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.

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'.

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.'

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.

 

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.

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.
 

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.

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/

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.

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.

Booze, drugs, nudity and swearing - that'll be the latest DVD on the gentle art of fly fishing for pike

Inspired by tales of massive pike, they head for the wilds. But when they meet the locals, they find more than they bargained for...

A Backyard in Nowhere is subtitled a Fly Fishing Western but is actually a documentary, which charts the true story of a wilderness trip to Alaska by a group of Danish pike fly fishers.

Makers Mathis Eskjær, Peter Christensen, Peter Lyngby and Mikkel Poppelhøj say: "A Backyard in Nowhere is an independent film that mixes Western and Gonzo elements with traditional fly fishing.

"Blinded by stories of giant Northern pike, a trio of fly fishers set out to explore the remote Innoko River in Alaska. They end up getting a whole lot more than they bargained for. 

"After the fly fishers meet the Native Americans that live in the drainage, their adventure begins to take wild twists and turns Moving deeper into the Backyard, the fly fishers find some of the best pike on the fly fishing ever caught on film. 

"But, to their misfortune, the Backyard turns out to be a lot like the old West. Generous servings of booze, taking the law into ones own hands and gun slinging over a piece of land, are challenges that need to be overcome to find the giants of the Innoko."

The trailer (see above) contains some stunning shots of fish being hooked and returned in incredible surroundings. 

Click here for more and details on how to order a copy.

King's Lynn PAC Christmas Bash on the Ouse

King's Lynn PAC are having a Christmas social with a difference on the Ouse at Ten Mile Bank (left) on Sunday, December 11.

It's a roving predator comp, with a £250 first prize plus £50 for the biggest fish.

Have a look at their blog for more info here.

The latest lure fishing gimmick..?

A clippy-on thingammy that makes the line "pulse"..? Who reckons that one's going to catch on then.

In pictures: 36lbs scottish pike to Kevin Martin

The following e-mail has arrived at PAC Towers from scottish angler Kevin Martin. It comes after rumours of a near 40lbs pike from an un-named loch - Kevin has now sent us two pictures of the fish.
  
"I caught a 36lb 2oz pike on the 12th of this month with rod and line using dead bait a 12 foot zenith pike rod a bait runner 60 reel and 20lb braid using (full eel) my wife and I were fishing a loch in scotland that I would prefer not to name as we are the only two people who have permission to fish it," he said.

"The fish weighed 37lb 5oz weighed in my fox landing net the nets weight is 1lb 3oz when wet. We used digital scales and non digital scales to weigh the fish. The fish was clean hooked in the upper lip and was returned to the loch unharmed.

"I have been pike fishing for 20 years and this is by far my pb, it would be grately appreciated if you could list this catch on your website as its a massive achievement for me after so many years angling."

Kevin describes himself as a big chap - 6ft and 20-stone. Clearly a big fish, as you can see from the second picture. 

EA averts major fish kill on Norfolk river

A major fish kill may have been averted on Norfolk's River Wissey after the Environment Agency deployed aerators to boost oxygen levels in the river.

Fisheries officers stepped in after fish including more than 50 large bream, roach, tench, perch and pike  were found dead on Wissey Pools, near the Wissington Sugar Factory.

Tests revealed low oxygen  levels, believed to have been caused by low flows during the ongoing drought. The Wissey is shallow, particularly upstream of the pools where there is a large, silted mere.

The EA has placed aerators near Wissington bridge and further downstream on the Hilgay village stretch (pictured). Experts are now monitoring oxygen levels in the river daily.

Lure match aims to build bridges between anglers

A lure match is being held at Ferry Meadows, at Peterborough, on Saturday, November 26, as part of a project to integrate Eastern European and British anglers.
It's being organised by Rado Papiewski, the Angling Trust's Building Bridges project manager. Registration will start at 8.30 am with fishing starting from 9.00am - 1pm.
"Prizes and barbecue will take place at 2pm so we will have some time to discuss the catches and exchange some experience," said Rado.
Entry is £10, plus £5 day ticket. For more information or to book a place, e-mail radoslaw.papiewski@anglingtrust.net . Click here for more on the venue.

Farewell to much-loved Norfolk bailiff John Block

Pentney Lakes, where John Block was the much-loved warden

Norfolk's countryside lost one of its true characters when John Block lost his battle with cancer, writes Chris Bishop.

He was as old as the hills and he lived on steak and potatoes, washed down with the odd whisky or two, in a cabin in the woods at Pentney Lakes, where he was on-site warden after retiring from farming.

John wasn't a man for the indoor life. He knew the wildlife above and beneath the surface like the back of his leathery hands.

His wry observations on life and the many anglers who crossed his path peppered our bankside chats like buckshot - not to mention the occasional brush with officialdom.

"You won't catch 'em here - they're all over there," he said countless times, pointing off to some distant swim. "I keep telling you boys you're in the wrong place but no-one listens to Old John."

With his ancient spaniel Mr Fonty plodding along behind, he did his rounds on an electric mobility scooter for the last  couple of winters as age and illness finally began to overtake him.

This silent mode of transport meant he could creep up right behind you and make you jump out of your skin, before he'd disappear in a fog of cigar smoke, laughing like a drain.

Not so long ago, he'd be thundering up the Coast Road to Hunstanton on his Harley Davidson on fine afternoons. He never took his 'Hawg out when it rained.

But he'd be out beside his beloved lakes through the worst of the winter, pondering nature's comings and goings with our rag tag crew even when he knew his days were numbered.

His vice-like grip had loosened a notch or two when we shook hands at the end of last season. "Don't you worry, I'll see you come September," he said.

John died on October 29, surrounded by his family. When I heard he'd left us, I thought about leaving a wreath in the Barbecue Swim, but somehow that wasn't John. I went fishing elsewhere, leaving the pike in Pentney in peace.

As dusk fell over the Fens and I wound the baits in, the geese cried like they were mourning a lost friend. I poured a whisky, mouthed a toast and threw the rest in the river, before I packed the rods away in tears.

John left a lasting mark on many anglers. His funeral is at Mintlyn Crematorium, near King's Lynn, on Wednesday, November 9 (4pm). Family flowers only, donations to Cancer Research UK.

Old Bedford River crisis latest from the EA

Environment Agency officials have responded to concerns over the state of the Old Bedford River - a once-prolific drain in the Fens, where fish surveys have shown a 90% decline in silver fish stocks.

"The fish survey carried out in the spring this year showed a decline in the number of silver fish caught," the EA said. "This does not necessarily mean that there has been a decline in fish stocks per se, just that that there were not so many caught in the survey areas.

"There were some large tench, large pike over 20lbs and big perch caught in the survey. We believe the silver fish were shoaling around Welches Dam. We will continue to closely monitor the fish population in future surveys."

Yes, there were a handful of large fish caught, during surveys carried out at five locations on the Bedford. Anglers have been catching a few as well - like this 19lbs sample pictured above, caught by PAC member Mark Ross.

But roach and bream can't all have cleared off to Welches Dam, because the sluice downstream of Welney Bridge remains closed most of the time.

And the issue of siltation in the lower reaches, resulting from muddy water being allowed in from the tidal Ouse via the sluice at Salters Lode to replenish levels after abstraction, is a disaster waiting to happen.

When the Bedford suffered a catastrophic fish kill in 2002, the experts blamed a build-up of silt. Toxins were released after the bed of the drain was disturbed by heavy rainfall. The same experts recommended dredging, and this took place on the Welney stretch the following year.

There's anecdotal evidence water was being abstracted from the drain at the height of this summer's drought.

The EA went on: "There has been a really dry summer and we needed to balance the demand for water for irrigation of food, public consumption and the needs of the environment."

How about an investigation into exactly where the water's going..? Who's abstracting it and why can't irrigation reservoirs be topped up during the winter, to tide farmers through dry summers.?

The EA also said it operated an ongoing dredging programme. This winter, it plans to clear a 5km stretch of the upper drain at Sutton.

"We should return to the Salters Lode sction in the next two to three years," it adds. "However, we are reviewing the condition of this stretch to assess whether there is a more urgent need to do works before the planned cycle."

Locals who know the water believe it needs action now, with dredging to restore depths to 6ft before a re-stocking programme.

Click here for our story on fears for fish stocks in the Bedford. More on this soon.

Pikelines is on the presses, out soon

Presses roll.... Pikelines is at the printers, meaning it will be winging its way to members next week.

One highlight is Dilip Sarkar's investigation into the cased pike claimed as the River Wye record - the true story behind the headlines, in an incredible tale that made the Daily Mail.

There are one or two thought-provoking pieces on tactics, plus all the usual news, views and reviews from the PAC.

Keep an eye out for the postman (or postwoman, or postperson...) if you're a member. And stand by for another cracking read.