OUR RULES
When fishing with dead fish baits on Totham Pit, Little London or Slough House reservoir and Society rivers and canals, a wire trace must be used. Freelined static deadbaits are banned. To be adhered to with immediate effect
1
General
1.1
Rule breakers
The
breaking of any Society rule will result in disciplinary action, which could
include withdrawal of membership by the committee.
1.2
Rules
Members
must at all times comply with the Society rules.
1.3
Application Refusal
The
society reserves the right to refuse an application to join from anyone who is
known to have been banned from another fishing club.
The society reserves the right to refuse an application to join from anyone
without giving a reason.
1.4
Membership Cards
Members
must carry their membership authority card on Society waters at all times.
Persons not in possession of the necessary authority may be asked to leave the
water.
Members must produce their membership card when asked to do so by another
membership card-carrying member.
1.5
EA rod licences
Members
must at all times comply with the Environment Agency bylaws, and hold a valid
rod licence to use one or two rods or a valid rod licence to use three rods
(see rule 6.1)
Your EA rod license must be produced on demand of any Society Bailiff.
1.6 Disrepute Charges
Any member who brings the Society into disrepute could be subject to
disciplinary action.
2
Fishing Times
2.1 Close season
The current close season for coarse fishing is as follows:
Rivers/canals from 15th March - 15th June inclusive
Stillwaters, none except for:
Rook Hall closed 1st October to 31st January
No member is allowed on Society waters during the applicable close season other
than for working party duties only, supervised at all times by a committee
member. All such work to be subject of authorisation by the Fishery Management
Officer.
2.2
Venues
The
following lakes are closed to members from 10.00pm until 5.00am nightly:
Bog Grove
Little London
Slough House Farm
Totham Pit
However, night fishing will be permitted for night permit holders only.
PLEASE NOTE Maximum length of session permitted is four days, three nights
followed by a twenty-four hour break from that fishery except Slough House
Farm, which is two days, two nights followed by a twenty-four hour break ONLY.
Bog Grove night fishing is permitted from 1st October until 30th April only.
Heron Hall, Brick Kiln Pond and Slough House West Lake are closed to members
from 10pm until 5am nightly with no night fishing.
Rook Hall is closed to members from dusk till dawn.
If the Society loses the fishing rights to one or more of their fisheries
during the season, the membership will not be entitled to any refunds of
membership or night permit fees. Likewise, if the Society gains the fishing
rights to one or more new fisheries during the season the membership will not
be expected to pay an increased membership or night permit fee for that season
following their announcement at the AGM.
2.3
Bailiffs
Society
bailiffs have the authority to visit all Society waters at any time of day or
night for the purposes of bailiffing.
2.4 Non-fishing Members
Non-fishing
members must be accompanied by a fishing member and are only allowed on society
fisheries between 5am and 10pm or dawn till dusk on Rook Hall.
3 Night fishing
3.1
All night permit members must have a clean record with the Society; any
subsequent disciplinary action could result in a withdrawal of the members
night permit.
Members who have received a verbal warning will not be eligible to buy a Night
Permit.
Members under the age of 16 cannot buy a night permit, this must be purchased
on their behalf by a current night permit member.
Night permit members less than 16 years of age must be accompanied by, and fish
in the same swim as a responsible night permit member while night fishing.
Under 10’s and Non Fishing members are not allowed on Society waters between
10pm and 5am.
Any night permit members caught breaking any Society rules will lose their
night fishing rights for a maximum of two years at the discretion of the
committee.
4 Access
4.1 Gates
All
members will lock Society gates on entering and leaving the waters.
4.2 Speed limit
Maximum speed on Maldon Angling Society fishery approach tracks is 5 MPH
4.3
Vehicles
No
driving around any Society waters except to directly access official Society
car parks.
4.4 Bicycles
No cycling around any Society stillwaters.
5 On the bank
5.1 Health & safety
Members and their guests using property owned, leased or otherwise retained by
the Society do so entirely at their own risk.
5.2 Loss and damage
Members and guests fish at their own risk. The Society will not accept any
responsibility or liability for the loss or damage to any tackle, property or
personal possessions.
5.3 Behaviour
No member is to be inconsiderate or abusive towards others whilst on property
leased by the Society (includes excessive noise).
Please keep hammering and the use of bright lights to an absolute minimum on
all venues when other anglers are present.
5.4
Swims
a) No individual angler to occupy or fish from more than one swim at any one
time.
b) On waters where swims are already provided no member shall cut down extra
reeds or vegetation. On waters where swims are not provided, members shall be
allowed to cut down only sufficient reeds and vegetation to form a swim. Trees
are not to be cut
or otherwise damaged on any Society water at any time except as deemed
necessary by the Fishery Management Officer.
Swim clearing on the canal is now forbidden unless it is carried out as part of
an Essex Waterways approved working party.
5.5 Camping
Camping on Society waters is not allowed.
5.6 Fires & BBQ’s
Fires or
BBQ’s (including disposable BBQ’s) are not allowed along the waterside or on
any property on which the Society has fishing control. Kelly kettles and camping stoves are
permitted
5.7 Litter
Members are responsible for keeping their swim litter free at all times. It
shall be the responsibility of each member to respect the private property of
the riparian owners at all times, and to maintain a clean and tidy fishery
whether on Society or other club waters.
Any member found guilty of leaving litter of whatever nature will be liable to withdrawal
of membership or expulsion from the Society.
5.8 Boats, Drones & Fish Finders
a) Any form of boat, bait boats and all related & Fish Finders accessories
are not permitted except on official Society business.
b) Drones are not permitted on any of our Society waters except on official
Society business.
c) Castable fish finders, feature and depth finders are permitted when used
sensibly to search your swim. However they are not permitted in any Society
matches.
5.9
Dogs
Members are forbidden to take dogs (except guide dogs) with them on any Society
water, except for bailiffs.
5.10 Guns
The presence of guns is strictly prohibited on all Society waters.
5.11 Radios & TVs
The presence of radios, televisions etc is strictly prohibited on all Society
waters, unless they are used with an ear piece adaptor or headphones.
5.12 Casting
a) No member to fish their swim over halfway to another angler.
b) The use of the Washing Line Method is banned.
5.13 Unattended rods
Fishing hook/bait to be removed from the water when the swim is vacated for any
reason.
5.14
Poaching
No member shall be permitted to take away from the Society waters, or kill, any
fish. This rule may be waived or amended by Committee as circumstances warrant.
5.15 Fish care
a) In order to minimise the risk of spreading waterborne diseases such as KHV,
members must ensure that every item which comes into contact with the fish such
as, but not limited to, keepnets, landing nets, weigh slings and unhooking
mats, must arrive at the fishery totally dry. This includes the bags and
carryalls that these items are transported in.
b) No carp to be kept in keepnets except in society matches (see rule 9.3) All other fish up to 5lb (approx weight) may
be retained in a keepnet.
All fish over 5lb (approx weight) to be weighed/returned to the water
immediately.
A maximum of 30lb of fish to be kept in any one keepnet.
Anglers are encouraged to carry more than one keepnet.
The above rules do not apply to society rivers/canals.
No fish to be kept in captivity for longer than 6 hours.
Any fish showing signs of distress must be released upon demand of a society
bailiff.
Anglers must, upon request of a bailiff, pull in nets to clear themselves on
the above rules.
The society recommends that members be in possession of a fish care product
e.g. Klinik.
Keepnets may be banned temporarily on individual society waters subject to
local conditions or outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
c) Fish can only be carried in a landing net, weigh sling, unhooking mat or a
keepnet where allowed
5.16 Spawning Fish
Members must not fish for spawning fish, or in an area where fish are spawning
6 Tackle
6.1 Rods
Night permit and 3 rod permit holders may use a maximum of three rods between
1st October and 31st March only.
At all other times and circumstances a maximum of two rods only may be used.
6.2
Main line
Anglers fishing for carp at Slough House Farm and Totham Pit must use a minimum
of
10lb breaking strain line due to the extensive weed growth at these waters.
No member is to fish for pike with less than 15lb breaking strain line.
6.3 Leaders
Readymade shop bought or home made leaders made from lead-core, braid, coated braid or
similar material attached to the mainline via a loop, splice or connector are
banned on all Club waters.
When using braid as a mainline a length of monofilament or fluorocarbon can be
used to protect the fish from the braid and act as a buffer during the fight.
This should be attached via a suitable braid to line knot to comply with Rule
6.4 for fixed leads. The monofilament or fluorocarbon must be of a lower
breaking strain than the braided mainline. Alternatively, braid can be used
straight through to the swivel but must have a minimum of 4ft of rig tubing.
6.4 Leads
Any fixed lead used must be able to detach itself from the hook-link should the
main line happen to break (excluding split shot)
6.5 Rigs
Bailiffs have the right to inspect any rig to ensure that it is fish friendly
in the event of the reel line breaking.
- The Magic Twig or similar devices are banned from Society Waters
6.6 Hooks
Barbless and micro-barb hooks only to be used on Bog Grove fishery.
Treble hooks used on wire traces for fishing with dead-baits and must be
semi-barbless.
6.7
Landing nets
Whilst fishing all anglers must be in possession of a landing net. Please dry
your nets between trips to reduce the risk of spreading disease.
6.8 Unhooking mats
It is mandatory that all members be in possession of an unhooking mat on
society still waters. All anglers unhooking or handling fish on the
ground/bankside must use an unhooking mat with minimum dimensions of 90cm x
60cm x 2.5cm or a carp cradle. No other device may be used.
If the fish is to be subsequently weighed and photographed the unhooking mat
must be positioned under the fish at all times during these processes.
In matches padded Fish Safe Weigh Buckets (such as those sold by Ollyskins) may
be used on the ground for the purposes of weighing and photographs.
In all cases the fish should be returned to the water as soon as possible and
released when fully recovered.
6.9 Carp sacks
Carp sacks are banned on all Society waters, and Carp shall not be retained by
any method (including keep nets), except those up to 5lbs approx weight caught
during organised Society matches.(see rule 9.3).
6.10 Keepnets
Any member using a KEEPNET when fishing water under the control of or being
used by the Society, MUST ENSURE that it conforms to the following minimum
standards: Keepnets must not;
1) Have knotted mesh or be made from a metallic material.
2) Have holes larger than 25mm in circumference (8mm diameter).
3) Be less than 3 meters in length.
4) Be less than 120cm in circumference (38cm diameter)
5) Have supporting rings or frames greater than 40cm apart (excluding distance
from frame to first supporting ring or frame).
These standards are in accordance with Environment Agency bylaws. A Society
bailiff or committee member is empowered to inspect any net if doubt arises
that these standards are not being satisfied.
The committee recommend that carp friendly nets are used wherever possible.
6.11
Disgorger/Forceps
All members to be in possession of an unhooking device (such as a disgorger or
forceps) relevant to the size and type of hook/s being used and target species.
7 Bait
7.1 Ground-bait & Boilies
Bog Grove and Railway Pond ground-bait and boilies allowed at a maximum
of 1 kilogram per fishing session.
7.2 Peanuts
The use of peanuts as bait is not allowed on any Society water.
7.3 Surplus bait
Surplus bait must not be left on the bank.
7.4 Live bait
The use of live fish baits is not permitted on Society waters.
7.5 Dead bait
When fishing with dead fish baits on Totham Pit, Little London Reservoir,
Slough House Farm Reservoir and Society rivers and canals, a wire trace must be
used.
Freelined static deadbaits are banned
To be adhered to with immediate effect
8 Juniors
8.1
Junior members can, if required, request to be upgraded to intermediate
membership on reaching the age of 16 at the relevant time during the season.
9 Matches
9.1
Where a senior or concessionary match is scheduled for a given water then it
will be closed to non-competitors from 2 hours before the scheduled time of the
match draw to 1 hour after the end of the match. EXCEPT for club matches where
the number of competitors is such that the closing of the water is not in the
best interests of other anglers. In this case members can turn up 30 minutes
after the start of such a match, but a reasonable distance must be given so as
not to disturb those taking part in the match.
9.2
Selection of anglers for all Angling Trust team events, all Essex Interclub
matches and any team event representing Maldon Angling Society will be full
members who have attended at least 20% of club matches in the previous 12
months.
9.3
Any fish (including carp) up to 5lb (approx weight) caught during society
matches can be retained in carp friendly keepnets.
Other fish must be weighed and witnessed by another angler and released
immediately.
The 30lb per keepnet rule (see rule 5.15) applies even in matches.
Any breach of the above rules will result in disqualification from the match.
9.4
Pike cannot be weighed in during society matches unless they are caught in a
designated Pike match.
10
Guest tickets
10.1
The Society guest permit system will operate as follows:
A member may apply for one guest ticket at a time for any one period, the
ticket to cover the guest as required.
The cost of the guest ticket shall be announced at the Annual General Meeting
prior to the season opening.
Tickets available from the Chairman, Secretary, Membership Secretary,
Concessionary Member Secretary, website and selected tackle shops.
Members will be responsible for the behaviour of the guest at all times to
include:
Arriving/departing at the same time as the guest.
Fishing an adjacent swim to the guest.
Ensuring the guest conforms to both Society and Environment Agency bylaws.
Ensuring the guest holds a valid Environment Agency rod licence.
Guests are only allowed on Society waters between 5.00am and 10.00pm or dawn
till dusk at Rook Hall.
Guests may use a maximum of two rods only