Convention special offers update

Two special offers for the PAC Convention were announced today by membership secretary John Cahill.

The first is a combined membership and PAC30 book offer at £40, representing a saving for an adult member of £9.50 on usual prices. John said the offer extends to both new and renewing members on the day.

PAC30 was the highly acclaimed book published last year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Pike Anglers Club, featuring 30 chapters by some of the top names in the sport.

Click here for more on the book, which is usually priced £25 plus £5 p&p from the club's online shop.

Offer two is a special deal for members of the Lure Anglers Society, Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland and Specialist Anglers Alliance. We're delighted all three will be in attendance with stalls at this year's event.

By way of thanks, we're offering admission to any member of the LAS, PAAS or SAA for £12 on the door - the same price as PAC members - a saving of £2 on normal ticket price on the door for non-PAC members.

Piking 2008 is being held at Stoneleigh, Warks, on Saturday, September 27.

Click here for all the latest news on the pike fishing's don't miss event of the year.

Last posting date for PAC goods

Got your eye on a copy of PAC30 or some new merchandise from the Pike Anglers Club's online shop for Christmas..?

Then please note the last posting date to ensure Christmas delivery is Friday, December 14.

Go here to order online by credit card or PayPal.

PAC30 and an interview with Mick Brown

Mick Brown's blogged his take on the PAC Convention on the Fox website, along with an off-the-cuff interview with freelance journalist Dicky Fisk.

Click here to read it.

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 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

PAC 30th Anniversary Badge launched

A new cloth badge has been launched to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Pike Anglers Club.

It's a limited edition and available to order for £3.50 via the PAC's online shop, click here to visit it.

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.

PAC30 - a preview by Mark Barrett

If the orders that are streaming through my door are anything to go by, it seems like a lot of anglers are now aware of PAC30 - the Pike Anglers Club’s commemorative book to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

However for those of you that may be undecided about whether or not to be 100% certain of getting a copy here’s just a taster of what you could be getting.

“…..I made contact as the pike headed fortunately away from the overhanging trees and snags beneath, into open water. I soon had it under control and drew it towards the waiting net and in the half-light could make out only the silhouetted head and shoulders of what was obviously a very large pike. Once in the boat the single size 6 treble was removed with the aid of a torch, so quickly had the light gone. In to the weighing sling she went and with the Avon’s supported on the blade of an oar I read the weight at 23 ¼ lbs. Now I knew it was bigger than that so I reweighed it, with the same result. It then dawned on me; I was one revolution of the needle short of lowering the sling with contents onto the bottom of the boat I counted as the needle went round. Once, twice, thrice, almost four times to give me a weight of 31 ¼ lbs! I double checked, repeating the procedure to confirm I was right, hardly able to comprehend that I’d caught a fish so big….”

Taken from My Broads Records, by John Watson

And..

“…What is it about that very first cast of the day? The thrill of the unknown quarry that may be waiting for your bait? The knowledge that pre-dawn is one of the key times to be on the bank? Or simply the relief that you are actually out fishing instead of doing all the other things that life throws at us in a seemingly endless stream? I’m sure we all have very personal reasons. Quickly baiting up, I cast the first morsel….”

Taken from Natures Finest, by Steve Ormrod.

These are just a sneak preview of some of the exciting and diverse chapters that make PAC30 the ‘must have’ book of the year.

To pre-order your copy then simply send a cheque for £25 (+ £5 for Postage and packing) for a hardback edition, or why not treat yourself to a leather-bound collectors edition for £185 (+£5 p+p).

Even better why not save yourself the postage and pick your copy up at the PAC convention on the 22^nd September at Stoneleigh Park, Warks and get your book signed by many of the contributors.

Full details of the convention can be found at www.pacgb.co.uk.

Cheques or postal orders for PAC30 should be made out to “The Pike Anglers Club” and sent to:

Mark Barrett
32 Berristead Close
Wilburton
Ely
Cambs
CB6 3RS

or order on-line at www.pacshop.co.uk

Cover picture here.

New badge celebrates 30 years of PAC

A new cloth badge will be available shortly to mark the PAC's 30th Anniversary later this year.

For more information on PAC products and an order form click here.

An online shop will be opening soon, meaning you'll be able to order the full range from your PC.

Reserve a slice of pike fishing history

Anglers are being offered the chance to reserve their copy of a book which will rank among the best ever published on the sport of pike fishing.

PAC30, a quality hardback which commemorates 30 years of the club, will be available from Piking 2007, in late September.

PAC secretary Mark Barrett said: "All the rumours that you have heard have been true, and PAC 30 the celebratory book is now available to pre-order to make sure of your copy.

"PAC 30 is a quality hardback book produced by Pike angler and book designer Stephen Harper, the man responsible for such legendary titles as Neville Fickling's Mammoth Pike, John Watson's Pikers Progress and Stephen's own Broadland Pike.

"All of Stephen's past books have become much sought after editions and are changing hands on on-line auction sites for often ten times the original cover price.

"The book is an out and out story book, in that there are stories of red letter days, record fish, river thirties, reservoir thirties, friends and influences, and is just the way to whet your appetite for the new piking season, as well as being a book to dip into in those moments when inspiration is required."

The book includes chapters by:

Barrie Rickards
Derrick Amies
John Watson
Neville Fickling
Mick Brown
Dave Horton
Roy Lewis
Phil Wakeford
Steve Bown
Graham Slater
Denis Moules
Scott Davidson
Pete Climo
Wayne Thomas
Steve Rogowski
Steve Rodwell
Steve Taylor
Steve Gould
John Synnuck
Mark Barrett
Chris Bishop
Mark Skinner
John Neafcy
Eric Edwards
Chris Donovan
Steve Ormrod
Bill Palmer
James Holgate
and Dave Lumb

PAC 30 is on a limited print run, and the only way to make sure of obtaining a copy is to pre-order one now. Why not save yourself a fiver into the bargain by picking your copy up at the convention on the 22nd September at Stonleigh Park, Warks?

The hardback version of the book costs £25 with postage if required another £5.

There are also a strictly limited number of leatherbound editions available. These retail at £185 + £5 postage. Only 100 of these will be made and are sure to become a classic. (leatherbounds limited to members only and two per person)

Books can be ordered by sending a cheque or postal order made payable to the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain to General Secretary Mark Barrett at:

32 Berristead Close
Wilburton
Ely
Cambs
CB6 3RS

or order on-line at www.pacshop.co.uk

Cover picture here.

Membership nudging record high

Around 30 people now joining the Pike Anglers Club every week. Isn't it time you joined them..?

And if you needed another excuse, how would a brand-new boat help next winter's campaign..?

If you're a PAC member, all you have to do is recuit a member using one of our new leaflets. And make sure you put your details in the space for who referred them.

Every time someone joins using a form with your details on, you get entered in the draw to win a Sea Nymph.

They're popular with pike anglers all over for one or two good reasons - they're built like tanks but they're stable and dead easy for even a beginner to handle.

They cost just over a grand to buy new. But we're giving one away for free, in our 2007 membership promotion, which will be drawn in September at the PAC Convention.

To make it even easier, you can download and print off forms online if you just click here.

For more details on how to win the boat, click here.

Claim your place in the history books

Work is now well in progress on a project code-named PAC30 - a book to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Pike Anglers Club.

The limited-edition book will go on sale at this year's Convention, which officially marks the club's 30th birthday.

As well as looking back at some of the major events in pike fishing since the club was formed, it will also feature contributions from around 30 of today's leading pike anglers.

Some of them are household names. Some of them less famous, but no less-successful in their own areas or at their chosen methods.

While the exact line-up is a work in progress as far as the book is concerned, we have created two special slots for chapters from PAC members.

Any member of the club can enter a piece of writing to be considered for inclusion, but please bear in mind the conditions:

Entries, which should be in the region of 2,500 words, can be on any aspect off pike fishing. It needs to illustrated with a selection of pictures which are of suitable quality for reproduction purposes.

The closing date for entries is March 30 but a brief synopsis should be sent in by February 28 so the team putting the book together have some idea what entries are on the way.

This should include your contact details so we can contact you in the event of any queries.

Entries should be sent to PAC secretary Mark Barrett via the e-mail address in the contacts section of the main PAC website.