Standing down

Ashley and I are standing down as ROs. We've both got too much on our plates at the moment to give the role the commitment it needs.

We're hopeful someone will come along with the drive to get the King's Lynn region going again. Money in the kitty is going back to the PAC to look after until a successor or successors are appointed by the national club.

Thanks to everyone who came along to the meetings. Hope you catch a few this winter.

See you on the bank,

C&A 

February meeting CANCELLED

We've had to cancel the meeting planned for February 27 at the Burt Club.

We're hoping to arrange one in March to end the season.

Please spread the word.

Angler robbed at knife point on Middle Level Drain

Someone had their gear stolen at knife point on the Middle Level on Thursday.

Click here for more.

We're advising anyone out over the next few days to avoid fishing alone in this area.

The people who did this are almost certainly anglers - much as it shames us to say that.

If you recognise the descriptions, please call Det Con Emma Cross, at King's Lynn CID, by dialling 101.

Thanks to Stephen Harper

Thanks to Stephen Harper for a great talk at last night's meeting. A good turn-out heard Stephen's thoughts on the Broads, boat fishing and little gems like the best time to go pike fishing, and how shallow you can catch 'em.

Next meeting, Wednesday, February 27. Speaker TBA. Make the most of the next few weeks - we might just see the best fishing of the season between now and the meeting.

Stephen Harper talk at next Lynn PAC meeting

This month's meeting sees another special guest who rarely gives talks head to the Wm Burt to give us a night's entertainment.

It's none other than Stephen Harper - author, publisher and chronicler of Broadland Pike. Stephen's one of those unassuming figures who's really stamped his mark on the sport both in Norfolk and further afield.

There are many who regard Broadland Pike and its sequel as one of the most inspiring books they've ever read, as it assembles the stories behind some of the biggest pike ever to come from the Broads and the rivers that connect them in their captors' own words.

But there's much more to Stephen than an angling sleuth, with an impressive series of captures topped off with his own Broadland thirty.

It's bound to be an inspiring night - whether you fish the Broads or are thinking of doing so, or just enjoy an evening spent in pike-minded company.

It's at the Wm Burt Club, West Winch, on Wednesday, January 30 (7.30pm).  All welcome, whether you're a PAC member of not. 

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.

January meeting special guest is Mick Brown

Our special guest for January is the one and only Mick Brown.

Mick's been at the forefront of predator fishing for more than 20 years and is probably one of the best all-round pike anglers out there.


Needless to say, this is going to be an evening not to be missed and we're expecting a bumper turnout.

It's at the Wm Burt Club, West Winch, on Thursday, January 26 (7.30pm). We're having the meeting on a Thursday, because we can get the biggest room at the venue - please also note the slightly earlier start.

Got anything for our gallery..?

We started a gallery when we started this website, so we could host a few members' pictures. We know a few people have had decent fish of late, as things have been quietly picking up out there.

They don't have to be monsters. A fish you enjoyed catching, a pretty double or even a youngster's first jack are all worth sharing if they made someone smile.

You don't have to say where or when it was caught, just a few lines - ie drain pike on herring, only run of a slow day - will do.

Click here to see the pics uploaded so far. To add yours, e-mail it to kingslynnpac(at)gmail.com.

Derrick Amies - an interesting evening all round

We had high hopes we'd have a very different, even off-beat evening's entertainment when Derrick made the journey over from Gorleston to see us.

That proved to be spot-on, as the former record holder, who learned to fish the Broads with Norfolk legend Dennis Pye, got going.

He outlined his unique dumbell method, which he uses to systematically search out shallow bays for bigger fish - along with his thoughts on location and the kind of conditions that get them on the feed.

Thanks for a great evening Derrick - it gave everyone plenty to think about.

Speaker TBA for nedxt meeting, but it'll be at the Wm Burt in late January. Watch this space for details. And have a good Christmas - along with (hopefully...) a few pike.

Derrick Amies talk on Monday night

The wind may blow, come rain and snow - Derrick Amies has seen some mucky old weather in his time.

He's seen some very big old pike in his time too, including the record fish he had off the Thurne a few years back.

He's coming to Lynn (well, West Winch...) to tell us all about them on Monday night. It's at the Wm Burt, 7.30pm - click here for more details.

Bob Harrod wins King's Lynn Christmas Pike Match

Bob Harrod went home £300 richer after winning our Christmas Pike Match with this 14lbs 6oz fish.

Bob's been in the wars a bit one way and another lately, so great to see things go his way today.

Nineteen diehards braved the gloomy conditions for today's bash on the Ouse at Ten Mile.

Bob ignored the favoured swims, dropping in a peg near Modney Bridge. He had his only run of the day an hour or so into the match on legered sardine.

Jordan Brown landed the only other fish caught, nicking a seven pounder on one of his old man Ashley's rods.

One competitor came all the way from Cheltenham to take part. Two juniors also stuck it out - Jordan and young Charlie, from Narborough, who tried his heart out all day.

Both youngsters are getting junior PAC memberships on us, to say well done for trying, on a day when the old fellas struggled.

Don't forget the next meeting's a week Monday, December 19, at the Wm Burt (7.30pm). Derrick Amies is guest speaker, which should make for an interesting evening. Click here for a bit more about that.

Derrick Amies talk in King's Lynn

And now for something completely different, like they used to say when Monty Python was a lad.

We've got former pike record holder Derrick Amies coming along to our next meeting on at the Wm Burt on Monday, December 19 (7.30pm).

He fished with the legendary Dennis Pye as a lad, learning the craft on the Thurne system.

Together they evolved the dumbell method of fishing livebaits. It flies in the face of the way most of us fish today, but it's caught a lot of big pike and on the right water, it's devastating.

It might just make for a fascinating evening - Derrick will be bringing a few bits and bobs with him, along with copies of his book.


There's more on that and Derrick in an interview from Pikelines, click here to read it.