Forres Angling Association

President D.Sneddon welcomed 59 members to the 104th AGM of FAA and recorded a minutes silence for Rev W.Reid, J.Donnachie, T.Sheridan,J.Christie and C.Taylor who had passed away during this season. Mention was made of the support that the late Maj.R.MacLeod had made to FAA with the support and granting of access to fish the River Findhorn and Moy Burn.
Thanking the Vice President's for their work during his absence last year, the President requested A.Hutchinson read out another witty self made poem regarding our waters and the people winthin it.
Catches were poor for the Spring but a good enough season with 63 Salmon, 230 Grilse, 84 Sea Trout being caught. FAA returned 62% of their Salmon and 65% of the Grilse, 68% of SeaTrout and 97% of their Finnock.
The President made comment on the major changes afoot with the consultation process over the Scottish Government's Freshwater Wild Salmon Fisheries Act and the proposed tagging system.
Finance was always on the agenda and a possible high rise in rates to have a Scottish uniformed system could be introduced meaning a steep rise in the cost of fishing to all, not just FAA. There was also a proposal by the Government to introduce VAT to fishing.
The Government were also proposing abolishing the River Boards and introducing a RAFTS administration with FAA possibly linking with the Spey.
S.McLachlan won the first fish of the year trophy, a fish of 18lbs being caught and released, but he was unable to be present to accept the award.
All other trophies apart from the Junior Trophy have been suspended in order to help with conservation.
The President thanked the outgoing Committee members for their service, C.Robertson, A,Hutchinson, R.Morrison and J.Stephen and welcomed C.Brown, S.Pannell and G.Holloway to the Committee. G.Phillips was also welcomed as an assistant to the Secretary.
Many thanks were given to S.Pannell for banks works, the Committee, Rev B.Boyd, Mr. G.Menzies, S.McLean, Audrey McIntosh and Linda Nicol for all their assistance during the year.
The night was completed with a talk on Conservation and how to release a fish back into the water by B.Laughton.