Region round up Xmas 2015

I hope that you are all having a great season and that you and your family’s had a great festive season.  The region is in its 9thseason since we re formed & is doing well, the meetings are still at our long serving HQ of the Caledonian pub Bolton rd ashton in Makerfield near Wigan (next door to Tesco garage) so far this season we have had some great guest speakers, including ERIC EDWARDS who did an excellent talk on river pike fishing on lures with some excellent video footage, DAVE HOLDEN who did an interactive practical demonstration covering test curves on rods, line make up & properties & his thoughts on pike fishing in general,  & ERIC HOPE lakedistrict angling guide extraordinaire covering his love of fishing in the lakedistrict & beyond for various species, mainly pike & perch, the meetings have been well attended as you would expect.  Unfortunately I missed Eric Edwards talk due to my graduation for my master’s degree, (1st meeting I’ve missed in 9 years!)  I would very much like to thank Keith Dutton, Michael Ward & Karl Devlin for standing in a very big well done!  As I write we have much more to come including talks from local specimen angler my good mate DAMIEN WOOD in January, so I have some very hard acts to follow for my talk in Feb, in March we have BARRY MC CONNELL updating us on his recent globetrotting exploits in search of world record Eels.  Several good fish have been caught by region members so far this season including ERIC EDWARDS adding another 30+ to his already impressive tally, Gavin Herrington has managed local fish to 20+ (see photo), Khris Schofield has managed some nice fish too, I’ve also managed a trio and two braces of 20s (see photos).

The informal social type outings have continued co-ordinated by KEITH DUTTON (these are not matches or official PAC events merely like-minded PAC individual members fishing together) there most recent jolly was over the festive season when faced with floods & gale force winds up north the lads headed south, bagging a good number of doubles between them the best a 17+ to region stalward BRIAN SEFTON (see photo), junior hot rod MIKE WARD and Bernie Brennan also bagged a nice mid double (see pics), the lads also pitched in to make some bankside grub, Martin Aspinall and Gavin Herrington put a top notch beef stew together, a good time had by all, well done lads.

The close of our season as a region will be in April with our annual AGM/Presentation night with Start guest.  As you will know there has a been a spate of flooding this is much more far reaching that just effecting fishing, spare a thought for those caught in in them.  Our meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 8pm onwards.

Congratulations to Gavin Herrington on his capture of a local 20, fish of this size are few and far between in this area, well done m8

Brian Sephton with one of several mid doubles caught on our Christmas social

Young Micheal Ward and Bernie Brennan both managed mid doubles on the Xmas social

More big fish to Chew record holder

A brace of twenties (and his first twenty) @ 27.00 and 24.00 caught by “Uncle Mike” Heyes from the Walley Bank area of Chew Valley Lake on Wednesday 04th February 2015. The fish were caught in around 18’ of water at about 60yds range on herring tails at around 14:30 and 15:30 respectively.

Later on the same day at around 16:30 Paul Millar (AKA Golden Bollox) added his first thirty at 31.12 fishing the same bait in the same area.

Three low doubles were added on Thursday and Friday and Paul lost a big fish estimated at over 20lbs at 17:30 on Friday evening as it rolled on the surface around 30yds out after being on for approximately a minute. A minor blemish on an otherwise fantastic session.


In 12 months, the duo have fished 11 days on Chew Valley Lake landing fish weighing 44.06, 40.04, 31.12, 27.00, 24.00, 21.04, 17.12, 17.10, 13.00, 12.08, 12.00, a jack and two 5lb trout. The water certainly has been kind to them!

New Chew record

Region 31 member Paul Millar has just this week broke the ever changing venue record with a 44lb 06oz leviathan from Bristol water's Chew valley. A big congratulations goes out to Paul from all the committee and members of region 31 for his awe inspiring catch.

Region 31 members recent captures

Dan Taylor's 28lb 08oz pike from a recent mid week session

Graham Benyon with a 27lb 08oz pike caught on Gadda baits

Assistant region 31 RO with a lovely 17lb pike caught on a recent outing

Bait box consultant and PAC RO jon Neafcy with his first 20 of the year

Part of a 117lb haul of pike caught by L/O and R/O jon neafcy on a PAC regional outing that also included 5 doubles

Jon with a few doubles caught last weekend

Jon Neacy with his first pike of 2014 from a flooded water, 18lb

Jon with his last pike of 2013, all his pike fell to Bait box baits

Pete Crisp with a glacial 16 pounder caught on a float ledgered mackerel

January guest speaker

 Guest speaker Wednesday 8^th January

 

Gary Knowles

Local specialist angler and capturer of many specimen predatory species including Pike to 31lb, Zander to over 15lb, catfish to 131lb and Perch to over 4lb.

The Korum guru never fails to entertain at his presentations.

Starts at 8pm

Raffle and buffet

Caledonian Hotel

154 Bolton Rd, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 8PF

New water no problem for RO

Region 31 organiser and Pikepro consultant Jon Neafcy had no problems targeting a new water after hooking up to this nice double, well done Jon keep them coming.

Up and coming guest speakers

 

Eric Edwards

Wednesday 6th November, starts at 8pm

 



Nathan Edgell

 

Tuesday 3rd December, starts at 7pm

 

Meetings are held at The Caledonian pub in Ashton, next door to the Tesco garage, see link below

https://plus.google.com/101346139745947508696/about?gl=uk&hl=en
 

 



PAC kids win hands down

Region 31 PAC's first fish in of the new season turned out to be a cracker for all that made the trip to bonny Scotland. The weather forecast wasn't favourable with bright sunshine and light easterly winds but that didn't stop the pike from feeding. 9 members made the trip up north, most fished Friday till Sunday. Myself, my Son Michael Ward, Bernie Brennan and Brian Sephton (Sefo) arrived late on Friday evening and opted to fish the largest of the lochs available, there was already a few local lads fishing when we got there so bank space was limited, we managed to find a spot where we could all fish next to each other which I prefer as club fish ins should be a social event. Region organiser Jon Neafcy and father and son duo Rodney and Daniel Fletcher were already settled in on a small loch close by when we arrived so we left them to it and set about pitching camp for the weekend. The first night quickly past with nothing more than a few bobbin off''s, at first light we unloaded the boat and set about thrashing the lake with lures for a few hours, the fish were having none of it so we headed back to base camp for breakfast and coffee. On returning to shore spirits were high, Bernie had just lost a good fish, the hooks came free during the fight. By this time the morning sun was warming up the loch, plenty of prey fish feeding on the surface and the odd pike striking at them. I was next to get a run, an out and out screamer on my left hand rod, after a few minutes she was in the net, 13lb 10oz, (few, I've not blanked) a new Scottish PB for me. That broke the ice nicely, the fish were on the feed and confidence was high. PAC junior Michael Ward was next up, his new Billy's backbiter which he won at the PAC convention the week before dropped free from his line and let out that deafening sound, this fish was taking lots of line and running with real pace, the hooks were set and the fish didn't like it one bit, the pike stripped line from his spool and all Mike could do was stand there clinging onto his rod with both hands. This was a good fish but we hadn't seen her yet and she played him for 15 minutes before she broke surface, my first thoughts, an mid double, then the net slipped under her,



"wow, defo an 18 plus" I said, no one dared mention the twenty word but we were all thinking it. I zeroed the scales and Mike asked if he could hold the scales to weigh his prize catch. 21.01, 21.03 then the scales finally settled on 21b 2oz, we all congratulated him, photographed the fish and Mike took her to the water to see his new PB and first Scottish pike swim silently back to the abyss.

Things started to quieten down so I went for a stroll down to new R31 members Gavin Herrington and Martin Aspinwall, to see if they had managed to find a swim, it's true what they say, us pike anglers can get where water cant, they had managed to make the most of what limited space was available and settled in nicely, we had a quick chat and I wished them luck and set off to see the other members, I bumped into Rodney and young Daniel Fletcher next, Daniel had had an 18lber through the night, his new Scottish best, you only need to look at the photo to see just how pleased he was, well done Daniel another junior showing us old pro's how the next generation of pike anglers do it.

Jon Neafcy had wrapped up to get back in time for his daughters birthday party, we met up at Rodney and Daniels swim, had a good chinwag, and walked over to the area that the club boat was stored. The club boat had been there for a few years and wasn't really getting used that much so Jon offered to take it to a more local water for better use. Jon had also caught a few fish, 2 jacks and a double.

Bernie Brennan was next to take a fish, a 6lb jack on a popped up smelt he'd dyed red, I missed this one has I was away chit chatting with the lads, well done B

Sefo finally managed a small jack but was too embarrassed to have his photo taken with it (it really was that small) this left the new members Gavin and Martin to come up with the goods and make this trip a full house. Sunday morning came round, the night had been quiet once again, I had a bobbin off, bloody ducks and Sefo had a dropped run. I had a walk over to Gavin and Martin to stretch my legs and to see if they had had any luck, As I walked over I could see Gavin with a good fish in the net, by the time I got to them Gavin was taking photos and Martin was holding a good sized fish  "nice fish, how big?" I said, Gavin said "nineteen", Martin looked pleased as punch, 19lb 7oz, a new PB for Martin, well done m8. Gavin and Rodney managed to catch a jack meaning everyone caught.









All in all the club fish in was probably the best one I've been on, had a good laugh with the lads, met up with 2 new members,  several personal bests were bettered but it was the junior members that really stole the show and showed us old gits how to do it, well done Mike and Dan and a big thank you to all that attended.

Support Martin James MBE

I am taking part in the abseiling event as I have seen some of the work carried out by the ABF The Soldiers Charity. At 75 I still feel I should do all I can to help those less fortunate than myself. At the present time we are getting a lot of our troops returning from Afghanistan badly wounded that many people don't hear about. If I can help to improve their life quality by fund raising that makes me feel a lot better. I can get out fishing when I need too. Many of these guys have to have personal assistance. At present I am getting some plans in operation to get some blind trooper out fishing in June. Yes it will only  be a small group who will leger or use a bite indicator but if they get some help in getting out fishing, their lives will be improved. All my guiding, writing fees etc go directly to my 2 chosen charities  

Kind regards Martin

Help Martin reach his  £3000 target 
Click here to donate to this great cause

End of season presentation 03.04.13

Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain's very own general secretary Alan Dudhill will be presenting this seasons accolades to region 31 members for their achievements over the 12 months. There will be a buffet and raffle with some top prizes including a days fishing with Alan Dudhill and top predator book Fenland Pike by Denis Moules. This presentation will be held at the usual haunt, Caledonian pub in Ashton next to the tesco petrol station on Bolton road, meeting starts 8pm.

Win a days pike fishing with PACGB General Secretary Alan Dudhill 

Top prizes to be won

Region 31 PAC first coaching session 2013

Region 31 coaches Kevin Dunne, John Woods, Denis Bird and Karl Devlin assisted Eric Edwards in delivering a very successful and enjoyable coaching session for 30+ junior members of Prince Albert Angling Society on one of there staffordshire club waters Gailey reservoir. Setting up a dead bait rigs, lure fishing and trace making were just a few examples that were demonstrate by the region 31 PAC qualified coaching team under the ever watchful eye of  region 31's senior level 2 coach Eric Edwards. All in all it was another successful mission completed, demonstrating pike welfare in an exemplary manner and promoting safe pike fishing methods.

Kevin Dunne showing the budding young pike anglers how to set up a float ledger rig

Kevin Dunne letting the kids cast out the rigs they made and explaining to them how the rig works

John Woods explains lure fishing 

Denis Bird teaching the art of trace making

Last but not least Karl Devlin with the baits out waiting for that all important fish to demonstrate his pike handling skills to the junior members.

A big well done to all the region 31 coach team and PAAS 

Prince Albert Angling Society