introduction to the latest review (full copy here) says: "It has been established, and broadly accepted across the EU, that cormorants can cause significant damage to fisheries and fish farms."

It goes on: "The review will also look at the current licensing system to see how this might be better tailored to customers' needs and consideration will also be given to the level of licensed lethal control currently available to fishery managers and landowners to manage fish eating birds. "

Anyone wishing to cull fish-eating birds currently has to apply for a licence from Natural England. Despite a complex form to fill in and the need to be able to prove that birds are having an adverse effect and other non-lethal methods have failed, officials estimate around 10pc of the cormorant population is culled annually.

But Natural England allow 2,000 cormorants a year to be culled because this number will not impact on the sustainability of the birds' overall population - this rationale echoes the EU Wild Bird Directive, whose interpretation in UK law states any cull must not threaten the "conservation status" of the species.

Factor this in, and it's clear the latest review might not have much scope to increase the numbers of birds being culled. Cynics might even see it as a cosmetic exercise unlikely to result in anything more than minor tweaks to the licensing procedure, such as a shorter form to fill in.

Buried in the Defra document announcing the review are a number of exclusions - options which have already been ruled out. The first states: "A national cull is not being considered for any of the three species as this would likely result in a long term decline in their population and would be inconsistent with the Birds Directive."

On the other hand, you might see the data gathering exercise which has been going on for some months as a sign that there could at least be some change in the wind. The Angling Trust has clearly had a steer that it needs to back its claims up with evidence - hence the website where anglers can report coromorant sightings. Click here to visit Cormorant Watch.

Another encouraging sign is Bruno Broughton - a senior fellow of the PAC - is one of three stakeholder advisors, along with Mark Owen from the Angling Trust. The other is Sarah Eaton, from the RSPB.

US State of Michigan agrees increased control measures - click here.

Cormorants - new review announced

2011-08-02T13:20:00.009+01:00

Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon has announced a review of the impact of fish eating birds on our waters - but is it really fresh hope, or just a cosmetic exercise - see analysis here.

Defra has also published on its web site the terms of reference, scope and timeframes for what it calls "an evidence-led review of Defra’s current policy in relation to controlling the impact of predation on inland fisheries and fish farms from fish-eating birds, and, specifically, in relation to the threat of serious damage caused by cormorants, goosanders and red-breasted mergansers".

Mr Benyon's office said the review would be in four phases:

1) evidence and data gathering;

2) analysis and assessment;

3) public consultation if required;

4) recommendations.

The review is due to report its findings in early 2012. It comes after a campaign by the Angling Trust and other bodies to relax the complex licensing procedure needed to control comorants. The trust has already set up a website where anglers can report cormorant sightings.

Angling Trust Chief Executive Mark Lloyd said: "This review will be evidence-led and it is therefore vitally important that anglers keep reporting sightings of cormorants and other fish eating birds on our cormorant watch web.

"More than 25,000 birds have been logged on the web site in the first two months, which is a great start, but we will need data from throughout the year, and throughout the country if we are to make the case for change."

In a letter to the Angling Trust announcing the review, Richard Benyon said no firm decisions had been taken. But he added: "Given the current policy is more than five years old I am keen to ensure that we are able to offer fishery managers and landowners the right tools to ensure where fish eating birds are having an impact timely and effective action can be taken to prevent serious damage taking place."

There's more on the review on Defra's website here.

Research last year showed cormorants were on the increase - despite the cull. More here.

Keep in touch with the PAC via Blackberry, iPhone or Android

2011-08-02T11:26:00.000+01:00

Reading this on a Blackberry or iPhone..? Then you'll notice we've tweaked the template for a trial to make it display better. You should find it makes it easier and faster to navigate.

More and more anglers are on Twitter these days - did you know you can follow the PAC as well..? Just follow @pikelines .

Warning over rod licence website

2011-04-20T12:46:00.002+01:00

ROD LICENCE: Dont't get ripped off when you buy yours

Anglers are today being warned today not to buy their rod licences from a commercial website.

The fishingrodlicence.com website adds a £14 charge for "checking" applications.

The Angling Trust said the service was of no benefit to anglers because the Environment Agency (EA) does not require applications to be checked before submission.

As well as the extra charge, anglers buying their licences from the web site will not be able to go fishing until they receive their licence in the post.

The EA site offers a receipt and reference number which does allow people to fish while they are waiting for the licence to arrive.

The Angling Trust strongly recommends that all freshwater anglers buy their licence direct from the Environment Agency over the phone or via its website here, or from Post Offices and clearly authorised outlets.

The AT is raising the matter with Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon MP and Charles Walker, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: "This site offers no real extra service, but demands a 50pc surcharge on top of the rod licence fee and we urge all anglers to spread the word.

"We would encourage members who have concerns about this website to contact Consumer Direct and their MP.

"Any unsuspecting new anglers trying to buy their first licence might be put off by the inflated price and decide not to take up fishing."

Tonight the Environment Agency said: "The Environment Agency has no connection with this website, nor does it endorse its services.

"The service appears to be legal, however, we would like to point out that the Environment Agency does not require this check when someone buys their licence through the Agency’s website, over the counter at the Post Office or over the phone. An angler only has to give their name, age, proof of concession where necessary, and post-code and house number – a quick address search completes the rest."

British Waterways pledges to stop killing pike

2011-04-17T13:20:00.006+01:00

FOI: Part of the paper trail over the BW pike cull

British Waterways has promised to stop killing pike on the canals it controls in the Midlands.

It comes amid revelations more than 100 fish were killed, after fears that one waterway had been illegally stocked with pike sent officials into a panic.

Rumours of a pike cull on the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal began circulating in January. More than 100 fish to 18lbs were said to have been removed from the Minworth stretch by electro-fishing.

Alerted by local anglers, we decided to take a look. Documents obtained by the PAC using Freedom of Information (FOI) laws confirmed nine electro fishing operations had been carried out since February 2010.

A spreadsheet supplied by British Waterways showed that in March 2010, 150 pike totalling 350kg in weight were removed from the Birimingham & Fazeley.

The same document showed that some 100 pike were removed from Chasewater and transferred to Tarddebigge Reservoir in April 2010, while a further 90 pike were removed from the Birmingham & Fazeley and relocated to Cudmore in January 2011.

FOI is a powerful tool when it comes to investigating the actions of the public bodies which control our waters. When requested, they are obliged to release internal correspondence and other papers.

Sometimes they are reluctant to do this. Documents released to the PAC showed local anglers who rightly wanted to know what was going on behind closed doors were fobbed off.

Senior officials tried to wriggle off the hook. First they didn't have the information to hand. Then it would cost "thousands" to collate it.

But when a complaint landed on the desk of the Waterways Ombudsman, British Waterways soon caved in.

In an e-mail dated February 24, 2011, Carl Nicholls, BW's fisheries and angling manager, confirmed the details of the cull carried out in March 2010.

"British Waterways was contacted by two angling clubs on the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal between Minworth and Curdworth with reports of large numbers of pike suddenly appearing in this stretch of canal," he wrote.

"Both clubs are long-standing on this water and other waters beyond this length and had never reported problems with pike. A number of rumours were also going around at the same time of a significant number of pike being illegally dumped into a Birmingham canal.

"In March 2010 we carried out an electro fishing survey to see if there was any truth in these rumours and the angling club's concerns. It was immediately clear that there were significant numbers of pike present in this two mile pound [pound = stretch of canal....].

"Due to the problem these pike were causing to both the angling club members and present silver fish stocks we decided immediate action should be taken.

"Having no health check or Section 30, it would have been illegal to have moved them to another water. We removed 150 pike for 350kg which were taken to Billingsgate."

Mr Nicholls's note adds that last October, 30 pike were removed from the same stretch of canal for a health check, which came back clear. In January 2011, a further 90 pike were removed - but this time, the fish were transferred alive to another water.

Questioned over the possible source of the pike which had suddenly appeared in the canal, Mr Nicholls said: "We never found out where the water was from where these pike were supposed to have come from. It was all rumours and hear say, but what was certain was the total number and sizes of the pike were not natural for a canal.

"The fish were very pale in colour, stumpy and their markings were not typical of canal pike, but of fish that hunted more in open waters."

This story has a happy ending - as they sometimes do, when pike anglers stand up for their fishing and refuse to be fobbed off.

The complaint to the ombudsman found its way up the food chain to John Ellis, BW's national fisheries manager. In his response, he stated had officials known how many pike they were likely to find when they elctro-fished the canal, they would have carried out a health check so they could relocate the fish elsewhere.

"You will be pleased to know that since then, British Waterways have come to an arrangement with a private fishery whereby they are willing to accept any pike in the event of there being a need to relocate them," said Mr Ellis. "As a result please be assured that British Waterways will no longer have to kill any pike."

Three top speakers for PAC Convention

2011-04-17T10:17:00.004+01:00

Three top speakers and some new attractions are lined up for this year's Pike Anglers Club Convention.

Once again, we're heading for Kettering Conference Centre for the bash, on Saturday, October 1.

To start the ball rolling on stage we have Dave Horton, Dave has been a member of PAC for 27 years and is known throughout the pike fishing world as the author of Ultimate Pike.

Dave' talk is entitled “ 25 years of Piking the Highlights” so he will be taking usback down memory lane and what a trip that promises to be.

Next up on the oche is a Micky Jones, from Inverness. Micky`s talk is entitled “Setting the Heather Alight” his talk will cover his adventures of fishing throughout the Highlands, the final frontier in UK piking, with its relatively light angling pressure and untapped potential.

Last but not least is Stephen Harper, who over the years has not only landed many notable fishb from the Norfolk broads, but has also written two sought-after books on Broadland Pike.

Stephen's talk is entitled “Broadland; Past; Present; Future” It chronicles some of the changes Stephen has seen over 40 years on Broadland – both good and bad. His talk looks back on the illustrious past of Broadland and its pike fishing, how it was, and how it is, and how it should be.

This year we have tried to cater for the for the keen young Pike Anglers. Eric Edwards has kindly offered his services to set up a separate room for coaching which will include tackle and rig set ups, plus slides with a number of other top coaches on hand to helpanswer questions and give top class advice, those attending will each receive a goody bag.

Also this year the RNLI will be attending to give top advice on boat safety plus those attending an take along their boat floatation suites and life jackets for advice on their suitability for boatfishing, this is not to be confused with life jacket service.

There's free parking and entrance prices remain the same at £10 members/£15 non members with £5 back if you join the club on the day.

There'll also be stands large and small from all the big names in pike tackle, with all the latest gear on show; our second hand lure and gear stalls, bar, food and the chance to meet friends old and new at the country's biggest predator fishing event.

Poisson d'Avril carrot lure for pike fishing

2011-04-01T06:00:00.001+01:00

Yep, we know what day it is.... But all you need to catch a pike is a carrot, according to this video clip.

Believe it or not, carrots were apparently wobbled in the Fens in times gone by. Along with parsnips, in coloured water.

EA probes Broads pike decline

2011-02-28T17:31:00.001Z

We're working closely with the pike angling community to see whether pike are in dcline and if so, what's causing it.

That was the message from the Environment Agency today, as officials revealed they could not explain what had caused the death of several large pike at Oulton Broad, Suffolk - including a fish well over 30lbs.

Fisheries officers recovered the bodies of three pike from the northern area of the Broad earlier this month.

Steve Lane, Fisheries Technical Specialist at the Environment Agency said: “We are working closely with the Broads Angling Strategy Group (BASG) to assess the current status of the pike population and examine a range of factors that may be adversely affecting the fishery.”

“We are looking at a range of potential projects to help us gain more information on the pike population. In particular we are considering an innovative pike tagging project which will enable anglers fishing the Broads to help in the study of stock levels by directly reporting catch information to us.”

Following on from a hugely successful Broadland Pike Conference in August 2010, the BASG’s Pike Sub Group is helping to advise the Agency on pike fishery issues.

The Group’s chairman and Regional Pike Angler’s Club of Great Britain officer John Currie said: “Whilst there currently is no evidence to establish the cause of death of these fish, I would urge all anglers to help us protect pike stocks by ensuring they use the correct handling techniques and proper equipment at all times when pike fishing.

“Large pike in particular are very fragile and need to be handled very carefully. Many of the popular fishing banks around Oulton Broad are concrete or tarmac and in these situations, a good quality unhooking mat is an essential piece of equipment”.

Anglers are urged to report signs of dead fish, fish in distress, pollution or suspected illegal activities by phoning the Environment Agency 24hour hotline number 0800 80 70 60 as soon as possible.

+++more on story here.

Buckets of rain - but dig that poncho

2011-02-27T18:34:00.005Z

It's a toss up which picture best sums up today's PAC bash. Here's Jabba the Skip, as he shall now henceforth be known, decked out in next season's must-have rainwear - a kind of special forces brolly you can wear.

Despite the sunny forecast and a few tentative takes and lost fish early on, it soon clouded over up in the badlands west of Peterbotough today.

Then bucketed in down, and some. And the 30 or so faithful who turned out at Bluebell Lakes managed to chalk up a resounding blank, with just a handful of lost fish to mull over.

Here's Darren "Daz" Conroy bending into a camera-shy double that fell off seconds after the snap was taken.

Nice water, on the plus side. We were well-impressed by the total lack of litter and how well looked-after the place is.

There were pegs with substantial decking for the wheelchair-bound guys who turned up to fish from - not the half-hearted "disabled swims" you sometimes see stuck in the corners no-one else wants to fish.

One of our number tried a few swims on the river and - apart from managing just one lost fish - reckoned that looked nice as well, despite the fact it was rocketing through.

All in all, a water that's definitely worth a return visit. Don't be put off by the fact it's a premier league carp water.

There are still a couple of events left before we pack up for the summer. Let's hope the weather and the fishing pick up.

EA set to ditch rod licence checks?

2011-02-23T19:33:00.012Z

ILLEGAL: Would more bailiffs on the bank help stop this..?

The Environment Agency is looking to cut back on rod licence checks, the PAC can reveal.

It comes as figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws show a sharp fall in both the number of EA bailiffs and the bankside checks they carry out.

Sources say the agency is looking to "outsource" some of the work carried out by bailiffs. It wants fisheries to check whether anglers have an EA licence before selling them day tickets, and angling clubs and tackle shops to do the same when we buy season permits.

The revelation follows an alarming increase in incidents where pike were illegally-targeted for removal from Britain's fisheries.

They include pike found dead on a stringer on a land drain near Boston, Lincs. A man was arrested after an armed response unit and police helicopter were scrambled to fish being fired at with a shotgun in the Twenty Foot River near March, Cambs.

PAC members also encountered illegal methods being employed to remove pike from waters as far afield as Devon and Humberside.

Reports which went live on the EA's website today show the agency spent £2m carrying out licence checks in 2009/10.

But the PAC has been told officials believe the checks are no longer cost effective in an age of rocketing fuel prices.

The agency is also waiting to see how government spending cuts will impact on fisheries budgets - as figures appear to show rod licence sales are on the increase, despite the recession.

Figures supplied in response to an FOI request show that 80,877 checks were carried out between April 1 and December 31 last year. More than 151,000 checks were carried out during the same period in 2005.

Prosecutions for rod licence offenses have fallen from 3,261 for April - December 2005, to 2,127 over the same period last year.

Rod licence sales have steadily increased. There were 1, 063,012 sales between April and December 2000, 1,236,194 over the same period in 2005, and 1,404,677 last year.

Figures supplied to the PAC also show that numbers of bailiffs and fishery officers have fallen over the last 10 years.

In 2000, the EA employed 50 full-time fishery officers and 70 part-time bailiffs. By 2005, there were 25 full-time fishery officers and 41 part-time bailiffs.

Last year, the agency says it employed 30 full-time enforcement officers and two part-time enforcement officers.

+++How they spent your money last year - click here to see where the EA spent the £24m it received from rod licence sales.

Dear angler, here's where we spent your £24m

2011-02-23T19:10:00.006Z

Anglers contributed £24m to the Environment Agency last year. Today we can see what they spent it on.

For the first time, the agency is publishing a detailed breakdown of fishery expenditure online. It makes interesting reading for any angler.

"We are frequently asked how we spend your money to improve fisheries," says an online report entitled Where Your Money Goes.

"This report shows how, in 2009/10, we use our funds to improve and protect the environment for fish and those who enjoy fishing. It explains how our fisheries work is funded and shows how we invest your money."

The document, which went online today, says the EA fisheries department wants to see more fish, more people fishing and more satsified customers.

As well as £24m from rod licence sales, the EA also received a £9.4m government grant and £800,000 in "miscellaneous income" last year.

It spent £7m of rod licence revenue on improving fisheries, with so-called partnership funding from other sources boosting the amount to £13m.

Anglers have long believed the EA spends more money on maintaining salmon stocks than projects aimed at improving coarse fish populations.

The report reveals the agency spent £6.4m on coarse fish, £2.1m on salmon and sea trout, £600,000 on eels and £3.8m on projects designed to benefit "multiple species".

Regionally, the amounts spent range from £2,7m in the north-east, to £900,000 in the Midlands and £700,000 in Wales.

The EA spent £6m on projects aimed at getting more people fishing last year, such as coaching schemes. The north-east (£1.7m) and Wales (£1m) accounted for almost half this money.

+++Read more. For a summary report, click here. For the full report, click here - NB large file, may take time to load.

Big enough to land a whale, with ahem

2011-02-06T21:20:00.008Z

"That's big enough to land a whale with a stiffy on," the chap in the tackle shop said, with an all too-knowing look that told me he probably spent his time looking at pictures of whales on the internet when he wasn't selling landing nets to the likes of me...

Each to his own, in these enlightened times. But not so long ago, the old 50-inch North Western landing net was a favourite with pike anglers.

Its popularity owed as much to the fact you could buy spares like arms and mesh if you trod on one, or encountered a whale with the proverbial stalk on.

While the arms lasted almost forever - as long as you didn't stand on them, the mesh was as prone as any to the odd flying treble, not to mention the attentions of mice and the inevitable rot.

Where can I get replacement 50-inch mesh, is a question you sometimes see on pike fishing forums (including ours...).

Now added to the Friends in the Trade section of our links (scroll down the right, keep going for ages, you'll get there eventually...) is replacement 50-inch mesh from the Tackle Shop, Gainsborough.

On the plus-side it's not only cheaper than a new 50-inch net, you get some free string with it.

On the downside, the replacement mesh is all micromesh - meaning hooks will catch in it and in a season or two, you'd have been asking where to get replacement mesh from if we hadn't posted yet another helpful link.

Micky Jones will be the talk of the Toon

2011-02-06T20:20:00.006Z

Micky Jones - who we've signed up to speak at Piking2011 - will soon be the talk of the Toon. He'll be on the oche at the Northumbrian Piper in Fawdon, Newcastle, on Friday, February 25, with a presentation on Highland Piking, called Setting the Heather Alight. Wild fish, even wilder men in kilts. Admission £2 for PAC members/non members.

++++Apologies for any confusion over the date.

Pike angler nails sink and draw salmon

2011-02-06T20:01:00.006Z

Great post and pics on pike angler Stu Maddox's blog about a session on the River Dee, where a deadbait fished sink and draw was snapped up by a salmon.

"Just as I was about to bend down and grab my landing net , a large silver torpedo launched itself from the water," he writes. "Not once, not twice , but three times in quick leaping succession."

"I knew immediately what I had hooked , I peered into the water and could clearly see the that this was the unmistakable shape of a fantastic Dee salmon."

Great story about a passing encounter with the king of fish. Click here to read it.

Kelly Kettle now available in steel

2011-02-06T19:11:00.004Z

Pike anglers who use Kelly Kettles tend to swear by them when it comes to knocking up a bankside brew, the odd Pot Noodle or even a fry-up if you don't mind smoked sausages, scorch marks on your forceps or the odd burnt finger.

One drawback is much like pike anglers, they tend to get a bit dribbly with age and the odd knock they get rattling around in the back of your motor.

Well the Kelly people in Ireland are now doing a stainless steel kettle, which is more durable than the original aluminium version for another tenner (£49.95).

Next season's must-have accessory..?

Pike in Your Waters - still free to download

2011-02-06T18:24:00.004Z

It's almost 10 years since the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain published a booklet called Pike in Your Waters. It's still essential reading for anyone who cares about pike conservation - or anyone who runs a fishery, who wants to find out more about the role that pike play in the upkeep of a vibrant, balanced water.

Checking our webstats - like you sometimes do - we find a lot iof our visitors find this blog after looking for more information about pike conservation on search engines like google.

If you click this link, you can download Pike in Your Waters for free. You might also be interested in some of the factsheets and other stuff in the Information Library section of our main website.

Broads boat hire firm added to links

2011-02-06T18:08:00.004Z

Blanking..? Who cares - we've saved nearly enough for a Ruby Murray

These guys are the latest addition to Friends in the Trade, in our links bar. No, not the two chaps in the boat, but the place they hired it from - George Smith's Boatyard, on the Bure at Wroxham.

Fishing in Norfolk might have had more ups and downs than Fakenham Races this season. But Geo Smith are offering a 10pc discount to PAC members, which means hire a boat before March 14 and you'll have nearly enough change to buy a chicken vindaloo in the slightly surreal curry house round the corner from the boatyard, with the sloping floor.

Nuisance pike and a few Fens zander

2011-02-06T17:24:00.003Z

Barry "Zandavan" McConnell gets in amongst 'em in the Fens near King's Lynn.

Chew Valley bookings slammed, shock

2011-02-06T17:09:00.004Z

Chew Valley's booking system has been well and truly "slammed", according to Angling Times, which reports there are anglers unhappy at not securing a date for what it describes as the "UK's best big pike water".

This sort of slamming has been going on for years in pike fishing. Rewind to when Menteith was fishing its nuts off. Or - going back a bit - Llandegfedd.

What is worth noting is the sheer volume of people applying for places at Chew. Bristol Water, which runs the 1,200-acre reservoir, reckons it received 850 applications for this year's dates. That's right, 850.

Does this reflect the quality of the fishing at Chew - or how bad the fishing's been everywhere else this winter...?

Been there, caught pike - got the T-shirt

2011-02-06T16:58:00.003Z

When it comes to fishing clobber, pike anglers have never had it so good on the thermal front, with all kinds of threads to keep your unmentionables warm through the worst of the winter. But what to wear when the weather warms, asks our fashion editor..?

Having a google, like you do, we found some T and sweat-shirts featuring various pikey designs - including the rather striking print on the left, from a company called Walker Angling Wear. They also do a T-shirt featuring a David Miller print.

Stoke Ferry Cut-Off opens up for fishing

2011-02-05T17:19:00.004Z

Pike anglers will be able to fish the Cut-Off Channel at Stoke Ferry next season, it emerged today.

The previously closed stretch - where anglers have been fined for fishing in recent seasons - will be included on a King's Lynn AA permit for the first time, but no day tickets will be sold.

Lynn AA has controlled fishing on the Cut-Off between Wereham and Denver for decades.

The extra stretch will open from June 16, amid of a shake-up in membership fees which will see anglers who fish the Norfolk club's drains and rivers paying £4 less for a season ticket, with basic permit prices falling from £40 to £36.

Stillwater prices are being increased, but most club lakes do not contain pike.

The picture that will shock every pike angler

2011-02-04T19:43:00.006Z

Pike matches are in the spotlight tonight over claims a cheating angler in Ireland stuffed a lead bar down a fish's throat in a bid to win a contest.

Anger erupted on internet forums after photographs of the fish were published online.

It was claimed a bankside autopsy revealed the lead bar after the fish was found dead the day after a competition.

"On handling the pike something hard was felt in its stomach," one poster said. "The pike was opened up and a lead bar was found. What sort of idiot would go so far to try to win a prize."

Mainstream media and the angling press are now chasing a story. The facts remain unclear, amid a storm of hearsay and allegations.

We are unable to comment on specifics of this incident, but are in touch with people who are trying to get to the bottom of it.

They are asking the same question as the rest of the pike angling world tonight.

If this is how far a so-called pike angler is prepared to go to win a prize, what is our sport coming to..?

+++UPDATE: British Pike Squad blog reveals a "pike action group" which has come to the fore since the incident is not all it seems - more here.

Angling Trust regional meeting in the Fens

2011-02-01T21:16:00.004Z

The Angling Trust's East of England Freshwater Forum is meeting at Littleport Leisure Centre on Saturday (10.30am).

All anglers welcome - non members of the Trust as non-voting guests. The agenda includes "angling and environmental issues in the region".

Pike tips for rivers and cold weather in new mag

2011-01-31T18:47:00.006Z

No prizes for guessing the theme of the next edition of Pikelines - magazine of the Pike Anglers Club.

Cold comes high on the agenda after the recent Arctic weather put paid to fishing for weeks in some areas.

Yet some rivers remain ice free in all but the worst that the weather throws out way. And Bill Winship's penned us an interesting article on fishing them in extreme conditions, entitled Pike Below Zero.

Talking of rivers, Rob Shallcroft's the man behind a spell-binding insight into his approach to tackling moving water.

You'll also find all the latest news and views from the pike fishing world, reviews, fish-in reports and updates from PAC regions up and down the country and further afield.

+++It's at the printer's now.... In the post February 7....

Micky Jones confirmed for PAC Convention

2011-01-30T18:05:00.001Z

Micky Jones from Inverness is the first speaker to be confirmed for this year's Pike Anglers Club Convention.

"It was a bit of a shock to be asked to be honest," he said today. "But when I thought about it I also thought it was big honour and one that I hope I can do justice."

Micky's best-known for his catches up in Scotland, which will feature in his presentation.

"My talk will cover piking in the Highlands, a bit from my travels and some of the great friendships I have made through piking and being involved with the PAC," he said.

Those sitting in the front few rows need to be warned he may well take to the stage wearing a kilt. Other speakers will be announced soon.

Saturday, October 1 is the big day, Kettering Conference Centre is the venue. Click here for directions and a bit more info.

+++Micky's also going to be speaking at the Northumbrian Piper in Fawdon, Newcastle NE3 2AH, on Friday, February 25 (8pm). Admission £2.

Neville Fickling talk at Billericay

2011-01-30T17:41:00.003Z

Former record holder and captor of more than 400 20lbs-plus pike Neville Fickling is speaking at the Nag's Head in Ramsden Heath, nr Billericay CM11 4HS, on Tuesday, February 9 (7.30pm).

Admission is £4 PAC members/£5 non-members, which includes trough.

Phil Kirk talk in Dartford

2011-01-30T17:34:00.004Z

Former PAC Committee member and long-serving RO Phil Kirk will be giving a talk on his piking life to the Thames Gateway Region on Tuesday, February 1.

It's at the Papermakers Arms in Hawley Road, Hawley, Dartford DA2 7RB (7pm).

PAC members £3/non-members £4, raffle and buffet.

Pike trials announced on Farmoor

2011-01-29T17:58:00.003Z

Farmoor reservoirs in Oxfordshire are opening up for pike trials, it emerged today.

"Both Farmoor I and II are well known for their quality trout fishing, but there are also massive pike present, albeit few and far between," reports the Oxford Mail.

"Previous pike trials have produced just the odd fish, but with a constant diet of rainbow and brown trout, pike of 30lb-plus will be present."

Sixty bank and nboat fishing places are up for grabs on two Saturdays - February 19 and 26.

All methods will be allowed, with trout for sale on site. Details/bookings on 07747 640707.

PAC Convention speaker update

2011-01-27T20:47:00.003Z

Hoots mon... We're close to sealing the deal with one of the headline speakers at this year's Convention....

We're trying to get a word with the man as we speak but understand he might turn up wearing something like this.

Saturday, October 1 is the big day, Kettering Conference Centre is the venue. Click here for directions and a bit more info.

Eel be in Lancs for a talk next week, will Barry

2011-01-27T20:21:00.006Z

Eel supremo Barry McConnell will be giving the S Lancs Region of the Pike Anglers Club a talk on some of his anguilla fishing exploits next week.

Eel be at the Caledonian in Bolton Rd, Ashton in Makerfield, on Wednesday, February 2 (8pm).

Barry's travelled the globe (literally...) in search of eels. More on his website here.

Click here for map and more on South Lancs goings-on.

Thanks for remembering James Holgate

2011-01-27T19:44:00.003Z

A TRUE GREAT: James Holgate (right)

The family of former Pike & Predators editor James Holgate, who died last June after a short illness, have thanked the PAC and predator angling community for honouring his achievements.

James was posthumously awarded the President's Shield for his contribution to pike angling at last year's PAC Convention.

In an e-mail to the club, his sister Helen Sutton writes: "My mother and I are very proud of James' achievements during his life and that he has been honoured in this way by the Club. My mother has recently moved to a residential home and the wonderful picture of the pike has pride of place on her wall.

"We have received a great many tributes from the angling community since James passed away. As anyone who knew James will be aware, he was never one to shout about his achievements so, although we always thought he was great, we were quite surprised at how well he was known and respected within the angling world.

"The expressions of sympathy and very kind words we have received since his death have given us a great deal of comfort. I should be grateful if you would pass on our thanks to the club as a
whole."

Cormorants - new hope for our waters..?

2011-01-26T18:37:00.004Z

There was fresh hope for Britain's cormorant-ravaged rivers and stillwaters tonight as the government announced a review of cormorant control.

Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon announced the move after lobbying by the Angling Trust and fishery owners.

The Trust said it would be pressing for "rapid progress" on the issue. It said the review should take account of:

Angling's £3.5bn contribution to the economy;

The impact of cormorant predation on endangered eel stocks, estimated by Defra to be up to 43 tonnes a year during the breeding season. Eels have declined in number by 95pc in the past two decades;

The impact of avian predation on already threatened salmon stocks – which on some rivers removes half of the juvenile fish leaving the river before going to sea as smolts;

The cost to taxpayers of the current licensing regime, which involves significant bureaucracy and expensive site visits from Natural England staff;

The fact that fisheries which are successful in applying for a licence are normally only allowed to shoot two or three cormorants; many have twenty times this number present on their fisheries;

The lack of accurate data on cormorant, goosander and merganser numbers and the impact of local controls on national populations;

The need for a review of the effectiveness of other methods of control – many of which are required to be tried before licences are granted – such as bird scarers, fish refuges and scarecrows and to consider providing funding to support their deployment by stillwater fisheries;

In a statement today, the Trust said it would be inviting members to provide examples of the impact of cormorants, mergansers and goosanders and how their angling and fish stocks have been damaged, and to report their experience of the current licensing regime by post or to cormorants@anglingtrust.net

"The Angling Trust will continue to campaign for urgent action to tackle problems with fish populations caused by pollution, over-abstraction, habitat damage and barriers to migration," it said.

"Many of these problems make cormorant and other avian predation much worse by reducing natural fish population growth and making it harder for fish to escape predation.

"Weirs, for example, often force fish to move up and downstream through very narrow channels, which make them very vulnerable to being eaten at these points.

"Similarly, many flood defence works remove overhanging vegetation and other cover from rivers, under which fish would naturally hide."

As the apex predatory fish in most waters, pike have often suffered from the knock-on effects of cormorant predation - as have other fish-eating birds such as kingfishers and grey herons.

Angling Trust Chief Executive Mark Lloyd said: “Anglers are conservationists at heart and do more than any other group to protect our rivers and lakes by providing funding and voluntary labour to conservation and restoration initiatives and by reporting pollution incidents.

"However, until our rivers and coastal fish populations are restored to good health, we must be allowed greater freedom to control local populations of cormorants, goosanders and mergansers where they are impacting on fish stocks."

While anglers from all walks of the sport will hope their voice will be heard, not everyone shares their enthusiasm.

The RSPB's conservation director Mark Avery claimed enough powers were already in place to control cormorants, in a blog post which accused some anglers of being "a bit bonkers".

"Fisheries and almost-everything-else Minister, Richard Benyon, is coming under pressure from fellow fishermen to allow culling of cormorants in their breeding season," he wrote.

"We work closely with fishermen on a range of issues such as the Severn Barrage, river pollution and the Water Framework Directive but some of them are a bit bonkers.

"No you don't need extra powers to cull cormorants - you have plenty of unnecessary scope already. We hope that in his busy job, Mr Benyon has time to be sensible on this issue."

Mr Benyon told the Express: “As a keen fisherman I understand the concerns of the angling community but these must be balanced with protecting the birds’ conservation status.”

Sir Peter & Son speak at Royston Vasey

2011-01-16T17:10:00.005Z

Peter "Sir Peter" Green (left) and son Mark - ROs for Wakefield and Selby respectively - will be venturing to deepest Royston Vasey on Tuesday, February 1, to deliver a magic lantern show on their pike fishing experiences over the last three decades.

Regions often say a speaker or speakers are not to be missed. This particular evening could well live up to that, plus you get tatty hash, whatever that is, for your fiver on the door.

The fun starts at Hollingworth Conservative Club, 113 Market St, Hollingworth, Hyde, SK14 8HY, at 7pm-ish.

Pike angler asks are trebles getting smaller..?

2011-01-16T16:21:00.002Z

Probably one of the more surreal questions which has ever found its way into the pages of Pikelines, acclaimed members' magazine of the Pike Anglers Club.

But in an article set to feature in the forthcoming winter edition, Neville Fickling asks whether treble hooks are getting smaller.

Some companies' sizes have always seemed smaller than others - ie size four Partridge hooks were more like sixes from other firms.

Neville says: "Today's size eights are definitely 10s and unless you are fishing for micro zander are utterly useless. For most of my deadbait fishing I'm on size fours these days."

Neville adds his current hook choice - Gamakatsu G-Points - aren't available in larger sizes. So bigger baits mean a switch to size two Owners.

Owners are sharp, strong hooks. No argument there. Buy size fours - more like size sixes of yore - and you end up with seven. Still enough for three and a half traces in old money.