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Post by manchesterangler on Mar 5, 2013 13:40:13 GMT
 My very first angling trade show. Was I nervous? Just a little, waiting for the arrival of the first of thousands of anglers that called in at Glasgow Angling Centre during this superb weekend. This was no ordinary fishing tackle discount sale, customers had the opportunity to chat with angling celebraties such as Matt Hayes, John Wilson, Manchester's own Ant Glascoe JR and game angling legend and true gentleman Ian Roberts. Juniors were able to receive coaching in both coarse and game disiplines. The Uk's best fly casting coaches were on hand at the casting pool, helping anglers improve their technique. Proffesional fly tyers from as far as South Africa were on hand offering tying tips and creating amazing flies. Ant Glascoe JR and guys from the Scottish Pike Alliance were skillfully working those lures in the lure pool that doubled up as kayak demo tank and diving pool. I would personally like to thank all the anglers who I shared banter and conversation with whilst demonstrating my freshwater kayak angling rig; you made me feel very welcome. Hopefully many freshwater kayak angling seeds were sown and a new generation of kayak anglers will be seen in future years. Until the next show in September's, Glasgow you are my second favourite city after Manchester of course!  Hopefully next time you see Ant near a kayak it will be with a lure rod in his hand. Pike beware, this lure guru is going stealthy; they won't even know he is there until it is too late and they have taken his lure! Watch this space, it will happen! |
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Post by philpot on Mar 5, 2013 16:23:26 GMT
Nice job Andrew. I attended the pike night held at Chapman angling in Hull a few weeks ago. They are owned by Glasgow angling centre and I asked there if they would be interested in me doing the same sort of thing you have done by introducing anglers to the world of kayak angling but to no avail.
I also had a long chat with Ants----what a really nice and helpful bloke.
Phil
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Post by Daz on Mar 6, 2013 5:37:57 GMT
great stuff Andrew  |
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Post by manchesterangler on Mar 8, 2013 13:31:26 GMT
I honestly think events like these are the way forward to promote freshwater kayak angling. Ant Glascoe is a top guy, been in the fishing tackle trade for over a decade now. A knowledge of information on anything lure or sea angling based. We met back in my Match Fishing days, I used to tell him the peg numbers on our local canal where anglers who competed in the matches I used to run were getting bothered by Pike. He was only a teenager then, working in our local fishing tackle shop. Yes, Ant's the genuine article. Started at the bottom and worked his way up.
I was very lucky to be invited up to the Glasgow Angling Centre show. My every move was being watched by not only the angling public but more importantly by the fishing tackle industry. There were reps from every major fishing tackle company working at the show. No pressure then!
I must have done something right, Glasgow Angling centre's MD has agreed to have me back for September's show.
It was very encouraging listening to mainstream anglers views about kayak fishing. The overwhelming concern from bank anglers were the stability of the kayak. When I return I shall have a new Native Watercraft Ultimate rigged up. I am hoping the tunnel hull, air lite seat and propel system will really wow them.
My purchase of an Ultimate model is very risky, I never seen or fished from one - just going with a gut feeling that it will be superb for freshwater fishing techniques.
For me it's all about fishing position and stability combined with the hands free fishing that propel offers. I know it's not a true sit on top, more of a hybrid kayak / canoe. Only the test of time and many hours fishing will determine its pedigree as a fishing platform.
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Post by philpot on Mar 8, 2013 15:05:24 GMT
' The way forward '
I agree 100%, I am hoping to run a have a go day at Scunthorpe this year inviting members of the pike club of GB to attend. Once they have seen that I am 61yrs old, overweight and not so fit they will realize that if I can do so can they.
Phil
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Post by manchesterangler on Mar 8, 2013 18:33:29 GMT
Brilliant stuff Phil, the band of freshwater kayak anglers on this website are the pioneers. Yes, people have been fishing on their kayaks upon freshwater for years. But they have been a small pocket doing their thing quietly.
We, everyone actively using this site have popped our heads above the wall and created a voice for freshwater kayak angling.
Well done Terry for getting this website up and running. I do my little bit organising the Kayak Grand Slam and Lure Grand Slam, now I am going to do a couple of angling shows in Scotland.
More freshwater kayak anglers need to get involved. Contact your local fishing clubs that have suitable kayak angling venues and ask if you can do a demo for the committee members. The more general coarse and fly anglers see of kayaks. The more likely they are to see angling kayaks for what they really are, fishing platforms.
Get together with a couple of other freshwater kayak anglers. Carefully select venues that have poor bank access, then join the club and offer to demo your kayaks as a group. Don't be pushy and be prepared to hear the word NO many times. Keep trying and eventually you will get a break.
It needs ALL freshwater kayak anglers to do their bit if we are to be accepted as just another branch of freshwater anglers.
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