Wantsum Angling Association

Rules and Regs

 

   Polite Notice

The Wantsum Angling Association (WAA) wishes you a pleasant day at our waters and that the surroundings are appreciated.

We have formulated a simple set of rules to enhance your long-term & short-term fishing experience at Marshside Fishery and the Rivers Stour and Wantsum.

The rules are there to keep everyone (and the fish) happy so please stick to them

                 We ask all Anglers to respect each other, our staff, and the surroundings you find yourself in.

Entry into our waters may be via a coded lock these codes must not be publicised.

 The coded locks when in use must be refitted to the gate after entry.

 Loud Music, Alcohol, Abusive behaviour, Littering,Illegal activities  will not be tolerated .The WAA Bailiffs or Committee reserve the right to deal with such behaviour in ever way they feel fit to do so.

This may result in the individual(s) being asked to leave. Further action may be a future ban from entering the site.

Members may face a ban or expulsion from the Association.

       No refunds will be given

The WAA accepts no responsibility for Injury, Death, or theft to persons, vehicles or equipment whilst at our waters.

The WAA Reserves the right to close the waters at anytime.

                                              Full Rules applicable to Members and Non Members

You should be in possession of a valid Environment Agency Rod Licence. Please remember – an Environment Agency Rod Licence is required for all anglers over the age of 12. Rod Licences are available online at www.gov.uk fishing and hunting

· Membership will be limited to 300 members only

· The Committee have the right to refuse membership

· Membership cards are not transferable and must be carried with you at all times when fishing club waters. You may be asked to show your membership card to the Club Bailiff or any officer of the Committee at their request. If you are not able to produce your membership card you will be required to purchase a day ticket. All club bailiffs carry photographic ID cards which also show the club stamp

· The Committee has the right to expel any member who is found acting against the interest of the Wantsum Angling Association

· There will be a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Welfare Officer and up to eight other Committee members

· All Officers and Committee members will serve for three years, after which they may stand for re-election

· Posting on social media is permitted for the positive promotion of the association, any posts or comments of a derogatory or spiteful nature will be removed and the member may face disciplinary action.

· Any issues should be reported to the committee at Wantsum_Angling@outlook.com

Bylaws

· All anglers must hold a current Environment Agency Rod Licence when fishing Club waters

· The lakes are closed to all anglers on Christmas Day. This is a Parish Council requirement.

· Knotless keep-nets of not less than 18 inches diameter x 8 feet long (or equivalent) may be used, in competitions only in accordance with the Association match rules. When photographing catch in keepnets. The net is to be placed on a suitable unhooking mat, not directly on the ground.

· Keep nets may be used on the rivers but for sessions of no more than 4hrs, in hot weather 2hrs

· All landing nets must be dry before being used on Association waters. Nets should be a minimum of 32”, but it’s recommended that a 42” net is used if specifically targeting Carp.

· No swims or banks to be cut by individuals

· Members found with litter in their swims are liable to have their membership withdrawn. It is the duty of all anglers to ensure that the swim they are using is clear of litter at the end of the session, whether it is their own or otherwise

· No night fishing on rivers, no camping, no fires, no dogs and no caravanning

· No radios, this includes blue tooth speakers and music from phones

· No alcohol permitted on Association waters

· The conservation of the surrounding area must be upheld at all times and is the duty of all members to enforce

· No cars to be left anywhere other than the Wantsum Angling Association car parking area. Please park sensibly

· No fish to be killed or removed, including Pike

· Every effort must be made to retrieve lost tackle

· No rods to be left unattended with bait in the water

· All anglers fish at their own risk

· All Carp caught are to be returned to the water immediately. Carp mats or cradles are mandatory, all mats or cradles should be made wet prior to use and kept cool in hot weather.

· Carp rigs – No lead core or non standard items such as “Magic Twig”

· Use a suitable fish care product to treat any hook cuts or abrasions

· No sacking of fish

· Any fish weighing to take place over the unhooking mat or cradle

· All photographs are to be taken kneeling over the unhooking mat or cradle fish and are to be held in both hands

· All fish are to be returned to the water as soon as possible either in a landing net or suitable sling

· No live baiting

· The fishing season for the River Wantsum and Stour runs from 16th June to 14th March each year (inclusive). Fishing on the River Wantsum or Stour at any other time is strictly prohibited and is illegal

· The fishing on the Association lakes is year round

· All fishing on all club waters will be barbless or micro barbed hooks only maximum size 6

· No braided main line

· Surface fishing is permitted but only using an approved controller float. Free offerings are to be kept to an absolute minimum.

· Bait boats are not permitted

· A maximum of 1kg of boilies or ground bait is permitted in any 24hr period

· No nuts

· No Joker or Bloodworm

· No plastic baits

· No fires or BBQ’s (Brew stoves are permitted)

· No camping except when booked night fishing, no Tents, Bivvys only

· Night fishing is not permitted on the rivers

· Juniors (under 18) to be accompanied by an adult when on club waters.

· Children should be supervised at all times, they are not permitted to run around the lakes causing disturbance to others.

· Any person causing excessive noise or nuisance will be asked to leave.

· No swimming in Association waters

· Please refer to separate Association rules for matches

· Night fishing on the lakes is permitted, but limited, members should call the Wantsum number 07570 505934 to make a booking, giving at least 24hrs notice.

· No under 13’s permitted to night fishing unless permission is given well in advance and only under supervision of two parents/guardians.

· No guests permitted without permission of the membership secretary or head bailiff.

· Fee for non members fishing £25 per 24hr. Guests of non members will be subject to a £15 fee.

· No more than 3 persons in group bookings unless agreed by the Head Bailiff in advance.

·

· Pike Rules

· Spinning for Pike is permitted all year. Dead baits are only permitted between October – March

· Barbless hooks only

· Minimum line 15lb

· Wire traces to be used minimum 20lb bs and minimum 18” long

· No Gags, if you are not confident unhooking a pike wear a suitable protective glove

· UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE LIVE BAITS TO BE BROUGHT ON TO ANY OF OUR WATERS

· NO FRESH WATER DEAD BAITS ARE TO BE USED ON ANY OF OUR WATERS

· Use a suitable net, minimum 42”

· Use an unhooking mat at all times

· WAA staff reserve the right to ask anyone not observing the ‘rules’ to leave the club waters

 

Club Match Rules

 

Bylaws

  • All anglers must hold a current Environment Agency Rod Licence when fishing Club waters.
  • A £5 pegging fee will apply to all matches on Association waters, in addition to any day ticket charge
  • Landing nets to be standard match set up on rivers and lakes, but on the lakes at least one net minimum of 32” to be available on each bank for landing large carp.
  • Competitors may receive assistance to or from there peg, or both for themselves or there tackle or both.
  • A competitor shall have in use one rod or pole, one line and one single hook at any one time, but may have other rods, poles or tackle assembled for use in position behind them, provided that no such other tackle is baited.
  • A competitor must strike, play and land his own fish.
  • Maximum length of pole is 16m. Floating poles are not permitted.
  • Stink bags are to be left in the car park. Nets will be checked to ensure they are dry prior to use. This includes landing nets. Dry nets are less likely to spread disease.
  • Competitors must retain fish in keepnets which comply with the relevant EA Bylaws. One net for silver fish and a separate net for Carp. Competitors must take every practicable step to keep their fish alive and, after weighing them, must ensure there careful return to the water. If, for any reason fish are seen to be in distress, a competitor or match official has the right to demand that they be weighed immediately and returned to the water during the course of the match.
  • Carp and silver fish must be kept in separate nets. No more than 50lb in a net. Common sense must prevail when net weights are verified.
  • No Carp over 10lb are to be retained in nets, these should be weighed and recorded and returned straightaway.
  • Fish must never be handled with gloves or towels.
  • For dial scales, all catches will be weighed to the nearest quarter ounce. For digital scales the exact weight can be recorded.
  • Each competitor is responsible for ensuring the correct weight of there catch is recorded by the steward and sign the sheet to that effect. In any dispute the decision of the organisers will be final.
  • All fish must be weighed at the competitor’s peg, unless Bankside terrain renders that impossible. No catch shall be carried more than 10 yards to the scales.
  • When weighing catch place the third ring of keepnet through the top ring and gently pour fish in to weighing container. Container must be positioned over a padded mat. Fish should not be allowed to slide down keepnet.
  • No swims or banks to be cut by individuals
  • Members found with litter in their swims are liable to have their membership withdrawn. It is the duty of all anglers to ensure that the swim they are using is clear of litter at the end of the session, whether it is their own or otherwise
  • No alcohol permitted on Association waters
  • The conservation of the surrounding area must be upheld at all times and is the duty of all members to enforce
  • No cars to be left anywhere other than the Wantsum Angling Association car parking area. Please park sensibly
  • No fish to be killed or removed, including Pike
  • Every effort must be made to retrieve lost tackle
  • No rods to be left unattended with bait in the water
  • All anglers fish at their own risk
  • Use a suitable fish care product to treat any hook cuts or abrasions
  • All photographs are to be taken kneeling over the unhooking mat or cradle, fish are to be held in both hands
  • All fishing on all club waters will be barbless or micro barbed hooks only maximum size 6
  • No loose feed boilies (Except for hook bait)
  • No nuts
  • No Joker or Bloodworm
  • No plastic baits
  • A maximum of 1kg of ground bait is permitted in any 24hr period
  • Juniors (under 18) to be accompanied by an adult when on club waters
  • No swimming in Association waters.
  • In any conditions where oxygen levels may be affected, the committee reserves the right to cancel the match if conditions dictate. Or limit the use of keepnets and call for weighing at regular intervals. The clubs water managers decision is final in this matter
  • All the foregoing rules are subject to the bylaws of the Environment Agency.                                                                                                                                                                                 WAA staff reserve the right to ask anyone not observing the ‘rules’ to leave the club waters