Great Memories of NASG and NASA
- Thread starter The Monk
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Stealph Viper
Well-known member
What are 'NASG' and 'NASA' or is it 'NASA' as in the Space Program ??
dezza
Well-known member
I think you had better enlighten him mate.
Stealph Viper
Well-known member
I am being Serious, i have no idea what you are talking about.
I Googled 'NASG'
This is just some of the things it came up with -:
National Allergy Strategy Group
National Association of S Gaugers
North American Studies Group
North American Specialty Glass
And they were just on the 1st Page
Well, i have just Googled 'NASA'
No, prizes for what suggestions that offered.
I Googled 'NASG'
This is just some of the things it came up with -:
National Allergy Strategy Group
National Association of S Gaugers
North American Studies Group
North American Specialty Glass
And they were just on the 1st Page
Well, i have just Googled 'NASA'
No, prizes for what suggestions that offered.
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dezza
Well-known member
During the early 50s, Richard Walker and his Carp Catchers Club together with his little group of big fish hunters in the Hitchin Angling Club, inspired many other anglers to form similar types of angling groups. They became known as Specimen Hunter's Groups after the term for a big fish - a "specimen" fish.
I formed the Sheffield Based Northern Specimen Group. Graham Marsden was also involved with a similar group, Tony Miles formed the Coventry SG, Bob Church formed the Northampton SG, Frank Guttfield formed the Whopper Stoppers SG, Peter Butler formed the London Specimen Hunter's Club, Jack Hilton and Bill Keal were in the Herts Chiltern SG.
Many other groups were also formed. They consisted of anglers who were in the main - young men. I was only 20 when I formed the NSG.
One of the members of my group was a very talented angler and organiser, one Eric Hodson, who in 1965 formed the National Association of Specimen Groups. This organisation was responsible for the massive increase in big fish angling in the UK and it spawned an enormous tackle industry.
In a year or two since its foundation with 7 groups, the organisation had expanded ten fold to 70 groups representing over 1000 specimen or specialist anglers.
As the years passed, the all round specimen group idea became less popular as single species groups began to take root. Groups like The British Carp Study Group, The Carp Society, The National Carp Club, The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain, The Barbel Society, The Chub Study Group, The Lure Society, The Grayling Society, The Tench Fishers and a few others. All these single species groups came under the umbrella of the National Association of Specialist Anglers.
This organisation in time became the Specialist Anglers Alliance which untimately became part of the Angling Trust.
Many of us who were involved in the old specimen groups should be proud of what we eventually achieved and that is one single body to represent all anglers in this country. It's a very great shame that my old dear friend Eric Hodson is not alive to see that his dream WAS realised.
I formed the Sheffield Based Northern Specimen Group. Graham Marsden was also involved with a similar group, Tony Miles formed the Coventry SG, Bob Church formed the Northampton SG, Frank Guttfield formed the Whopper Stoppers SG, Peter Butler formed the London Specimen Hunter's Club, Jack Hilton and Bill Keal were in the Herts Chiltern SG.
Many other groups were also formed. They consisted of anglers who were in the main - young men. I was only 20 when I formed the NSG.
One of the members of my group was a very talented angler and organiser, one Eric Hodson, who in 1965 formed the National Association of Specimen Groups. This organisation was responsible for the massive increase in big fish angling in the UK and it spawned an enormous tackle industry.
In a year or two since its foundation with 7 groups, the organisation had expanded ten fold to 70 groups representing over 1000 specimen or specialist anglers.
As the years passed, the all round specimen group idea became less popular as single species groups began to take root. Groups like The British Carp Study Group, The Carp Society, The National Carp Club, The Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain, The Barbel Society, The Chub Study Group, The Lure Society, The Grayling Society, The Tench Fishers and a few others. All these single species groups came under the umbrella of the National Association of Specialist Anglers.
This organisation in time became the Specialist Anglers Alliance which untimately became part of the Angling Trust.
Many of us who were involved in the old specimen groups should be proud of what we eventually achieved and that is one single body to represent all anglers in this country. It's a very great shame that my old dear friend Eric Hodson is not alive to see that his dream WAS realised.
Stealph Viper
Well-known member
See, now that is a lot clearer to me now.
NASG = National Association of Specimen Groups.
NASA = National Association of Specialist Anglers.
Do these 2 groups no longer exist now, or, are they just called something else ?
Were all these single specimen groups stronger, and better organised, than the one group representing Specimen Anglers or were they all just out for there own recognition.
I don't really understand the formation of one specific specimen groups unless of course that is all they ever fish for, or they are a splinter group due to a fall out etc etc
NASG = National Association of Specimen Groups.
NASA = National Association of Specialist Anglers.
Do these 2 groups no longer exist now, or, are they just called something else ?
Were all these single specimen groups stronger, and better organised, than the one group representing Specimen Anglers or were they all just out for there own recognition.
I don't really understand the formation of one specific specimen groups unless of course that is all they ever fish for, or they are a splinter group due to a fall out etc etc
dezza
Well-known member
The NASG, NASA and SAA were one and the same thing that changed its name over time due to the presence of the single specialist angler and the specialist groups. There are a few specimen groups still in existance, especially the Northampton SG and the Coventry SG
I am a member of the Don Valley SG.
It is important to understand that specimen groups only had limited membership that was by invitation, whilst the single species groups in the main are open to everyone, with perhaps the exeption of the British Carp Study Group.
Members of groups generally didn't fall out with each other, they "evolved" into single species groups in most cases.
I am a member of the Don Valley SG.
It is important to understand that specimen groups only had limited membership that was by invitation, whilst the single species groups in the main are open to everyone, with perhaps the exeption of the British Carp Study Group.
Members of groups generally didn't fall out with each other, they "evolved" into single species groups in most cases.
Stealph Viper
Well-known member
Ok, i see, well i see clearer than before i asked.
So do these Specimen Groups own there own waters that are only Fishable to their Members or are they just a Group of Specialist anglers that fish Big Fish Waters.
The reason i ask is with you mentioning Northampton SG and Coventry SG it was as if they had there own exclusive Waters that only their members had permission to fish.
Is this were these Syndicate Waters come from, or is that something totally different.
So do these Specimen Groups own there own waters that are only Fishable to their Members or are they just a Group of Specialist anglers that fish Big Fish Waters.
The reason i ask is with you mentioning Northampton SG and Coventry SG it was as if they had there own exclusive Waters that only their members had permission to fish.
Is this were these Syndicate Waters come from, or is that something totally different.
dezza
Well-known member
The Carp Society, The British Carp Study Group and The Barbel Society own fishing rights on various water that members can use on payment of extra fees.
The Specimen Groups generally did not control exclusive waters. It was only the single specialist groups that did.
The specimen groups were more like the small hunting bands of old who worked with each other, fished together and disseminated knowledge to each other. The motto was: "All for one and one for all" and "It doesn't matter who catches the fish as long as one of us does."
As a result, we in the 60s often had catches that were beyond our wildest dreams.
The above had absolutely nothing to do with syndicate waters.
Such waters are controlled by a specific syndicate of people who put money together to obtain fishing for the members of the syndicate.
The Specimen Groups generally did not control exclusive waters. It was only the single specialist groups that did.
The specimen groups were more like the small hunting bands of old who worked with each other, fished together and disseminated knowledge to each other. The motto was: "All for one and one for all" and "It doesn't matter who catches the fish as long as one of us does."
As a result, we in the 60s often had catches that were beyond our wildest dreams.
The above had absolutely nothing to do with syndicate waters.
Such waters are controlled by a specific syndicate of people who put money together to obtain fishing for the members of the syndicate.
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904_cannon
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Speaking as a member of the Chub Study Group there has been very little 'falling out' in the years I have been involved, except perhaps as to where to hold a get together weekend, and that is usually down to 'which area/county has the best beer' We don't operate an open membership either.
Many of today's members are some of the same who made up the National Chub Specimen Group in the 60's and there are letters the in the Group History between Eric Hodson and our recently deceased President, Charlie Landells, relating to the time when Charlie was after setting up the CSG. Eric wrote back saying that he would rather see the formation of a roach group before going ahead with the CSG. The CSG was eventually founded in 1972.
Perhaps its just me, but I feel as though I've had my right arm cut off with the passing of the single 'Specialist Angler' organisation, even though we now have the Angling Trust representing all disciplines of angling.
Many of today's members are some of the same who made up the National Chub Specimen Group in the 60's and there are letters the in the Group History between Eric Hodson and our recently deceased President, Charlie Landells, relating to the time when Charlie was after setting up the CSG. Eric wrote back saying that he would rather see the formation of a roach group before going ahead with the CSG. The CSG was eventually founded in 1972.
Perhaps its just me, but I feel as though I've had my right arm cut off with the passing of the single 'Specialist Angler' organisation, even though we now have the Angling Trust representing all disciplines of angling.
I think I'd have to agree with you on that point John.
Of all the entities within the AT the SAA seem to have come out of this quite poorly.
Please don't think of that as a swipe at the AT, it isn't!
They have my membership, and donations, for at least 3 years, but I do think that the SAA could have had more of a 'mention'
dezza
Well-known member
Especially as Mike Heylin, ex-chairman of the SAA is now heading up the AT.
Can anyone name the "Magnificent Seven" by the way.
Can anyone name the "Magnificent Seven" by the way.
preston96
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I have said it before and i will say it again, the biggest down fall of the NASG was all the name changes.
I could understand it becoming NASA, tho the intials were a little unfortunate......but it should have stuck!!
So should ACA, and the M7 and the NASA should all be pulling the same end of the rope!!
dezza
Well-known member
Quite right Brummie.
The term: "Specialist Angler" should never have been created. Eric Hodson fought tooth and nail to prevent the name change from NASG. But what can one man do against a load of &^%$£(*s!
We were specimen hunters and we will always be specimen hunters as far as I am concerned.
The term: "Specialist Angler" should never have been created. Eric Hodson fought tooth and nail to prevent the name change from NASG. But what can one man do against a load of &^%$£(*s!
We were specimen hunters and we will always be specimen hunters as far as I am concerned.
Morespiders
Senior Member
Yul Brynner
Horst Buchholz
Steve M/cqueen
Charles Bronson
James Coburn
Robert Vaughn
Cant remember the seventh, Chris,s mate?
Eli Wallach, was the best one in it though great actor.
Mark Hewitt
Senior Member
Eli Wallach, was the best one in it though great actor.
Better in the 'Good bad & Ugly" ....... Don't you think?
Better in the 'Good bad & Ugly" ....... Don't you think?
Morespiders
Senior Member
Yes definatleyEli Wallach, was the best one in it though great actor.
Better in the 'Good bad & Ugly" ....... Don't you think?
Man of a thousand faces
preston96
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Was Des Taylor in it to then? :wh