Friday, July 27, 2007

PAC birthday bash set to be biggest yet

Get set for Piking 2007 - the Pike Anglers Club's biggest-ever convention.

An unrivalled line-up of guest speakers are topping the bill at the PAC's 30th birthday bash at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on Saturday, September 22.

Mick Brown, Jason Davis, Colin Goodge, Eddie Turner and John Watson will all be appearing on stage at an event no pike angler will want to miss.

The day will be compered by Barrie Rickards, one of the 2,500-strong club's founding fathers.

PAC secretary Mark Barrett said: "We're extending an invitation to all pike anglers to come and help us celebrate our 30th anniversary.

"We'll be doing that in exceptional style with the line-up of speakers we've got and all the other attractions lined up for the day."

Trade stands at the event will include some of the top names in the sport, including Fox, ET, the Friendly Fisherman, The Tackle Shop (Gainsborough), DLST, Zoota Lures, The Pike Shop, Sovereign Superbaits and CP Boats.

There will also be two book launches. PAC30, a book with chapters by 30 pike anglers commemorating three decades of the club will be on sale, along with Mega Pike - The Return; by Eddie Turner and Jason Davis.

Other attractions include the famous mega raffle, the draw for a brand new Sea Nymph boat and places to fish Lake of Menteith - not to mention the chance to renew aquaintances with pike anglers from all over the British Isles and further afield.

And as well as the bring and buy stall where you can sell unwanted tackle and maybe pick up a bargain, this year's event will have a second-hand lure stall for the first time.

Last but not least there will be awards presentations and Neville Fickling's Pike Panel, where audience members can quiz some of the sport's top names.

Many predator fans view the convention as one of the highlights of their year and the start of the traditional piking season.

This year's event comes after 18 months in which the club has seen record numbers joining, a 39lbs 8oz pike landed at a members' event and a far higher media profile as it steps up the campaign to preserve the pike and pike fishing.

Tickets cost £10 members, £12 non-members including parking. Up to two juniors admited free with a paying adult.

Doors open 10.30am. PAC members with advance tickets get priority admission from 10am.

For more information on the event and the work of the PAC, go to www.pacgb.com .

The club has an extended membership offer in operation in the run-up to event and members can enter a draw to win a boat by recruiting a friend using the special forms which can be downloaded from the website. Click here for more on this special promotion, including terms and conditions