Nutrabaits - Continued Carp School Success - Carp Bait

In 2015 Hull and District Angling Association started their weekend Carp Schools. The logistics were difficult, providing the gear, bait and helpers to create an exciting, safe environment, on a regular basis, for groups of inexperienced youngsters, many of whom had never stayed out fishing overnight or caught a carp, would not be easy.

They already had a successful summer programme of evening taster sessions and strong links with several local schools, but could they develop a carp fishing event in the same way?

Having just completed this year’s programme of four carp school weekends, one each in May, June, July and August, the answer is a resounding YES!

Led by Derek Pye and more recently P J Puden-Hoe and Marney McGowan the Carp Schools have gone from strength to strength. Gradually over the last eight years, a vast amount of gear has been accumulated enough to fully equip up to 20 juniors with all they need for the weekend. Each weekend event quickly fills up and at times stretched the team to breaking point finding swims.

Just take this year as an example, the statistics are very impressive.

96 youngsters have been involved over the four weekends.
28 parents have become involved.
36 coaches/volunteer helpers have attended and supported the anglers.
There has been an increase in female anglers both amongst the youngsters and the helpers.
118 carp were landed to a best of 18lbs-12oz

Although the statistics themselves are impressive they don’t tell the full story. Having attended many of the Carp Schools it’s the atmosphere that really strikes you. With these Hull and District Carp Schools Derek, PJ, Marney and their team have managed to create a brilliant balance of excitement, support and learning. The aim is for everyone to catch and most weekends that happens. Takes, tips and tactics are often shared. Groups gather to watch and cheer every fish landed. There’s plenty of banter, plenty of food and drink, and every youngster goes away with a goody bag. These events help develop a love of angling and possibly the most impressive element to the Carp Schools is the way youngsters not only become involved but stay involved. Several youngsters have gone on to get coaching qualifications and now attend as helpers. The mix of ages and experience is a pleasure to watch.

It's important to mention three companies that year on year offer their support to the Hull Carp Schools. Korda have been involved from the start and each year send an amazing package of terminal tackle for the coaches to use with e youngsters. Also, from the start Nutrabaits have provided all the bait for the weekend. At the end of each Carp School there is a cup awarded for the largest fish caught, this is the Mike O’Connell trophy, which Daiwa Sports complement with a prize reel to the winner.

There are unsung heroes who rarely get a mention. Every event Paul Shields and Col James sort the food. The barbeques are awesome, worth attending just for the cheeseburgers, and not to forget the bacon butties in the morning. Over the years well known experienced anglers drop in and give demonstrations. Julian Cundiff, Steve Turner, Bev Clifford, Derek Pye, and Brian Skoyles have all been involved.

The Hull and District Angling Association Carp Schools are an example for all clubs to follow. It’s a relatively easy task to organise one event but to maintain the standard year after year takes real commitment …. Thank you to all involved.

2023 Carp Schools have now finished for another year, and the club are already planning this winter’s Pike Academies. As we left the August Carp School the common question was, when’s the next one? With Hull and District’s record I’m sure they will be back in 2024

Top job everyone!

Brian Skoyles (August 23)

P J Purdon-Hoe in full flow at the start of the weekend