I would agree Mike.Sad though it is.
It is a fact that its only when something effects us directly that we do a bit of shouting and that can be in some cases far too late.
When the rod license issue was raised far more gave opinions and luckily in time,but its something I believe is not going to go away.
Firstly I would like to see an open page where anglers could put there suggestions and what they want from an organisation,where they would like to see money spent,where it is needed to be spent,that they would feel happy they are getting a return from it.This would have to come from SANA on their website for starters.
I would also like to see a name change to something along the lines of "Scottish Anglers Trust" with at least 2 full time employees,minimum, who are working and accountable to anglers for the work they do.
All monies,being a trust stays and helps anglers and angling and not a tax.
Less commitees would be a start aswell.
Competitons are a part of angling but they are not the be all and end all of angling.Many still enjoy them and so they are a part which is still required.
I would also like to see who and where and how much of the money given out so we could all see where it goes and this would show if it is being spent well or not.I don't like accounts which just show x amount in this or x amount to here.I would like to see who has had what, individually.
Any membership with numbers has power to arrange good deals for its members,be it tackle or insurances as an example, which in itself has to be worth to anyone in hard times like we have at present,got to be worth paying,along with having a voice against environmental issues raised and government would listen to larger well represented organisations in fear of loss of votes.
We also need something such as Fish legal which takes cases for angling and anglers individually to court and rpresents them in civil matters and criminal if it is warranted.Polluters will get hit two ways getting twice the fine rather than just one.
That's just a few for me.The important part is ,that it would be the anglers organisation,they each would have a say and a voice within it and not run behind closed doors.
The past is the past and it takes a new start but could be done.
Ps forgot to say that it has to represent all parts of angling and not just a particular species as it suggests at this moment in time.