SPIRES ACADEMY AND PAC REGION 30/60
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| Spires Academy Angling club
Back in early 2012 while intelligence gathering or forum lurking to give it its technical name, I came across a plea by Spires Academy, a newly formed after school angling club, asking for assistance with tackle, venues instruction etc from the angling world. I knew that Andy Reynolds at Fatfish Tackle had plans to take them under his wing and as he was part of the Korda Carp Academy I knew that they would be in good hands and get a good grounding in his side of things. However, although Andy is certainly at the top of his tree in the world of carping he would be the first to admit that his pike skills probably need polishing (he is def work in progress as we seek to introduce him to the dark side lol) He is very pike savvy though and it is to his eternal credit that when he opened his shop he contacted us for advice on what pike tackle to stock as he didn't want to damage any fish by selling the wrong items. A plan was beginning to hatch but I knew that it would be an uphill struggle after speaking with Andy Reynolds to find out what would be involved.
Not to be deterred I contacted Richard Naylor the Spires teacher running the angling club and asked if he would be interested in the kids being shown how to fish for, and safely handle pike. He jumped at the idea. Damn.....now I was in it up to my neck. My sole experience of teaching was at the Warminster Sch of I (the military amongst you will know of what I speak) If the kids didn't listen or got it wrong I couldn't ask them to give me 20 or butt stroke them with the end of my rifle so I was definitely out of my comfort zone. The other problems I had were as follows. I had not run any of this by my region so if they pulled out or thought it was a bad idea I was in it on my own. That I could live but the other potential problems I couldn't live with and the whole idea could be dead in the water before it even started.
The problems I eluded to above are these. We live in a different world to the one most of us were brought up in. The days of old Bob down the road taking a gaggle of young uns fishing for the day are long gone. There are child protection issues, insurances, risk assessments, health and safety and all manner of hurdles to stop anyone doing anything that can cause harm, however small, whatever the best intentions are. I would just have to cross those bridges as and when they arose.
The first bridge was getting the region onside.I had a cunning plan but as it happens I didn't need it. The first meeting of 2012 came all to soon and since making contact with Mr. Naylor I had been doing some groundwork. At the meeting the RO Nick Prior went through last years business and gave us his plans for the forthcoming year. He stated that we as a region had not done any teach ins or had any contact with any kids clubs since the heady days of John Roberts in the 80's. JR gave up on the very well attended and popular teach ins for the very reasons I highlighted above. It became a paperwork exercise with far too many obstacles put in his way and became more trouble than it was worth. He thought it a good idea to try and start them up again. Good old Nick saved me the embarrassment of having to stand up and say that I had volunteered us all. I only had to say that I thought it was a great idea and that as it happens I had the very kids club he was looking for. Sneakiness as sweet as this is an art form.
I have said I had been doing some groundwork during the closed season and had gone through each problem one by one. The first was the insurance. Now I know that we as PAC members are insured. I checked the details and crossed that off my list as we were indeed covered as were the kids under our care. The next problem was the CRB checks and the health and safety. A phone call to a friendly Police Officer set me off on an afternoon of phone calls to various bodies. I finally made contact with the Criminal Records Bureau and spoke with a very nice lady. I was armed with everything I needed to counter her arguments as I was not prepared to spend £30 odd quid for each of us to have a check when we didn't need to. Again I needn't have worried. She informed me that things have changed and that as we have no "prolonged" contact and that we are in fact all together there would be no need for a CRB we could just self certify. Job done.The two biggest hurdles that would have put a stop to the whole thing before it started ie insurance and CRB checks had been sorted without any grief at all. I duly phoned Andy Larkins with my plan. Andy had been doing his own homework and said that his concerns were the insurance and the CRB checks. I told him what I had done and that they were not in fact issues at all. I was at this point that everything headed south very rapidly.
Andy Larkins contacted the PAC on the forum asking for some help as we were heading into this without anything but our own knowledge and enthusiasm. We were told that we WERE NOT insured for something like this and that our insurance doesn't cover us for anything like this. It insures us and us alone on the banks. Other members waded in and informed us that this was in fact correct and that they even take out insurance for their Regional Meetings. Someone even helpfully pointed out that they could get us a deal on this for £150.00 pa. This, potentially, had some severe implications for us as a region. Apart from not being able to continue with the teach in, we would have to look at our region as a whole. Although a large area we do not have huge attendances so it would probably not be cost effective to continue as a region. This and other matters were bandied about in a telephone conversation I had with Andy Larkins when he saw what was being written. He informed me that if what the PAC were saying was correct then there was no way we were going to continue and to forget it. I told him that all that info was wrong. I had seen the insurance wording and there was no way I could have got it so wrong. Was there? Deflated wasn't the word that night.
Andy Larkins wasn't ready to give up just yet though and I saw that he had asked for a copy himself and pointed out the wording that I had seen. The answer came back that they would be checking with the insurers themselves to get the exact details from them and would get back to us. It seemed like an eternity but eventually they got back to say that we were in fact correct. We were covered to teach, we were covered to fish, we were covered on a fish in and lo and behold, our Regional Meetings were covered as well. I would imagine that there are one or two unhappy RO's who have been shelling out for unnecessary insurance but never mind they know now. We were also told that we was in fact correct about the self certification and that CRB's wouldn't be required. Sometimes it pays to check things out for yourselves and not take other peoples word for things. We were on again and this time there was nothing to stop us.
Richard Naylor was duly contacted and a date was set for the first meeting. Eric Edwards had in the meantime sent us all the bumf he had for a Pike Introduction talk. He also sent us all the legal stuff and child protection policies including the self certification forms. Once armed with this I was able to meet Richard at his home and present to him everything we had. He was able to go back to his headteacher with a full armoury of completed forms including a risk assessment, I am a qualified Risk Assessor and knew that stupid piece of paper would come in handy one day. Completed self certification forms for those members that were going to assist on the day were also handed in. The whole thing was very professionally presented and that was nothing to do with me I just handed it over. It must have been fine as Richard told me that the powers that be had gone through the lot and had not found issue with any of it.
The job of the first introductory talk was given to Nick Prior. I don't think any of us asked we just sat him down in front of the kids and his projector and told him he was doing it. Andy and myself hovered by the door ready to run if it all went wrong, which it could of done as it had been a long time since any of us had done this sort of thing. We needn't of worried Nick did a sterling job of using Eric's Pike Intro slide show and that coupled with JR's famous pike skull, which is older than him if such a thing is possible, a few hands on set ups and Kevin Durman giving a rig making demo at the end of the night made for an enjoyable evening for the kids. The first meeting was over. We had overcome all the hurdles and were now in it up to our necks with no turning back. Richard Naylor and the kids were told that there would be a further two meetings with them where they would be given a rig making class and a lure casting class. This would be followed by a day off school to go fishing with us to put into practise all that they had learnt. This came as a surprise to the assembled kids as well as to Nick and Andy I think lol
The next meeting I held at the school. I took along Nicole a 21 year old nursery child minder and qualified first aider.She is also the holder of an enhanced CRB and as such would be handy. But more about her later. I went through the basic rigs with them and showed them the hows and what fors. They were also able to make some rigs for themselves and considering that it was the first time did very well indeed. I think that was more to do with them than my teaching. At the end they were given all the equipment they need to make rigs which included hooks, wire, crimps, crimping tools unhooking equipment swivels etc etc. This was donated by one of our members on behalf of the region and also by Andy Larkins who donated a pike prize he had won earlier so well done fellas.
The next meeting was again held at the school and consisted of myself and Andy Larkins. This was Andy's turn to shine. He gave a very informative lure introduction talk and then it was out to the playing field where they were given the opportunity to dry cast both fixed spool and multiplier set ups. Again they enjoyed the day and hands on is always better than theory. A big well done to Andy as well, as not only did he do very well in what I think was his first classroom instruction scenario but he wasn't at all fazed by it. Not even enough to take his eyes from his lure boxes which stayed within his sight at all times. I'm sure that another opportunity will present itself though and when it does I shall take them. I make no bones about it. They are bright shiny things and I want them.
Andy giving a lure casting demo
We had dipped our toes in the waters again after many years and speaking for all involved, it was great. The only thing left now was the fish in. Spires had a visit from an Education Minister who was informed as part of his visit about the after school fishing club. It is the only after school fishing club in Kent and as such has generated a lot of media interest with slots on Meridian news and newspaper articles. The Minister was very impressed with it and stated that what angling can offer the kids in terms of life experience, responsibility and achievement was very important, in his mind, to their future development and that he couldn't see any problem with them doing a fish in during term time. Now that would make it easier for us to fish a lake during the school day in terms of finding a spot empty enough for us. Now if only we had a lake to fish.
The Lure Set Up Basics
Earlier on in the year one of our members Richard Gibson had made a tentative advance to Kieth Gambrill the Mid Kent Fisheries Manager. Now for those that don't know MKF have a huge portfolio of lakes and are widely regarded as a carp mecca for some. They also have a good head of mixed coarse fisheries and are very much a peoples club with an ethos of by the angler and for the angler. Keith was put in the picture regarding our plans and he was up for it. It was for the kids and he is definitely of the mindset that the kids are the future of our sport. I met with Keith myself and outlined our plan to fish a 130 odd acre pit on a school day. The pit in question has thrown up a lot of pike, nothing major but they had more chance of getting their string pulled there than anywhere else. We could also disappear on there and not be a hinder to other anglers. I told him it was PAC led, all of the instructors were MKF members in any case, and that it was our plan to fish together with two kids per instructor. I assured him of our intentions and told him that we was covered for the event and that all we needed was his say so to go ahead. He was more than happy to give us permission and that was that. We had a lake to fish that was kindly offered by MKF. Well done and thanks fellas. I can only write about things from my own perspective but I know that all the members of our region from Nick and Andy down did their own part. A lot of the behind the scenes stuff, in the case of the RO's, I am not privy to but I know that they worked as hard as anyone. Sometimes we tend to forget that they are continually striving on our behalf behind the scenes and I for one am grateful for it.
The day arrived and we duly met at the lake. All present and correct was the PAC instructors which consisted of Nick Prior, Andy Larkins, Richard Gibson, Ron Tupp and myself. We arrived early and swims and tactics were quickly sorted. It was decided that we would each have two pupils each with each pupil having a rod on the deads on a basic float setup with the option of switching to a popped up ledger set up should the need arise. This would give us the best water coverage without blowing their minds with anything too technical on their first outing. We also had a lure set up with us so that they could use that between them in the gap between the rods to mix it up a bit and to keep the interest alive. Andy was going to use a couple of lure rods only and keep mobile with two kids on a rotational basis. After a quick Health and Safety brief they were introduced to the instructors and our own resident first aider Nicole. Now this was the first time that a few of the fellas had met Nicole. She is a very shapely 21 year old and prior to the kids turning up our esteemed PAC members were left in no doubt that she was there for the kids and kids alone. She would not be attending to any groin strains and would certainly not be doing any mouth to mouth. If any of them suffered any of that either real or imaginary then they would stay laying where they fell. As well as being a shapely 21 year old she was also my daughter......fecking pikers!
Andy's Lure Casting Instruction Put Into Practice
It wasn't long before one of the lads hooked his first ever pike. Not a monster but one that he will remember .It fell to my favourite lure which I still can't believe I let him use. I must be getting soft. 
The lads first pike and yours truly.Small fish big smile
I did so want to show the livie drifting technique when he landed it and I saw the fish but apparently that comes into the phase 2 lesson plans. Oh well! 
a nice plump fish safely unhooked and ready to go back
The kids were well into their stride now with several fish now being caught, and lost in one or two cases. We were worried that it was going to be hard given the weather that this season has produced and the fact we were battling an easterly. We could have done with more fish but that's fishing I suppose. 
One of the few girls in the group leading the way
The kids were treated to a very special sight whilst they were there. They were privileged to witness the capture of a very special fish indeed and it will be many years before they see one like it again I'll warrant. The angler who caught it opted for no publicity and the pictures taken were for him and him alone to protect the fish. I know we will not hear much argument from many about that and if only one of those kids took that on board then the job will have been a good un. All too soon the day came to an end. We as a region had donated a years PAC memberships for all that had taken part as well as all the equipment that they will need to start them out piking safely and confidently. It was hard work I won't lie, but it is so rewarding. We as pike anglers tend to be a selfish lot by nature. Jealously preserving our swims and opting for a solitary angling life save a few close confidants because of the quarry that we seek. It is nice when we can give something back. I know that its often viewed as a soundbite but kids are the future of our sport and anything that we can give back to help them and ensure the continuance of our sport with them given a sound grounding in the protection of the pike and other species, (including the one from below which did go back alive and without a bung attached to it at all) is not a bad thing is it. 
I know!.... I know! lol
Many thanks to all those that took part.To Fatfish Tackle who allowed me to purchase gear from them at cost. To MKF who allowed us to fish on their lake. To the EA who have given free rod licenses to the kids and allowed them to fish with just a phone call and grid reference. To Eric Edwards who supplied us with the bumpf at the beginning. To Brian Birdsall and John Keeley for the quick way they handled the memberships and getting them back to me in time for the fish in and presentations and lastly to the boys from the region who ran with the idea. Stars one and all! 
Some New PAC members....Job done!
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