TENPAC leaves strong club as new committee takes the reins, pike anglers' AGM told today

There have been successes and there have been failures. But the Pike Anglers Club has had a higher profile than for many years and remains a force to be reckoned with.
That was the message at the predator fishing club's AGM in Nottingham today, as TENPAC - the tenth committee to have run the club since its formation 32 years ago - handed over to its successor.
Opening the meeting chairman Colin Goodge said: "I've been very satisified with this committee, they've done a marvellous job. We didn't achieve all we'd like to have but they've put the PAC back on the map.
"I've been proud to be a part of it and I'd like to thank them for all their hard work over the last three years."


Outgoing president Phil Wakeford said the club had come a long way and achieved a lot during its 32 year history.
Of the Tenth PAC committee's term, which began in May 2006, he added: "There've been some successes, there've been some failures but the games never over.
"You've got to redouble your efforts and keep chipping away at it and one good thing is there are always people willing to put their hands up to keep this club of ours going."
One ambition of the tenth committee was to grow the PAC's membership beyond the record of 3,000 achieved in the early 1990s. Many of the outgoing regime are disappointed they failed to achieve it.
"The biggest target is regular pike anglers who are not members of the club," Phil said. "How do we get to them..?"
Phil said relations had improved between the PAC and Pike Anglers Alliance for Scotland, while there were also encouraging signs that a new pike conservation group would be set up in the Irish Republic.
"What is the glue that holds us together," he said, closing his final address as president. "Clubs come and go but the PAC is still here. We're still strong and we're still a force to be reckoned with."

Events organiser Mark Skinner said his main aim on taking office had been to increase the number of events open to members.
"As everyone knows, Menteith is the club's main event, but these events are few and far between so other avenues had to be explored," he said.
"I therefore aimed our events more towards the social side of fishing and tried to offer members venues where meeting up, making new friends and rekindling old friendships was another thing to focus on , rather than just fishing a place with the chance of catching big fish."
Mark said one highlight was being on the Menteith event where Newcastle-based Lyn Baker caught the biggest pike ever to be caught by a woman in the British Isles. The capture sparked coverage in national newspapers including The Sun and TV appearences for Lyn, which raised the profile of the PAC and its work.
"I actually mentioned to Lynn how great it would be for a woman to catch a big fish on the event in the Rob Roy the night before," he said. "Needless to say I had a few members asking me to say the same thing to them on the night before our last event on Menteith."
Mark said meeting members and making new contacts had been another highlight of marshalling events.
"You can talk to members via our forum or through e-mail, but nothing bats meeting other members face-to-face out on a day's fishing.
"To finish off, I'd just like to say I've really enjoyed my time in the role and working with everyone on the committee.
"We've had our ups and downs, we've had our disagreements but we've focussed on what's been good for the club."

Products manager Michael Hastings said: "I'm going to keep it short and sweet like Kylie.
"I inherited a good system from Mick Culpan and I don't think I've messed it up too much."
Michael said products revenue had grown to more than £7,000 in 2007/08. He said products were a popular way for members to support the club, with "badges, caps and 'ats" proving more popular than mugs and mousemats, while a stock of PAC30 - the commemorative book published to celebrate the club's 30th anniversary - remained unsold.
"I've enjoyed the last three years and I'm proud to be a member of this club," he said. "This committee has taken the club forward - we've taken over a good club and we've not mucked it up too badly."

In characteristically to the point style, webmaster Dave Lumb said: "We've still got a website, we've got a forum, we've got a webshop, we've got a blog and we've got a gallery like a blog and someone else is going to be doing i from this afternoon."

Advertising manager Mike Kelly said the recession had seen many larger players in the fishing industry slash budgets, while some companies had gone out of business over the last three years.
"We've lost quite a few advertisers, Hengelsport, Harris, Lure Mania, Lureshack and John Roberts," he said. "We've got new advertisers but we've lost income. We've got a lot of small advertisers and we're in a recession."

Secretary Mark Barrett said the club still had a strong regional structure. But he said the future lay in smaller, larger regional groups.
"We don't have the number of speakers and pike anglers attending meetings to make 120-odd regions viable," he said. "It's a bit much to drive a long way and find there's one man and a dog in a pub."

Press officer Chris Bishop said his term had began dealing with negative stories about pike fishing and establishing the club as a port of call for comment and information about predator angling.
He said the club had won some high profile victories, but the landscape and the media were changing fast.
"Having a blog was fairly cutting edge when we launched it, a lot of other angling organisations followed suit," he said. "Now it's old hat and the future's going to be about finding new ways of reaching people."

Treasurer John Synnuck presented the club's accounts and said while they would show a small surplus, this came mainly in the final quarter of the year. John said while newspapers were reporting the first signs the economy was recovering, the recession was likely to impact further on the PAC.
"Whether we like it or not, it's going to have a direct effect on people going fishing and pike anglers," he said. "People will be fishing less regularly and won't be joining clubs like ours.
"If we end up in three years' time with the same number of members we've got now that in itself will be a fantastic feat."

Pikelines production editor Steve Ormrod reported on behalf of himself and co-editor Neville Fickling, who could not attend the AGM.
"At his worst, he's the grumpiest man alive," he said. "At his best, he's the best features editor you could ever wish to work with."
Steve said the incoming committe had asked him to remain in post for the next two issues, to allow them time to review the position of Pikelines manager. He said he would be taking a back seat, non-committee role.
He outlined cost savings, which meant the magazine was cheaper to produce than in 2005/06.
"The magazine won't be changing that much in the short-term," he said. "The new chaps are keen to have an impact, so watch this space and see what happens.
"But be assured Pikelines will always be a quality product. The PAC has a very bright future."

John Synnuck gave a report on behalf of membership secretary John Cahill. He said while membership had not reached the hallowed 3,000 mark, it had grown from 1830 in May 2006, to 2065 today.
"That's a growth of 12.5 per cent so we have had some significant success at growin the numbers," John said. "John's done fantastic job and was one of the heroes on the PAC committee - it's ball-breaking work for very little thanks." John said John Cahill was "ably assisted" by his predecessor Peter Green.

Closing the outgoing committee's final reports, Colin Goodge said: "This has been a very successful committee, they've done everything they've been asked and more. We now finish with a strong PAC thanks to the lads around me."

PAC AGM details announced for May 9

The next PAC committee will be unveiled for the first time at the club's AGM on Saturday, May 9.

PAC chairman Colin Goodge said members were welcome to attend to give the outgoing committee, which has run the club since 2006, a send-off, and to welcome and give their suggestions to the new committee who will be taking over the reins for the next three years.

The meeting is being held at the Holiday Inn, Bostock's Lane, Sandiacre NG10 5NJ - this is off Junct 25 of the M1, between Nottingham and Derby.

Broads flooding plans are abandoned

Almost a year ago to the day, anger erupted after controversial plans to abandon coastal defences and surrender large areas of the Broads to the sea were leaked to the media.

Some of Europe's finest pike fisheries were under threat - including the Upper Thurne, Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere. Just weeks ago, the system produced a 45lbs pike, the largest ever caught from a British river.

Thousands signed a PAC petition on Prime Minister Gordon Brown's website.

Now Natural England has dropped the controversial proposals from its final report.

Click here for full story.

RA31 Presentation Night - 1st April

Region 31's annual Presentation Night takes place on Wednesday 1st of April from 8pm onwards.

This is our last formal meeting of the 2008/2009 season, the evening will be hosted by James Holgate P&P Editor & angling author, the agenda will include:

* Region update & accounts
* Tackle auction
* Buffet
* Certificates of merit
* Trophy presentations
* Prize raffle including:

1. Win a days boat piking with Wezley Ballentine - this is a top prize and a first!
2. Fox Stratos baitrunner style reel
3. Okuma Multiplier
4. Years subscription to P&P

Details for the clubs final outing of the season will be given at the meeting. Entry £3 none region 31 members, £2 to members

Venue upstairs function room Caledonian public house, 154 Bolton Rd (next to Tesco garage), Ashton-in-Makerfield, Nr Wigan WN4 8PF.

Two pike anglers dead, two missing on Loch Awe

Two pike anglers have died and two others are missing after getting into difficulties on Scotland's Loch Awe.

The dead men were last night named as William Carty, 47 and Craig Currie, 30.

Fears are growing for Mr Carty's 42-year-old brother Steven, and his friend Thomas Douglas, 36, who are still missing.

Police, coastguard and an RAF rescue helicopter searched an area of the loch near Kilchurn Castle after the alarm was raised in the early hours of Saturday.

The four men were part of a group of five anglers who had travelled from Glasgow to camp beside the loch and fish. Awe is a popular venue, which draws pike anglers from across Scotland.

Sky reported: "At about 11pm the four had headed towards a hotel on the other side of the loch in a small boat, leaving the fifth man sleeping in one of the tents.

"At 3am the fifth man awoke to discover his friends had still not returned and then heard screams for help and raised the alarm. Firefighters from Oban, Inverary and Dalmally raced to the loch to help.

"On arrival at the scene next to the A819 firefighters could hear calls for help from the loch but could not see anyone because of the fog."

The BBC later said: "The men, who were on a fishing trip, had been camping on the banks of the loch, near Kilchurn Castle, close to Dalmally, and were thought to be from north Glasgow.

"A police spokesman said they had decided to take a small boat across the loch to a hotel and left at about 2300 GMT on Friday, leaving one of the group at the campsite.

"At about 0300 GMT the 38-year-old man discovered his friends had not returned. He then heard them calling for help from the loch and alerted the emergency services but thick fog hampered their rescue efforts."

The bodies of Mr Carty and Mr Currie were recovered from the loch by rescue teams yesterday morning. The search for Steven Carty and Mr Douglas will resume today.

Marie Sommerville, landlady of the Tight Line pub which the men visited before the tragedy on Friday night, told the BBC: "They were just really nice guys. It's just unbelievable."

Her daughter Anna Price said they were "keen pike fishermen" who were regulars on Loch Awe.

She added: "It was just a hobby, but they were anglers, they were really good and very experienced.

"They weren't idiots in a boat. They knew what they were doing. We don't know what could have happened other than the fact that it was so foggy last night."

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue told Scotland on Sunday: "On arrival at the scene, the fire crews could hear calls for assistance from the loch. Unfortunately visibility was down to five metres and they could not see anyone.

"The officer in charge requested the assistance of a rescue boat from Renfrew Fire Station. A helicopter was also sent by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency but was unable to locate the missing persons because of the poor visibility.

"When the rescue boat arrived from Renfrew they rescued two male adults from the water. Both were wearing lifejackets. The two men were unconscious and in a poor condition. Sadly both were declared dead at the scene."

The Sunday Herald said low visibility hampered the search for the men. The Mail on Sunday said there were concerns over the time it took to launch a rescue boat.

Yorkshire Slide Show

Pete Haywood will be giving the Yorkshire region a talk on Friday 27th March.

The show will be held at Redoubt Rugby club on Broadway Wakefield WF2 8AA and start at 7.30 pm.

A charge of £2 on the door and a raffle will be held on the night.

All will be welcome to this the 1st of many Yorkshire regional talks.

Further information can be obtained from Pete Green on 01924782705 or psgreen@blueyonder.co.uk

Scott's thirty tops Menteith event

A 36lbs 10oz pike caught by Scott Davidson topped off today's PAC event on Menteith.

More than 100 jacks, 20 doubles and seven twenties were caught - including a 29lbs fish to Jack Dinnewall, who pens the junior column in Pikelines.

The fish might have been up for it, but the weather was less than pleasant, PAC events organiser Mark Skinner said tonight.

"It was wind and rain all day, people came back drenched," he said. "But everyone enjoyed it, it was a great day."

Wissey fish thieves face legal challenge

LEGAL BID: Tench on a home-made stringer

Court injunctions look set to be served in a bid to step up the campaign against fish thieves, sources have told the Pike Anglers Club.

Two migrant workers caught netting fish and barbecuing them on the banks of Norfolk's River Wissey were prosecuted last September, after an outcry over fish being taken from Fenland drains and rivers.

Tonight sources have told the club that efforts to pursue a private prosection have been abandoned, but legal injunctions are now being sought to ban various parties from fishing the river.

King's Lynn Angling Association officials and PAC members have highlighted the extent of fish being removed for food, from rivers like the Wissey.

There were hopes a private prosecution would follow. But one source tonight said: "We haven't been able to prove a loss but we have been able to put an injunction on them."

Region relaunch - Blackpool/Preston

Any members from the Blackpool/Preston Region, are invited to attend a meeting to be held on Tuesday next, 10th March 2009 at the Fylde Boat Club, Bispham to start at 8-8.15 p.m.

This is to hopefully reform the club in this area.

Philip Gould, former Cheshire PAC RO, wants to invite any anglers who are interested. Phil's contact number is 07721-436184, but he is away this week on holiday, so any enquiries should be directed to Mark Johnson, NW Liaison Officer (Tel: 07817-419286)

Neville Fickling speaks to RA31

Region 31 South Lancashire proudly present Neville Fickling, a name that needs no introduction to pikers, a man who has held the British pike record and has caught over 400 twenty pound plus pike!

Wednesday 3rd March upstairs function room, Caledonian Public House, Bolton Road Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan (next door to Tesco garage). Entry £4 none region members, £3 to members of the region, entry includes free buffet.

Talk starts 8pm.

Caledonian Public House -154 Bolton Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, Greater Manchester WN4 8PF

Anglers protest outside water firm's HQ

Anglers who have fished Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire for a generation held a protest outside Severn Trent Water’s Headquarters today after the water company refused to back down on its controversial plans to close two thirds of the reservoir to angling due to concerns about health and safety of the public, the anglers themselves and the structural integrity of the dam wall. Afterwards, a meeting was held between Foremark Fly Fishers, the Angling Trust and the Operations Director of Severn Trent.

The Angling Trust and Foremark Fly Fishers will launch a petition this weekend at the Spring Fly Fair in Newark to seek the support of thousands of anglers who are angered by this decision by the privatised utility. The petition will go online next week on the Angling Trust website at www.anglingtrust.net

Earlier this week, support for the anglers case came from an unlikely source: the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), whose Strategy Division wrote to the angling club: “there are a great many myths circulating about what ‘health and safety regulations’ require; they are just that – myths. Unfortunately some organisations fall for these myths and act upon them. It does appear that health and safety is being used as a reason to limit the amount of fishing along the banks of the reservoir when the real reason may well be something else altogether.”

The HSE went on to suggest that the anglers ask the company for a copy of the risk assessment which led to the decision being taken. Despite several requests to Severn Trent, a copy has not been forthcoming and at a meeting with Peter Gavin, a Director at Severn Trent, it was confirmed that the document would not be released. This has led anglers to speculate that no such assessment exists.

David Coates, Chairman of Foremark Fly Fishers said: “I felt that the meeting was positive although no firm commitments were made, the dialogue has opened up and the company has agreed to make a ‘response with substance’ in the next two weeks or so.”

Alan Dawes, Secretary Foremark Fly Fishers and Angling Correspondent for the Burton Mail said: “it was good to meet Severn Trent face to face, and although nothing positive came out of the meeting, it was obvious that they listened to our grievances and were prepared to discuss it further in the near future.”

Mark Lloyd Chief Executive, Angling Trust said: “I am appalled by the way Severn Trent has treated their customers. There has been no consultation about this entirely unreasonable decision and no attempt to take on board our members’ suggestions for measures to mitigate any risks which might exist. It is clear that the Health and Safety Executive agrees. We will be calling on all anglers to sign our petition and, if they are shareholders or customers of Severn Trent, to write to the company and complain.”

PAC National Committee Statement re Ireland

The National Committee has read with interest the various views being expressed on internet forums and elsewhere regarding matters pertaining to pike and pike fishing in Ireland. This statement has been prepared reflecting the position of the National Committee.

The Irish Republic

The present geographic remit of the Pike Anglers Club does not currently encompass the Irish Republic. The Club was formerly known as the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain and Ireland but this changed with the formation of the Irish Pike Society in 1993. Sadly the IPS was adversely affected by the untimely death of the IPS Chairman David Overy.

The current position of the PAC is not to reincorporate the Irish Republic into the club. We are aware of the potential formation of a Conservation Orientated organisation there with similar objectives and principles to PAC. Clearly the existing organisation representing pike anglers in the Republic namely the Irish Federation of Pike Angling Clubs has shown itself to be more concerned with running pike matches than in pike care and conservation per se and hence do not fulfil the necessary role that PAC fulfils in the UK.

We hope in time to see the emergence of an Irish led pike welfare organisation in the Irish Republic and will both watch and support developments to that end closely. In the event this does not transpire the National Committee will review matters in conjunction with its membership in Ireland and also represent the interests of the many GB based pike anglers who fish in Ireland.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is well served by PAC members with circa 100 members of the club residing there. This level of activity to our mind reflects both the level of interest in pike fishing in this part of the UK as well as the threats increasingly posed to it from various sources.

Originally there was a single PAC Region in Northern Ireland but following the 2008 AGM of Region 43 this region has since closed and a new Region 111 started up.

The PAC’s officers in Northern Ireland are George Higgins as Liaison Officer and Robbie Marsh as Regional Organiser RA 111. We have confidence and faith in these two members to look after PAC interests in the North and are in regular contact with them.

No other individuals are authorised by the National Committee to deal with authorities and other bodies on behalf of the PAC in Northern Ireland.

For avoidance of doubt the PAC do not support the Erne Classic Pike event.

Furthermore we have appointed two members of the National Committee to deal with related matters in Ireland these being John Cahill for the North and Phil Wakeford for the Republic. They will of course work closely together.

Barrels

The strong following for pike matches throughout the island of Ireland has resulted in the perceived need to retain live pike for later "weighing in" and verification of the catch by "permitted methods" by match officials to prevent false claims being made. This is particularly relevant when considering the large value prizes that some of the open matches offer.

The PAC of GB would like to make it publicly known that we are in total opposition to the practice of retaining pike in barrels.Where the club has engaged with match organisers we have been unable to date to change their minds in relation to the use of barrels. We would much prefer alternative methods were adopted such as trusting anglers to report catches correctly, retention in suitable 'carp sacks' for as short a time period as in necessary or adoption of methods used elsewhere such as photographic evidence alongside approved measuring tapes/sticks.

Despite our opposition, if barrels are still to be adopted in a particular match then the welfare of the pike must be aided by considerations such as size of barrel, freshness and volume of water, temperature of water/air plus levels of dissolved oxygen (DO). The use of undersize aeration devices clearly will be next to useless in increasing the DO within a large volume of water i.e. 100 litres and we criticise quasi scientific reports promoted by bodies seeking to validate the use of barrels.

We also have reservations whilst angling afloat with a barrel of water. We leave the organisers to confirm to participants that this practice is Health and Safety compliant for insurance purposes.

Gill Netting

PAC continues to be adamantly opposed to the so-called "management of pike stocks" as has been practiced in certain Irish waters by Regional Fisheries Boards such as on the Great Western Loughs. We are particularly critical of the use of gill nets in which not only fish suffer (they are also indiscriminate in species selection) but also birds and in some cases otters.

Illegal Fish Removal

We sympathise greatly with anglers and fishing clubs in Ireland whose local waters are being targeted by poachers using a variety of capture methods including nets and long lines.

The current Byelaw 809 (2006) in the Republic provides the following:

1) A bag limit of one pike in any one day

2) Prohibits the killing of more than one pike greater than 50 cm in any one day

3) Makes it illegal to be in the possession of more than one Pike <> 0.75 kg of Pike flesh

We would welcome tougher enforcement of existing laws by the authorities. Recent successful prosecutions give us cause for some hope in this area.

The upcoming review of the Marine Bill in the UK is hoped to have a similar outcome with regard to protection of dwindling pike stocks but the key to success will as ever be with enforcement of the law often in adverse circumstances, in remote places and often at night.

---

Enquiries in relation to this announcement can be directed to:

Phil Wakeford, PACGB President re matters relating the the Irish Republic

John Cahill, PACGB Membership Secretary re matters relating to Northern Ireland

Chris Bishop - Press enquiries..

Mark Green at RA 88

Date : Tuesday 3rd March

Time : 8.00pm

Venue : Hollingworth Conservative club , Hollingworth , Hyde ,Cheshire , SK14 8HY

Cost : £5 which includes buffet.

Eeeek... Andy's caught a crab

CRABBY: An alien visitor to the Fens

Mittens aren't only what pike anglers use to keep their fingers warm in the winter if you fish in the Fens these days, as PAC member Andy Webster discovered when he fished a drain in Lincolnshire.

For when something munched on his deadbait, it wasn't a pike but a Chinese mitten crab.

"I reeled in the float fished sprat and felt a bit of weight on the end but it fell off," Andy said on his blog tonight.

"The sprat had been shredded and I didn't have a clue what could have caused it. I decided to put it back in the same spot and after ten minutes I carefully reeled in again. The crab was wrapped in the trebles."

Mittens first hit the headlines when they turned up in the tidal Thames two decades ago. Oringinally believed to have travelled to London's docks in the ballast of cargo ships from the Far East, scientists believe frequent drought years and increased abstraction reduced river flows and created ideal conditions for the interlopers to breed.

Since then, they have spread around our shores, taking upwards of 20 years to walk around
our coastline to The Wash, from where they are believed to have entered the Tidal Ouse.

One turned up in a fish trap at Denver two years back and anglers were urged to report captures to the Environment Agency.

Another specimen ws caught recently on the Yorkshire Ouse - click here for local paper report.

As well as having a nasty nip mittens - so called because their claws grow fur during the breeding season - have another habit which doesn't go down well in low-lying, climate-change threatened areas like the Fens.

They burrow into the mud, digging large holes which can cause river banks to erode.

Environmentalists are now investigating whether the crabs could be commercially harvested for food as a way of controlling their numbers. But there are concerns over the level of toxins present in their flesh.

Lincolnshire lads clean up at Ecton Lakes

T-SHIRT WEATHER: Steve Rudkin with an Ecton double.

A Glorious day, weather-wise but little in the way of action for most of those taking part in today's PAC Event at Ecton Lakes, in Northants.

But Steve Rudkin and Andy Blunt's long trip down from Lincolnshire was made worthwhile when they found pike in frenzied mood on the nearby River Nene.

They banked three apiece in the space of barely half an hour, the best scaling 15lbs. Andy suffered a cut hand when a pike did a pirouette and to add insult to injury a sizeable pike showed itself when it lunged at an eight pounder he was playing.

Thanks again to the management and bailiffs at Ecton for their hospitality. It might take some getting to down that track, but it's a beautiful fishery when you arrive.

Graham Slater speaks in Co Durham

Pike Angler of the Year Graham Slater will be speaking to the Darlington, Teeside and Durham region of the Pike Anglers Club on Tuesday, march 3.

He'll he appearing at Coxhoe Working Mens Club, High Street, Coxhoe, Co. Durham; from 8pm.

Bar, buffet, raffle and tackle sales available.

Tickets £2 (PAC members) or £3 (non members) on the door.

Labour's 'Angling Minister' Martin Salter stands down

Reading West MP Martin Salter is standing down at the next election, reports his local paper the Reading Evening Post.

In 10 years as an MP Salter - who famously once bought a house because it had a decent barbel swim in its back garden - has been a leading member of the Commons All-party Angling Group, which he currently chairs.

Thaw, she's a-comin'

BRRR: Brass monkeys all-round

Believe it or not, there's meant to be a thaw on the way over the next few days, or so Metcheck reckons.

Winter Raffle - time's running out!

Don't forget to get your Winter Raffle Tickets in to Mike Kelly as soon as possible.

The draw takes place at the AMM in May and prizes have so far been donated by:

Martin Walker, Neville Fickling, Mark Barrett, Dave Lumb, Friendly Fisherman, The Pike Shop, PAC shop, Sovereign Superbaits and there are two Golden Menteith tickets available too.

Remember, more tickets are available by sending a SAE to Mike and the more tickets you have the better your chances of winning.

Good Luck.

New blog for RA24

PAC Region 24 South East Northumberland (SENPAC)now has a blog.

Graham Slater's talk CANCELLED

Graham Slater's talk for the Cheshire PAC RA9 scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) evening is the latest cancellation due to the weather predictions.

Contact Andy Bates for more info:mobile 07834999129 e-mail andybates7@sky.com

Council investigates jet skis on Norfolk pike fishery

An investigation is under way into moves to open up a Norfolk pike fishery for jet skiing.

Jet skiers have been using a nature reserve at Pentney Lakes, near King's Lynn.

Planning agreements in place at the beauty spot state Bird Lake should be kept as a nature reserve and used only for windsurfing and fishing.

Jet skiers were supposed to be confined to a smaller, neighbouring lake on the complex.

But a channel has been dug connecting it to Bird Lake and estate agents are advertising jet skiing as being available for people buying chalets at Pentney.

Anglers are allowed on limited areas on Bird Lake outside the breeding season for rare species like terns.

The restriction means the lake is only accessible during the winter months, when its only visitors tend to be pike anglers.

"Those of us who fish the place are happy to co-operate with the restrictions because we recognise we have to co-exist with the wildlife," one said.

"But if we go along with the rules and only fish when are where we're supposed to, it seems unfair if jet skiers can use the lake when birds are fledging.

"There's also the question of what damage they could potentially do with their wake and disturbance, which is why water skiing was not permitted on Bird Lake in the first place, and why the only water borne activities permitted are angling and wind surfing."

A planning agreement drawn up between the lakes' owners, the council and conservation group the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, divides the site into a number of zones.

They include a "buffer zone" where there should be "reduced levels of activity". But two-storey holiday homes have been built close to the zone, which includes an area frequented by otters.

Now the owners of one property have applied for planning permission to live in it all-year-round, while a hot tub and decking have been built alongside one of the lakes.

Pentney Lakes declined to comment. The council said an investigation was under way, with a view to a "more robust" management plan being drawn up.

It added: "These recommendations may or may not include formal enforcement action."

Ward councillor Janet Murphy said: "The intention is to get a more robust management plan to make sure that the wildlife is protected. We need to protect our countryside."

Pike feeding frenzy before cold snap

Pike go into a feeding frenzy before a cold snap, writes Mick Brown.

BREAKING NEWS: EA sets out fisheries reforms

Fines for illegal fish movements will increase to up to £50,000, close seasons will be set for eel, smelt and lamprey fisheries, while so called fish-thieves will see the maximum penalty for removing fish from Britain's rivers increased from £100 to £5,000.

The PAC was today passed a copy of the Environment Agency's take on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill currently before Parliament.

Entitled Reforming fisheries law for the 21st Century, the document spells out for the first time how the EA plans to "modernise fisheries regulation in England and Wales", and address recommendations made in the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries review.

"There will soon be major changes to the rules governing freshwater and migratory fisheries," the document says.

"These changes will help to conserve fish stocks, allowing people to continue to enjoy and make a living from fishing.

"Legislation to make these changes will go through Parliament over the next year or two.

"At the Environment Agency, we are working with Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure new regulations will meet current and future challenges.

"And to make the regulations as effective as possible, we will also work closely with other organisations, including angling governing bodies and conservation agencies."

At present, the EA is responsible for regulating salmon, trout, coarse and eel fisheries.

"This leaves fisheries for other migratory species unregulated, including rare and threatened species," the report adds.

"The Marine Bill will extend our regulatory responsibilities to river and sea lamprey, and smelt."

The bill will give the EA powers to make and enforce byelaws to meet European targets for protecting all three species. It is also seeking to regulate fishing for twaite and allis shad, which it says are also threatened.

New licence and authorisation schemes for smelt and lamprey will come into force in January 2010. Both species are a staple of the frozen deadbait trade.

New measure to protect the eel, whose population is believed to have declined by up to 70 per cent in recent decades, are included. The EA intends to regulate fishing, improve habitats and relocate elvers into "suitable upstream areas".

A faster mechanism for setting byelaws is included in the Marine Bill, along with powers to set close seasons for smelt, eel and lamprey.

The maximum penalty for byelaw breaches will be increased from £2,500 to £50,000.

"The marine Bill will reform how we regulate fish removal," the EA document says. "As well as giving us greater byelaw-making powers to control fish removal, the bill will change the Theft Act by removing the disticntion between day and night fishing, and increasing the maximum penalty for fish theft from £100 to £5,000.

A new scheme governing fish introductions and removals is also proposed. This is likely to impact on pike culls, by requiring nyone wishing to remove fish to obtain a long-term poermit lasting for between three and 10 years.

"Thanks to these measures, it will be much more difficult to move fish illegally without being detected, as only authorised suppliers will be allowed to move fish, and only to or from waters which have a long-term permit," the EA adds.

"The maximum penalty for illegal fish movements will also increase from £2,500 to £50,000, creating a much greater deterrent to breaking the law."

Anyone who wishes to comment on the proposals can e-mail paul.lidgett@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Club mourns death of "a smashing lad"

The PAC was tonight mourning the loss of a young Scottish member who died yesterday after a road accident.

Daryl Turley, 13, suffered serious head injuries when was hit by a motorcycle as he crossed a road at Hamilton on Saturday night. He lost his fight for life on Sunday night in Glasgow's Southern General Hospital.

Tonight PAC secretary Mark Barrett said the club sent out its condolences to young Daryl's family at this difficult time.

"We were all deeply saddened to hear of the passing away of Daryl Turley the son of Davy Turley, who were both PAC members from Scotland.

"From a personal point of view I got to meet Daryl on the visits to RA93 and he came across as a smashing lad that loved his fishing and the entire committee would like to pass on their condolences to all the Turley family at this sad time."

REGION 31 SOUTH LANCS, CHANGE OF GUEST SPEAKER

Unfortunately Paul Haughton has dropped out of doing his talk on on Wednesday 4th February.

Region 31 Member & local specimen ace GARY KNOWLES has kindly stepped into the breach and will be presenting a slideshow on his all round specimen angling exploits, (this will be a different slideshow than Gary presented at R31 last year).

Entry £3 non-Region 31 members, £2 Region 31 members. Upstairs function room Caledonian Public house, Bolton Rd, Ashton in Makerfield, Nr. Wigan (next door to Tesco garage.

Mark and Peter Green speak in Leeds

Mark Green and Peter Green will be giving a talk on pike fishing in Yorkshire at the Leeds region of the PAC on Tuesday February 3rd.

Meeting will be held at The Royal Pub, Station Street, Pudsey, Leeds and starts at 8.00pm

A one foot fly among the lily pads - fly fishing tales

You can see why fly fishing for predators is gaining such a following, if some of the features on pikeflyfishing.co.uk are anything to go by.

The PAC has taken on the site, and webmaster Dave Lumb has revealed the club hopes to develop it.

Ad Swier tells of a one foot fly among the lily pads on www.pikeflyfishing.co.uk:

"Slowly my feet paddle away beside the rushes and lily pads. Some are in blossom, others are deep below the surface. Bright greens and deep shadows. Every now and then a wood of pondweed appears. The better spots for pike.

"The edges of the deep standing lilies. There where the shivering darkness starts, is another hot spot, the truly unknown domain of everybody's dream fish. The huge pike, with moss on the head."

John Mees looks closer to home, with his tales of Grafham zander.

PAC takes on pike fly fishing website

The Pike Anglers Club can tonight announce it has taken over the management of leading pike fly fishing website pikeflyfishing.co.uk.

PAC webmaster Dave Lumb, who has redesigned the site, said: "Colin Brett has very kindly given the PAC the domain name and the contents of the site that he had built over the years.

"The PAC committee would like to thank Colin for this as the domain name is established and the site can become a valuable tool for attracting new members."

Dave said he hoped the site would become an important online resource for pike fly anglers.

"There is plenty of scope for expansion of the site to provided as good a resource for the pike fly fisher as the main PAC site has become for the general pike angler," he added.

"Towards that end we'd welcome input from our fluff-flinging members. What does it need? What would you like to see on it?

"Fly tying instructions would be most welcome for a start, but the site also needs a handling page dedicated to fly fishing rather than the current link out to the main PAC site."

The committee would also like to develop a recommended 'code' of tackle and practices to expand those on the main site.

"Thanks again to Colin for giving the club this opportunity," Dave said.

Catch up with Ackers in Co Durham

Mark Ackerley will be speaing at a Darlington, Teeside and Co Durham Region meeting on Tuesday, February 3.

It kicks off at Coxhoe Workingman’s Club, High Street, Coxhoe, Co. Durham, at 8pm.

Admission £2 PAC members, £3 non-members on the door.

Further details available from Shane Patterson on 0191 3869078

Blog subscribers growing - why not join them

We now have more than 600 subscribers, the actual number's a big higher as it takes the stats a few days to catch up.

If you want to join thm and receive an e-mail whenever the blog's updated, just enter your e-mail address in the subscriptions box and follow the instructions.

PLEASE NOTE: You have to respond to a confirmation e-mail by clicking a link (or copying and pasting it into your brower...) to confirm your account. If you've signed up and haven't heard anything yet, check your spam or junk e-mail as the message could have been diverted there.

Here comes the rain

With several days of rain forecast, you could be forgiven for asking what's happening to our weather and what it's going to do to our fishing for the remainder of the river season.

First there was the unseasonal cold snap - perhaps not so much unseasonal as it is *technically* winter, just a bit colder than normal.

After a couple of weeks of this, parts of the UK have this weekend experienced a third of a month's rainfall 12 hours.

"And the miserable conditions are due to continue over the next few days," reports the Daily Mail.

Many hoped slightly milder weather might bring the pike back on the feed and there were encouraging signs on one or two waters last week.

A few more weeks of crap weather and the fat lady's going to be singing for this season on the rivers. Best make sure those waterproofs are, um, waterproof then.

Catch up with Steve Ormrod in Lincoln

Steve Ormrod is guest speaker for the next Lincoln PAC meeting at the Stag's Head, Newport, on Monday, February 2.

Steve's a well-travelled, thinking angler with an impressive tally of big pike caught when he's not slaving away producing Pikelines.

RO Chico Winterton said: "Steve's talk is entitled "Heaven and Hell" and he'll be covering rigs and methods along with some of the many theories as to just why old Esox behaves the way she does.

"It will be a cracker of a talk, just remember to have plenty of questions ready at the end."

Venue details: Located in the North of the City in the Newport area on the B1226 which runs N-S from the ring road, The Stag's Head is a few hundred yards from the 2nd roundabout heading into the City on the left next to the St Nicholas Church. Once on the map link below search LN1 3DP

For more on LIncoln PAC meetings and activities, click here.

North-west pike anglers overturn livebait ban

Northwich Anglers Association's AGM saw proposals to lift a long-standing livebait ban on its waters voted through.

Graham Shillito, who proposed the change, also argued successfully for a restriction on using coarse fish deadbaits to be lifted.

Predator anglers had been limited to using sea deadbaits and lures only, but will now be able to use up to six small fish in a session for livebait, providing that these fish are caught and used at the venue on the same day.

Membership of Northwich Anglers Association is open to all, and offers prime coarse fishing for members only on the River Weaver, River Dane and a number of prestigious stillwaters in the Mid-Cheshire area.

The campaign to allow livebaiting and coarse deadbaits was supported by Northwich AA committee member and former PAC secretary Mark Leathwood.

“This just shows what can be achieved when anglers work together," Mark said.

"We did a great deal of work in putting forward a positive case which drew the support and goodwill of carp anglers and matchmen as well as predator anglers within our association.

"Attitudes towards livebaiting are changing and an increasing number of people are coming to understand that the method is of key importance to the modern specialist angler”.

Elsewhere, club officials in Norfolk have today told the PAC that reports new by-laws had effectively meant livebaiting was now banned on King's Lynn AA waters in the Fens were not true. The PAC is seeking official confimation of this in order to respond to the incorrect reports.

Barrie heads to Scotland for rare talk

Barrie Rickards needs no introduction as a founding father of both the PAC and of modern pike fishing.

He's written more than 25 books - including Fishing For Big Pike, which many still regard as one of the most important books ever written on the species.

He'll be giving a rare talk in North Lanarkshire on Friday, March 27.

Click here for details on the Region 93 blog.

Silver pike can be treasured, says coroner

A silver pike believed to be 1400 years old has been declared treasure trove by a coroner's inquest.

The special court sits whenever valuable relics are found, to decide whether the finder can keep them.

Metal detectorist Stephen Brown found the 5cm silver fish, believed to have been an Anglo-Saxon shield mount, in a field near East Walton last November.

Steve Younger talks in the Midlands

Fenland Zander author Steve Younger will be doing a talk for the Birmingham region of the PAC in Sutton Coldfield on Monday, January 26.

Doors open 7.30pm at the Hill Allotment Association Social Club, in 33 Dugdale Crescent, Sutton Coldfield.

Steve Younger runs SAS Tackle in King's Lynn and organises guided predator trips for just about everything that swims.

His book remains a sought-after classic.

Lure boxes raise money to save bass

BASS - aka the Bass Anglers Sportfishing Society - have become a growing force when it comes to conserving one of our greatest sporting sea fish.

Now they're raising funds for the campaign with some new individual lure boxes, which look just the job for the roving angler.

They're just the job for shorter sessions, when you might only want a handful of patterns. Better still, they're only £1.50 each and several will easily fit in your pocket.

Click here for more details on how to order.

Just face it pike... No-one likes you

Pike are about as popular as a fart in a thermal one-piece suit.

That's more or less the conlusions of an Angling Times poll to find Britain's favourite species of fish, where out top predator managed barely a twentieth of the votes.

Even the Times was surprised at the outcome, with tench winning the survey with 24 per cent of the vote, with roach (21.7pc) coming second and carp (14.8pc) third.

Barbel, bream and perch all beat pike, which scored just 6.7 per cent. Only the chub got less votes.

In tonight's Norwich Evening News, angling correspondent Roy Webster writes: "How pike commanded little more than one-twentieth of the votes is a mystery.

"Pike fishing is one of the few expanding sections of the sport and the National Pike Anglers' Club membership grows year on year."

To avoid any confusion, we assume the National Pike Anglers Club referred to is in fact the PAC.

EA predicts bumper year for angling

Record numbers of rod licences have been sold despite the credit crunch, the EA revealed today.

"More than 1.3 million people took to the rivers in 2008 fully armed with a fishing rod and licence in a bid to find credit crunch-friendly entertainment that won’t break the bank," the agency told the media.

"Rod licence sales hit a record high last year and are predicted to increase by a further 26,000 this year as cash-strapped consumers seek out cheap alternatives to increasingly expensive trips to the cinema, football and theatre."

Pike fishery boss speaks in Sussex

Fishery boss Ken Crow is doing a talk to the PAC's busy East Sussex Region on Tuesday, January 13.

It's at the King's Head, East Hoathley, at 7.30pm. Click here for more information on their blog.

Tips on spooling up line without twist

Here's a new one on us... Dave Lumb's turned his attention to gizmos which help you spool up your reels without getting line twist - not to mention a gadget for swopping line between reels when you're turning round braid.

Click here to read it on the excellent Lumbland multi-species blog.

Better weather for pike fishing at last..?

Is the thaw expected to set in over the next couple of days going to give pike fishing a jump start..?

That's the question we reckon thousands must be asking themselves tonight after a dour week when unseasonally low temperatures have seen waters frozen over from the Fens to the Glens.

Mike Ashcroft sums it up for many on the Cheshire Predator Group's blog.

"Four tentative dropped runs between us told us that the Pike are just not in the mood at the moment," he writes.

"We both agreed as soon as this weather breaks the Pike will really turn on."

Let's hope he's right. This season's not been an easy one for many pike anglers, if the impression you get from the forums and blogs is anything to go by.

Sprats might not be the most in-vogue bait compared to more exotic offerings like blueys and lamprey these days, but the Newcastle Journal reports:

"Pike anglers have suffered badly with the deep freeze seeing many traditional waters frozen over and unfishable.

"However piking is still continuing on the few rivers that hold the species and sprat has been the in bait for Tees fish around the Stockton and Yarm areas."

The web-based weather forecasting service Metcheck has this to say tonight: "Another cold start with some frost is expected across southeast England on Sunday morning, but the milder conditions will be moving in as the southwesterly winds freshen here, although it will probably remain dry throughout the day.

"Further rain at times will affect many northern and western areas, but temperatures could well make double figures for the first time in a long time."

You had to look hard to find anywhere with temperatures predicted to bump double figures. But five degrees is better than minus-five - if only because you don't need to go our dressed like Eskimo Nell and can at least get your baits in the water without them bouncing off the ice.

The BBC is also tipping milder weather - but warning heavy rain could bring a risk of flooding to some areas.

Many tip the first day or two of a thaw as the time to hit stillwaters, especially gravel pits.

Whether it's the slight increase in water temperatures or the oxygen boost from the lid coming off and the wind moving the water, it seems to get pike which have been lying dormant on the feed.

From the current freeze-up, the experts reckon we could find ourselves at the other extreme come the last week of January, when temperatures will be much milder than normal.

A week or two of that could see pike heading for their spawning areas early in some lowland areas.

Prebaiting that big swim in the sky

Believe it or not, there are people who request their ashes to be spread on their favourite river when they're ready to sling their hook in that great swim in the sky.

Some pike anglers might even consider the Upper Thurne, Llangdegfedd or even Lomond for their final resting place.

Demand has now increased to the extent where a leaflet has been published on how to carry out the practice without upsetting other river users.

Avoiding areas other anglers have been prebaiting is probably a good idea.

The Inland Waterways Association says on the subject:

"The Environment Agency advises that there is no evidence to suggest that the disposal of human ashes in rivers and streams has a negative impact on the environment.

However, other aspects of these practices, such as casting tributes and other objects into the water could harm the environment or upset other river users.

Individual ceremonies are unlikely to pollute the water but you should comply with Environment Agency guidelines.

A free Environment Agency leaflet offers guidance on completing the practice without causing harm. The leaflet is available by telephoning the Agency's customer contact centre on 08708 506506."

Waterways link could transform Fens

Fenland could be transformed by a new Waterways Link which would increase navigation and allow boats to pass along connected drains and rivers all the way from Lincoln to Cambridge.

That means many more Fen drains could be opened up to boats for the first time, offering pike anglers the opportunity to access remote areas of the system.

Feasibility studies have been doing the rounds of council chambers and committees for more than five years, while the public seem less than enthusiastic about the idea.

As a 90m stretch of moorings opened on the South Forty Foot at Hubberts Bridge, Lincs, South Holland councillors were being urged to do more to promote the benefits of the plans, which would link Lincoln, Boston, King's Lynn, Ely and Cambridge.

An Environment Agency report says:

"The Boston Waterways Link will provide a navigable link for recreational craft between the River Witham and South Forty Foot Drain and is the first key component of the Fens Waterway Link.

The Fens Waterway Link is a partnership project to develop a new navigation link within the Fens, starting in Boston, Lincolnshire and ending on the Great Ouse, Cambridgeshire.

This navigation link will provide a focus for new investment in the East of England and will support leisure and tourism interests.

It will open up 240km of waterway including 80km of additional navigable waterways, creating the largest waterway enhancement scheme in Europe.

The entire strategy will deliver rural regeneration on a major scale through water-based tourism."

The 18,000-strong Inland Waterways Association has this report, which lists the drains and rivers affected:

"Following promotion of the restoration of this waterway by East Anglian Waterways Association, Fens Tourism (a consortium of local authorities) undertook a feasibility study of the route.

This report was encouraging and EA adopted the project as ‘The Fens Waterways Link’, which it launched in 2004 with support from local authorities, EAWA and IWA.

The Link envisages:

(a) connecting the Witham to the South Forty Foot Drain at Boston,

(b) restoring the South Forty Foot,

(c) linking the South Forty Foot to the river Glen at Guthram Gowt,

(d) improving the Glen downstream to the Welland at Surfleet Seas End,

(e) creating a new non-tidal navigation from Surfleet Seas End upstream to Spalding,
(f) improving the Welland from Spalding up to Crowland,

(g) creating a new waterway from Crowland across to the Nene at Padholme Pumping Station,

(h) improving the route through the Middle Level to Salters Lode on the Great Ouse,
(i) improving the alternative Middle Level route via the Forty Foot River to Welches Dam lock,

(j) creating a new navigation, using the Old Bedford and New Bedford rivers southwards from Welches Dam to the Great Ouse at Earith,

(k) creating a landmark structure at Denver, involving flights of locks and an aqueduct over the New Bedford River, to eliminate the current tidal crossing,

and (l) creating a new direct waterway link from Chatteris to Earith."

While pike anglers of the future could be taking to boats to fish the drains and rivers, the plan has already suffered a setback of sorts.

West Norfolk council has scaled back plans for a marina in King's Lynn, which would have been connected to the Ouse at Denver via the Relief Channel and River Nar, because of infrastructure costs of raising bridges, dredging the Nar and and connecting it to the Relief Channel.

A new lock built at Denver Sluice, connecting the Ouse to the Relief Channel has been little-used.

But pioneering pike and zander anglers have been taking advantage of being able to fish the 12-mile channel from boats, which is permitted between June and October.

Did someone say zander..? Connecting drains and rivers linking Norfolk and Lincolnshire could have another consequence as far as the species is concerned.

While they are present in the Welland, zander are not currently found in much of the Lincolnshire drain system. That would doubtless all change once waterways were linked.

Similar plans to link the Ouse with the Grand Union Canal and the rest of the Inland Waterways Network via the proposed Bedford and Milton Keynes Link have been on the table for some years.

Loch Lomond maps for pike anglers

Coloured maps of Loch Lomond have been produced by the Loch Lomond Angling Improvement Association.

"This map is the only colour angling map ever likely to be needed for those who fish Loch Lomond either for game or coarse species," the blurb on their website says.

"The Coarse section was done by well-known pike experts with input from other leading experts in coarse fish. All the well-known hot spots for pike and other less known parts that produce great pike are all listed."

Make your own planer for pike fishing

Planer boards have been an open secret for years. More and more pike anglers are using these rudder-like bits of kit for trolling and even so-called walk-trolling along rivers, drains and canals .

Some have dabbled with making their own. This US website has plans and instructions for the DIY-minded.

Hat tip the excellent Trollscot for flagging it up, here's an article on using planers. The rest of the site is well worth a look if you're into fishing big waters.

Scottish zander rumours quashed

An interesting post on a scottish angling blog looks at whether zander have been illegally intorduced to a loch. More here.

Dee pike don't like deads, says Dave

Dave Edwards blog features the interesting conundrum of trying to catch pike from a river which has a lot of prey fish. The deads don't work, he's concluded.

The PAC and the Angling Trust

The Pike Anglers Club has not declined to pay for membership of fishing's new governing body the Angling Trust, as the Great Yarmouth Mercury reports.

The PAC - which is also not known as the National Pike Angling Club - belongs to one of the organisations responsible for its formation, the Specialist Anglers Alliance.

Chairman Colin Goodge said: "As a member of the SAA, we automatically became a member of the Angling Trust on January 5 and will be continuing this membership when it becomes due for renewal, as the PAC's national committee believes the unified angling body is a necessary step for the sport."

Follow the Pike Anglers Club on Twitter

The PAC now has a Twitter feed - if you use this phenomenally successful site to keep in touch with family, friends or colleagues why not follow us..?

Follow the link to find us - http://twitter.com/PikeAnglersClub

Gord heads for 100th Windy twenty

Weee Haaah...! Gord Burton's on track for his 100th twenty from Windermere, claims local rag the Formby Times.

"Local angler Gord Burton is almost in the record books with Lake Windermere," writes angling correspondent Ron Anderson.

"Gordon, nicknamed the ‘Piking Pirate’, has caught 99 20lb pike and only needs one more 20lb fish to reach the magical 100.

"This has never been achieved by any angler from one water and the angling press are all waiting for the final 20lb rod-bender."

Angling Trust gets under way

At long last there is a unified body to represent angling. You can read about the formation of the Angling Trust from the merging of the Anglers Conservation Association, Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust, National Association of Fisheries and Angling Consultatives, National Federation of Anglers, National Federation of Sea Anglers and Specialist Anglers Alliance here.

Visit the Angling Trust website to find out more about it's aims and the benefits of membership. You can also now join on-line.

Spanish catfish are getting bigger

VIVA ESPANA: Catfish Capers customers with a giant cat

Catfish Capers boss Martin Walker has sent us this update on how things have been going down in Sunny Spain.

Don't forget - a trip with Martin's outfit is top prize in this year's PAC Winter Raffle.

While not as many cats were caught in 2008 as there were in 2007, they're getting bigger, writes Martin.

We had three over 180lbs and 4 others over 170. One lucky chap, Percy Anscombe, landed cats of 184, 179 and a 160 a terrific result for the top lake. The carp are also packing on weight 2008 saw us landing over sixty 40lbers topped by Chris Smith's 51lber. I can see a greater number of carp anglers coming out this year.

Catfish Capers bookings are up on last year which must mean we're doing something right, but on the down side the pound has taken a real hammering. When our prices were set at the beginning of 2008 the £ was worth 1.30 Euro.

To raise our prices now would be suicide so I've looked closely at other ways to make saving/sales. Historically August (because of the heat and family beach holidays) and December/ January (too cold??) have been very slow to book but if you take a look at our catch returns the fishing is slower but still a lot better than staying at home in the UK.

Rather than having apartments empty it makes more sense to have them filled - they are already paid for (rented annually). Another reason for the deal I am about to offer is that I now own a Bar "The Jolly Fisherman" (yeah yeah I can hear it now what's a grumpy old git like me doing naming something Jolly ha ha ha).

When I have no clients out the bar is empty and no locals come in (not good) but when the bar looks busy with my clients in it the locals come in as well so hopefully you will eat and drink in the bar and we'll all be Jolly Fishermen!.

So to fill up these quieter months (January, August and December) I have the following offer

£150 for a week part-guided

So what do you get for this:

Free pick up from and drop off to Zaragoza airport;

Shared room in apartment;

Breakfast in the bar (full English);

Packed lunch;

All tackle (please bring your own reels and terminal bits if you wish to fish for carp);

Fishing licence;

Use of boat;

Guides will get you to the river and get you going, and return later to take you home at end of session.


I have already had a good response to this offer (it's been on the web site a week) so don't take too long making your mind up.

As for the rest of the year several months are now nearly full.

For more info click here to go to their website, or tel: 01494 488382 or mob: 07973 230957.

Picture claimed to be 60lbs pike

A French blogger has published pictures of what are claimed to be pike of 30 and 24kg.

Click here to see them.

Freeze-up hits piking latest

ICE BREAKER: Mark McLaughlin clears some water to fish.

Not everyone's bothered by a bit of ice, according to Irish piker Mark McLaughlin.

In an e-mail to the PAC in response to a forum post about frozen waters, he reports: "Here's one of a large irish water and me breaking the ice in the boat - and we still caught...."

Things are looking grim as an unseasonal cold snap descends on much of the British Isles.

Tonight club member Danny Jones told the PAC Forum: "Three quarters of Llyn Brenig and some of Lake Bala were frozen last weekend.

"Some of the large lakes in Snowdonia are totally frozen, there are photos in the local papers of people skating."

Colin Alchin, from Essex, added: "Essex lakes I've seen in the last few days are frozen solid, mates report Thames Valley gravel pits are also frozen and ice in margins of rivers.

"Sea freezing at Padstow according to the weather man just now. Minus-11 at Benson (south of Oxford) currently. Minus 4.5 currently where I am south of Chelmsford (minus 6.5 this morning)."

Chris Bishop, from West Norfolk, said: "Many of the drains and stillwaters in the Fens are frozen. I'd check the weather if you're thinking of fishing in this part of the world at the weekend, and wrap up warm if you're daft enough to be out."

Click here for more.

Accidental angler flosses Thames pike

TV's Accidental Angler, aka Norfolk-based fishing correspondent for The Field Charles Rangeley-Wilson, chronicles a day's pike fly fishing on the Thames on his blog.

Pour yourself a warming glass of something, sit down and click here to enjoy a trip with the Pike Whisperer.

Skaters take to the f-f-frozen Fens

ROCK HARD PIKE FISHING: Ice sets in as temperatures plummet.

Tha'ss a bit hard for pike fishing in the Fens - so get yer skates on...

Ice skaters took to the frozen Welney Washes today for the first time in more than a decade, the Cambridgeshire Times reports today.

The vast wetlands, between the Delph and Hundred Foot River, on the Norfolk/Cambridgeshire border, were once the home of great skating contests, when skaters flocked from across the country to challenge Fen folk to races.

Many anglers are hanging up their rods, as waters up and down the country freeze.

Temperatures are tipped to dip as low as -10C tonight - colder than the Antarctic, as an unseasonal cold snap grips much of the country.

Forecasters predict warmer weather by the weekend. But many pikers are faced with an unexpected break in their winter campaign unless the ice clears.

Click here for a report from the Daily Mail on the cold snap.

***To check the forecast where you're hoping to fish, click here to access the excellent Metcheck service. Just enter your postcode, county or the nearest town and click on the tabs for an advance forecast.

Metcheck also allows you to set up e-mail alerts, to receive the following day's forecast for your chosen location direct to your inbox each afternoon.

RA 31 Change of Speakers

Due to unforeseen circumstances (work commitments) Mark Green has had to cancel his talk for Region 31 this Wednesday, I have replaced him with a two part talk:

Martin Salisbury - Author of the book 'Where to fish in Lancashire', Martin is a very passionate angler, he is an all round specimen hunter and a Committee member of Region 31 PAC. Martin will be talking on his all round exploits fishing for many species including pike and some VERY large continental catfish, this is the first time Martin has presented his slideshow and its one not to be missed

Martin James - Angling legend and BBC Radio DJ, Martin has entertained thousands of anglers over the years with his BBC Radio show 'At The Waters Edge' and has presented slideshows throughout the UK for over two decades, Martin will be presenting a general 'mixed bag' talk including question and answers.

Upstairs function room Caledonian Hotel, 154 Bolton Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 8PF (next to Tesco garage). Entry £3 for non-Region 31 Members and £2 for region 31 Members. Wednesday 7th January 8pm.


Jon Neafcy
R/O Region 31

A 20lbs fly-caught pike on the radio

A 20lbs fly-caught pike is one of the highlights of BBC Radio Ulster's Days Like This slot, where presenters talk about a memorable day in their lives.

Click here to listen on BBC iPlayer. Hat tip Daniel Cook for posting a link on the PAC Forums.

Ouse lost a boat before Christmas..?

Police are trying to trace the owner of what could be a pike angler's boat found on the River Ouse in Cambridgeshire.

The three-metre craft, with a camouflaged brown and white paint scheme, was found at Eacon Socon on December 19.

Anyone who might know the owner should call PCSO Alan Newman, at St Neots Police Station, on 0845 456 4564.

Mark Green and Peter Green at RA 31

Mark Green & Peter Green are presenting a slide show on Yorkshire Piking at Region 31 South Lancashire on Wednesday 7th January at 8pm.

Pete & Mark have a wealth of Pike fishing experience, Pete has served with the PAC Committee.

The venue is the Caledonian Hotel, 154 Bolton Road, Ashton-In-Makerfield, Wigan, Lancashire, WN4 8PF.

£2 entry for region members - £3 for those who aren't a member of the region.

Prize raffle - first prize a copy of PAC 30 signed by some of the contributors. All welcome.

Hope to see you there.

Jon Neafcy

R/O Region 31

South Lancashire

A New Year's message from the PAC

Most of the country is suffering from the current cold snap seeing many waters with a lid on them, writes PAC president Phil Wakeford in a New Year's message to pike anglers.

"This means that for many of us any sport to be had is limited to fishing running water. If you are anything like me you feel the pull of the water to get you out for a few hours and wet a line.

"I did that yesterday and even though I was only rewarded with a small pike the effort was extreemly worthwhile in clearing the head and working up even more appetite for the New Years Eve celebrations.

"How many times has it been said that "there is so much more to fishing than catching fish" (I don't expect an answer) but for the vast majority of us it is so true.

"Seeing the waters in their Winter glory, the water fowl and other wildlife, trying your luck and perhaps being rewarded with a decent fish are all enough to get some of us out of the house.

"As far as the PAC is concerned we are alive and kicking. Our membership numbers are healthy and we are financuially sound. We could always do with more on both counts and are always searching for ways to achieve this.

"We can look back at successes during 2008 and indeed never let a serious threat to our species and the sport it can provide go unchallenged. For 2009 there are a number of isues building up that will require our collective attention.

"How will we ensure that pikers get a voice in the potentially mega Angling Unity group? How can we influence the outcome of the revision of The Angling Bill to our benefit, to name a couple of matters that will need our attention.

"Such is our lot and we will not shy away from it, what is more we are able to demonstrate serious strength in depth in the club as will be revealed when we announce the names of the incoming committee around May.

"So my message to the membership is a simple one. Stick with us and support the club. Try to encourage new members especially young ones or others who's membership has lapsed the battle will never be over. And above all, enjoy your pike fishing."

Proper pike fishing weather's coming

Brrrrr... There's going to be a seriously Siberian feel to the weather over New Year.

So if you're one of those people who thinks pike fishing's better in the cold, you're going to be in your element.

Forecasters reckon temperatures could dip to nearly minus 10 over the next few days.

Click here for one of many weather stories.

Pike Anglers Club events update

Get out your diaries... There are still some places available on a number of PAC access events between now and the end of the season.

They include the Warping Drain (Lincs) on Saturday, February 7; Hykeham Pit (Lincs) on the weekend of February 14/15; Ecton Jigsaw Lake (Northants) on Saturday, Fenruary 21 and Saturday, March 14; and Quays Pit (Surrey) over the weekend of March 21/22.

Application slips with details of ticket prices were included in the last Pikelines.

Events organiser Mark Skinner said: "If you have lost your slips for these events, all you need to do is write your name, address on a sheet of paper include your PAC number the event you are applying for and a cheque payable to the PAC for the number of tickets required and an A5 stamped address envelope."

Scientists seek answers over eel decline

A £2.5m European study is under way in a bid to find our more about the breeding habits of the eel and why the species is in sharp decline.

Click here for more.

Membership Reminder

All September, November and December 2008 expiring memberships have received reminders.

If you have forgotten to renew please click on this link http://www.pacgb.co.uk/aboutpac/joining.html and rejoin, we need your support.


Regards

John Cahill
Membership Secretary

MPs to be lobbied over fish baits loophole

While plans to outlaw the killing of coarse fish for food were included in the Marine Bill set to become law next year, the use of fish as bait by anglers seeking predatory species was excluded.

Today the Eastern Daily Press reports an as-yet un-named individual or group is set to lobby MPs in the new year - presumably to prhobit the use of fish for bait.

EA by-laws currently allow anglers to use fish up to 10cm long in most regions provided they are caught from the venue on the day.

Fishing for Big Pike - the return

Barrie Rickards has re-written 70s classic Fishing for Big Pike, which he famously co-authored with the late Ray Webb.

Cambridgeshire-based Barrie, a founder member of the PAC, revolutionised the sport when he first penned his theories about hotspots on Fen drains and the effects of air pressure on pike fishing.

Medlar Press are tipped to publish the book next autumn.

Merry Christmas from all at the PAC

Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year - and may your next run be a monster if you're lucky enough to be out pike fishing over the holidays.

Looking back over a busy year for the club, 2009 already looks to be another one.

Please do all you can to help us spread the word. We've made some real strides over the last 30 years or so, but there's plenty more to be done when it comes to safeguarding the pike and pike fishing.

EU set to impose quotas on sea anglers

Some pike anglers buy their sea deadbaits, others catch their own, while many more enjoy the odd sea fishing trip.

Today it emerged the European Union wants to impose catch quotas and ban anglers from selling their catches.

EU officials believe sea angling is now so popular that anglers could have an impact on species like cod and ling.

Defra has confirmed it plans to hold talks with angling organisations next month, today's Sunday Times reports.

Click here to read the report in full.

Sign up and help the RNLI

Sea angling friends have asked us to pass this on - please spare a second or two to sign their petition.

Lifeboat crews fear being scuppered by crippling new charges for using their radios from Ofcom, the communications regulator. The RNLI could see the price of using its VHF emergency frequencies rise to £250,000 under plans to charge the full commercial rate.

The charity, which saves hundreds of lives every year, currently pays an annual £48,000 at a discounted rate of 50 per cent. It relies on donations and fears the move will have a disastrous impact on fundraising.

Peter Bradley, RNLI operations staff officer, said: "It's a lot of money when you think in terms of lifeboat days and little old ladies collecting pound coins. We could buy several inshore lifeboats for the same amount.

"The Government rely on us to provide this search-and-rescue service, at a cost of £124 million a year, but they want to charge us for doing it. Ofcom has set out plans to bring 'market forces' into maritime and civil aviation communications in a policy it calls Administered Incentive Pricing.

"£250,000 represents an awful lot of charity collections, even more so in the current economic climate so, if like me you feel strongly enough about this, please sign the petition below."

Click here to sign it.

Deesox - a different kind of pike blog

Meet Deesox - aka Dave Edwards, a thinking man's kind of fishing blogger from Cheshire, with some interesting observations on fly fishing for pike and other species.

More and more PAC members are blogging these days and you can keep in touch with all of them if you set up an RSS feed reader on your computer.

Make sure you add Dave and the some of the other bloggers we come across, or save them to your favourites for those slow Friday afternoons at work.

Click here to go to Deesox.

Pike and Predators - new issue out

January's Pike and Predators has hit the news stands. And we've been sent a sneak preview.

Simon Everett explores a new way of getting afloat for pike

Phil Blakey tackles the thorny issue of the best conditions for catching pike with lures

Mike Kelly explains some of the tactics he uses to place the odds more firmly in his favour

Neville Fickling reports on the latest happenings on the trout-water pike scene and tries to put the problems with Irish piking into perspective

George Higgins is interviewed about his long and successful pike fishing career

James Holgate suggests you throw away the rule book when it comes to catching pike on lures in the colder months

Graham Booth delves into the history books to ask why pike have exerted such a fascination on so many anglers

Plus, we ask whether your life jacket would really save your life?

Government pledges £1.56m to angling

Press Release from the Angling Development Board

Angling has received a £1.56 million boost this week as Sport England announced its plans to support the Governing Body to deliver angling opportunities for all over the next four years.

Last summer the Angling Development Board (ADB) was invited by Sport England to demonstrate how angling could contribute to government targets of increasing participation in active sport, especially through encouraging young people and retaining them as active participants as they grow older. Sport England also wanted to develop the talent pool of anglers trying to compete at international level and proposals to improve anglers’ satisfaction with the management of their sport: a process already underway with the formation of the Angling Trust.

David Moore, Chairman of the ADB explained. ‘The ADB responded to Sport England’s challenge with a package of proposals to grow and sustain the sport of angling. Our Plan is based on a vast amount of market research, much of it from the Environment Agency’s data from millions of rod licences and information held by Sport England right back to an NOP survey 40 years ago.

‘The first area identified was the problem of young people who are introduced to the sport but are not converted into long-term anglers. Other sports have much better links between schools, coaches, clubs and facilities whereas these are widely fragmented in angling. The funding package from Sport England will help start a regional development network which can access local and regional funding and bring schools, clubs, coaches and facilities together.

“After six months’ hard work by the ADB team, the timing of this announcement coincides perfectly with the transition of the ADB into the newly constituted Angling Trust during 2009. We are already making good progress in achieving Sport England’s recognition of The Angling Trust as the Governing Body for angling in England.’

The ADB plans to start recruiting Regional Development Officers and details will be available on our website www.anglingdevelopmentboard.org.uk during February.

Hear, hear - US site on pike lure sounds

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

Now Mepps have put some audio clips on their website, to give you 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.

PAC forums - are you missing out..?

Bite indication on the Ouse when it's pushing through, should gags be outlawed and the best kind of life jacket or flotation device for fishing afloat.

These were three of the most-debated topics on the PAC's Members Forums tonight, as membership neared the 700 mark and we checked our stats and found we'd had more than 2.6m page views.

All kinds of bait, lure and even fly fishing are covered. The forums also provide members with a quick and easy way to interact with the club's regional organisers and committee.

Members ask why we don't do more to promote the forums. They've got a point.

So if you're a member of the club and you haven't already signed up, why not join and have a look at what you're missing.

Just click on the Message Board link on the main PAC website and follow the instructions to register - NB you need to use your full name as your sign-in and include your PAC membership number, which we need to check before confirming your account.

Eel come to your meeting and do a talk

One stall that drew plenty of interest at this year's Pike Anglers Club Convention was the National Anguilla Club.

Now they're offering to bring their roadshow along to any PAC region looking for an evening's eel fishing-themed entertainment

Travel might be an issue in more far-flung areas, but the NAC's Dave Smith says get in touch to see if they can arrange attendance.

They're not looking to charge - though a few quid towards the fuel bill would probably be welcome.

Founded in 1962, the NAC is one of the few predator angling groups which are even older than the PAC.

If you're looking to find out more about fishing for one of this most mysterious of fish, click here to check out their website.

To invite the roadshow, e-mail Dave Smith at webmaster@nationalanguillaclub.co.uk .

ET Roadshow rolls into King's Lynn

Eddie Turner will be bringing the ET Roadshow to King's Lynn on Saturday, for a day of demos at Steve Younger's Specialist Angling Supplies.

There'll be tackle displays, book signings and even a barbecue. Steve will also be offering a 20% discount on tackle in his shop all day.

It's being held at Unit 15, Hamburg Way, on the North Lynn Industrial Estate, Kings Lynn PE30 2ND.

Click here for map and more info.

The best pike fishery in all England..?

Bristol Water today published an end of year round-up for its trout waters, including pike catches from Chew Valley Reservoir.

"A total of 21 fish weighing over 30 pounds were captured, the biggest being a huge fish of 36.12 landed by Shaun Hoskins," it said.

"And another 127 twenty pounders were also landed perhaps confirming what many think - that Chew Valley is the best pike fishery in England."

Dates for boat and bank fishing for next year, together with booking details are included in local paper the Weston Mercury.

Click here for more details.

Pike filmed in its element

More and more video clips of pike filmed in their element are appearing on Youtube these days.

Click here to see a pike back pedal slowly as two divers approach it, before it slinks off and sulks almost motionless on the bottom as a shoal of prey swim past seemingly oblivious to its presence.

Matching the hatch lures pit 20 for Matt

Matt Hayes lands a 23lbs pike from an Oxfordshire gravel pit on a drifted rudd bait in this video clip from YouTube.



Click here to view it.

Big pike pictures on French blog

This French catch and release blog has pictures of some seriously big pike from all corners of Europe.


Check out this fish - with a claimed weight of 21.5kg (just under 47lbs 6oz...) making it higher than the current 46lbs 13oz British record. Not sure what the gnome on the end's doing.


Click here to see the blog, which today features PAC member and acclaimed UK pike hinter Mick Brown..

Former Pike Anglers Club RO slams trebles

Suffolk's former Pike Anglers Club organiser Bob Copping has come out of the closet in favour of the use of the single hook and actually encourages all predator hunters to take his advice and follow his example in order to eliminate what he regards as a serious risk of killing a pike during the unhooking process, reports the Norwich Evening News.

Click here for more.

PAC's online shop gears up for Xmas

December 18 is the last guaranteed posting day before Christmas. So don't forget to order by then if you're thinking of treating someone - or even yourself - to a little present from the Pike Anglers Club's online products shop.

We'll still be taking orders after that. We just can't promise they'll make it onto Santa's sleigh.

Click here to visit the PAC's online shop.

New pike fishing permit for Horsey Mere

A new permit system will be run on a trial basis when Norfolk's Horsey Mere opens up in March for the last two weeks of season.

Instead of buying a day ticket from the bailiff's boat, two week permits will be issued in advance at a cost of £30 per boat.

Today the Thurne Fisheries website said: "The purpose of this is to facilitate both easier access and reduce the need to visit each boat and collect permit fees, this often risking the disturbance of the areas being fished and causing friction with the anglers. The plan is to issue a 14 day period permit at a fee of £30.00 per boat.

"This will allow the preregistered boat to fish without the inconvenience of a bailiff cruising through the fishing areas disturbing the swim, to collect permit fees. To see this work effectively it would require the prior registration of the boat to be used and for the registration number/name of the boat to be clearly displayed whilst fishing. Boats using this system will immediately be recognisable and will not be subject to a visit from the bailiff.

"If all users would make use of this system it will ensure that the whole broad is allowed to settle once everyone is fishing and optimise the chance of picking up a fish."

Click here for more information and to download an application form.

Only limited access to the Horsey is permitted during the winter months to avoid disturbance to over-wintering wildfowl.

There was friction earlier this year, when anglers were accused of fishing areas set aside as wildfowl refuges by Natural England.

But shortly after threatened prosecutions made the papers, it emerged Natural England and the broads Authority - which was so quick to condemn anglers for disturbing the birds - had already discussed secret plans to abandon the Upper Thurne system to the sea, robbing the birds of their habitat forever.

As anger erupted over plans to allow the sea to flood Horsey, Hickling Broad, the Martham Broads and Heigham Sound, anglers were told no further action would be taken.

Smart tip for colouring pike spoons

Here's a tip we haven't seen before - use an indelible pen to colour up a plain silver spoon.



Or Click here.