This being the first meeting of the new 2023 season and only three days after our Presentation Night, it was a nice surprise to see so many members attending. We were also able to welcome new member Keith Dundee who is moving to Southsea Marina with Team Anstey in preparation for the Sea Angling Classic competition in June.

Fish Of The Month was a tough one. Out of the two fish entered, would it be a pollock caught by Mark Banks or a pollack caught by Mark Banks? Rules being rules, we decided by a vote of hands to award the FOTM prize to Mark Banks for a fine specimen pollack of 15lb 5oz. This also puts Mark in first place for the Pollack Cup, Specimen Cup and club points. When the rest of the club actually starts fishing in earnest that may change of course.

We agreed to renew our membership of the Angling Trust as this gives us the specimen certificates and also insurance cover for events. Club funds are in a healthy position so far following the superb fundraising by Bill Arnold and Eleanor Atkins at the Presentation Night which brought in £910. A typical years’ expenses will be around £1,500. Currently we have 53 members confirmed for 2023 and 14+ likely to re-join. With some successful open competitions and another raffle or two we will be in good shape financially.

Our next Open Competition will be the Bream Open on 7th May. Ross Honey and Lowrance will donate an entry ticket for the Sea Angling Classic worth £250 to the competition winner, in addition to the cash prize.

We have a special 10-year anniversary logo picture above, which we can have printed on tee shirts. Unlike our hoodies and polo shirts which are embroidered to order, tee shirts have to be ordered in bulk. To give us an idea of likely interest and shirt sizes required, please could members fill in this mini questionnaire? SMAC T-Shirt Survey

Next meeting will be 4th April in the Marina Bar at 6:30pm unless otherwise advised.