All aboard the Zandavan for a great night

What a great night's entertainment, courtesy of Barry 'Zandavan' McConnell. From zander in the Fens to giant eels Down Under, Zandavan had us hanging on every word - from his theories on finding zeds, think rocks and mussels; to his take on why they've declined, think mitten crabs.

Afterwards, he said coming to Lynn had brought back some memories and made him start thinking of a return to his beloved Relief Channel.

Big thanks to Barry (and Pete...) for making the long trip over from Shrewsbury. If you're thinking of ordering a DVD or buying a tagging gun, click here to check out his website.

Here's one of his vids:




+++Next meeting is Wednesday, January 30. Speaker TBA. Have a good Christmas and New Year - and hopefully a few fish. Chris and Ash.

Big thanks to the big fella

Big thanks to Steve Rodwell for a great evening's entertainment. Rodders covered his pike fishing career from his first forays to the present day, with some stunning fish and amusing stories along the way.

Thirties, the mysteries of piles and some of the characters he's fished with all made for an interesting night with plenty of laughs.

+++Next meeting is on Wednesday, December 19; when we have something a little different lined up in the shape of Zandavan, aka Barry McConnell who'll be treating us to the inside track on some of his big zander catches. Click here for his website. See you there....

An evening with Steve 'Rodders' Rodwell

Steve Rodwell will be our special guest at the Wm Burt Club on Wednesday, November 21 (7.30pm).

There can't be many who've come anywhere near Rodders in recent seasons when it comes to catching big pike from the Fens and further afield.

He's a piker's pike angler, a down to earth bloke who's been an inspiration to many along the way.
He's also one of the few pike anglers who seems to be able to winkle 'em out from any kind of water, from the drains to the Broads, from the rivers to the ressies.

This might turn out to be one of the highlights of this season, so definitely a night not to be missed.

Mark Barrett did us proud

Thanks to Mark for what turned out to be an enjoyable and at times thought-provoking talk. There were also one or two funny bits, we won't go into on the inner-nut. Turn-out was a bit below par, but feedback afterwards was one of the best talks we've had in ages. Next speaker - on Weds, November 21 - to be announced. We'll stick details on here as soon as they're confirmed.

Good fishing in the meantime. And best wishes to one of our regulars, Rod Hicks, who's recovering from a heart attack - hope to see you back on the bank again soon mate.

Mark Barrett kicks of King's Lynn PAC's winter meetings

Mark Barrett will get this winter's programme of King's Lynn PAC meetings under way at the Wm Burt Club, West Winch, on Wednesday, October 31 (8pm).

Mark's best-known for his zander fishing exploits - like this 15lbs-plus lump from the Ouse on the left.

But he's caught plenty of pike in his time as well, co-authored Fenland Pike with Denis Moules and written countless articles for publications ranging from  Pike & Predators to Angler's Mail.

There are one or two other things in the pipeline too, so best you get you along to the Wm Burt for what promises to be an interesting night.

Riverwatch update... Have you seen the red van..?

Anglers are being urged to keep their eyes out for a vehicle seen near one or two waters in the early hours.

It's a red Leyland LDV van, possibly ex-Royal Mail, with rear roller door - like the one in the picture.

If you clock something similar on or near a water on your travels, drop us an e-mail - including the reg number, if you can make a note of it.

Riverwatch - your rivers need you more than ever

They say anglers are the eyes and ears of the aquatic environment. Our rivers and drains need us all to keep an eye on them more than ever, both during the close season and over the longer term.

While most of us have now hung up the pike rods, not everyone's stopped fishing for the three-month lay-off after March 14. Pike anglers have reported three incidents of people fishing illegally within the first 10 days of the close season on the Twenty Foot, the Ouse and the Cam.

The Environment Agency has changed its focus from part-time bailiffs checking rod licences to full-time enforcement officers tasked with cracking down on illegal fishing. To do this, they need intelligence regarding trouble spots and likely offenders, anglers attending the Angling Trust's Regional Forum in Huntingdon were told on Saturday..

E-mail us if you're willing to keep an eye on waters and we'll pass your details on to the people who've set up a Riverwatch scheme to co-ordinate efforts.

If you see anything suspect, please phone it in on the EA's emergency number 0800 80 70 60.

Keep a note of where and when you saw people fishing illegally, their descriptions and vehicle details. Please also e-mail these through to us, with details of the incident, so we can follow up your call.

Click here for a report on Saturday's meeting, which also discussed the impacts of drought and predation on our waters.

Diary dates - forthcoming meetings

Big hat tip to Rick (pictured left) and Andy from Cambridge,  for an interesting talk covering their recent pike fishing exploits at last week's meeting, which was the last of the 2011/12 season.

Ashley's sorted out some dates for next season, when meetings will be again held at the Wm Burt Club, at West Winch.

Speakers and other details will be announced nearer the time, but dates arranged so far are Wednesday, October 31; Wednesday, November 21; Wednesday, December 19 and Wednesday, January 30.

We look forward to seeing you again after the summer.

Thanks for a great night Mick

Thanks to Mick Brown for a cracking talk on the ups and downs of being  professional pike angler.


Thanks also to Matty Jessop for organising the projector, not to mention the Wm Burt Club for letting us use the bigger room.

Any more for any more..? Pencil in February 29 for our next meeting, more details shortly.