26 EsoxEcosse Magazine
An interview with an angler
"I think clubs like the PAAS are REALLY
important to give us pike anglers a voice
and it would be a tragedy
if we did not have
these clubs"
A: Chew or Wickham are the obvious choices
but it would be good to see a natural fish break
the record cast your mind back to John Gobles
magnificent Thurne fish.
A: To get out there fishing and to enjoy
your fishing it’s as simple as that!
Q: In recent years you have started to
spread your wings again in the specimen angling world, tell us a bit about
that.
A: Predominantly I'm a traditionalist, a bait
angler although I do like to troll lures, casting
lures is not for me although I've no doubt that
neglecting casting lures costs me fish.
Although I've done a lot of boat fishing in my
time in recent years I've predominantly bank
fished.
A: I live in the North-West of England, far from
a pike fishing mecca, I travel to fish in the lakedistrict which still has potential although many
waters get heavily fished.
I love fishing in Scotland the highlands being a
favourite in recent years for me, the fishing can
be fantastic. Many anglers are turning to the
rivers, and I think some of the carp waters also
have potential to produce some big pike.
Ireland is somewhere a lot of guys have done
well and somewhere I'd like to try.
Q: What are your most memorable catches?
A: I've been fortunate to have some good catches over the years including holding the record
for England's biggest lake Windermere 35.01,
a trio of 20's as part of a 220lb+ haul from the
highlands , 13 20s in a year and 103 doubles in
a year rate amongst my best achievements.
In terms of a book I'd say it's a no as the investment in time and money is just to great
however I've just wrote a chapter for Dr Steve
Rodowski's new book which should be out
later this year.
Q : Jon what advise do you have for PAAS
members?
Q: What methods and tactics do you employ to
catch your pike?
Q: What do you think the pike fishing potential
in the UK is?
best number of 20's or best number of doubles
in a year, at least until I retire and have more
time. I would like to catch a freshwater fish of
over 200lb after losing a giant Arapaima at Gillhams in Thailand last year - watch this space.
Seeing my daughter catch her first pike age 3 and the joy it gave
her took some beating as that's what angling is
or should be all about.
Q: What are your pet hates in Angling?
A: In no particular order - gut hookers, overly
prohibitive rules, catch at all cost merchants,
those who jeopardise others angling by their
own selfish actions.
Q: Jon what are your aspirations or next goals
in angling and will we be seeing an Jon Neafcy
fishing book?
A: My aspirations are to keep on enjoying my
fishing as long as I can, recently I watched a
slide show by Terry Hearn his last slide was
of minnows that kids had caught and he said it
doesn't matter what you fish for or how big they
are as long as you enjoy it - that summed up
angling for me.
I think I will struggle given where I live & my time
constraints to beat my pike p.b. or to better my
A: Yes I have, last summer for the first
time in 23 years I Carp fished catching two English 30's a 31.12 Common and a 33 Mirror and I enjoyed
it, a change is as good as a rest.
I have been on quite a few angling holidays
catch 35+ carp, catfish to 176lb & various exotic species but I won't steal my own thunder
more of that in my talk on "holiday angling" at
the 2014 Gathering
Jon thanks for your time & we look forward to
hearing your talk at the Gathering
A: Many thanks for giving me the opportunity to
speak to you & I wish the PAAS & all members
all the best for the future & I look forward to doing the talk for you at the gathering.
"...it doesn't matter
what you fish for or how
big they are as long as you
enjoy it - that summed up
angling for me..."
Jon-Paul Neafcy