Fishing Season is open

FORRES fishermen descended on the banks of the River Findhorn to welcome in the new angling season.

Despite adversity - including impending snow storms, and having to find their way around the ongoing flood works, they were not to be thwarted.

Members of the Forres Angling Association held their 2013 Opening Season Ceremony in bright sunshine, albeit a bit cold.

President, now retired Dr David Sneddon, welcomed around 70 members to the Stoney Pool and thanked Major Roderick McLeod, the riparian land owner, for allowing the ceremony to take place and being able to attend.

Thanks were also given to Mr Keith Cruickshank, Distillery Manager of Benromach Single Malt which sponsored the event.

Sponsors also presented ‘Gazette’ photographer Neil Ellison with a small token of appreciation in light of his imminent retirement. Neil was thanked for his assistance over the past years at both the opening and AGM ceremonies and presented with a bottle of Benromach.

Local angler, Sandy McLachlan who is the clubs oldest angler at 80, and has been a member since the age of 14, and helped to perform the opening ceremony was also presented with a small gift from Benromach Single Malt, and piper ShaunMcHugh, a Forres Academy pupil was given a small box of flies for turning up on his 15th birthday to pipe both Keith and Sandy to the river for the customary pouring of whisky into the river in hopes of a plentiful season ahead.

Refreshments were served and after a number of further photo shoots, members returned to the water to resume their chances of landing the first fish of the season.

Although only one kelt was caught and returned, all welcomed the new season with enthusiastic vigour and hopes of better fishing days ahead.

Mr George Munro hoped to keep his 70th birthday on the opening day a secret but news travels quick and the membership wish him a belated happy birthday and lots of fish this year.