Around 30 members attended the meeting which is well down on normal years but we are definitely seeing a drop in attendance probably due to the falling membership.
President Michael Barron gave his report on the first fish caught this season, on the second day by Joseph Owen, one of the youngest to win the Dickson trophy. The trophy will be presented to him presently. The catch returns from FAA waters were as follows:
59 Salmon 98%returned
131 Grilse 82% returned
60 Sea trout 95% returned
211 Finnock 100% returned
The Scottish Government has given us a provisional grade of good formerly known as category 1 and it was stressed the importance of correct returns.
The membership is falling rapidly and 37 Ordinary and 6 Senior permits were not taken out this season which had a detrimental effect on the income. Accordingly, it was agreed by 29 votes to 1 that the Out of Area permits be increased to 30 for season 2026.
The annual free casting lessons was considered a great investment to the Club and it was agreed that this should continue in 2026. Two Sundays will be booked prior to the opening of the river and this will be advertised on the web and Facebook nearer the time.
FAA is considered a very tidy, clean and welcoming stretch of the Findhorn and members were asked to remain vigilant with regards to discarded litter, fishing materials etc and to remove as much as possible from the banks. The two step rule when casting was also mentioned to ensure members adhere to the policy of allowing others to also enjoy the pools they fish.
Campbell Ross was thanked for stepping in to take over as Secretary at short notice and he was voted in to continue the role until a suitable replacement can be found. G. Holloway was voted in as Committee member and Vice President and G. Renton and D. Mackay were also admitted to the Committee. Thanks were paid to the two outgoing Committee members R. Dowling and D. McMichan and their knowledge and experience of river matters will be missed.
The two main subjects for discussion were the potential purchase of the Leased water from the Findhorn Salmon Fishings Limited and permit changes to align with the Conservation Code.
After much discussion the latter was unanimously approved and small changes will appear on the new permit for 2026.
The purchase of the Leased water will continue and the President stated that the members would be updated as and when more information was available.
The Treasurer gave his report on all financial matters reiterated the comments made by the President on the decline of current membership. The current finances were read out and approved by the members.
Professor Pieter van West, past Royal Society University Research Fellow and Director of the International Centre for Aquaculture Research and Development at Aberdeen University, then gave a very interesting and informative talk on Saprolegnia and its effects on Salmon this season on the river.
Finally, the President thanked various people for their work this season and presented some gifts to worthy helpers of the Association.