WELCOME to our new members. The new Junior members will each receive a free copy of our excellent Novice's handbook. Please ask any of the Committee or other members for help if you need it - they're invariably only too pleased to help with casting or other 'known' problems. We hope that you enjoy being members of this progressive club and that you will occasionally manage to give something back in the form of help with bank clearance/ improvement work etc. ('phone Frank Durdle 782749 for information); we're very short of helpers and our few stalwarts are getting rather tired! Anyway, down to business.

ANNUAL LOCH FISHING COMPETITIONS- The Seniors will compete on Loch Achilty for the heaviest fish over either of the two nights Wed 23rd or Thurs 24th June The fly fishing competition starts at 6pm and finishes at 10pm; the cost will be £8-00/person which covers the cost of a boat without an engine If any of our more senior members would appreciate a less senior fishing companion/helper, then simply give Dave Sellers our secretary (tel. 831721) a note of your requirements.

The Junior bank fishing competition, again for the heaviest fish, will be held on the Tarvie Bait Loch on Wed 30th June from 6pm till 10pm at the latest. Please ensure that your juniors have waterproofs, wellies and midge repellent. We don't normally charge the juniors and they needn't be paid-up members. Responsible seniors will be available to look after them and to provide transport, some tackle and tips as necessary. Spinning bait and fly methods are all permitted.

Please 'phone Dave Sellers with names for both events. Book early as there are a limited number of places.

COACHING- A Casting Clinic is to take place on Sun 4th July from 9am on Beat 3 beside the caravan Site. Juniors and 'rusty' Seniors are welcome. Frank Durdle and others will be available to help you with your Spey, Overhead and possibly some other more exotic casts if time permits. Please bring your usual rod reel and floating or other fly line complete with a short nylon cast, ending with a little wool in order to hopefully stop that nasty cracking sound!

BANK CLEARANCE/IMPROVEMENT WORK- Next session is planned for Sun 20th June. As mentioned earlier. please 'phone Frank Durdle for details. The Tomich path and other areas need attention now. Well done to those who recently improved our upper beats; what a difference!

PROBLEMS- Our president, among many others, had recently objected to a proposed significant expansion of the salmon farming operations at Avoch Bay. The expansion has just been approved, two extra netting stations are now operating near us, the seals appear to have freedom of the river and the sea trout have virtually disappeared! Rather than put any sea trout back I have more or less stopped fishing for them. The situation is becoming hopeless! Thankfully, our salmon fishing has at last started albeit modestly so far.

FISHY STORY - Sorry, I've none! You have to tell me some if you want this section to remain part of the Newsletter.

RETURNS- Incidentally, a point missed at this month's BAC Committee Meeting was that we still don't have 100% submission of catch returns, although the response is now very much better than it used to be. The permit clearly warns that failure to submit your return timeously will result in a fine being imposed Please be prepared to pay the fine next year if you fail to comply with our simple rules; even a nil return must be submitted in order to avoid a fine and to allow us to make the accurate return required by both Lovat Estate and the Scottish Office.

Other than the foregoing, I've nothing more to say as I am now off to the river to make contact with one of those large salmon that are currently passing through our water. Very tight lines!