Spanning the decades, Fermanagh Anglers’ Association recently marked an important milestone - its 90th anniversary. On the same day, two of its prominent members also celebrated birthdays.

The Fly Fishing Club was founded in 1926. However there are no records available as to who were founder members as the then Secretary kept the minutes in an exercise book which was lost in 1936.

In 1937, the new Secretary, Mr. Bill Taylor recorded a meeting on March 8. This took place in the Imperial Hotel, Enniskillen; The Royal Hotel in Enniskillen was also used for later Annual General Meetings.

The spokesman recollected: “The present boathouse was constructed in 1959 and the Club at that time had their own fleet of eight boats, over time and in recent years. Due to heavy maintenance costs, boats were all sold mostly to club members. Over the years, the old harbour was taken away, trees taken down and the car park extended and fenced off.” 

He outlined that “today the club has 120 members (max) and a healthy waiting list.”

The spokesman went on to express the view that the commitment and heavy manual work, carried out by past/present members of F.A.A. has given today’s members facilities “second to none.” He recalled that in the early years, the Club fished all its competitions on Lough Melvin. In 1937, the late Michael McGovern of The Melvin Hotel, Garrison, presented the Club with a fine solid silver Challenge Cup. 

“It is still used today in one of our Club competitions,” said the spokesman, adding that it is “highly thought of and much admired by those who have been able to get their name engraved on it.”

He noted: “There was a rule proposed and carried at that time (1938) that the winner of the McGovern Cup would be eligible to fish in the Inter-Provincial Competitions. Other F.A.A. members were then selected on merit to join the winner.” 

The spokesman outlined: “The minutes of the 1938 A.G.M. show that F.A.A. selected six rods to represent Ireland on that occasion. Even in those early days, F.A.A. members had a keen interest in gaining a place on an Irish Team. Today things are done a lot differently and being selected on merit is now unheard of.”

He pointed out: “Nevertheless, the Inter Provincial Championships, by order of a rota system, was held in September this year on Lough Melvin where early interest was generated for F.A.A. members and as in all those years ago, we had six members again looking to gain a place on the International Team.”

He said he was happy to report that two of their anglers gained a place on next year’s team to fish against England/Scotland/Wales. 
Over the years, F.A.A. members have gained a place on several occasions, he recorded. 

The spokesman highlighted: “Indeed we have one angler who has fished on the Irish team no less than 29 times and despite advancing years shows no sign of quitting. This is a record for any angler in the four home countries.” 

The Association held a 90th anniversary dinner in September, after they fished for the highly sought after McGovern Cup. 
“An excellent meal was provided by the Village Inn, Sligo Road, Enniskillen,” acknowledged the spokesman, who mentioned that all their silverware presented to the Club over the years was put on display and presented to the winners. 

This 90th year, the McGovern Cup was won by John Veitch and the shield for the heaviest fish of the season was taken by John Martin.