Pike anglers will be spearheading the fight to get more youngsters on the bank, as Britain’s top predator club throws open the doors of its annual convention to juniors.

Some of the sport’s best-known figures will be running special teach-ins throughout the day at the Pike Anglers Club bash at Kettering Conference Centre, on October 1.

Mick Brown, Gord Burton, Denis Moules, David Wolsoncroft-Dodds, Alan Dudhill and Ashley Brown will be helping Eric Edwards run a series of hands-on workshops at the event.

With free admission to the Convention for accompanied juniors – and a free “goody bag” of tackle essentials for those joining on the day, the PAC hopes the programme will help encourage some of the pikers of the future.

“Several PAC regions now have qualified angling coaches within their ranks and many of them have offered their services to make it a great day for our younger pikers,” said Eric.

“Mick Brown will be presenting the opening address at the junior event and we also have presentations by Gord Burton, Denis Moules and David Wolsoncroft-Doods.”

Eric told Pikelines the emphasis would be “hands-on”, with juniors getting the chance to build their own lure, make traces, learn about pike and try their hand at fly casting.

“The team of qualified coaches will be on hand to ensure no-one gets left out and give everyone one-to-one expert tuition,” he went on.
“What’s more, thanks to Alan Dudhill and Pikemaster Traces everyone who joins the PAC at the new greatly-reduced price of £7.50 will receive a “goody bag” containing lots of items that can get them started at fishing for pike.”

Eric said he was determined to improve on the club’s flagging junior membership and get more young people involved in our sport. It’s an issue affecting the whole of angling – not just pike fishing.

“Over the past year, as I’ve come into contact with many young people at PAC-run coaching events, it’s become clear that there is a great demand for proper pike fishing tuition,” said Eric. “This is our opportunity to swing our club’s resources into gear and deliver what the youngsters want.

“I want to make this appeal to regional organisers: Talk to your members and encourage them to bring along a kid to the PAC Convention
2011 – and help preserve the future of UK pike fishing.”

Supporters Pikemaster and Pikepro will be donating a pair of forceps, float, lure trace, twin treble trace and other rig bits worth £20 for every junior who joins the PAC on the day.

The Convention is being held at Kettering Conference Centre on Saturday, October 1. Attractions include guest speakers Dave Horton, Micky Jones and Stephen Harper, along with stalls selling all this season’s latest tackle.

Doors open 9am. Admission is £10 adult members, £15 non-members. For more information see the PAC website www.pacgb.com, or follow @pikelines on Twitter.