Blithfield Pike Days
7th and 8th of February21st and 22nd of February
Contact John Davey for more information - 07766880718
www.johndaveygofishing.co.uk
The Newsletter of the Staffordshire
Predator Angling Group
Season 2012/3
www.predator-group.co.uk
Newsletter
It’s been a while. I think the last newsletter I did for the group was in October 2009, so its three and a half years since produced one of these...must try harder!
Blithfield
I suppose the main reason I’m putting this together is to report on the year we have had on Blithfield, its been a strange one, because largely due to some appalling weather (again) I thought the fishing had been tougher than ever as we came into February, but it appears I was wrong. As is usually the case no matter what the British weather throws at us, we pikers prove we are a match for it (or just plain stupid) by hitting it head on and working our nuts off until we get a result. I can’t remember exactly what weather we had and when, but what I can remember is every weekend we were on there seemed to be something working against us, snow (or snow melt) for 3 of the 5 weekends, ice and easterly winds for the others, in late February the water temperature was still at 35degrees C...and I had a mate went fly fishing last month who said it was still only 37 degrees C...that’s frankly ridiculous, and makes catching on any water tough. Which when all of this is considered, makes the catch returns that have been creeping in quite amazing.
Andy with his superb 30lb personal best
One of the things I often get asked by new members on Blithfield is where to fish, with nearly 800 acres to go at (788 I
think) it can be quite daunting to anglers that have never fished it before, but although I’m always happy to help
where I can, and I tell them, in all seriousness, that anglers coming on for the first season very often outfish guys that
have been on here for years. This is because they come on without any preconceived ideas and catch in new areas that often
get overlooked by those who have fished it previously and tend to stick to spots that have been successful for them in the
past. A case in point is Andy Dickinson who had just one day on the water and had a personal best 30lb fish in an area on
the North Lake that I motor over every trip on my way to another spot!
Another angler new to Blithfield that did exceptionally well was Marc Portch, Marc a member of the Lure Anglers Society came on and by fishing lures in his way, in a manner that he was totally confident of took twenty pound plus fish, I think, on EVERY weekend!! I’ve attached a few of the pictures he kindly sent to John Davey and this wasn’t all of his fish.
Marc Portch 23.10 |
Marc Portch 24.04 |
Marc again!!!....24.08 |
And again...26.08...top angling Marc! |
Also on the water were the father and son combo of Dave and Luke Kelbrick, Dave has been a regular on blith since it first opened and has previously taken fish of over 30lbs.
Dave 21lb+ |
Luke with a ‘snow pike’ |
His son Luke is a relative newcomer to blith but this didn’t stop him working hard throughout dire conditions, I watched him slogging it out in some horrendous conditions when older and more experienced anglers called it a day and was delighted to hear he had a few good fish again, with Dave taking a brace of 21lb+ fish and Luke taking several upper doubles to just under 20lb.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another new member Bill Gutheridge took another stunning fish of 22.08 on a real eel, and in an email I received from Bill he commented that it was the best conditioned pike he had ever caught, a real endorsement of the quality of fish and fishing available on blithfield.
Bill 22 .08 |
The car had to be dug out.. |
But ‘Rhod’ caught his first 20! |
As I said my season started with a struggle, but things picked up in January, my usual boat partner couldn’t make it so having previously cleared it with John Davey I brought along a friend of mine, Paul (a Rhod Gilbert lookalike), who has done little fishing and absolutely no pike fishing whatsoever. I warned him it would be grim as I had to dig my car out of 6” of snow on my drive, then drive across a snow covered causeway only to find the boatyard frozen and part of the north lake similarly affected. Incredibly once again a few good fish came out and both me and my mate had fish of over 20lb on trolled crankbaits, In February, despite the weather not getting significantly better things really picked up for me and I took three more twenty plus fish finishing the ‘blithfield’ season with pike of 20.04, 20.08, 23.14 and a best of 26.08.
Two of the many good friends I have made on Blithfield are Paul (Frostbite) Ockenden and Ian (Curious) Moules although more famous for their habits of falling asleep in the snow and associating with Abbot Bromiley’s ‘friends of Dorothy’ they have both had a few good fish over the years. On a day when the dam wall was covered in 6” of snow, Ian struck into a 21lb+ fish trolling a depthraider in 35ft of water. Which just goes to show that this water can, and does, produce in the most dire of conditions. Just imagine what we will catch when the weather is kind to us!!!!
Ian (Curious) Moules with a 21+ It was cold!!!! |
The dam wall in January |
My seasons best from Blithfield at 26.08 |
Richard Dukka also chipped in with a few nice fish, of which I think at least 2 were of
over 20lb, although he hasn’t sent me a picture of these fish, he did send me one of him in his new boat (left),
which he thinks is a kayak....apologies to those of a weak disposition! I think this picture was taken AFTER the superb
buffet the guys in Blithfield sailing club put on for us on the last weekend of the season.
Thanks
On a serious note, I’d like to thank our chairman, John Davey, for all his efforts in ensuring we have access to such a superb pike fishery. Without John’s constant effort, hard work, dedication, and not to mention of a hell of a lot of his own time, none of us would have access to this superb water.
I’d also like to thank Dave, Steve, Eddie, George, Graham, Jim (apologies if I have missed anyone) and the rest of the guys who work in the boathouse. Unlike some of the ‘trout water’ fisheries I have fished, on Blithfield, pike anglers are welcomed with open arms, the wardens are knowledgeable, interested in out catches and without a shadow of doubt are the friendliest, most helpful, hardworking and understanding (especially when I’m late!) fishery wardens I have every met, on any pike fishery anywhere! I’ve yet to arrive at the fishery in any conditions when the boats haven’t been bailed, snow cleared and the engines filled with fuel and ticking over. Thanks again guys, it’s really appreciated!
Finally, could I please ask that you all fill in your catch returns at the end of each session, these will not be publicised anywhere (without permission) but it is a great help to all involved in the pike fishing if can have a good understanding of what is coming out.
I hope to see you all again in October, tight lines.
Gary Knowles
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chairman’s Update
Hi Chaps just a few words from your chairman. Firstly I would to thank everyone who took
part in last year’s event; you were all a credit to the group. Once again, the atmosphere at Blithfield was great.
The weather was not very kind to us however it never is!, To be honest although I did manage a couple of good fish I
struggled a little on blith last year must be something with getting old. However quite a few anglers had some great
catches and there were more twenty pound plus fish caught than first realised.
I have been able to negotiate a discount
once again for the full ten days at a cost of £400.00 per person if you do not take the full ten days the cost will
be £45.00 per person per day, all the information detailed on the the Blithfield Fishing Dates (Below)
HEALTH AND SAFETY
I would like to take this opportunity to remind those anglers fishing Blithfield that the membership is non-transferable and the changing of a boat fishing partner is only allowed in exceptional circumstances and must be pre-arranged with myself John Davey 07766880718, This is a condition of our agreement with South Staffs Water based on health and safety legislation .we must know who is on the water at all times of the event So be warned, if you turn up with a boat partner not on the original application, and without prior approval, he will not be allowed to fish.
21lb+ caught this February on a soft plastic  |
and feeling a little breakfast romance |
John Davey Chairman
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BLITHFIELD PIKE FISHING DATES
48 Tonbridge Avenue
Bradeley
Stoke-on-Trent
ST6 7LY
The dates for the 2013/14 pike fishing have been arranged. Fishing will not be allowed however until 8.00 am until the time displayed in the boat house. A full list of rules will be sent to you with your confirmation.
The dates are as follows:
| SATURDAY / SUNDAY | 19/20 OCTOBER 2013 |
| SATURDAY / SUNDAY | 9/10 NOVEMBER 2013 |
| SATURDAY / SUNDAY | 23/24 NOVEMBER 2013 |
| SATURDAY / SUNDAY | 8/9 FEBRUARY 2014 |
| SATURDAY / SUNDAY | 22/23 FEBRUARY 2014 |
The price for both the fishing and the boats per person is £400.00 for the full ten days, or £45.00 per day and the cheque made in favour of Blithfield Anglers Cheques should be sent to me at he address above by Friday 20th September 2013 However please confirm asap if you intend to fish for me to secure your place.
To enable you to take part in these days your SPAG membership must be current. If it is not please include a cheque for £10.00 made payable to SPAG.
Please enclose an A4 stamped addressed envelope with your payment.
A full list of rules, times, etc. will be issued if your application is successful.
Looking forward to seeing you all again this season. If you have any questions please contact me on 07766 880718 or email me on john.davey46@ntlworld.com.
Yours sincerely
John Davey
A glorious Blithfield sunset…
