Angling Rules
The Elms Angling Society Rules
The following rules are subject to change. Should any dispute arise as to the interpretation of any rule, the Committee shall decide and their decision shall be final.
Each member must carry their Membership Card and each Member is hereby appointed Honorary Bailiff entitling them to request any person on Society’s water to establish his identity and right to be there and to fish. Should any member ascertain that a person is present or fishing without right to do so, if safe to do so, please request they leave Society property.
Membership
The Membership year will run from 1st April to 31st March. All renewals are due by 31st March. At the discretion of the Committee existing members will be offered the opportunity to renew. Members who fail to renew by the 31st March will be deemed to have resigned and will need to re-apply for membership.
The fishing season dates, Membership categories and annual fees will be determined by the Committee and published to members through the website and communicated by email and / or letter.
In the interests of fish welfare, at certain times of the year eg when spawning, the Committee reserves the right to close the lake to members at any time for as long as it considers necessary.
All members are expected to fish in a considerate manner and avoid disturbing other members who are fishing at all times. It is difficult to make specific rules for every scenario, but members are reminded to avoid excessive spodding, casting or baiting close to others etc. At all times fish care is of paramount importance and the Committee reserves the right to ask any angler to alter their methods if they feel said methods endanger fish safety.
A member may use up to two rods. If using more than one rod, all rods in use shall be within a distance of six feet of each other. Members must also hold, and have available for inspection, the appropriate Environment Agency Rod Licences.
Full Members may also purchase an additional third winter rod ticket (1st October to 28th February). Costs will be advised with the renewal each year.
Only Full members are permitted to night fish and to be present on Society’s waters during the hours of darkness. Members fishing at night shall use lights with discretion. Shaded torches, hand or head lamps only may be used.
The number of consecutive nights that Full members can fish is limited to 2 nights only (unless approved by the Committee)
At all times – any Member vacating his swim, or leaving the Fishery for more than 3 Hours, must remove ALL tackle totally from his swim.
Booking System – The Elms operates a booking system to limit numbers. Every member must book through the website before fishing. Please refer to the website for instructions.
Fish Care.
At all times all members must carry and use a suitable unhooking mat specifically designed for the purpose. Towels etc are not acceptable. Unhooking mats should be of adequate size and construction to ensure maximum protection for the fish.
All anglers must carry a fish care kit for treating any hook wounds or body damage of any fish caught.
Please take photos of any damage to fish and report to elmsangling@gmail.com (or send them through the website).
All members are expected to be adequately prepared to handle any fish safely and anglers are expected to carry the necessary fish care treatments to deal with any fish suffering from damage. We will be checking that members have the right Fish Care Kit and my also ask to see your Rigs.
No Member shall leave baited tackle in or out of the water unattended. No unbaited rods to be left in water unattended. All anglers are expected to be able to fish safely at all times.
When intentionally fishing for carp a 42inch landing net is required.
Although not encouraged, keepnets may be used throughout the season. They must be of the knotless type and to be a minimum size of 8ft in length and 18in in diameter. No fish over 4lb to be retained in a keepnet under ANY circumstances and if in a match situation all specimen must be weighed and returned as soon as possible.
Specimen fish may be retained in sacks designed for the purpose but only for the minimum period of time necessary for the fish to be photographed and returned to the water. The maximum time a specimen fish may be retained in a sack is 30 minutes. A specimen fish must not be moved overland from one swim to another for photography or other purposes, save that it may be moved to an adjoining swim to aid release.
Any member retaining fish in a keepnet or sack must at all times have the welfare of the fish as his paramount concern. If requested to do so by a Committee member or the club Bailiff, any member with a fish so retained must release it immediately.
No casting to roped off areas or fishing in snags.
No Bait Boats.
No fishing the area between the two points in front of the bridge.
Braided main line is not to be used except for marker and spod rods (or when spinning for Pike.)
Except during periods of hot weather, moderate prebaiting is permitted. If prebaiting during the season members are reminded that they must avoid disturbing other members.
ALL FISH ARE TO BE RETURNED TO THE WATER AS CAREFULLY AND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
General.
NO litter.
NO fires to be lit unless at organised work parties. BBQs are permitted as long as not left unattended and in suitable container (all debris to be removed).
NO cutting down of trees, bushes, rushes etc. except at the discretion of the Committee.
Dogs must be kept under proper control by their owners at all times whilst on Society premises and the member is responsible for removing any excrement.
Members are responsible for closing and locking both sets of gates at all times. EVEN IF THE VISIT IS OF A SHORT DURATION
The use of boats is restricted to work parties. Boats are not to be used for angling or baiting. With the prior approval of a Committee member a boat may be used to retrieve a snagged fish. Boats are not to be used unaccompanied and must only be used with the assistance of another member. The use of a boat is the sole responsibility of the member using it and it is their responsibility to ensure they have adequate safety equipment and that the boat is fit for purpose.
Pike Fishing
Pike fishing is permitted during the fishing season.
Only Dead Baiting and Spinning is permitted. Live-baiting is not allowed. Braided mainline is permitted only when spinning.
No more than two single or two treble hooks per Pike rig may be used.
Hooks to be of the semi-barbless type.
Wire traces must be used, and the minimum main line used must be 10lb BS.
Guests
Partners and children under 16 years of age may fish with the member (subject to any limitations of their membership category), on the understanding that they are in control of their rods and this is not used as a device for member to use more than the permitted number of rods. Children under 14 are permitted to fish with one rod only.
Unless specific permission has been granted by the Committee, other non-members are not permitted on the property at any time unless they are accompanied by a member and the member has purchased a guest ticket in advance.
All guests must be accompanied by a Member whilst at the Society’s water and it is the member duty to see that his guest complies with the Society’s Rules and Bye-laws.
The Committee may make guest tickets available and will provide details on request. Any guest ticket must be purchased in advance. Guest Tickets will be available on the following basis: Night £25.00, Day £10.00. Booking required with at least 48 hours’ notice. Only Full Members can request a Night Guest ticket. Each member can apply for a maximum of five tickets per year.
Use of Boats
The Society’s boats are intended for carrying out maintenance and are not to be used outside of working parties unless specifically authorised and supervised by a Committee member.
Working Parties
All members are asked to attend two voluntary working parties. Light duties will be available for anyone who needs them.
Working parties will be on Sundays typically in February and March. Dates will be confirmed on the web site.
Please register attendance on the website. Instructions are on the website.
Always check the website for updates incase of any last minute changes due to bad weather etc. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Fishing will close at sunset the day before the working party. Only Full members who are attending the working party may fish the night before but must stop fishing and vacate their swims by 8am. Fishing will re-open at 2pm after the working party has finished.
It is vital that all members are aware of any risks and work is completed in a manner that is safe at all times. If you have any concerns or questions please talk to a Committee member.
If you cannot attend working parties, please consider participating in other ways – perhaps helping with maintenance work at other times, or through a voluntary donation towards maintenance costs.
General Behavior
Any behavior that the Committee considers anti social, offensive, dangerous etc will not be tolerated and could lead to your membership being terminated. Please be respectful of other members whilst enjoying your fishing.
If you are fishing the river it is essential that the gates in the otter fence are kept closed. Failure to keep all gates closed and locked may lead to your membership being terminated.
Should any dispute arise as to the interpretation of any rule, the Committee shall decide and their decision shall be final. If any member is reported for breaking any rule the committee will investigate and decide on the appropriate action.
If a decision is made to terminate membership, no refund of any fees will be given.