July 10th 2003
British Pike Squad

Press release from the British Pike Squad

June 24th 2003
Review of the current policy and strategy for the management of pike and pike angling in Ireland

A Combined Report by the PAC and the IPS about the recent meeting about the future for Irish Pike Fishing can be read here.

June 11th 2003
RA 80 Soar Valley

This active PAC region has just acquired its own water. Details here.

May 20th 2003
Inter-Region Challenge Cup

Some time ago we were trying to get in motion an Inter-Region Pike Challenge Cup. This was going to consist of the PAC regions in the Midlands Area. Due to lack of time and previous engagements with other projects, like the Marie Curie Cancer Care Predator Cup, we had to put the Inter-Region Challenge Cup on hold.

Mike Bowen and John Cahill from Solihull & Warwickshire have asked us if will still had plans on getting the Inter-Region Challenge going again. Well, the answer is yes! If there is enough interest shown I will get the plans and details started. This is aimed at all members of the regions involved. It's not to see who's the best region in the PAC, it is intended to be sociable, friendly days of pike fishing on different waters in different areas of the country. Now, this could be on gravel pits, canals, rivers, drains or reservoirs so there's something for everybody. You can use lures, deadbaits, wobbled deadbaits, fly chucking, the list is endless. As for livebaits, that will be down to the discretion of the region whose water is being used on the day and in keeping with national legislation.

So if any PAC region in the Midlands area fancies a go, please get in touch. Contact details here or see RO list in latest Pikelines.

Regards.

Colin Telfer. R.O. Soar Valley P.A.C. RA 80.

May 13th 2003
Pike in Your Waters

First released in 1992, Pike in Your Waters served a useful role in the opening of trout waters to pike anglers by explaining the benefits of allowing pike to remain, both as an angling resource and in ecological terms. The second edition of Pike In Your Waters is to be launched at the Members' Annual Meeting of the PAC (see below) having been updated and expanded to give basic advice about the need for retaining pike in a wide range of mixed fisheries, and on how best to ensure that the pike survive and thrive in the long term. Details of how to obtain your copy of Pike in Your Waters can be found on the Publications page, where you can also download a PDF version to print out.

April 22nd 2003
Irish Pike Society News

Like the PAC, the IPS changes committee every three years read their new committee's initial press release, and their statement about the introduction of coarse permits by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board.

April 5th 2003
Use of WD40 as a bait additive

The PAC has contacted the Environment Agency with regard to the use of WD40 as a bait additive.

The EA stated that they do not recommend the use of this substance as a bait additive and class it as a pollutant. If it was over used on a fishery by several anglers it could have an adverse impact on the aquatic environment with some fish and invertebrates suffering. In very small amounts it should not harm fish, but it is impossible to say at this moment what levels would be damaging.

Using WD40 on your baits could leave you liable to prosecution. The PAC recommends that you do not use this or similar oils on your baits - give a thought for the pike and its environment.

March 2nd 2003
Print Winner

Bill Richmond of Co. Durham is the lucky winner of the David Miller pike print competition. Basic Pike Fishing was the correct answer to the question, "What was the first book published by the PAC?"

February 25th 2003
NAA Code of Conduct for Coarse Anglers

The February edition of Pikelines will include a free copy of the NAA Code of Conduct for Coarse Anglers.

More info on the code can be found here.

February 2nd 2003
Scottish Coarse Angling Survey

Ron Woods, Policy Officer of the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling, tells us that Glasgow Caledonian University is presently undertaking an important study on angling on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The study seeks to assess the economic contribution of angling to the Scottish economy, as well as specific regions within Scotland. At the moment, policy towards freshwater fisheries has to be developed and initiated against a background of very limited information about the economic contribution of angling. This study seeks to redress that situation, an outcome which is plainly in the best interests of all anglers in Scotland.

Many angling groups and other bodies have been calling for this type of work to be undertaken as it could have a potentially significant impact of future fisheries policy development. The survey requires the assistance of anglers, and the research team have asked the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling to help publicise their appeal for anglers to complete an on-line questionnaire.

From the coarse fishing perspective, it is absolutely vital that we get the maximum returns from what remains in Scotland a minority constituency. A very high proportion of coarse anglers in Scotland - particularly those who visit Scotland from elsewhere in the UK - are pikers. It would therefore be a tremendous help if pike anglers from around the UK who fish in Scotland could take a little time to complete the questionnaire. which can be found at:- http://www.gcal.ac.uk/econsurv/anglersurvey.htm

Hard copies of the questionnaire, and further information concerning the survey, are available from the
research team:-

John Anderson
Research Assistant
Division of Economics and Enterprise
City Campus
Glasgow Caledonian University
0141 331 3250

January 30th 2003
RA 5 North Lake District

The recently formed North Lake District region is holding a meeting on the 6th February, yes next Thursday! It starts at 7.30pm in 'The Bush' pub in Cockermouth (on the high street). It will be just an informal meet and greet type thing, to find out what people in the area want and are interested in.

January 27th 2003
RA 20 Solihull & Warwickshire - Introduction to Pike Angling for Juniors, Saturday 8th March 2003

RA 20 Solihull & Warwickshire are pleased to confirm the above event at Coombe pool Coventry. Demand has meant that all places have been taken up from requests carried over from 2002. It is hoped that the success of last year's event where 32 fish up to 18lb were caught can be repeated.

Further Introduction Days will take place in the Autumn of 2003 and Winter 2003/4 for 26 places on each day. Places can be reserved by contacting Mick Bowen on 01527 452983'

The events will be conducted in line with Child Protection Policies within angling being promoted by the Joint Angling Governing Bodies throughout its member organisations - which includes The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain.

As always tackle donations from individuals or the Trade are welcomed. So if you have any tackle in good condition that is no longer needed then 'Mad' Mick Bowen will be pleased to take it off your hands to give out as prizes at the end of the day.

January 14th 2003
Bristol PAC - RA 25

Bristol Region now have a website of their own.

January 10th 2003
Pike Rig Safety

In response to requests there is now a new web page and Fact Sheet about safe rigs and tackle for pike fishing.