Sunday 23 October 2011

Denis Moules talk in King's Lynn

King's Lynn PAC have their first meeting in yonks this week. It's at the Wm Burt Club, West Winch, on Wednesday night (7.30pm).

Denis Moules is special guest, with a talk about his pike fishing career in the Fens and some of his recent catches.

Then there's some grown-up stuff they want to bounce off local pike anglers, like what they want from the re-launched region, the state of a key local fishery and setting up a River Watch.

They've got Neville Fickling and Derrick Amies lined up for talks before Christmas and other activities in the pipeline.




Thursday 20 October 2011

Mick Brown special guest at Essex PAC

Mick Brown's on his way to Basildon to be special guest of the Essex PAC on Thursday, October 27. It's all happening at the Winged Horse pub, Luncies Rd, Basildon, Essex SS14 1SB, at 7.30pm.

Entry is £4 PAC members and £5 non-PAC members, everybody welcome. That includes some haute cuisine (Essex speak for hot food...).

Mick's topped off a predator fishing career which has seen him catch more than 300 twenties, including 23 over 30lbs, by writing a book Mick Brown Professional Pike Angler. This sold out at the Convention earlier this month, but Mick will be bringing some with him and his biro.

For more info on forthcoming talks and outings, click here to visit the Essex PAC blog.


Courtship of the pike filmed underwater



Remember Dean Burman from a PAC Convention or two ago..? Here's some underwater footage of pike courtship, presented by Alan Titchmarsh.

This is amazing stuff, if you haven't seen it before.

Pike comes to sticky end

Curious how some stories about pike capture the imagination of the mainstream press.

Here's the latest from the East Anglian Daily Times, in Suffolk - about a pike which "survived capture three times", before choking to death on a carp. More here.



Wednesday 19 October 2011

Not everyone's been struggling in the Fens

While many have had a run of poor results in the Fens, King's Lynn RO Ashley Brown had two 28lbs pike from different waters near King's Lynn last winter, plus a repeat capture of one at 27lbs.

Check out the King's Lynn PAC gallery for bigger pics of the pair here. One of the fish is believed to have died over the summer, but the other's very much alive as far as we know - and she might just push the next person who catches her's PB over the magical 30lbs mark this winter.

You'll have to find her first though. Ash is tight-lipped, saying only that the fish came from a drain on a lure.

One way to find out more about fishing the Fens is go along to the re-launched King's Lynn PAC's first meeting next Wednesday, October 26, at the WM Burt Club, at West Winch (7.30pm).

Guest speaker is Denis Moules - who's also got a knack for bagging big pike while others are struggling. Click here for an interview with Denis about that.

Could new super line spell the end for braid

Most predator anglers these days use braid. Its super strength and zero stretch have revolutionised both bait and lure fishing.

Now tackle giants Berkeley have unveiled what they claim is the next generation of super-line. Called Nanofil, it's being billed as a cross between braid and a hi-tech mono, spun from hundreds of micro filaments.

Total Coarse Fishing has more on the story here.

From one of our Twitter followers @canadiandayman: "That Nanofil is absolutely awesome! Super sensitive an I CANNOT break the 8lbs test without a knife..." Anyone else tried it..?

Sunday 16 October 2011

Frost, snow - pike fishing weather on the way

If you've been moaning about how how mild it's been, be careful what you wish for. For arctic temperatures are on the way this week, according to the papers.

The mercury fell to nearly -2C in Santon Downham, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. last night. Parts of the Fens saw their first frost. Elsewhere, forecasters reckon Scotland and the North could even be in for some snow this week.More on that here.

Rain's on the way too, which will warm the hearts of river anglers. We posted some links to weather sites a few days back - click here if you missed it.

Whether the first proper cold snap gets 'em on the feed or more pike are caught because more people are out fishing for them's a moot point.

But one thing's certain - there's nothing like the first frosts to get pike anglers itching to get out there and at 'em.

Saturday 15 October 2011

Graffham does a thirty

Total Coarse Fishing is tonight reporting the capture of a 33lbs pike from Graffham. More here.

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Rotherham and Sheffield PAC fish-ins

Rotherham and Sheffield PAC have announced a programme of fish-ins, from Hornsea Mere to the Tidal Trent, including stillwaters and a trip to the Broads. More on their blog here.

Tuesday 11 October 2011

British Pike Squad beat the Irish

Team GB regained the International Pike Challenge trophy in a thrilling display over the weekend against Ireland on the Fens around Peterborough.

The British squad amassed a total on Saturday of 63 pike for 150 lbs 11oz, against that of Ireland's 53 pike for 97lbs 3oz. A lead of 53lbs 8oz to take into the second day of competition.

Sunday saw a spirited fight back from the Irish which at one stage threatened to overhaul the impressive Day 1 lead held by Great Britain. However, the British soon started to match the Irish and to maintain a catch rate throughout the remainder of the day.

At the end of the day, Great Britain had but for a few ounces matched the weight of that of Saturday, whilst Ireland had managed a very creditable 139lbs 6oz. Team GB taking the honours again with a lead on the day of just over 9 lbs.

Overall the British had a two-day total of 300lbs 13oz against that of Ireland's 238 lbs 9oz. A win for Great Britain by 62 lbs 4oz.

The Two teams were:

Great Britain: Jaub Potrykus (captain), Andrew Waller, Paul Danby, Mark Groom, Derek Lowe, Mark Lloyd, John Currie, Adam Holmes, Gary Edwards & Wayne Lees.

Ireland: Paul Dennis (captain), Jimmy Clarke, Eugene McCabe, Andrej Duran, Brendan Jarvis, Joe Coleman, Robbie McShane, Ibar Condron, Gary Quinn & Eddie McGurk.

The International saw the first ever non-nationals representing Britain and Ireland in Jakub Potrykus (Poland) as captain for Great Britain, and Andrej Duran (Slovakia) for the Irish.

Next year will see the 21st International meeting between the two nations held somewhere in Ireland at the beginning of October. Click here for a report on the recent team selection event.

New predator fishing "bookazine" launched

A new predator fishing "bookazine" is about to hit the shelves. It's being launched under publisher David Hall's Total Coarse Fishing brand, which also includes general coarse, match and carp fishing titles.

A few details were announced on Twitter earlier today.  A post on the firm's website said:

"Total Predator Fishing is crammed full of tips, information, ideas and features to improve your predator angling.

"Whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first specimen perch, an experienced pike angler looking to get that extra edge, or a seasoned eel pro just after a great read, this is for you.

Bringing you the very best tactics and inspirational features from such top anglers as Mick Brown and Duncan Charman, Total Predator Fishing is available exclusively in WHSmith stores, as well as direct from Total Coarse Fishing through the magazine."

So what's the weather really going to do..?

BRRRR - a frosty dawn on Norfolk's River Bure

So what IS the weather going to do this season..? More to the point, are we facing the freeze-up that's hit the headlines over the last couple of weeks - hot on the heels of the drought and short-lived indian summer..?

There are stacks of weather sites where you can check conditions before you head out. Some give longer-term predictions, though these don't always prove to be on the button. Here's a couple of useful sites:

Metcheck.com - offers tailored forecasts by postcode, which are useful if you're watching a particular water or area to see how conditions pan out. More here

Metoffice.gov - the Met Office website. Lots of data and forecasts you can dip into by region or area, along with real-time(ish) maps. They also do an app you can download if you have an iPhone More here.

Accuweather.com - new kid on the block that offers forecasts by postcode and 15-day predictions, along with a mobile app that offers an hour-by-hour forecast. More here.

Found any others that are worth a look..? Let us know.

+++Heavy snowfalls and temperatures as low as -20 on the way. More here.

Monday 10 October 2011

Police appeal over missing angler

Police in Scotland are appealing for information about an angler missing  for more than a week.

John Stewart (pictured) was last seen by his father leaving the family home in Auchnacraig Road, Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, to go fishing with a friend early on Sunday, October 2. His father reported him missing after he did not come home after two days.

John is described as 38 years old, white, 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build with brown hair going grey.  He has tattoos on both arms; a unicorn and a cross on his left arm and an eagle on his right.  It is not known what he was wearing at the time he disappeared.

Sgt Alan Orr, from Clydebank police, said: "John, who lives with his elderly father in Clydebank, used to go fishing sometime ago, however, he has not expressed an interest in this for a good while.

“On Sunday he said that he was going out fishing with an old friend he had  met from Bearsden. He said the man was called Peter, however, we do not know who this person is – although it is thought he may be an old army buddy.

“The areas he would have gone fishing are Greenside Reservoir, Carneddans Wood, Queens Reservoir and the Endrick River, however, all of these areas have been searched by officers with no trace.

“It is not like John not to keep in contact with his dad or family or to be away for any length of time, hence the concern for him.

“I would ask that either himself contact police to let them know all is ok, or for ‘Peter’ or anyone with information that will help find him to speak to police."

Sgt Orr said anyone with information should call 0141 532 3300.

PAC regional meetings calender

What's happening down your way on the meetings front..? Over on the Pike Angler website, Andy Webster's done a complete list stretching right through the season. Click here for all the latest diary dates.

Mega thanks to Andy. If you skim down the right hand side of this blog, you'll find links to lots of regional blogs and other sites - also well worth a look.

If you've found us via an e-mail, feed or tweet; click here to see the whole blog.

Klever Klips for pike fishing

Every now and then, someone flags up some clever little bit of kit which costs pennies but makes pike fishing just that bit easier.

Check out Dave Lumb's latest blog post for more on these new clips, which enable to you add or remove a float from your rig without breaking everythig down.

We know, you can use a snap swivel to attach your float. But when you remove the float, the swivel stays on the line.  These look like a serious improvement. Hat tip Dave, click here to read the full post.

Dom Garrett hits Devon for talk

Dom Garrett's been hailed as one of our most promising new angling writers. He's the guest speaker at Devon PAC's meeting at the Mill on the Exe, Exeter, on Tuesday, October 25. More here.

Sunday 9 October 2011

Denis Moules interviewed by Lynn PAC

King's Lynn PAC have Denis Moules as their special guest, when they relaunch their region at the Burt Club, West Winch, on October 26.

There's a sneak preview of what Digger's going to tell the carrot crunchers on their website here.

World record pike - claimed to be 63lbs....!



Here's another brute shown on YouTube with scant detail, other than caught in Poland, at a claimed weight of 63lbs 14oz.

There's no denying it's one very, very big pike. What do you think weight-wise..?

Saturday 8 October 2011

52lbs pike from Italy on YouTube


Check out this Italian lump on YouTube. It's claimed at 24kg - more than 52lbs  - by Maurizio " Pikeman" Rossini, from a water in Tuscany.

Friday 7 October 2011

TV turns spotlight on Lomond bivvy ban

Newly-introduced by-laws banning camping on the East Shore of Loch Lomond will drive pike anglers away and deprive the local economy of a much-needed winter boost.

That was the warning from Pike Anglers Club secretary Graham Slater (pictured), in a soon to be broadcast BBC documentary.


Anglers visiting the loch have camped peacefully beside the water for generations. Now those sleeping in "bivuoacs", "wigwams", tents or "any kind of shelter" face a £500 fine - along with those sleeping loch-side in vehicles.

Graham joined a film crew covering the ban beside the loch, to put pike angling's view across.

"I told them we don't condone rubbish in any way and that the camping ban is affecting our members," he said. "We feel that they could have tried other measures first with a total ban as a last measure, our members no longer bank fishing are depriving the local economy of much needed tourist cash, while the signs all over are putting off visitors."


National Park officials claimed litter and anti-social behaviour from gangs of rough campers were turning the Bonny Bonny Banks into an eyesore.

But the PAC joined the Scottish Ramblers and other outdoor enthusiasts in opposing the proposals when they were first announced last March.

There have been calls to extend the ban to other lochs, including Tay and Tummel. More on the background here. Details of new by-laws here.

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Download free pike fishing magazines

We've added a couple of more recent issues of our members' magazine Pikelines to our website, which you can download for free.

Click here for the Winter 2008 issue. Or here for Spring 2009.  There are several other magazines from way back when you can download and enjoy from the Tips and Articles section of our new-look website here.

PAC members get four issues of Pikelines a year. Many tell us the magazine alone is worth the price of their subscription.

Monday 3 October 2011

UK Monsters trailer vid, with Mick Brown

The latest pike fishing gadget - from TESCO

It was Mrs Pikelines who found it on a trip to Tesco. "I've got you a present," she said. "It was only £3 but I thought it would be good for fishing."

Mrs P turned out to be spot-on, because for £3 you can get this sexy little precision file that's just the job for sharpening up the hooks on your bait fishing traces.

It's pen-sized, with a clip to go on a pocket or keep it safe in your bag or rucker. Unscrew the knob at the end and a retractable file slides out with a groove (left) that's just right for the size of trebles most people use for bait fishing.

One or two swipes soon restored the point to some tired old VMC hooks out of one of last season's rig bins.

Blunt hooks can cost you fish. It really is that simple. If they fail to find a secure hold, sod's law says they'll come out when that big twenty rears up and tail walks, throwing your bait as it goes skywards.

Most modern hooks are sharp straight out of the packet. But you'd be surprised how quickly they blunt - especially if you fish gravel pits.

Who'd have thought Tesco would have the answer, in a surprisingly good little gadget..?

Mick Brown talk in Dartford on Tuesday

Mick Brown's giving a rare talk at a Thames gateway PAC meeting on Tuesday night.

More details on the Thames Gateway blog here.

Sunday 2 October 2011

How to fish for pike on fen drains


You either love fishing 'em or you hate 'em - but there are some great pike to be caught on fen drains, according to a new article by Graham Slater on our website.

Graham explains how he keeps mobile and the simple rig he uses to cut down on the amount of kit he has to carry.

He also answers the biggest question facing those who struggle on these seemingly-featureless waters, which criss-cross the Fens of Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire: How to you find the pike in the first place, and locate the bigger specimens like this belter on the right..?

What counts is what's under the water - not the obvious features you see on the bank, argues Graham.

Click here to read the full nine yards. We'll be adding new pike fishing tips to our new-look website throughout the winter to help you catch more pike.

If you bookmark us, subscribe to this blog or click here to follow us on Twitter, you won't miss a trick as the season gets under way.




Derrick Amies talk on Teeside


NORFOLK LEGENDS: Dennis Pye and Derrick Amies

Former record holder Derrick Amies is guest speaker up on Teeside on Tuesday night.

Derrick was taken under the wing of Broads legend Dennis Pye as a young lad and went on to eclipse his catches, developing his unique method of dumbell fishing along the way. His theories fly in the face of many modern assumptions about pike location, so it's bound to be an interesting night.

It's being held at the Coxhoe WMC, 3 Blackgate East, Coxhoe, Durham DH6 4AA (7pm). Entry £4 on the door, under 16's free.

Eddie Turner will also be taking along his tackle stand.
 
Read an interview with Derrick from Pikelines on our website here.

BREAKING NEWS: Perch record broken

Ken Brown has beaten the perch record by an ounce, with a 6lbs 4oz fish from Wilstone Reservoir. Total Coarse Fishing are reporting the story here.

Ever had this happen..?

Salisbury-based Pike Anglers Club member Rob Nixon got a shock when a jack followed a 20 literally right into his landing net.

We've got an online gallery featuring pictures from our members.

Whether you've caught a big pike or just want to show off a well-marked fish or even one of the amazing landscapes pike anglers enjoy on their winter forays, why not e-mail it to our webmaster Skip..?

Here's another shot from Rob - a cracking, mint 30lbs fish, no less.

Have a scroll through our gallery for more great pike pictures here.





Saturday 1 October 2011

Pike anglers pack out PAC Convention


MOBBED: Today's Convention, at Kettering

Pike anglers from across the UK flocked to the PAC Convention at Kettering today. The event saw a healthy rise in attendance, first-class speakers and one of the best displays of tackle and all things pike-related we've enjoyed for several seasons.

There were long queues before the doors opened at 9am. Bleary-eyed organisers and traders were mobbed from the word go, as crowds surged into the venue.

Stands did brisk business for the first hour, as bargain hunters blitzed the second-hand stalls and crowded around the likes of Eddie Turner, PikePro, Fox and Franglais Fishing to sample this season's latest gear.

Alan Dudhill, from PikePro, said trade was much busier than at our 2011 event. "It's always worth coming to the event," he said. "Last year, it was busy for the first hour than it tailed off, but it's been constant this year."

One of this year's new attractions was the day-long series of junior teach-ins organised by Eric Edwards, with help from Mick Brown, Denis Moules, David Wolsencroft-Dodds, Jules Chidgey, Ashley Brown and other coaches.

Many PAC members are concerned at the lack of younger anglers joining their ranks, at a time when specialist angling appears to be becoming an increasingly middle-aged sport.

That view struck a chord with sponsors PikePro and Baitbox, who donated gear for workshops on trace making and other pike fishing basics - and ensured every junior went home with a goody box of essential end tackle and forceps.

PikePro boss Paul Bird - pictured left with one of the packs - explained: "It's for the future of the club, that's why a load of old fogeys are doing it. It's a worthwhile thing to do."

"It was excellent," said Mick Brown. "The average age was younger than we were expecting, but they were very receptive to what we were saying."

"If you look around you, how many people do you see in their teens and twenties," said Mick. "When I hang up my rods, I'd like to think that everything I've enjoyed will be enjoyed by the next generation - not that I'm planning on hanging up my rods any time soon."

Above the banter generated by hundreds of pike anglers, the din was punctuated by loud shrieks coming from Eddie Turner's stand. Enter the Nano Biter - a new, compact rear alarm that was making heads turn.

Developer Richard Halliday, who has spent two years perfecting the £59.99 gizmo (seen right), said: "The whole thing weighs less than 45g, if you're worried about space and weight in your bag. It's got a mercury tilt switch and a carbon fibre arm.

"There's been amazing interest, we've sold far more than we expected and everyone seems excited about it - it's really encouraging."

One thing that's less than encouraging right now is the weather. If you believe the forecasts, it's going fluctuate from one extreme to the other, with a brief indian summer followed by plummetting temperatures and another freeze-up.

But Stephen and Diana Crook might just have the answer to that one. For the couple, who come from Surrey, brought along a display of the gear they use on their annual trips to Canada, where they're caught pike to 27lbs by fishing through the ice.

"We've been going to Canada every year to fish for channel catfish and a friend out there asked if we'd ever thought of coming back for the winter," said Stephen (seen left). "We went over for the first time in 2005 and we've been going back ever since."

If you think recent winters over here have been harsh, spare a thought for the Canadians. They drill holes through three feet of ice and fish using tip ups - a hand line on a spindle packed with grease, which suspends a bait through a borehole, with a flag which pops up to indicate a run.

"The average over there is -20C," said Stephen, demonstrating a tip-up alongside his ice centre and thermal suit. "Last January, it was -47C."

Let's hope this winter doesn't see things get quite as cold as that. As attendees took a breather outside in today's sunshine and the coaches laid on casting contests for the youngsters, the view was that this year's Convention was the best in some time.

Dave Horton kicked things off in the packed main theatre, after PAC President Tim Kelly's welcome address. "Dave did a cracking talk, it was heaving in there and he was really funny," said Tim.

Next up was Micky Jones - resplendent in traditional kilt and sporran - for a Highland McPike Fest called Setting the Heather Alight.

Once trough-up was over, Norfolk author and historian Stephen Harper took to the stage with his tales of the Pike of Broadland. Then it was the turn of Neville's Pike Panel, chaired by Neville Fickling, for the usual lively Q&A session.

As Convention Organiser Colin Goodge revealed in his closing address, we're off to pastures new next year. Harrogate's the venue for Piking2012, on Saturday, September 22.

We'll br bringing you more news as we get it on next year's event. In the meantime, thanks for coming along today, whether you were one of our army of helpers, one of the traders who did us so proud, or one of the hundreds who came to enjoy the talks, the banter and stock up for the season.

See you in Harrogate, if we don't bump into you on the bank this winter.

Piking2012 venue announced

Next year's Pike Anglers Club Convention will be held at Pavillions of Harrogate on Saturday, September 22. PAC Convention Organiser Colin Goodge announced the news at the close of this year's event at Kettering.

"I thought to be fair we should go further north to show support for all those lads up that way," said Colin. "I asked Brian Birdsall and Peter Green to look at and select a number of venues up that way, I then went up and met Brian and we looked at them and decided Pavillions of Harrogate was in the best accessable position and offered us the best facilities at the right price."

Work on organising next year's event is already under way. In the meantime, stick September 22 in your diary. And stay tune for more news soon - subscribe to our blog, or follow @pikelines on Twitter for all the latest on Piking2012.

Click here for more on today's event.

Twitter for pike anglers

One reason we keep banging on about Twitter, is it's just about the best way to keep in touch these days.

Today's a great example - follow @pikelines and get all the latest on the Convention straight to your mobile phone, whether it's when a speaker's on or when the bar's open.

Sign up here to get an account - it literally takes two minutes. Then follow @pikelines. Simples.