A big - and slightly belated - Happy New Year to pike anglers everywhere. Lets hope 2011 brings us a few more sights like this.
2010 won't go down as a vintage year on the fishing front for many, with the prolonged cold snap keeping many off the banks for weeks. Will our poll, in which 85pc of respondents said they thought pike fishing has become harder, end up being one of the most telling comments on the outgoing year..?
The thaw hasn't seen them crawling up the rods in most parts of the UK either, if early reports are anything to go by.
One thing 2010 did bring was new legislation banning the taking of coarse fish from rivers. The Pike Anglers Club campaigned to keep livebaiting exempt and won this battle, thanks to support from other branches of angling.
One pike of 65cms or below can be taken a day - something our members have mixed opinions on.
Sadly people are still targetting pike and removing them for the table using illegal and indiscriminate methods, such as the Lincolnshire set liner whose work we highlighted recently.
On a brighter note, the PAC enters 2011 in good health and ready for whatever battles lie ahead.
We also wish those campaigning in other countries for pike to be treated with the respect they deserve every success this year.
2010 bows out with one or two changes on the committee front.
Matt Jahans has stood down as treasurer, due to pressures of work. Matt made his mark with his competent, professional approach to what is an important role behind the scenes.
His successor is Giles Hill, who we're sure will carry on Matt's good work. Mike Kelly has also rejoined the committee as advertising manager, a role he carried out with considerable success on the previous committee.
One of the undoubted successes of 2010 for the club was the Convention, which was held at Kettering Conference Centre in late September.
Piking 2011 will be held at the same venue, following positive feedback from both attendees and traders - the date to diary is Saturday, October 1.
Have a great New Year - and hopefully some kinder weather so you can wet a line and enjoy a tail walk or two soon.
Tim Kelly, John Synnuck, Graham Slater, Giles Hill, Mark Skinner, Mike Skipper, Mike Kelly, Mick Crisp, Steve Ormrod, Chico Winterton, Colin Goodge, Chris Bishop.
No comments:
Post a Comment