Donnie ties up the top prize

FORRES Angling Association celebrated their Centenary year at their AGM which was held on Tuesday night (November 22) at St Leonards Church Hall in Forres.

Anglers have been celebrating their Centenary year.

The FAA was founded 100 years ago, but angling became an even more popular sport after the late Arthur Stuart Murdoch’s bequest left funds to allow the people of Forres and Rafford affordable fishing  on the town’s water.

Overseen by trustees, since then, the FAA has grown to 200 ordinary, 48 senior, 20 junior and a small number of honorary members.

“FAA is considered by many visitors as being on of the friendliest assocations in Scotland,” said club secretary Campbell Ross. “Forres has reaped rewards from this, by continued returning anglers who spend money in the area.”

However, fishing has changed drastically from 100 years ago and although it has been a special year for the association,  in terms of fish catch numbers, it has been a poor one.

A total of 49 Salmon and 140 Grisle were caught on the Findhorn during this season, which was nothing like the numbers of fish caught 100 years ago, much to the disappointment of the fishers.

Of the numbers caught, a total of 43% of the Salmon and 50% of the Grisle were returned to the water, in lines with the club’s conservation policy.

Among the prizes presented at this years meeting was a 15 foot Salmon Rod specially made for FAA to be presented to the winner of a raffle drawn on the night, by Honorary Member George Lilley.

A special bottle of Benromach Single Malt was also presented to Donald McBean who was the winner of a competition to tie a special fly to mark the Centenary. Every member will receive their own ‘Donald’s Delight’ when they pick up their 2012 permit.