FEBRUARY - WEATHER IMPROVES AND THE PIKE FISHING RESUMES

 

After a barren January with little or no action on the Piking front the weather improved mid February and the hunt for some decent Pike returned. Bruce Turnbull was just one of the region's members itching to get out on the bank again. His day eventually arrived and he set off to fish one of his favourite river stretches. His luck was in and he landed this 22lb 10 oz PB pictured above. Some of the SENPAC members fished the PAC OF GB Lake of Menteith event during the month with mixed results. Ross Greaves landed a 19lb fish and boat partner Andy Eland had an 18lb 8oz. Steve Sandiford and Dave Gardner also caught smaller fish.

                RAISING FUNDS FOR CHILDREN'S CANCER NORTH.

                AMOUNT RAISED TO DATE STANDS AT £32,600.00.

SENPAC members were invited along by the Tyne Valley/Borders region RA97 to join them at the "Farewell and thanks for all the fish" talk given by Neville Fickling late in February. On what turned out to be a very entertaining night with a superb buffet we raised another £86.00 for the charity and would like to thank all those that attended for their generosity.

JANUARY - WEATHER BRINGS PIKING BASICALLY TO A STANDSTILL.

 One of the worst months for Piking in a long time. Most of the month a total washout with damp, cold, freezing weather that stopped most of the region members from getting out on the bank. Those who did manage to put baits in the water failed miserably. Round four of the Winter Pike matches attracted a very low turnout on the day and with the venue not being local included quite a bit of motoring. Steve Sandiford trying to maintain his lead in the competition and Jon Tweddle both blanked on the day as well as getting a good soaking in the process. So after round 4 Steve is in pole position with Jon Tweddle and Bruce Turnbull tying for second place. Ross Greaves had a few days on a North West water and managed to winkle out two Pike the biggest going in at 15lbs.

            RAISING FUNDS FOR CHILDREN'S CANCER NORTH.

                AMOUNT RAISED TO DATE NOW STANDS AT 

                                           £32,252.00

The region celebrated its 30th year in existence this last month. The first meeting of the region was held on the 25th January 1996 at the Hind Public House in Cramlington, Northumberland. The region was started by Mark Houghton who along with Mike Bell decided to put the wheels in motion and see what they could achieve. Thirty years on SENPAC is still going strong and most of its members have been in the club for over twenty years.

                                                      Mark Houghton.

ANOTHER SENPAC YEAR ENDS BUT WHAT LIES AHEAD IN 2026.

 The end of another truly successful year in the life of SENPAC and we are now looking forward to the year ahead. December started off a really quiet month for the members. Round three of our Winter Pike league was cancelled as the chosen venue had very high water levels and it was decided not to re route to another water at short notice. Turnout would have more than likely been low as it was only a matter of days before Christmas and that last minute shopping took priority. So only a couple of small Jacks up to Christmas but with the New Year rapidly approaching two of our members took the opportunity in soaking some baits up North which brought some extra Christmas presents for them. Pictured below some mid doubles caught by Andy and a lovely 18lb 2 oz for Dave.

                                      Steve And His Christmas Jack,

 

Another outstanding year also for our region;s fundraising for our chosen charity of Children's Cancer North. This year from the 1st January 2025 we have raised an amazing £11,347.00 which has taken the amount we have raised so far to £31,773.00. We have more fundraising events planned for 2026 and are firmly setting our sights on raising a mammoth £50,000.00.

We are also amazed at the success of our blog which is very popular around the world and wish to thank you all for your continued support. We hope that 2026 will supply us with more beautiful Pike and coarse fish that we can share with you all. From all of us at SENPAC we wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable 2026.