Four must-see speakers for Piking 2008

Four must-see speakers have been signed up for this year's Pike Anglers Club Convention.

Piking 2008 will be held at Stoneleigh, Warks, on Saturday, September 27.

Predator fishing in all four corners of the British Isles, along with Holland and Sweden are covered by Derek MacDonald, Graham Slater, Michel Huigevoort and PA Högberg.

PAC promotions manager Mike Kelly said: "All four speakers have varied experience and fish differently, but one thing's for sure - they'll all knock you out with their talks and catches."

Derek Macdonald may be one of the country's best-known lure anglers but he rarely shares the secrets of his success.

"On my travels I have fished in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales even as far afield as Eastern Germany," he said.

"After a long and winding road, I have managed to reach my Everest and fulfil my dream, catching a monstrous fish weighing over 40lbs."

Graham Slater is another one of pike fishing's quieter exponents, who has enjoyed some phenomenal catches.

“Thirty years of fishing waters in England, Ireland and Scotland have shaped both the way I think about my fishing and the way I go about it," he said.

"My presentation will details some of my experiences and things I've learned from them, along with last season’s results and how I achieved my most successful season ever."

Michel Huigevoort will be travelling from Holland to share the Dutch style of fishing rivers.

He said: “I grew up close to the river Maas in the south of Holland. And after my very first pike the call of the river and the hunt for the biggest predator never went away.

"A part from pike fishing I like fishing for zander as well. Challenging the biggest bodies of water is what I like most, in Holland and abroad."

PA Högberg, from Stockholm, will be outlining his approach to both the increasingly popular Baltic and other Scandinavian waters.

"My talk outline will be the Swedish pike of different types like lake pike, river pike, Baltic pike and sub-groups like stationary pike.

"I'll be covering techniques to catch them. How to pick the right lure. Fishing technique with different types of baits. Rods and reels and how to chose the proper gear."

As well as the speakers, the PAC Convention is regarded by many pike anglers as the start to their winter campaign.

Stalls featuring the latest predator tackle, the lively second-hand tackle sale, demonstrations, awards and the chance to meet some of the sport's top names add up to a top day's entertainment.

All predator anglers are welcome, with tickets costing £12 for PAC members and £14 for non-members on the door.

Up to two juniors (under 16...) are admitted free with each paying adult, while advance tickets are available priced £10.

Parking is free and there are refreshments and bar.

For advance tickets, send a cheque payable to the PAC for £10 per ticket, with a stamped address envelope, to: Mike Kelly, 47 Yew Tree Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0BG.