About the CCG

The wels catfish Silurus glanis is without doubt one of the U.K.'s most fascinating fish. Offering a real test to any angler and pound for pound is the hardest fighting freshwater fish. Anyone tackling catfish is well advised to find out about them first and there is only one club that has been dedicated to the catfish for more than 30 years; The CCG.

Formed in 1984 and still going strong, the CCG is an open friendly group welcoming people of all levels of angling experience as well as clubs and fisheries wanting to learn more about catfish. Members can enjoy learning from more experienced anglers at the many fish-ins we organise each summer, as well as the opportunity to join the club's own water, Adam's Pool which holds a good stock of catfish and is an ideal water for those new to catfishing.

The group works closely with various Government agencies, DEFRA, CEFAS and has developed a strong relationship with the EA which has no doubt led to the safe re-homing of many hundreds of unlicensed or unwanted catfish in the UK.

The original aims of the CCG have remained unchanged since the formation of the group (even after regular review) and still hold true today. We have however updated them to reflect the current status of catfish in the UK today

Aims of the CCG

• To promote the conservation of existing catfish stocks and to recommend correct angling methods, treatment and careful handling of the species.

• To encourage fish farmers to breed the European catfish (wels) for the purpose of stocking English waters and to assist them wherever possible.

• To negotiate, whenever possible, with Water Authorities for consent to stock the catfish.

• To encourage fishery owners and managers to stock the wels and to assist them in every possible legal way.

• To help fisheries who want to remove catfish find new suitable homes wherever possible.

• To prove, to whomever it may be necessary, that the presence of the wels does not significantly influence the stocks of other more popular species.

• To compile as much literature as possible regarding the life history of the wels and make this available to members as well as other interested parties.

• To encourage more anglers to become interested in the wels, and to develop the C.C.G. into an international organisation for friendship and co-operation between all catfish anglers.

• To represent the wels catfish in the political arena and try and ensure the species and those that fish for it are treated in a fair and balanced way.

 

The Committee

The CCG is an open group and welcomes any assistance; the committee members are voted in annually at the AGM and comprise a hardworking group of members passionate about catfish and catfishing who dedicate huge amounts (unpaid) of their spare time for the benefit of the group and its members

General Secretary
Steve Stewart,

Membership Secretary/Treasurer/CCG Merchandise
Adrian Hills

EA DEFRA Liason Officer/ Catfish Rehoming Officer
Tony Wignall

Whiskers Editor/Webmaster/Records Officer
Keith Lambert

Adam's Pool Organisers
Paul Hunter

PR/Media Liason Officer
Steve Stewart

Advertising Officer
Vacant - Temp, Keith Lambert

Newsletter Officer
Emma Lingley

Regional Fish-In Organiser
Bradleigh Coker

Assistant Fish-In Officer
Vacant

Events Officer
Drew Harding

FOTM & Junior FOTM Administrator
Steve Stewart

Full Committee contact details can be found in the Members Area.

 

CCG Publications

The Catfish Conservation Group publishes Whiskers Magazine. A professionally produced full colour publication that is Edited by Keith Lambert from material produced by club members. Whiskers is published annually and is arguably the best single species fishing magazine available! Whiskers is free to all CCG Members. Back Issues are available from The Membership Secretary

 

The Catfish Conservation Group has published its own book The Guide to UK Catfish Waters the definitive guide for all anglers starting out in UK catfishing and is available from The Membership Secretary .