Brief History
Take a small number of like-minded anglers and just add water. Well not quite but certainly along those lines.
Anyone who has known me for a while will also know that I’ve always been a keen advocate of the group philosophy and ideology.
I formed my own local group in 1976 from just a handful of friends and at its peak it grew to 75 members, which was probably too big for a group of that type, it did however filter back to a more manageable number and nowadays we remain as a group of lifelong friends. In addition to this I have also been involved with other groups both national and local.
Influences
My main influence for forming my own group was the National Association of Specimen Groups (NASG) which by 1976 I had just managed to catch the back end of, although I had fished as a group of three friends since 1973, which formed the basis of the Manchester group of 1976. Other influences were Eric Hodson and Ron Clay. Ron was the founder of the well known Northern Specimen Group and Eric the founder of the NASG, Pike Society, co-founder BCSG and many local groups.
How to start
For my own group it was a meeting on the bank. We had known one another for a number of years, so I formalised things by arranging an inaugural meeting and designing a letterhead. We then placed an advert in both the local and national press inviting members with an interest. In our case it was initially carp, and at that first meeting we finished up with five original members plus four new ones. Although we didn’t have rules as such, we did design an application form which would help give some idea of potential members backgrounds and depth of interest, ie, past catches and memberships of other national bodies. We also affiliated to the NASG and ACA, although not politically orientated in those days, we did show our support for those who fought on our behalf, and in addition we also supported organisations like the CAA and BCSG to which members also belonged.
What next
Initially we decided to publicise the group and its results, mainly through the local media. We also decided to produce a newsletter which over the years evolved into the infamous ‘Bivvy News’, although these days it’s much easier by email.
We held regular get-togethers and throughout the late eighties and early nineties we put on many social events and slide shows that we advertised nationally. Many of these event we organised to raise monies for Macmillan Trust and had such speakers and visitors as Julian Cundiff, Frank Warwick, Martin Lock, John Pooler, Eric Hodson, Tim Paisley, Steve Burke, Gordon Burton, Dick Clegg, Martin James, Kevin Maddocks, Tony Miles, Tag Barnes, Rob Hughes and Simon Crow and many others, none of whom ever charged us a penny and many who travelled many miles in support.
First steps
Initially an advertisement in the local press, organise a get-together, ideally in a pub, and from there arrange your inaugural meeting.
I would then suggest you arrange regular meetings, no so much in the summer months when every one is fishing but more so in the winter.
At monthly meetings you could organise members’ slide shows, digital these days, even invite guest speakers, raise a few quid for the group, tackle raffles etc.
The group can be as large or small as members decide, but from experience I have found three to 12 members about right.
You don’t have to affiliate to anyone of course but I have found groups of this nature have more credibility if they do support a national fighting body like the SAA, at least financially if nothing else.
Where rules are concerned, try to stay clear of these if possible, although some form of constitution may be a good idea. Even a membership fee can have its uses, if only to get some money together to pay the stripper at the AGM.
Finally
Good luck and let us know how you get on, remember the more anglers stick together the better it is for angling en bloc. Ta ta for now!
