B.C.S.G. History and Further Information Page.
The B.C.S.G. was founded in June 1969 by Peter Mohan of Bristol and Eric Hodson of Sheffield. There were twenty-four founder members and now there are over three hundred and fifty from most parts of Britain and several other countries including, Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and the U.S.A. There are twelve Regional sections throughout the United Kingdom, which regularly meet to exchange views and ideas. The first of these regions was started in the Manchester Area in 1969.
The B.C.S.G. is not a “specimen group” in spite of the name. It was the first large national carp fishing organization in the world and started the first ever magazine for carp anglers. The group held the first Carp Conferences, organized regional meetings and in these and many other ways pioneered the way to success for national organizations for anglers interested in one particular species of fish.
All members are keen conservationists and take an active part in the maintenance of the waters they fish. Many own or control their own fisheries and, in this way, play a very important role as environmentalists.
The group provides a number of services to its members, including two quality magazines per year plus additional newsletters. It runs its own prestigious fishery in the Colne valley, which is open to all members on a limited day ticket basis or on a seasonal basis (subject to a waiting list) on payment of a modest syndicate fee. Annual Fish-Ins are held there and at other fisheries throughout the country to which all members are invited to attend. The Group also has a members only section and forum on this web site. There is also a range of clothing bearing the groups’ logo and purpose built carp rods that are numbered, carry the owners’ name and are only available to members.
The group is continually striving to move forward and plans are in place to open another fishery, publish further B.C.S.G. books and generally increase services to its members.
