Despite other attractions such as the Chatsworth Angling fair and the AGM of the Specialist Anglers Alliance the Barbel Society AGM and Conference, last Sunday, 18th May, was well attended with all seats in the conference room being taken.
The meeting started with the Opening Address by Martin James during which Martin reminded the audience that fishing was all about having fun. If you see a beginner struggling to catch a fish give them a helping hand. In fact give the boy or girl, man or woman, some bait, a bit of tackle and a helping hand. Why not let them have a session in your winning swim so they can catch a fish? When they do you will see a big pair of sparkling eyes and a grin a mile wide.
The AGM was followed by Vice President Peter Wheat presenting Trevor West with the Gordon Scott trophy for his work over many years in promoting and teaching fishing to many anglers young and old. Certainly a well deserved award.
School teacher Pete Reading was the first conference speaker who certainly had the audience’s attention. This was followed by an historic auction of the late President Peter Stone’s tackle which created a great amount of interest.
A Richard Carter centre pin fetched over £ 600 with the auction raising over £ 3000 for Peter’s wife Sue.
Others speakers were Jeremy Wade, joint author of ‘Somewhere Down the Crazy River’ and Chris Ponsford, who was giving his first talk to Conference. It was most interesting, with Chris talking about his young days fishing the Severn. He then went on to discuss tackle, bait, methods and location on fishing the river Severn today.
One of the famous faces from the past, Bob Buteux, was in attendance with his new book “Fishing with The Famous” published by the Little Egret Press.
The Barbel Catchers and the Chub Study Group, along with various trade stands, were also in attendance.
It was well past 6pm before members started to drift off home.
All in all a good day for everyone.
