The Cape St Francis Angling Club is looking forward to celebrating its 70th birthday in August this year.
The club was founded in 1952 at a meeting at the Royal Hotel in Humansdorp.
The first committee was Jack Taylor as the chairperson, Bill Miller as secretary, Lily Haskings, Gert van Zyl, James Melville, and Martin Meyer.
The club badge was designed and introduced in September 1957, consisting of the Cape St Francis lighthouse and underlined with a fish, which is still proudly displayed on all club clothing.
In August 1958, the club’s subscriptions increased to R1.50 for men and 75c for women and juniors, while in September 1959, Angling Week tickets were 50c for members.
In September 1960, bait control regulations were introduced and in November 1961, Christmas hamper raffle tickets cost 10c a ticket.
The first time the club won the Eastern Province Cotton Trophy competition was in May 1962 and the Angling Week in 1963.
Both competitions were won numerous times over the years with the most recent wins coming in April this year.
During the early 1990s driving on beaches was banned, which resulted in a drop in membership.
After the beach vehicle ban, the membership gradually grew, mainly from new members in Jeffreys Bay.
As a result, the club’s headquarters moved from Humansdorp to Jeffreys Bay.
The club has been fortunate to have had past and current committed members and administrators, and now, 70 years later, the club continues to be regarded as one of the top competitive and respected angling clubs that are affiliated to the Eastern Province Angling Association (EPSAA).
Club members continue to achieve top honours in individual and team performances at provincial and national levels.
The club also boasts having the greatest number of Springbok and Protea anglers within their past and current membership.
The Protea anglers play an important role in the development and coaching of new and junior members at club, provincial, and at national levels.
Conservation of marine resources is a club priority and a constitutional requirement.
It is therefore strictly applied by the group of disciplined and respected members, often referred to as the St Francis family.
