Micky Jones confirmed for PAC Convention

Micky Jones from Inverness is the first speaker to be confirmed for this year's Pike Anglers Club Convention.

"It was a bit of a shock to be asked to be honest," he said today. "But when I thought about it I also thought it was big honour and one that I hope I can do justice."

Micky's best-known for his catches up in Scotland, which will feature in his presentation.

"My talk will cover piking in the Highlands, a bit from my travels and some of the great friendships I have made through piking and being involved with the PAC," he said.

Those sitting in the front few rows need to be warned he may well take to the stage wearing a kilt. Other speakers will be announced soon.

Saturday, October 1 is the big day, Kettering Conference Centre is the venue. Click here for directions and a bit more info.

+++Micky's also going to be speaking at the Northumbrian Piper in Fawdon, Newcastle NE3 2AH, on Friday, February 25 (8pm). Admission £2.

Piking2011 - date and venue announced

Next year's PAC Convention will be held at Kettering Conference Centre - the venue for the highly-acclaimed Piking2010.

This year's event was such a success on all fronts that the venue had to be a strong contender for 2011.

What decided it was the feedback from both attendees and traders - without whose support we couldn't hope to stage such an ambitious event.

Positive on both counts would be an understatement. The venue is central and offers free parking, along with comfortable facilities and reasonably-priced food and drink.

A great line-up of speakers helped the cause. As ever, we'll do our best to ensure we match it with next year's line-up and provide something of interest to all pike anglers.

Convention organiser Colin Goodge said: "This years was the most successful convention since the 30th Anniversary one, due I believe to the venue, the speakers, good support from the trade and a well organised committee plus a lot of help from PAC members.

"The membership gave us terrific support on the day I find it a great pleasure to organise such an event when you are given such wonderful support and back up."

Saturday, October 1 is the date to diary for next year's event. Speakers and all the other details will be announced as we finalise them.

Click here for directions and venue info.

Club's new badge remembers Barrie

A limited-edition badge will be launched at the PAC Convention in memory of one of the club's founding fathers Barrie Rickards.

Tributes flooded in when Barrie passed away last November, after battling cancer. His loss rocked the angling world.

As well as raising funds for the PAC, a portion of the profits from the £5 cost of each badge will be donated to two of Barrie's favourite good causes - Cancer Research UK and the St John's Ambulance.

The new badge will go on sale at the PAC convention, at Kettering Conference Centre, on Saturday, September 25.

Click here for more on the convention, ticket prices and this year's line-up of speakers.

EXCLUSIVE: PAC Convention venue revealed

All roads lead to a brand new venue in September for the biggest event of the predator fishing calender.

Eric Edwards, Mark Ackerley, Julian Chidgey and Ant Glascoe will be sharing the speakers' bill at the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain's annual convention, at Kettering Conference Centre, on Saturday, September 25.

Convention organiser Colin Goodge said: "We've done our best to offer something for everyone, whether you're a seasoned pike angler or a newcomer to this exciting branch of our sport.
Four top predator fishermen, talking about their way of fishing plus great pictures of some great catches, a really exciting line up of speakers that cannot be seen together anywhere else, is surely not to be missed, plus a chance to ask them questions on that now famous Neville's Panel.

"As this year's organiser, I feel we have moved to yet another really exciting venue, the new Kettering Conference Centre, a really up to date centre, that boasts a 562-seater tiered theatre large trade area, bars, refreshments, free parking and to complement all that a lake, all this wonderfully situated alongside the A14 at junction 8, which links the A1, M1, in the heart of England just 55 minutes from St Pancras International and Eurostar.

"I feel that this year's convention could well prove to be a great day out for all those keen predator hunters one not to miss, so make a note in your diary for September 25, keep your eye on our website www.pacgb.co.uk and in our magazine Pikelines."

Trade stands will have all the latest tackle for just about every form of pike fishing, from both
the big names and some of the smaller independents like rod and lure builders.

More on venue, directions etc here.

Ticket prices and other details of the day are still being finalised.

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