Monday 21 May 2012

Peter Green PAC Lifetime Achievement Award

The PAC would like to congratulate Peter Green on his Lifetime achievement award, which was  awarded for his commitment and dedication to the PAC.

Peter has worked tirelessly for the club and his award is fully deserved, we would also like to take this  opportunity in thanking Peter for everything he has done.

Peter collecting his award from Ex PAC general secretary Graham Slater at this years AMM.
 
Photo by Tom Balaam, Roving Photographer - Team Pikelines.

Sunday 20 May 2012

PAC Awards 2012

It's the time of year when we have the honour of announcing the recipients of annual PAC awards. It is never easy to arrive at the eventual winners, because there are so many people working quietly behind the scenes, but when you see this year's then I'm pretty sure you'll agree that all are very deserving. The committee were unanimous when it came down to the final decision and we hope you'll join us in congratulating them.

Barrie Rickards Pike Angler of The Year - Mark Green
This years Barrie Rickards Pike Angler of The Year is none other than Mark Green. We very much doubt that there is anyone out there who hasn't heard of Mark at some time. When we asked on the forum "How did you come across the PAC?" even we were surprised at the amount of people who gave Mark's name! New LO for Yorkshire, Regional Organiser for a very busy and successful Region, organiser of teach ins, successful syndicate on an RSPB Reserve and big fish captor, it just goes on: a tremendous ambassador for pike angling generally and the PAC in particular - and a very worthy winner.

Regional Organiser of The Year - Micky Jones & Rab Hay
This years Regional Organiser of The Year is a joint award and goes to Mickey Jones & Rab Hay - who do a fantastic job in the North of Scotland. Not only do they attract new members, in what is not a pike hot spot, but encourage juniors with regular teach-ins. Add to their efforts in running the region the fact that they are on top of any issues pike related which may crop up  and you begin to see why we have recognised that effort, I could go on, organised fish-ins, barbecue weekends, annual prize giving are all a part of the Inverness Region
.
President's Shield 2011-12 - Eric Edwards
The President's Shield isn't necessarily an annual award, rather one that is given if we think it merited. This year's winner has done a staggering amount over the last eighteen months or so. We give you none other than Eric Edwards. Eric's on-going work with juniors and coaching in general remains outstanding. So we thought it appropriate that this be formally recognised. A big 'well done' mate, and am equally big 'thank you'.

Friday 18 May 2012

NEW PAC Angling development Officer role

NEW PAC Angling development Officer role.

PAC Angling Development Officer: Eric Edwards

A qualified angling coach and winner of the prestigious 2012 President's Shield, Eric has already inspired PAC with his commitment to encouraging young anglers. Eric will be looking at further ways to disseminate best practice to our Regional Associations; he said 'Pike fishing is hard for a beginner. It is also dangerous. To make a difference it will take a lot of effort from the regions - some have already made a great start and if we can encourage others to do likewise we'll soon have plenty of young people ready to join us'. PAC is also undertaking a complete multi-media upgrade, including a new website, online quarterly magazine and mobile phone 'Apps' - a holistic package intended to be more appealing to youngsters. New PAC President Dilip Sarkar said 'It is vital that young people are introduced to pike fishing, because without a new generation of pike anglers who will look after Esox Lucius when we're gone? Angling is also a great way of enjoying the outdoors and occupying youngsters, so Eric has the Club's full support in his new role.'



Sunday 13 May 2012

New 12th National Committee

The PAC are proud to announce the New 12th Committee to carry them through the next three years.
Chairman: John Synnuck
President & PL Editor: Dilip Sarkar
General Secretary: Alan Dudhill
Joint Membership Secs: Brian Birdsall & John Keeley
Advertising Manager: Chris Liebbrandt
Products Manager: Mark Skinner
Convention Manager: Colin Goodge
Events Manager: Pete Foster
Webmaster: Mike Skipper
Press Officer: Dominic Garnett
Treasurer: Giles Hill

Non-Committee roles: -

PAC Angling Development Officer: Eric Edwards

Team Pikelines


Editor: Dilip Sarkar (12 PAC)
Design & Production Manager: Steve Ormrod
Advertising Manager: Chris Liebbrandt (12PAC)
Editorial Assistant: Roger Howes
Press & News: Dominic Garnett (12PAC) + Dan Williams
PAC Photographer: Tom Balaam
Young Pikers: James Sarkar
Team Internet to be announced at a later date.
 

Friday 11 May 2012

Stoke On Trent Canal

Thanks to some very dilligent work by one of the PAC members. An angling club's chairman who went behind the members of the club and arranged for a large section of canal to be electro-fished with all pike in the stretch being removed, has been forced to resign. 
The members dilligent work in searching out the truth and in then bringing it forward to the club's meeting has shown that even an individual has a voice that can be heard and can make a difference in protecting our waterways and the right for pike and predators to a place in the natural ecological balance.
The out-going 11th Pac Committee had worked behind the scenes in offering advice and support to the member whilst he searched for the truth in bringing this issue forward to be dealt with. A credit to the individual concerned, and just one of te reasons the PAC continues to exist and thrive since it's inception in 1977 some 35 years ago.

Monday 30 April 2012

Annual Members Meeting

Here is the agends for the forthcoming Annual Members Meeting where the New PAC Cimmittee will be introduced.


PAC AGM AGENDA 12TH MAY 2012

12noon to 1pm

  • Presentations by outgoing Committee.
  • At the end of the presentations, if time, we will have a Q&A session.

1pm-1.30pm - Lunch break

1.30pm onwards

  • Presentations by Incoming Committee
  • General Secretary
  • President
  • Treasurer
  • Membership Secretary's
  • Products Manager
  • Events Manager
  • Convention Manager
  • Webmaster
Questions??


Location

  • Holiday Inn, Derby/Nottingham M1 J25, Bostocks Lane, Sandiacre, Nottingham, NG10 5NJ
* Please Note:- Places are strictly limited due to the hotel's Fire Regulations and must have been booked well in advance to the AMM.
 

Friday 30 March 2012

Spawning pike - great picture


Mat Knight sent us this cracking image of two spawning pike in the shallows of a water in Wales.

"It was taken while carp fishing, I saw the pair swimming towards me in the margin and snapped away," he said. "It's very rarely I see two together, so thought it might be an interesting pic for your members."

The larger of the pair is almost certainly a hen, while the smaller fish is her mate. Male pike are smaller than the female of the species. As they make eye contact in readiness to spawn, the male's shorter length ensures the eggs are fertilised by his milt as they are released by the female.

Tuesday 27 March 2012

Mark Ackerley to visit Lincoln Region 48

Respected pike angler Mark  Ackerley visits sunny Lincoln on Monday 2nd of April for the Regions last meeting until September.

The region have managed to drag Mark away from his self-imposed exile in Scotland to present his talk "A Piking Life" which considering the amount that Mark has caught should lead to a well packed talk; covering everything from his fishing in the Western Loughs to the present day.

Entrance is £2.50 for PAC members & £3.50 for non-members.

The venue is the Stags Head and their full address is:
Stags Head
68 Newport
Lincoln
Lincolnshire
LN1 3DP.

Further details on the Region and the venue may be found on the regions blog site at:
http://www.lincolnpac.blogspot.co.uk/

Monday 6 February 2012

New PAC badge launched

A new enamel badge is being launched for pike anglers to show their support for the PAC.

It replaces the current green badge - which is sure to become a collector's item.

PAC products manager Mark Skinner said: "The new badge has been introduced with the same colouring and design as the club's cloth badges and stickers."

The 1" diameter badge is now available from the PAC's online products shop, priced £3.50. Click here to order.

Friday 20 January 2012

Angler killed in Trent tragedy named

A pike angler who died of hypothermia after his boat overturned in a weirpool was named today, along with the friend who was also plucked from the water by rescuers and survived.

Ian Steel and his companion Neville Payne were fishing at Collingham Weir, on the Trent, when their folding craft was sucked into the weirstream and overturned.

Both men were pulled from the river, but Mr Steel, 57 later died in hospital. Mr Payne is still being treated for the effects of hypothermia, local paper the Newark Advertiser reports.

"Collingham Angling Association, which controls angling on that stretch of river, has called for a barrier to be installed to prevent fishing boats getting too close to the weir," the paper says.

"British Waterways said it was reviewing safety at the weir, and would discuss the matter with the association and the fire service. It said it would consider extra warning signs and other measures."

Firefighters said the men had been in the water for up to 20 minutes when they arrived at the scene, after the alarm was raised by a lock keeper. Click here for the full report.

The PAC is urging all anglers to make safety their number one priority when going afloat.


"This tragedy underlines how dangerous being out on the water can be, no matter how experienced an angler you are," a spokesman said.


The death is the latest in a string of fatal accidents involving pike anglers. In March 2009, four men drowned after getting into difficulty on Scotland's Loch Awe.

The PAC is urging all anglers to wear lifejackets and ensure that their craft is capable of coping with weather and water conditions they are likely to encounter.

"All too often, we hear of people going out who are ill-equipped, in boats which are not up to the job," a spokesman said.

"Anyone going afloat this time of year should bear in mind that while a life jacket may keep you afloat, cold water can cause shock and the onset of hypothermia within minutes.

"Our thoughts and those of the angling community are with those involved, their families and friends at this time."

Click here to download a fact sheet about boat safety.

PAC in Keeping Loch Lomond documentary

Pike fishing is included in a new TV documentary about Loch Lomond being broadcast next week.

PAC Secretary Graham Slater (left) was interviewed on the loch shore by film makers shooting Keeping Loch Lomond - a half-hour programme about the wide range of people who use the iconic Scottish water.

The programme is being broadcast on BBC2 on Thursday morning (5am, January 26) and will also be available online afterwards on the BBC iPlayer.

Programme notes say: "Jonathan Sutherland visits Loch Lomond to find out how the National Park Authority gets on with campers, hydro power developers, seaplane pilots and even gold miners. He looks at the ongoing delicate balancing act between development and conservation."

Graham flies the flag for pike anglers - many of whom were affected by a ban on camping on parts of the loch shore. As well as campers, who have been blamed for anti-social behaviour and litter along the banks, the ban includes anglers wishing to bivvy up by the water.

Programme information will also be available here on the BBC Scotland website.