FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Lure Anglers Society

This years conference will be held on June 5th at Bradfield College Bradfield near Reading. One of he guest speakers will be Greger Johnnson from Swedish Lapland a place where you can expect to catch grayling to 7lbs, perch often go 4lbs and they will take a fly. The pike fishing can be wonderful, if your a fly fisher you can expect to catch a lot of fish with twenty pounders a good prospect. If you want a double figure brown trout there are places in Swedish Lapland where its possible to do that. Greger will have the answers to your questions. Membership secretary is Mike Lench 21 Northumberland Ave Kidderminster Worcs DY11 7AN

Wasing Fisheries Syndicate

Saturday 27th of March the AGM of the Wasing Fisheries Syndicate will be held at the Liberty Ballroom New Greenham Park (on the A339 near Newbury) This year there will be a tackle show from 10-0am until 5-0pm which will be open to the general public.Then from 5-30 until 7-0pm it will only be open to Wasing members. There talks throughout the day from Andy Little, Bob James and Ray Walton. The AGM will kick off around 7-15pm and this years speakers will be myself and Martin Salter MP Minister for Angling

Royal Lancashire Show

The 2004 Royal Lancashire Show will be held on 27th 28th and 29th July at Salesbury Hall Farm near Ribchester on the banks of the River Ribble. This year the fishing village will have even more attractions, and some of those attending are Sue Parker who will demonstrate and give Spey casting lessons, Author and fly fishing instructor Pat O'Reilly will point out the best places in Wales to fish for trout, salmon and seatrout, Prince Albert A.S will be in attendance where you can win some exciting prizes. Frank Casson of Barnsfold Water will be giving casting demonstrations. Pendle Fly Dresses Guild will have a team of fly dressers who will demonstrate fly tying techniques and help you with your fly tying problems. Kent Sherrington will talk about bass fishing. Thomas and Thomas rods will be in attendance.



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The New England Fly-Fishing/Light Tackle College will be held this spring on March 27th and 28th and April 3rd and 4th, both dates are Saturday and Sunday. Deadline for registration will be March 15th 2004.
Sessions will he hosted by internationally know Nick Curcione, author of 3 fly fishing books, numerous nationally published articles, a Thomas & Thomas Pro Staff Advisory member and an expert in offshore big game fly fishing. With him will be Capt. Jim White, Capt., Justin White owners of White Ghost Guide Services Ltd., who are Triton Boats/Honda Marine Pro Staff, Wood Boat & Motor Pro Staff, Thomas & Thomas Pro Anglers and many others, Bruce Marino, an internationally known fly tier known for his Dying Baitfish Patterns, Capt. Joe Pagano who owns "Stuff-It" charters and is an expert in night fishing with light tackle and live bait and Russ Wood of Wood Boat and Motor a Honda/OMC Certified Marine Tech.
Classes will be held for two consecutive days, Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday 8 am to 2 pm. Accommodations will be provided by the Hampton Inn of Coventry, RI a 5-Star hotel which includes breakfast each morning from the Inn's breakfast bar of over 68 different items, free high speed internet access, heated pool, spa, a king or queen size bed, a free designer T-shirt of the new White Ghost 2 logo, a White Ghost hat, and on Saturday night you will be treated to a lobster or seafood diner at the famous Lobstermania Harbour-side Restaurant in East Greenwich, RI. There will be door prizes and other surprises as well.
Classes will be limited to 25 participants per session with a minimum number of 10 students for the school to go on. If the minimum number isn't met, students will receive a full refund of their deposit. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.
Classes will consist of fly casting, fly tying, knots and leaders, tackle selection, accessories, lines and shooting heads, reading the water, boat handling, rigging light tackle lures, live bait fishing, fighting big fish, care of fishing gear, offshore fishing, outboard motor maintenance/trouble shooting.
This is a unique opportunity to learn from some of the regions best Professional's who combined have over 150 years of fishing/boating experience. Be sure to bring a pad and pencil to take notes, as you can't possibly remember all of the information.
The cost for this educational weekend is $400.00 per student that is all-inclusive. A deposit of $200 is required before the registration deadline. Each student who registers will have a $15 donation made in the students' name to support Stripers Forever, an advocacy group working for game fish status for striped bass.
So here is a great opportunity to learn a lot from the Pro's, make a difference in our sport, and have a great time while doing it. For information and reservations contact White Ghost Guide Service at 401-828-9465 or E-mail [email protected] Having fished with some of these guys I can say you will certainly learn a lot. Why not get together with a few friends and make a long weekend end in RI. While your learning from the saltwater fishing experts and your partner isn't an angler they can go shopping, you get a lot of dollars and cents for your pound sterling.




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Trout Fishing Course, Sat-Sun 5-6 June 2004

Whether you are a newcomer to flyfishing, or have done quite a bit of still-water or river trout fishing already, our Trout Fishing Course will give you everything you need to get the most out of this intriguing branch of the sport. During the practical lessons, we ensure that couples or groups whose members are at different levels of experience can be together while still receiving tuition to suit their individual needs.

Day 1 (9-30am to 5-00pm, programme dependent on river conditions)

Meet your instructors; introduction and illustrated talk on trout behaviour and flyfishing techniques.
Coffee; tackling up for wild river trout
Casting demonstration and personal casting tuition.
Light lunch (cost included in the course fee)
Locating the lies of wild trout.
Flyfishing practice, with tuition in wet fly and dry fly fishing on river or stream.
Tackle talk and demonstration; getting the best from your tackle setup.
Day 2 (9-30am to 5-00pm, programme dependent on river conditions)

Illustrated talk: flyfishing tactics
Coffee; video snatches: dry fly and nymph tactics on lake and stream.
Casting tuition: coping with difficult conditions.
Knots and tips for making up leaders.
Matching the hatch: illustrated talk and fieldwork on fly selection.
Light lunch at the hotel or packed lunch at the river (cost included in course fee)
Flyfishing tuition: river fishing with emergers and deeply sunk nymphs.
Our own Flyfishing Video snatches with questions and answers.
The two-day course costs £195 per person. Course fees are inclusive of coffee, lunches, course handbooks and fishing permits. Tackle hire is available at £15 per outfit per day.
Sea Trout Fishing Course, Sat-Sun 26-27 June, Saturday 17-18 July and
Sat-Sun 7-8 August 2004



So many people tell us that they find sea trout difficult to catch. When trout fishing, it is not uncommon for beginners to do as well, and sometimes better, than very experienced anglers. With sea-trout fishing, this is very rarely the case.

We don't claim it's easy - there are times when nothing will entice a sea trout to take a fly. But this is a branch of flyfishing where skill and knowledge, and particularly knowledge of sea-trout ways, their preferred lies, taking depths and other behaviour traits, make a world of difference. This course answers many of the questions that sea trout fishers have been asking for years – and it is held on the UK’s top sea trout river.

Day 1 (Tuition 1pm to 5pm plus night-fishing for sea trout)

Meet your tutors at The Porth Hotel, Llandysul
Light lunch at The Porth Hotel (cost included in the course fee)
Illustrated talk on sea trout identification and behaviour.
Casting demo and tuition (with video camera recording if you wish).
Tea/coffee; discussion of casting problems and how to cure them.
Tackling up and fly selection for sea trout
Half-hour talk at the waterside on sea trout fishing techniques and tactics.
Dusk onwards: 21/2 hours of personal tuition in sea trout fishing.
Day 2 (1pm to 5pm plus night-fishing for sea trout)

Light lunch at The Porth Hotel (cost included in the course fee)
Illustrated talk: flyfishing tactics for sea trout.
Advanced casting demo and tuition: roll cast, Spey casts, double haul.
Tea/coffee; analysis of your casting
Fly tying demo: sea trout flies.
On the river: locating sea trout lies.
Half-hour talk at the waterside on river conditions and how they should influence your choice of sea trout flies.
Dusk onwards: 21/2 hours of personal tuition in sea trout fishing
The two-day course costs £195 per person. Course fees are inclusive of course handbook and fishing permits. Tackle hire is available at £15 per outfit per day.

The Sea Trout courses are always very popular, and although we are putting on even more courses this year they always tend to fill up quickly. So if you are able to join us, email : [email protected]
Website: www.dreamstreams.net to reserve your place as soon as possible.

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St Lawrence County New York Carp Tournament 15th January

Aug 19-20-21 2004 will be the three days designated for the second St Lawrence County carp fishing tournament. Day one will be a full day clinic where experienced carp anglers will be giving free tuition to hundreds of kids and parents who are new in the art of carp fishing. Unlike last year where it was held in the Waddington St Lawrence County ice rink this year school it will take place at the waterside.

The years carp tournament will be split into four categories: 11-14 year olds 15-18 year olds men and women However the male and females can only compete if they come with a kid under 18 which I think is an excellent idea. Its get Mum's and Dad's fishing with kids.

Each category will have a $2,500 first prize and $1,250 second prize. The will be lots of $100 prizes for categories like the one who made the longest journey There will be prizes for the one who catches the biggest and smallest.

The St Lawrence river probably has more big csaro than any carp fishing venue I know of Joe Babbitt organises carp fishing holiday where all you have to do is turn up. Joe is very experienced and provides not only all the gear and baits but also prebaits you swim. You will find the local people very friendly and helpful. If you want to combine some quality carp fishing with fly fishing the Grass River is only a short drive where you can have some wonderful fly fishing in wilderness conditions. For further details E-mail Karen St Hilaire [email protected]



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Big Fly Fishing Show

Sportsfish will be staging their fourth annual Reading Show this year on Saturday and Sunday 10th and 11th May. Based on last year’s attendance and sales, they expect this years show to be even more popular with Saturday being the busiest day.

Highlights of the show include: 100ft. manufacturers marquee including brands such as Hardy, Sage, Orvis, Guide and Fulling Mill just to mention a few. Casting demonstrations all day from experts including Andy Murray, Charles Jardine, Garry Coxon and Jerry Siem. Fly Tying demonstrations covering fly tying techniques and patterns for trout, salmon, saltwater species and pike.

A full programmed of lectures in our lecture room covering everything from entomology to overseas travel. Members of Sportfish Team England will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice. APGAI and STANIC instructors running casting clinics Refreshments Competitions Public entry to the show is free and its 5 minutes from junction 12 of the M4 As you can see there is plenty to see whether an experienced fisherman or a newcomer to the sport.


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A REALLY HISTORIC CHATSWORTH ANGLING FAIR (May 17-18) 17th February

SPECIAL events marking "100 Years of Angling History" will be highlights of this year’s Chatsworth Angling Fair - to be held over the weekend of May 17 and 18 at the Chatsworth estate near Bakewell, Derbyshire.

The events will honour the centenaries of two angling bodies which have played a crucial part in promoting the sport: the Salmon & Trout Association and the National Federation of Anglers, both founded in 1903.

On the game fishing side, the S&TA will launch its own centenary celebrations with demonstrations taking spectators on a tour of salmon and trout fishing throughout its lifetime. These will feature one-time casting methods, heavy old equipment of the period and many other aspects, even the costumes worn, as well as reminders of some of the great personalities and the "wheezes" used to make fly rods after WW2 when other materials were unavailable. Visitors to the Association’s stand at the fair will also be treated to the now-rare sight of a craftsman building a split-cane rod.

Entry to the fair is £8 on the day, but only £7 for applications received up to May 6. Similarly, coach parties of 30 or more can get a 20 per cent discount. Children aged 14 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Car parking is also free. For early applications, cheques made out to "Chatsworth Angling Fair" should be sent, with s.a.e., to: Christopher Lloyd Owen, The Country Fair Office, Litcham Farm House, King’s Lynn PE32 2PB.

Demonstrators in the fly-tying marquee will include four leading American exponents of the art: Ed Berg, who performed at the 21st Chatsworth Angling Fair three years ago; Doug Farthing, who made many friends at last year’s fair; and two Chatsworth first-timers, Wayne Samson and Glenn Weisner.

Another fascinating attraction, to which young people are particularly welcomed, is master-minded by international game fishing stars Oliver Edwards and Dr Malcolm Greenhalgh, who are both also authors and naturalists. They will escort parties on a walk of discovery along the banks of the River Derwent, seeking out the kind of water-borne insects eaten by trout and grayling - which they then compare, under a magnifying glass, with the artificial flies aimed at matching these natural foods.

CENTENARY SCENE The Salmon & Trout Association’s 100-year cavalcade, staged from the game fishing platform at Chatsworth, will begin the 1903 scene with depictions of some of the greatest Edwardian figures in the sport. As examples: author Frederick Holford, co-editor of the doctrine of upstream dry fly fishing in chalk streams, and GEM Skues, "father" of nymph fishing on chalk streams. The "actors", in correct Edwardian garb, will wield such tackle as an 18ft greenheart salmon rod, with the heavy brass reel of the day; not surprisingly, in the circumstances, they will also express a big "thank-you" to the instigator of greased line salmon fishing, thanks to whom the woven silk lines then used were able to float for the first time.

Among the next to appear will be the founder of the long-lived "Fishing Gazette" magazine, R.B. Marston, who remained the best-known fly fishing editor for many decades. Then comes Bernard Venables’ beloved "Mr Crabtree"The next tackle phenomenon to be recalled will be a long-forgotten episode in the late 1940s, when the post-war shortage of raw materials led to the production of fly rods from Army tank aerials! The tanks had been sold as scrap after the war and someone had the brainwave that their aerials, suitably adapted, would be just right for fishing purposes. As spectators will see, they did indeed work quite well - until replaced by the glass fibre rods which started to come on the market in the 1950s.... these in turn giving way to the early carbon fibre rods.

I must ask the question, "Why no Richard Walker?" The angler dragged the sport of angling from the 19th Century into the 20th Century? Without a shadow of a doubt he has been the greatest angler in this country. An angler who had a far bigger influence than all those mentioned.



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Royal Lancashire Show 2003

This years, three day, Royal Lancashire Show will take place on Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st July on the banks of the river Ribble upstream of Ribchester Bridge. This year sees for the first time a Piscatorial Centre which will be a new attraction for the many thousands of visitors who attend this premier country show. Events covering Game and Coarse fishing will be featured including Wallis Casting by Alan Roe, Spey Casting By Frank Casson. You will be able to see the latest techniques for catching barbel, one of the most popular fish in English rivers, the Barbel Society will also be in attendance headed by Phil Bettley

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First-Ever World Junior Carp Tournament is Scheduled for August 2003

Education and Ecology will be Important Components of the Program

Canton NY --- Hundreds or young people from around world are expected to join British teen actor Tom Felton in search of the biggest carp in the St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce have announced the first ever St. Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament and I Love NY Carp Fishing School on the St. Lawrence River next summer August 19-23, 2003.

A mix of unique partnerships is bringing this five day event to the banks of the St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, the St. Lawrence County Anglers Association, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Region 6), The New York State Division of Tourism, the St. Lawrence Aquarium & Ecological Centre and the Carp Angler’s Group of North America are pooling their resources and knowledge to create a well-rounded forum for education about the carp. The event will culminate with a junior level fishing competition with a first prize of $10,000-00.

Tom Felton, known from Harry Potter movies, Anna & the King and British television is a carp aficionado. Along with Martin James, Thomas and Thomas advisor, noted BBC broadcaster and angling expert, are lending their celebrity and knowledge to the event as guest host anglers. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-Hers and area youth will hear and observe presentations by fish and environment experts. Teen idol, Felton, is scheduled to talk about his love for the sport with his brother, Chris, and why the British kids are fascinated by carp fishing on Day One of the event. The program will be accompanied by displays of regional native species of fish and carp for the children to see first hand and close-up.

World renowned angling expert Martin James, who has visited the region several times and recorded and filmed shows on fishing in St. Lawrence County, will present four classes on Days Two and Three showing youth and adults alike how to fish for carp. James, along with other anglers, will teach clinics near the waterfront in Waddington about carp, specific bait, tackle, gear and technique. Outdoor experts will teach ecology and the river environment as it pertains to supporting the carp species. In addition to the classroom, carp fishing experts will accompany the attendees to the banks of the river for some "hands-on" experience fishing for carp. The fishing school is sponsored by I Love New York and is open to all ages. A tuition fee will be charged which will include classes, specialized bait and tackle as well as fishing time with the skilled anglers.

The grand finale will be the St. Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament on Days Four and Five. The venue will be pre-selected sites along the St. Lawrence River from Ogdensburg to Massena. The two bridges linking the U.S. and Canada will be the boundaries. The St. Lawrence County Anglers Association has mapped three hundred prime carp fishing spots for the tournament. Thirty groups of ten youngsters between the age of eleven and eighteen will be stationed along the river banks based on a pre-tournament drawing. One individual entrant will win a $10,000.00 first prize -- other cash, medals and prizes will be awarded. The competition is endorsed by the Carp Anglers Group of North America which is the official carp fishing sanctioning organization in the United States and Canada. The organization is lending technical support to the Chamber. Marshals and weigh masters from local outdoors and sportsman’s groups will monitor the contest. The first prize will be based on the heaviest catch of carp based on a bag of four fish. All the fish caught during the competition will be released. An entry fee and rental fee for equipment will be charged, and the rules and restrictions are posted on the County Chamber’s website () along with an on-line registration.

Special events for the kids and their parents will be scheduled in conjunction with the tournament. A pizza party and chicken barbecue are in the planning stages. The chamber is actively seeking sponsors to assist with the underwriting of these special events. Karen St. Hilaire, Executive Director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, says, "This tournament is a great event for the region. We have been researching the possibilities of a world class competition for over a year. The idea of a junior tournament all began when Tom and his brother Chris Felton came to the St. Lawrence Experience in Waddington last summer after Tom had completed the filming of the second Harry potter movie. His parents gave him a trip to any place in the world. He and Chris chose to come here and for 8 days fished for carp at the edge of the St. Lawrence River. At the end of their trip they had caught 140 fish weighing a total of over a ton and a half."

"When we visited him at the river front, the idea was born to have a tournament for juniors since there was none in the world. Tom and Chris promised to co-host it, and lend their expertise, so we were off and running." "Our good friend, Martin James, stepped to the plate and offered to teach the specifics of carp fishing. His International reputation for fishing and ecology raises the bar on this event exceptionally. This is a great opportunity to learn how to fish for carp correct the way, at one of the best locations in the world."

"With the marketing assistance of I Love New York in Europe, and the Carp Angler’s Group in the United States, I think we’re on our way to a tremendous international tournament. Additionally, we have just received a commitment from ESPN2 Outdoors to film here during the week while the tournament provides the backdrop for the segment. That promises to bring outstanding exposure to the area and the tournament itself." "The fact that so many foreign visitors speak so highly of this stretch of the river, made it impossible to ignore. The local support has been overwhelming. We are getting calls already, and this is the first formal announcement of the event. The network of carp fishing enthusiasts is amazing. I think the residents and businesses along the river will be amazed at the impact of this kind of event."

The list of sponsors and partners is beginning to grow with Mesa Air and Specialist Tackle of Essex UK coming on board in the last week. Specialist Tackle is a British firm which concentrates in carp angling equipment. They are providing rental equipment and novelty items for each entrant. The Chambers of Commerce along the river corridor – Ogdensburg, Waddington and Massena - are helping to coordinate lodging requests and special needs of the tournament guests. Logistics, marketing, media relations, sponsor liaison and committee coordination will be furnished by Stellar Marketing Solutions of Massena.

For more information: For more information: check out the website www.northcountryguide.com Kathleen Kelly Stellar Marketing Solution 10 Lincoln Place Massena NY 13662 315-764-5654 (phone/fax) Or, Karen St. Hilaire St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce 5862 Route 11 Canton NY 13617