Convention trials big screen TV link

A TV link is being set up so talks at his year's Pike Anglers Club Convention can be screened live in the main hall, PAC chairman Colin Goodge said today.

That means those manning stalls won't miss out on the speakers, while anglers visiting the event won't have to spend all day in the lecture theatre if they want to take time out to shop and socialise.

"We'll be trialling this so people can shop for tackle and spend time on the stalls without missing out on the talks, as there's a very busy programme lined up for Stoneleigh and people will want to catch as much as they can," Colin said.

Entrance timings are also being brought forward, to give people a chance to browse the stalls and grab a coffee or a bite to eat before the speakers get under way at 10.30am.

Doors open for advance ticket holders from 9am, while tickets will be available on the door from 9.30 - both times subject to confirmation.

PAC Convention - accommodation list

There's limited on-site accommodation but plenty of places to stay within a couple of miles of Stoneleigh Park, where the PAC's 30th Anniversary Convention is being held on Saturday, September 22.

We're hoping to arrange a venue where we can meet up for a social the night before.

Click here for a list of hotels and B&Bs. For more information on the event, click here.

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

Save a fiver when you pre-order PAC30

You can save a fiver if you fancy a copy of PAC30 - the club's forthcoming commorative book - and are attending the Convention.

We're now taking advance orders for the limited-edition book, so people can ensure they get a copy.

And you can save on the £5 postage and packing charge if you collect it at Piking 2007.

More here.

PAC30 convention programme

The programme for PAC30, the club's 30th anniversary convention, has now been finalised.

This year's top pike fishing event is being held at Stoneleigh, Warks, on Saturday, September 22.

Your MC for the day will be Professor Barrie Rickards, Founding Fellow of the club.

1. 10.30 Sharp! Opening Address Barrie Rickards

2. 10.40 to 11.20 ‘One Week In Paradise’ Jason Davis reveals his fantastic catches made in recent years and as reported in his joint book with ET.

3. 11.20 to 11.30 PAC Committee Update Phil Wakeford talks about the highs and lows of the committee’s first year in office.

4. 11.30 to 11.45 The Menteith Draw Mark Skinner. Who will the lucky winners be to fish the Lake Of Dreams?

5. 11.45 to 12. 35 ‘Watto Returns’. John Watson on his exploits over the years in Broadland, catching pike by traditional methods.

6. 12.35 to 12.55 PAC 2007 Awards Presentations by Mark Barrett

Pike Angler- Bill Palmer

Regional Organiser - Gordon Nesbitt

Angling Development Shield - Peter Green

Colin Dyson Memorial – David Overy (posthumously)

12.55 to 13.30 Lunch Break

7. 13.30 to 14.30 ‘The Modern Approach to Catching Pike’ – Mick Brown takes up the story started by Watto and brings us right up to date on the modern piking scene..

8. 14.30 to 15.10 ‘30 Years of the PAC of GB’. Chairman Colin Goodge recalls where the club came from and what it has achieved to date.

9. 15.10 to 15.50 ‘Water, Water Everywhere!’ Eddie Turner talks about piking fun from boats.

10. 15.50 to 16.35 ‘Nev’s Panel’. Neville and all of the days speakers take questions from the floor on topical events.

11. 16.35 to 17.20 Mega Raffle Mike Kelly. Will you be lucky?

12. 17.20 to 17.30 Closing Remarks from Barrie Rickards

Piking 2007 - tackle giant Fox confirmed

Tackle giant Fox is among traders already confirmed for the PAC's 30th anniversary convention, which already looks set to be the pike fishing event of the year.

Other exhibitors attending the event ar Stoneleigh, Warks, on September 22, include ET, the Friendly Fisherman, The Tackle Shop (Gainsborough), DLST, Zoota Lures, The Pike Shop, Sovereign Superbaits, the launch of Mega Pike - The Return; by Eddie Turner and Jason Davis, CP Boats.

Last but not least, the PAC will be running a full products stand which will include copies of PAC30 - the book being brought out by the club to commemorate its 30th year.


Speakers include Eddie Turner and Jason Davis, Colin Goodge, John Watson and Mick Brown.

Watto signed up for PAC Convention

John Watson is signed up to speak at Piking 2007 - the PAC's eagerly-awaited 30th birthday bash.

Barrie Rickards will be master of ceremonies at pike fishing's premier event, which is being held at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, on Saturday, September 22.

Ticket prices have been set at £10 members/£12 non-members - which includes parking. While admission charges were cheaper for last year's convention at Leeds Royal Armouries, many faced parking charges of £10 or more and a queue to release their cars after the event.

Mick Brown tops the bill for Piking 2007

Mick Brown will be heading the line-up of speakers at this year's Pike Anglers Club Convention, we can reveal today.

Widely-acknowleged as one of the best all-round pike anglers of his generation, Mick is a fitting speaker for the club's 30th birthday celebrations.

PAC promotions manager and convention organiser Mike Kelly said: "We're thrilled Mick has agreed to attend and speak at the anniversary convention, which is going to be a big day for the club and for pike fishing.

"It's the icing on the cake for us and another good reason to come to what's already promising to be a very excting event."

Mick said: "It's a great honour to be asked to speak, because it's quite an important occasion.

"I turned 60 just before Christmas, so I guess I'll be able to look back and give a bit of an overview on how pike fishing has changed over the years."

The Convention - Piking 2007 - is being held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on Saturday, September 22.

There will be a full day's entertainment in the form of speakers and slide shows, along with a wide assortment of stalls where you can browse the latest tackle and stock up for the coming winter's pike fishing.

It's also a chance to meet up with friends old and new from up and down the country, in the only event of its kind in the UK.

More details on the line-up and other attractions will be announced as they are confirmed. For more information on this and other PAC events, click here.