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New member Paul Ikin is an accomplished predator angler with an enviable record of big UK catfish to his name. Paul has kindly agreed to do a talk and slide show at our meeting on March 7th 2011.
Thanks Paul.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Paul's Catfish Capers
New member Paul Ikin is an accomplished predator angler with an enviable record of big UK catfish to his name. Paul has kindly agreed to do a talk and slide show at our meeting on March 7th 2011.
Thanks Paul.
Mike O'Brien's first pike
Another fish from our successful 'Introduction' day on the Weaver. Well done Mike.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
More photos from our 'Introduction' day.
On the left is Mark Johnson's 17 pounder which was caught on a float-ledgered sardine, and on the right, Alex Lawton's first lure caught pike; which took a 6" Fox Replicant in 'silver sparkle' pattern.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
'Introduction to Pike Fishing' day - Result !
Weather and river conditions were perfect, and this undoubtedly played a big part in a very successful day.
The event, held on the Weaver in Northwich, was attended by approximately 15 anglers, made up of a roughly 50/50 mix of Northwich AA members (mostly complete novices) and PAC members. Here are the stats:
NAA junior member Harry Broadbent caught his first two pike on wobbled deadbaits under the guidance of Alan Hickson. (above right)
NAA junior member Kaythan Shillito caught three pike, including a new 'personal best' of 9 lbs. 14 oz. (above left) all on livebaits.
NAA senior member Alex Lawton caught his first pike on a lure.
NAA Senior and PAC member Michael O'Brien caught his very first pike - after 12 months of trying. This was on a lure.
New PAC member Alan Butler caught his second pike ever. The last one he caught was in 1965 !
The biggest fish of the day, a 17 lb. pike, was caught by PAC's Mark Johnson on a smelt deadbait. I hope to have a picture of this fish soon and will add this to the blog. Well done mate !
Altogether, 18 pike were caught during the day and everyone who attended said that they had thoroughly enjoyed the event and learned a great deal from it.
I would like to thank everyone who attended, but in particular Alan Hickson for his invaluable help and Alan Dudhill from R.A.26 for the generous provision of 'Pikemaster' traces and floats for this event.
Unfortunately I blanked - but someone had to !!!!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
New venue and meeting dates 2010-11
We now have a new home for our monthly meetings at the Owley Wood Recreation Club, Barrymore Road, Weaverham, Northwich, CW8 3LS. This is to the west of Northwich and, for those traveling from outside the area, will be most easily accessed from the A49. Please contact me if you need more specific directions.
We will have the use of a beautifully appointed function room which is absolutely ideal for our purposes and the meetings will take place on the evening of the first Monday in every month from 7.30 pm onwards (please note the change of day from last season when we met on a Thursday).
Unfortunately I have been unable to arrange very much for September (apart from an indoor coaching session) so we will begin our season properly in October. The dates for our meetings and fish-ins planned so far are therefore as follows:
Thursday 30th September 2010 - Indoor coaching session at Northwich AA headquarters, 62 Station Road, Northwich (7.30 pm.) Please see separate post on 'Introduction to pike fishing day' for more details.
Saturday 2nd October 2010 - Introduction to pike fishing day, River Weaver, Northwich.
Monday 4th October 2010 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club. Guest speaker - Gary Knowles.
Monday 1st November 2010 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club. Guest speaker - Phil Kirk (My Piking Life).
Saturday 4th December 2010 - Members 'fish-in' at Petty Pool, Whitegate.
Monday 6th December 2010 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club.
Monday 3rd January 2011 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club.
Monday 7th February 2011 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club.
Saturday 19th February 2011 - Members 'fish-in' at Big Billinge, Whatcroft.
Monday 7th March 2011 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club. Guest speaker - Paul Ikin (Catfish).
Monday 4th April 2011 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club.
Monday 2nd May 2011 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club.
Please continue to visit this blog regularly for updates. I will announce details of more guest speakers as soon as I can.
We will have the use of a beautifully appointed function room which is absolutely ideal for our purposes and the meetings will take place on the evening of the first Monday in every month from 7.30 pm onwards (please note the change of day from last season when we met on a Thursday).
Unfortunately I have been unable to arrange very much for September (apart from an indoor coaching session) so we will begin our season properly in October. The dates for our meetings and fish-ins planned so far are therefore as follows:
Thursday 30th September 2010 - Indoor coaching session at Northwich AA headquarters, 62 Station Road, Northwich (7.30 pm.) Please see separate post on 'Introduction to pike fishing day' for more details.
Saturday 2nd October 2010 - Introduction to pike fishing day, River Weaver, Northwich.
Monday 4th October 2010 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club. Guest speaker - Gary Knowles.
Monday 1st November 2010 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club. Guest speaker - Phil Kirk (My Piking Life).
Saturday 4th December 2010 - Members 'fish-in' at Petty Pool, Whitegate.
Monday 6th December 2010 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club.
Monday 3rd January 2011 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club.
Monday 7th February 2011 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club.
Saturday 19th February 2011 - Members 'fish-in' at Big Billinge, Whatcroft.
Monday 7th March 2011 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club. Guest speaker - Paul Ikin (Catfish).
Monday 4th April 2011 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club.
Monday 2nd May 2011 - R.A.9 monthly meeting at Owley Wood Club.
Please continue to visit this blog regularly for updates. I will announce details of more guest speakers as soon as I can.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Exclusive fish-ins for PAC members
Northwich Anglers Association has kindly agreed to allow Cheshire Region members an exclusive day's fishing on Petty Pool (Whitegate) on Saturday 4th December.
This is a venue we fished last year and, although not many pike were caught, the beautiful surroundings more than made up for it. Petty Pool is a SSSI and home to some of the largest carp in the North West. There are also some very big bream and tench present. Pike are fairly numerous and this is a water where plenty of runs can usually be expected. It is not unusual to catch 5 or 6 pike in a day, although bigger fish tend to be very elusive.
Also, we have kindly been granted exclusive access to Big Billinge (Whatcroft, nr. Davenham) for a 'PAC members only' fish-in on Saturday 19th February 2011. Big Billinge is a noted carp and tench water and is very popular with Northwich AA members. It has produced pike to 24 lbs. 10 oz. in recent years (witnessed by the current bailiff) and has a good head of pike which generally see little angling pressure.
In the past we have tended to run fish-ins on day ticket waters in order to enable all of our members to fish. However, the opportunity to fish both Petty Pool and Big Billinge offers something fresh for the majority of our members who wouldn't normally be able to fish these venues.
Although Petty Pool is quite a large water (30+ acres) there are only 13 pegs so these will need to be pre-booked on a 'first come first served' basis. Similarly Big Billinge has limited pegs but numbers for this venue will be restricted to 15 anglers in order to facilitate choice and freedom of movement between swims.
There will be a charge of £3.50 per angler, and the funds generated will be donated to Northwich AA's junior section.
This is a venue we fished last year and, although not many pike were caught, the beautiful surroundings more than made up for it. Petty Pool is a SSSI and home to some of the largest carp in the North West. There are also some very big bream and tench present. Pike are fairly numerous and this is a water where plenty of runs can usually be expected. It is not unusual to catch 5 or 6 pike in a day, although bigger fish tend to be very elusive.
Also, we have kindly been granted exclusive access to Big Billinge (Whatcroft, nr. Davenham) for a 'PAC members only' fish-in on Saturday 19th February 2011. Big Billinge is a noted carp and tench water and is very popular with Northwich AA members. It has produced pike to 24 lbs. 10 oz. in recent years (witnessed by the current bailiff) and has a good head of pike which generally see little angling pressure.
In the past we have tended to run fish-ins on day ticket waters in order to enable all of our members to fish. However, the opportunity to fish both Petty Pool and Big Billinge offers something fresh for the majority of our members who wouldn't normally be able to fish these venues.
Although Petty Pool is quite a large water (30+ acres) there are only 13 pegs so these will need to be pre-booked on a 'first come first served' basis. Similarly Big Billinge has limited pegs but numbers for this venue will be restricted to 15 anglers in order to facilitate choice and freedom of movement between swims.
There will be a charge of £3.50 per angler, and the funds generated will be donated to Northwich AA's junior section.
'Introduction to Pike Fishing' day 02/10/10
We will be running an 'Introduction to Pike Fishing' day in conjunction with Northwich Anglers Association on the River Weaver in Northwich on Saturday 2nd October.
This event is to cater for members of Northwich Anglers Association only (not the general public) but their Management Committee has agreed to allow PAC members to fish as well.
I hope that as many Cheshire Region members as possible will come and fish as I anticipate a good turn-out; particularly from Northwwich AA's junior members.
We have been granted permission to roam over a fairly long stretch of the river and I have selected this area because it fished particularly well for pike at this time last year (I caught a lot of fish up to about 10 lbs. on lures but I'm sure that live or deadbaits would probably turn up some bigger fish).
If you would like to help by demonstrating any particular methods, or by taking a beginner under your wing, then please get in touch. I will be advertising the event in local tackle shops and via Northwich AA's website and there is a real opportunity here to boost PAC membership in the mid-Cheshire area.
The day's fishing will be preceded by an indoor coaching session at Northwich AA's headquarters, 62 Station Road, Northwich, at 7.30 pm on Thursday 30th September. This is to enable anglers to learn to do fiddly jobs like making traces, tying rigs etc. in an environment more conducive to such activities than on the riverbank.
This event is to cater for members of Northwich Anglers Association only (not the general public) but their Management Committee has agreed to allow PAC members to fish as well.
I hope that as many Cheshire Region members as possible will come and fish as I anticipate a good turn-out; particularly from Northwwich AA's junior members.
We have been granted permission to roam over a fairly long stretch of the river and I have selected this area because it fished particularly well for pike at this time last year (I caught a lot of fish up to about 10 lbs. on lures but I'm sure that live or deadbaits would probably turn up some bigger fish).
If you would like to help by demonstrating any particular methods, or by taking a beginner under your wing, then please get in touch. I will be advertising the event in local tackle shops and via Northwich AA's website and there is a real opportunity here to boost PAC membership in the mid-Cheshire area.
The day's fishing will be preceded by an indoor coaching session at Northwich AA's headquarters, 62 Station Road, Northwich, at 7.30 pm on Thursday 30th September. This is to enable anglers to learn to do fiddly jobs like making traces, tying rigs etc. in an environment more conducive to such activities than on the riverbank.
Search for new meeting venue
Yesterday I learned that the R.A.O.B. Club in Northwich, where we held our meetings last season, is closing down at the end of August. Off hand I don't know of another suitable venue so I will need to do some research to try and find us a new home. Unfortunately this has thrown my provisional list of meeting dates and speakers for 2010/11 into disarray. Please watch this space as I plan to resolve this problem as quickly as I can.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wyreside Lakes fish-in (24/01/10)
Originally we had planned to hold a friendly fish-in against our neighbours from PAC's South Lancs. Region at Tatton Park two days after Christmas. However,the ice and snow put paid to the plan and so we re-scheduled the event to take place at Wyreside Lakes a month later.
Unfortunately the Cheshire Region fielded only 3 anglers; Roy Garton and Andy and Carol Bates. I had planned to spend the day lure fishing but decided not to bother because the fishery wanted to charge me £14 for two rods when only had one in my possession. Not only did the magnificent 3 fail to catch, I spent the day feeling very cold and fed up indeed.
The South Lancs. Region fared better with 8 anglers turning up to fish and several pike caught (biggest a 16 pounder). The R.A.9/R.A.31 Challenge Cup was therefore won by the South Lancs. Region. Next year we will have to do better !
On my arrival home I wrote to the fishery manager and complained that it was unfair to charge pike anglers for a minimum of two rods as this discriminates against lure anglers (similarly the same tariff for carp anglers discriminates against anyone wishing to stalk fish with 1 rod). I received a nice reply informing me that the fishery has now restored the opportunity for pike and carp anglers to buy a single rod ticket for £7. I'm pleased some good has come of my letter.
Unfortunately the Cheshire Region fielded only 3 anglers; Roy Garton and Andy and Carol Bates. I had planned to spend the day lure fishing but decided not to bother because the fishery wanted to charge me £14 for two rods when only had one in my possession. Not only did the magnificent 3 fail to catch, I spent the day feeling very cold and fed up indeed.
The South Lancs. Region fared better with 8 anglers turning up to fish and several pike caught (biggest a 16 pounder). The R.A.9/R.A.31 Challenge Cup was therefore won by the South Lancs. Region. Next year we will have to do better !
On my arrival home I wrote to the fishery manager and complained that it was unfair to charge pike anglers for a minimum of two rods as this discriminates against lure anglers (similarly the same tariff for carp anglers discriminates against anyone wishing to stalk fish with 1 rod). I received a nice reply informing me that the fishery has now restored the opportunity for pike and carp anglers to buy a single rod ticket for £7. I'm pleased some good has come of my letter.
2010 Looking ahead
The big freeze put pike fishing on hold for everyone throughout early January but now we are free of ice once again we can begin to look forward to the year ahead.
Unfortunately our January meeting had to be cancelled because the roads were so trecherous but Gary Knowles has kindly offered to come and present his slide show in the autumn. Steve Ormrod has also provisionally agreed to come and talk to us later in the year.
PAC Secretary Graham Slater will be our guest speaker at the February meeting (Thursday 11th) with John Milford to follow in March (Thursday 11th). Our final slide show for this season is in April when we have a mystery guest speaker. I don't want to give away too much information about this as this involves a personal friend who rarely gives talks these days and doesn't want to be swamped with requests from elsewhere. All I will say is that that none of our remaining meetings should be missed.
I plan to organize some more fish-ins for members but, with only 3 turning up to the last one I have to ask myself if it's all worthwhile ? It's very disappointing to have around 80 PAC members living in the Cheshire area but less than a dozen turning up to meetings; with even fewer attending fish-ins. Perhaps members would like to give me some feedback and let me know why they aren't supporting their Regional Association ?
Unfortunately our January meeting had to be cancelled because the roads were so trecherous but Gary Knowles has kindly offered to come and present his slide show in the autumn. Steve Ormrod has also provisionally agreed to come and talk to us later in the year.
PAC Secretary Graham Slater will be our guest speaker at the February meeting (Thursday 11th) with John Milford to follow in March (Thursday 11th). Our final slide show for this season is in April when we have a mystery guest speaker. I don't want to give away too much information about this as this involves a personal friend who rarely gives talks these days and doesn't want to be swamped with requests from elsewhere. All I will say is that that none of our remaining meetings should be missed.
I plan to organize some more fish-ins for members but, with only 3 turning up to the last one I have to ask myself if it's all worthwhile ? It's very disappointing to have around 80 PAC members living in the Cheshire area but less than a dozen turning up to meetings; with even fewer attending fish-ins. Perhaps members would like to give me some feedback and let me know why they aren't supporting their Regional Association ?
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