The Llandegfedd event went very well so top marks to the organisers and sponsers. The pike were'nt playing ball this time though and there are no reports of any 20lb plus fish caught. The conditions were dry, bright, calm and warm, which most people would agree is great to fish in but seldom produces good catches.

A few pictures of the day sent in of the day from Eric

He's at it again! this time Eric shows us an 11lb 7oz specimen.

The first big lure event of the pike season kicks off on saturday 4th of September at Llandegfed reservoir, nr Pontypool, South Wales. Click here for a map of the area.
Quite a few people are meeting up at the Carpenters Arms, Coed-Y-Paen on the friday evening for a social which should be fun. Fishing is from 8am to 8pm and the weather forecast (at this time) is good, so fingers crossed for a decent day. Don't forget to let me know of any catches so I can include them here.
Camping is also available at the Carpenters, which overlooks the reservoir. click here for a map

There are a couple of places available for the Blithfield weekends' due to last minute drop-outs. Please contact John Davey as soon as possible.
Still a few boats left for Llandegfedd!

14th August update

James Gardner will be the guest speaker for the 7th of September meeting and Mark Phillips will be the guest speaker on the 5th of October. Both are sure to be interesting and enjoyable evenings. Remember, you don't have to be a SPAG member, so come along!

There are still a few boats left for the Llandegfedd event but be quick!......Contact Eric Edwards for details

Eric has sent a report of some good catches including, stillwater chub of 6.06, 6.10, 6.11, 6.11 and 7.02 as well as a river best of 6lbs exactly. Also a personel best barbel of 11lbs 9oz from the Ribble. Eric's son and protege Joe also took his personal best with a fine barbel weighing in at 10lbs 11oz. So well done to both!

Eric's personal best barbel

On a personel note I've managed to take a couple of pound plus roach, 1.5 and 1.10, the latter a personal best and a mirror carp of 15lb on light tackle whilst fishing for 'bits' from a local private water.

There is an exclusive fishing event for SPAG members taking place at Llandegfedd reservoir on Saturday the 4th of September.
This will be the first days pike fishing of the year and the event is to raise money for To raise funds for TY`Hafan children's hospice.
Book early to avoid disappointment!
Contact and booking details can be found in the members area, click here

The trip in question produced several ton plus fish to the group. We spent six days on the Ebro based at Caspe  with the Catfish Capers outfit. It was well organized and I would recommend these guys to anyone interested in giving it a go. It's worth mentioning that our group had the second biggest ever haul of ton fish since Catfish capers was formed.
Fishing consisted of three days boat and three days bank with fish evenly split between the two. Top methods were floatfished or paternostered livebait, either carp or eels. These fish would attack baits in the heat of the day (30 c +) but the most consistent spell would be the last two hours.
My fish came as we were packing up and literally seconds before the guide was winding in the remaining three rods. Playing these fish from a boat on little more than a rod similar to a 5oz jerkbait outfit is truly awesome. The floats are like traffic cones but it's just as well as they are often trotted 150yrds downstream.  My advice is take plenty of spinach it takes a strong pair of arms to pump these kittens back to the boat!

25th June update.......
The club's news editor Gary Knowles along with a three other SPAG members have just returned from a successful trip to the River Ebro in Spain. Gary is pictured with the best cat weighing in at 114lb. Another 100lb plus cat came to his net but this was a mere 108lb! Other notable fish were also caught on this trip.
A trip to the Upper Great Ouse on the last day of last season proved equally successful for Gary. Taking two specimen Perch, 4lb and 3lb 15oz

25th June update.......
Disturbing news has reached me via a local source concerning a pike cull at Bala lake. The outflow from the lake is popular for game anglers targeting the Grayling and it seems that some 'unknown' local anglers have targeted the area to remove as many pike as possible. As many as 50 mainly small pike have said to have been seen dead on the banks as a result.........When will they ever learn?

The club meetings will resume after the summer break with the next one penciled in for the Tuesday the 7th of September.
Gary and Eric will announce a full itinary of guest speakers in the club's newsletters that incidently will be sent bi-monthly in the future.
Please check back here for full details of next seasons meetings.

16th June update.......Mark Phillips is organising a days fishing on Rutland water for SPAG members on Saturday 16th of October. With early season boats being much in demand it is advised that members who wish to go get in touch with Mark as soon as possible.......should be a good day out!
For further details click here

12th April update........ Doc Gardner and Mark 'Fentiger' Phillips are to guest in September and October. Kevin Shore, Paul Garner and Ivan Owen, to be confirmed for later dates.

Barry McConnell : Tuesday 6th April 2004 8.00pm

A real coup this one, Barry is probably the most sought after speaker in the country when it comes to eel fishing. Although currently rated as one of the best eel anglers in the business he has to date refused to do a talk outside of the National Anguilla Club so I am extremely pleased to be able to announce he will be our April speaker. Barry uses many innovative techniques in his pursuit of eels and he will be concentrating on his approach when targeting the UK species before moving onto his amazing exploits in New Zealand and Australia. Barry also collects and sells angling books and has a huge collection that many of members may find of interest. I have put a list of a few that may be of interest (see last months newsletter) but he has many, many more than I have listed and will distribute catalogues and take any orders on the night.

As this will be the last meeting before the summer break once again I would ask as many of you as possible to make the meeting.