NATIONAL ANGLING COUNCIL

The 3^rd CSSC National Pike Angling Championship match took place in the East Anglian Fens on Thursday 5^th March 2009 on the North Level Drain, Tydd Gote, near Wisbech.

Prior to the event, Nick Meekins said a few words in honour of John Bell, the former CSSC Angling Council President who had presented the trophy’s and medals to the winners of last years competitions, but who unfortunately passed away very shortly after last years event. A minutes silence was then held in memory of John.

On the day, 22 anglers turned up to compete in the "CSSC Individual Pike Angling Championship" and the CSSC Pike Angling Pairs Championship". The number of entries were comparable with last year as the anglers settled down to fish from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Conditions on the day were dry with little or no wind, which were not conducive for a good days pike fishing as the sun shone brightly and the water was flat calm. We would have preferred an overcast day with a ripple on the water.

This was born out with nothing being caught in the early hours of the match and it was only when the cloud started to form and a ripple came on the water, that the fish started to show. The first, a 4lb 4oz pike caught by Alan Walsh from peg 17.

The second fish, and the one that finished up as the biggest fish caught on the day, was a fine specimen of 12lb 6oz, caught on peg 34 by William Raymand-Barker, who fishes for the Comets Angling Society (Metropolitan Police).

With about 1 hour to go before the end of the match, Rob Tandy, who also fishes for the Comets caught a fish of 8lb 9oz from peg 35.

1^st William Raymond-Barker 12lb 6oz

2^nd Rob Tandy 8lb 9oz

3^rd Alan Walsh 4lb 4oz

1^st W. Raymond-Barker & Ian McGregor (London Region) 12lb 6oz

2^nd Rob Tandy & Peter Barrett (London Region) 8lb 9oz

3^rd Alan Walsh & Martin Bradshaw (Yorkshire) 4lb 4oz

I would like to thank Mathew Taylor from the CSSC Event Organising Team and the CSSC Angling Council for their help and support in organising this competition.

Hopefully this competition will continue next year, so if any of you have any ideas on possible new venues please let me know.

Dave Gardner – CSSC National Pike Angling Championship Organiser

2010

Pitsford Reservoir, Northamptonshire

Thursday 7th October

Fishing from either bank or boat

For more details contact Dave Gardner on 0191 225 9010 or dave.gardner@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk