This new chairman is finally getting the hang of the job and that is entirely the result of all the supporting work Steve K. is doing behind the scenes. This has been made more complex by us voting in all the extra places on the Standings, sorry Steve! And thank you, big time.

We had 17 members present, including those that stayed on from the SMDAC meeting for the entertainment. First up was a rendition of the (now two-page) Standings, thankfully short this early in the season. Later on I think I’ll get you to read it yourselves.

We had five entries for Fish Of The Month, the final vote being hotly contended between Frank Chatfield’s Spurdog of 18lb – 112.5% of Specimen Weight, and Richard Pack’s Cuckoo Wrasse of 1lb 8oz – 120% of Specimen Weight. The result was a win for Richard and a round of applause for Frank for a very competitive fish. Frank’s consolation prize was to now be in the lead for the Catch & Release Cup with his fish, but no £10 unfortunately.

The Premier Berth Holders Social will be from 10am to 12:30pm on Saturday 7th March in the Marina Bar and SMAC will be supporting it with our information board display. All are welcome, and there’s a free bacon buttie and hot drink from Premier plus whatever corporate branded loot you can beg for. By the way the bag is good but the pen doesn’t last.

Preparations are well under way for our Presentation Night on Saturday 14th March with a free drink and raffle ticket for members, free food, a very generous cash raffle and lots of prize-giving banter. Do come, partners welcome. 7pm for 7:30pm start in the Marina Bar.

Membership subscriptions are due so if you haven’t paid yet please contact Steve Kelly or Eleanor  Atkins before they call in The Collector.

There was a call for the SMDAC vs SMAC Pier Competition again this year, so if SMDAC are game we are up for the challenge. Unfortunately the burger van is no longer on the pier so we may have to go further afield for supplies – like to the other end of the pier.

Our friend Dan Sissons is organising a Bass Beach Competition on the same weekend as our Open Bass Boat Competition 18/19 July. Their presentations will probably also be in the Marina Bar. If they coincide….that could be fun!

There was a reminder that the Bass Closed Season is upon us, Catch & Release only until end of March. The good news is that from April onwards our take limit goes up to three fish per angler per day, minimum length 42cm as before.

Finally, the University of Portsmouth Angling Club is holding a 24 hour Fishathon on or around 5th May, so if any of our members are available for a few hours to fish alongside some newbies and give them some tips I’m sure they would be very grateful. Location probably at the Portsmouth end of the seafront.

Next Monthly Meeting is Tuesday 7th April at 7pm in the Marina Bar as usual.