Secretarial Jottings

Howdy folks

  

Well I guess all are back at work and kids are back at school and life returns to normal.  My wife and I have had a few days off over in Tasmania and Victoria but no real opportunity of going fishing unfortunately.  Naturally one keeps their eye open and notices “fishing things”. 

Interesting to note the cost of using boat ramps and in some areas the requirement for boats to be licensed and skippers registered etc. Then there is of course fishing licensing in most States over there.  We don’t know how lucky we are sometimes in “Gods Own”.  Mind you the day will come when the likes of fishing licenses will be a fact of life here too. 

So it is important that fishers belong firstly to clubs, and secondly clubs are connected with national organisations (such as the NZACA) so whatever the long term outcomes are your interests are best looked after and protected.  However I guess I am preaching to the converted but you can all spread the word and encourage membership!!

  

The AGM is next month and I sincerely trust we will have a good representation there from clubs.  Have you returned your “Proxy Voting Forms” yet ?.  Don’t forget we are joining, after the meeting, with the Rotorua Fishing & Casting Club at their club rooms on the coast for their monthly club fish and there will be some extra prizes up for grabs.

  

A couple of items concerning the AGM are attached which needs your immediate action.  Thanks

  

Then of course we have our Annual National Championships based at Coromandel the week after Easter (15th – 18th.April). 

HAVE  YOU  ENTERED ?????

  

At the time of writing there were 14 clubs entered but we would love to see more there.  Although entries were supposed to be in by 31st.January we will turn a blind eye to any penalty payments for late entries providing we get them in as soon as possible.

If you are a club who has not entered – it is not too late !!!!

This is not a competition for just the “gun fishers” of this world because we know that in fishing there is also a great deal of luck involved.  So if you are new to the sport come along and give-it-a-go.

There is lots of fun to be had and we know from experience that once you have been to the Nationals you want to keep coming back.  We also know that clubs who are competitive are usually in a lot healthier state than those clubs who “just exist”.  So for you your clubs sake as well – let’s see you there.

To date we have only one Kayak Club entered – com’on you kayak clubs get affiliated and get entered – there are some special awards for you guys.

Don’t forget that very special lucky-draw prize which is open to all who enter.  It’s worth $2000.00!! The prize will be a Viking Predator Pro-fish complete with paddle seat and centre hatch!! Awesome and available for every entrant to win!!

  

  

  

Pin weights have returned to their start levels, so if you catch a fish above these weights you will qualify for an Association Pin.  The starting weights are :-

Hapuku 22kg; Kahawai 3.5kg; Kingfish 14kg; Moki 5kg; Salmon 6kg; Snapper 9kg; Trevally 3.5kg; Brown Trout 4.5kg and Rainbow Trout 3.5kg. An application to hand will take Kingi’ up to 15.44kg.

  

TROPHIES – I know I keep harping on about this and sometimes I don’t think the message always filters down to the fishers on the cranking end of the lines.  The trophies being awarded for 2008 will see half of them remaining in the box because no one sent in an application for such.

According to applications received none of our members caught any Trout during 2008 – can you believe that?  This means the Gladding Cup, Kilwell Trophy and the Tisdall Trophy will not grace any ones mantle piece this year.

No one had a go at catching a saltwater fish on a fly – so the Daiwa Cup stays in the box.

Similarly no one used spinning gear to catch a saltwater fish – well there were no applications received anyway.

But surprise, surprise – no one caught a Kahawai !!!!!! So that award is not given out either.

  

Some trophies will be going to the one and only person who sent in an application.

  

  

I have said this before too – people say “what’s in the NZACA for me” – well recognition and rewards is one answer, but what’s the use of having trophies that no one applies for – maybe we should melt then down and sell them for scrap to boost our dwindling funds!

  

You don’t have to catch a record size fish to get recognition by way of trophies etc. – but you do have to send in an application to get your catch into the system so it can be considered.  I don’t mind if we get inundated with applications of catches – especially from juniors

Go back and read your Members Manuals and why not target some Trophies this year as well as targeting the fish.

  

Those of you who have trophies – I trust you have returned them by now.  We want them all for window displays in Coromandel and for presenting at the prize-giving.

  

Word of thanks here to The NZ Fishing News who have renewed their sponsorship of the Masters Award and of that Section in our Members Manual.  Big thank you to Grant and the team.  We will be handing out two Masters Awards at this years prize-giving and I know of a number who are working towards this achievement.  This is in the realms of every fisher and there is no time limit in working towards obtaining the necessary fish and points.  So give it a go and join the ranks of other “Master Anglers”.

  

  

Whilst expressing thanks we also say thank you to Kilwell Sports Ltd for again outfitting our team that is competing at the Australian Nationals next month.  Whilst we have now only 4 competitors going I am sure they will do us proud.  Next AAA event will be in 2011 and will probably be on the East Coast so just across the ditch for us. Why not start making plans now to be part of this team.  Will keep you posted on location and dates as soon as they are to hand.

  

We are still desperately short of “sponsors” for Sections in our Members Manual.  Any one can be a sponsor – individual, club, business or whatever.  Contact me for more detail

  

???? Have received details of a Fishing Competition being held on the Kaipara Harbour on Saturday 21st. March.  If you would like more details please contact me.

  

Well I hope I see many of you in Coromandel in April as well as your Club Delegates at the AGM next month.  Despite the economic doom lets make recreational fishing a real bright spot on our calendars and in our lives.  Together we can.

  

  

Yours in doing my bit on your behalf in your Association