September 2016 - On Your Marks..........................

As with most other Regions of the PAC, the end of September and the arrival of Autumn is viewed with some excitement here at SENPAC. The start of another piking season has always been anticipated with a real sense of expectation and optimism, particularly so amongst the Region's more "active" members, one or two of whom have already enjoyed the odd exploratory outing. The end of September also marks the end of our competition year here at SENPAC and the start of a new one.

Of 2015/2016, well it wasn't particularly outstanding if you measure such things by numbers, our Region outings were the usual enjoyable events in social terms but the numbers of fish caught was a little disappointing. The number of new piking PB's for our members was very disappointing, there weren't any and whilst there were only three pike reported over the magic 20lb. mark there were a large number of good double figure fish caught which was viewed by all as a very positive sign for the waters that we fish most regularly. Of the two trophies that remained to be claimed from last season the "Biggest on a Lure" again served to demonstrate that we do not really have many what you could call, dedicated, lure anglers in the Region as the trophy was shared by Dave Gardner and Steve Sandiford, each with a fish of 7lb. Hmm! "Biggest Fish of the Year", well that was taken by our joint RO Bruce Turnbull with a Scottish fish of 24lb. that was despite the best efforts of our other joint RO, Mike Bell with his Lake of Menteith fish of 21b.

Bruce's Winning Smile ?

But now we are all about looking forward to the new season and the joys and excitement to come. Our first Region outing will once again be north of the border on Sunday 16th October 2016 as will our November outing on the 13th of the month and for some of our number there will be a first visit to the Lake of Menteith to look forward to as well as our annual " Jolly Boys" trip, five days away with a new base and new waters to fish. So as I said earlier, excitement, expectation and optimism prevail at SENPAC as we embark on a new piking journey. As our Newsletter editor quite succinctly put it "On Your Marks......"

If you would like to join in the fun then our next Region meeting will be on Tuesday 25th October 2016 at the Northumbrian Piper ( see opposite) as usual starting at 8pm. It would be great to see you,as they say.