Club General Rules

  1. Notice boards are present at all fisheries. Notices and temporary restrictions displayed shall take priority over any existing club rules. It is the angler’s responsibility to check the notice board upon each visit, to ensure any temporary rules and notices are abided by.
     
  2. All members must familiarise themselves, and abide by, the control measures of the club’s risk assessments, which can be found on the website. Hard copies can be obtained from the Secretary on request.
  3. Members to observe all Environment Agency bylaws, including having in their possession a valid rod license, which must be produced to a bailiff, or club official, on request.
     
  4. Members must have their membership cards with them at all times when fishing on club waters. All non-members must carry a paid for Guest Ticket. Any member, club official or landowner has the right to request to see club membership cards. 
  5. All persons under the age of 16 (i.e. a junior member) must be accompanied by an adult member.
  6. All vehicles must be parked in the places provided, or in a position where they cause no obstruction and must have an official parking permit on display in a prominent position. 
  7. The Club shall not be liable to members for any inconvenience, loss or damage wheresoever or howsoever caused to any member’s equipment or member’s vehicle brought upon the fisheries, or upon any premises controlled by the Club.
  8. No angler shall under any circumstances carry a gun, approach or leave the waters by any other route than by the recognised footpaths or be accompanied by a dog (with the exception of club bailiffs, whom may be accompanied by a dog, on a lead, when carrying out their checks on club waters).
  9. Only small functional knives, and pen knives, are allowed, and to be used for fishing purposes only.
  10. No angler shall make use of a radio/television/music player etc. unless it is;
    a. with earphones where it is safe to do so (e.g. visual bite indication is in place) or
    b. at a level low enough not to disturb other anglers.
  11. Great care must be taken not to disturb game, or to cause inconvenience to the property of the owner who grants the members fishing rights.
  12. No gates to be left unfastened, no growing crops of any kind to be crossed.
  13. No fences or hedges will be cut, displaced, or damaged.
  14. No alteration or rectification of banks or bank sides without consent of the committee.
  15. No litter to be left about, members will be held responsible for the cleanliness of the immediate area from which they are fishing whether the litter is their own or not.
  16. Consumption of alcohol is only to be in strict moderation.
  17. The consumption of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
  18. The use of obscene language is strictly forbidden.
  19. No open fires or BBQ’s. Gas fires and enclosed burners are permitted but must not mark the ground in anyway.
  20. Rods must not be left unattended, if an audible alarm/remote receiver and freespool reel (or equivalent) is used, you must still be within 33M (100ft).
  21. No angler to occupy more than one swim with any item of tackle at water’s edge.
  22. The reservation of swims is not permitted by any means. This includes leaving the lake with tackle occupying a swim i.e. setting up, going to work, and returning later in the day. Tackle left unattended, will be removed from the swim to enable other anglers’ access.
  23. No angler may occupy a swim for longer than 4 consecutive days and nights, and there must be no return to the same water for 24 hours.
  24. No live baiting on club waters except for at Home Farm, and Wix 2 for Catfish only with the following rules:
    a. Live bait must be caught from the water you are fishing from.
    b. Single hooks only to be used. 
    c. The live bait must be hooked through a nostril hole and out of the mouth and retained by a rubber pad.
  25. All anglers unhooking or handling a fish on the ground must use an unhooking mat, this must be suitable for the venue being fished and target species. If fishing Home Farm or Wix 2, members must also carry a plastic sheet or tarpaulin if they do not have a specific Catfish mat to protect Catfish in the case of accidental capture. Please contact committee for guidance if unsure.
  26. Anglers must use a landing net suitable for the venue being fished, for Wix 2, Home Farm and Alresford this should be a 42” net. If fishing for small species a smaller net may be used but a larger one should be on stand-by.
  27. Catfish may only be retained, with the permission of a club official and they will guide you on retaining methods.
  28. Keepnets must be to EA specification and no fish over 6lb to be put in a keepnet without the permission of a club official.
  29. No keepnets to be used during the months of March, April, May, June, July and August on all waters.
  30. Unauthorised moving of fish between venues (inc. between reservoirs at Wix) will result in an immediate lifetime ban and is a criminal offence which will be reported and pursued.
  31. Retaining of specimen carp must be via a suitable retention sling and for a maximum of 1 hours, in a suitable depth of water.
  32. Barbless/semi-barded trebles only, to be used for Pike and Perch. Treble hooks may not be used for Catfish.
  33. Pike fishing is only allowed from the 1st October to the 31st March. If dead baiting, a bite indication which shows drop bites must be used at all times.
  34. Lure fishing is allowed all year, except at Alresford where it only allowed during the 1st October to the 31st March.
  35. Angler’s fishing for Pike must carry long forceps and hook cutters.
  36. No standing when photographing fish, and unhooking mats must be placed under the fish when photographing.
  37. Braided mainlines are permitted but especially for large Carp, suitable flank protection must be used (e.g. Rig Tubing).
  38. The committee reserves the right to suspend or confiscate the membership card of any member not complying with the club rules or whose conduct is prejudicial to the wellbeing of this club, and no refund of club fees will be made.