The British Carp Study Group (BCSG) was founded in June 1969 by Peter Mohan of Bristol and Eric Hodson of Sheffield.
Initially there were twenty-four founder members and now there are almost five hundred from most parts of Britain and several other countries across the World. There are regional sections across 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 BCSG 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, organised regional meetings and in these and many other ways pioneered the way to success for national organisations 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 BCSG is formed by Peter Mohan and Eric Hodson. The first region is set-up shortly after in the North West.
The inaugural meeting and fish-in of the BCSG is held at Billing Aquadrome, Northamptonshire with over 60 members attending from across the country.
The group produces the first edition of its member only magazine, The Carp.
Publication of the First British Carp Study Group book, ‘Carp, Carp, Carp’, edited by Peter Mohan and Mike Starkey.
Publication of the Second British Carp Study Group book, edited by Peter Mohan, Mike Starkey and Dick Weale.
Publication of the Third BCSG book, edited by Peter Mohan.
Publication of the Fourth BCSG book, edited by Peter Mohan and Kevin Maddocks.
Publication of the Fifth BCSG book, edited by Alec Welland.
The BCSG is 25 year's old! During this year the group held an AGM and fish-in at Orchid lakes and Dorcester Lagoon in Oxfordshire.
Korda lake in the Colne Valley becomes the Group’s first water. The lake has gone on to produce carp to well over 40lb as well as double figure tench.
Publication of the Sixth BCSG book, edited by Ken Dallow and John Abbotts.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary the group produces a special double size edition of The Carp magazine, as well as holding an event at Great Linford Lakes near Milton Keynes.
The group takes on its second venue, the 20 acre Dallows in the Midlands.
Hindles becomes the group’s third venue, a deep gravel pit located in the Colne Valley.
Publication of the Seventh BCSG Book – The Technical Edition. Compiled by Brian Skoyles, Ron Key and John Carver and designed by Mike Starkey, the book featured over 570 pages and more than 60 group members.
The group marks its 50th anniversary with a weekend celebration at Baden Hall Fishery in Staffordshire and a special hardback edition of The Carp magazine.
Copyright © 2026 · All Rights Reserved ·