Next Meeting
Takes place on Thursday 24 February 2011 at the usual venue (The Red Lion, Eynsham) starting at 7.30pm and we welcome guest speaker Jon Neafcy for his talk entitled 'stepping stones' it is in two halfs, firstly covering Jon's apprenticeship as a piker of over 30 years & there are hightlights from childhood - first pike - first twenty - first 25 etc. Following the break and raffle the 2nd half is Jon's recent years & a whilstle-stop tour of where to catch pike (England, Scotland etc).

Jon Neafcy is a Wigan piker and Regional Organiser for PAC Region 31 (South Lancashire) and was the PAC Regional Organiser of the Year 2010, is a qualified angling coach & angling author in Pike & Predators magazine, Ecox eccose, pikelines, has a chapter in PAC 30 book. Jon was also guest speaker at PAAS 2008 conference, is captor of pike to 35.01 and is a newly appointed consultant for baitbox/pikepro.

Myself and Jon will be fishing the following day (Friday 25 February) if anyone is interested in joining us then please let me know.

Next Fish-In
Takes place at Blenheim Palace on Sunday 27 February 2011. Timings and meet details will be given when you book, all dead baits and lures can be used but no live baits can be brought onto the site under any circumstances. Price is £25 per boat (which carry 2 anglers so £12.50 per angler). If you wish to attend please let me know ASAP and I will give you my address so that payment can be sent, I can then book the correct number of boats. Non PAC members welcome.

News
Well done to Tony Hallatt who today caught a cracking 25.07 specimen from an Oxfordshire Lake, the regions biggest pike so far this season. This was Tony's first outing for a while as he has been unwell. The fish was caught on a floatfished herring late morning and photo's will be on our gallery in due course. Don't forget there are trophies for the biggest stillwater and river pike caught this season.

The Regions first ever fish-in was held on Sunday 16 January 2011 and six anglers had an enjoyable day at Brasenose 1, Linear. The fishing was slow with just one fish caught whch weighed 10.12 and was caught by Clive Bristow. The 32 acre pit is well worth another go.

I am looking into running a mini bus to the annual PAC convention at Kettering Convention Centre where many Top pikers will be sharing some of the secrets of their success at Britain's top event for predator anglers. The event takes place on Saturday 01 October 2011. As usual, there will be a host of stalls selling the widest range of pike fishing tackle you can find under one roof - whether you want a packet of hooks, the latest lure rod or even a boat. You can stock up for the season, try out rods and other gear and hunt for bargains on our second-hand tackle and lure stalls. As usual, there will be a few authors launching their latest books. Admission £10 (PAC member), £15 (non-members). Accompanied juniors FREE. More details on the mini bus to follow.

Regional Gallery
Is now up and running, click on the link on the right hand side. Please email any photo's to me so we can add to the gallery.

I hope to see you all at the next meeting on Thursday 24 February, until then Tight Lines.

Vince Williams
PAC Regional Organiser
Oxfordshire & North Wilts (34)
Email: vince.williams@royalairforcefa.com