The President welcomed 74 members to FAA’s AGM on Tuesday 22.11.11 in the
St Leonards Church hall and reflected on last season as well as the last 100 years. FAA celebrate their Centenary year in 2011 and the club arranged for Mr George Lilley, past President and Honorary member to present a unique 15ft Bruce and Walker rod to a lucky member as a free draw. The winner was A Hutchinson. A further prize of a fly box and flies was donated by Mr K Walker of Forres Tackle Shop and included was some flies tied by the members for a Centenary fly competition. Mr H McKay was the lucky winner. Two FAA caps were also donated by member K Ogilvie and winners were P Grant and J Fraser.
The winner of the Centenary fly competition was D McBean and the fly called, “Donald’s Delight” was professionally tied and each member will receive a free copy at the commencement of next season. Mr R Urquhart, Sales Director of Benromach Single Malt Whisky presented a very special single malt to Donald.
Presentation of prizes followed and a photograph of all winners was taken for the local papers.
The President reflected on a very poor season and the lack of Grilse throughout the complete Findhorn system. FAA had a poor season with 43% of Salmon and 50% of Grilse returned. This has to be viewed on the basis that of the 260 members and visitors, 167 members gave nil returns and less than 6 members were lucky enough to retain 6 fish. No member retained more than 6.
This was compared with the celebrations when FAA was 50 years old and the minute of this AGM was read out.
Thanks were given by the President to the banks man Bobby Rollo for his tireless efforts and much comment had been made on the condition of the banks by members and visitors combined. The Rev B Boyd was thanked for his work as Trustee to the FAA, to his Committee, Examiner of accounts Mr G Menzies who retires from his post this year, to the Treasurer L Nicol now in his 26th year in post and to the hard work from the outgoing Committee members and web master, K Campbell, W Bartlett and P Warrener. G Bell was also sincerely thanked for his involvement in F.N.L.R.F.T. which he now hands over to C Ross.
Various items were raised during the night, the most important being the rejection of the Committees proposal that the season should be altered to commence on the 1st March and extended to 31 October. This proposal was defeated by 58 votes to 8.
Mr I Gordon River Spey gave an interesting talk and show of vintage fishing in the area and was well received by the members.
The new Committee members were elected and the night was concluded with refreshments.
22 December 2011
AGM 2011
