Bye-Laws

 1- GENERAL

Association bye – Laws are supplementary – to E.A. Thames Region bye-laws. which should be obeyed at all times.

2. BEHAVIOUR

Members shall at all times conduct themselves in a proper manner and refrain from causing any damage whatever to property or wild life and shall in no way interfere with another member’s sport. The use of threatening behaviour or physical violence towards other members will not be tolerated. Members will not be tolerated on association fisheries who are unfit through alcohol or drug misuse and believed to be under the influence of such substances whether consumed on or off the association property.

3- DOGS, RADIOS, TELEVISIONS, FIREARMS

No member shall take onto an Association fishery any of the the following; dogs, firearms or similar weapons. The use of radios or televisions is permitted, but noise from these instruments must be maintained at a level which does not intrude on the enjoyment of another’s fishing (see also Bye-Law 2)

4. RETURN OF FISH

All fish caught other than zander and those used for livebait, must be returned to the water from which they were caught.

5. CAR PARKING

Members shall park in spaces provided and not cause riparian owners’ rights of access to be obstructed in any way. Accepted parking areas are indicated on the maps of Association waters. Members must not leave litter or mud cleaned from boots etc. when using the Tannery Car Park.

6. LITTER, CONTAINERS, ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL DRUGS

Glass bottles are banned from the Association’s fisheries, and under no circumstance may alcoholic drink be brought onto the Association’s fisheries. Members must ensure that on leaving a swim all litter is cleared regardless of the fact that they may not have deposited it themselves. (it is suggested that in the event that there is litter already in the swim when commencing fishing it should be removed at that time). The possession of illegal drugs is against the law. Therefore, possession and or use of such substances (or believed substances) will not be tolerated on the association fisheries.

7. BAILIFFS

All members as well as the appointed bailiffs have a duty and the right to request anglers to produce their membership cards which must be carried at all times on the Association’s fisheries.

8. NIGHT PERMITS

An Annual Night Fishing Permit to cover fishing between one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise is required on the Association still water fisheries. Juniors under 12 years of age may not fish the Associations Still Waters at night. Junior Members between the age of 12 years and 16 years of age may fish one rod at night on Cobbetts lake only providing they are accompanied by a Senior Member and fish in the same swim and are in possession of a Single Night Permit. Members not holding an Annual Night Permit may purchase a ONE NIGHT permit by prior arrangement with the Head Bailiff. All night permits are issued at the sole discretion of the Head Bailiff Should any member of the Association wish to fish the Association’s Lakes (excluding Powell’s Pool) for a duration in excess of 72 hours, he may do so provided he has made an application in writing to the Head Bailiff. Only one application may be made in any one season. This application will be noted by the Committee. Anglers night fishing on Sandersons Lake must vacate their swim after the allotted 72 hour stay period and leave the lake completely for a period of not less than 48 hours. Season permit holidays must be taken between June 16th and March 31st and not in the extended season March 31st to June 1st on Cobbetts lake.

9. PARTICLE BAITS

No nuts, or kidney beans may be used on Association waters.

1O. GUEST TICKETS

a) Guest fishing tickets (only available by post) £10, with a SAE to Head Bailiff, please allow enough time for turn around/postal times.

11. MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Association is limited to 1200 or to such other figure as may be decided by the Committee from time to time.

12. ZANDER

All Zander caught on the Association’s waters shall be killed. The catch must be reported to the Committee.

13. LIVEBAIT

The size of livebait used on Association waters should not exceed seven inches in length, and must be caught from the water in which they are to be used (E A bye-law). Crucian Carp must not be used for live or dead bait.

14. TACKLE

No member shall leave their tackle or any other equipment unattended for more than one hour at any of the Association’s lakes without prior arrangement with the Bailiffs.

15. BLOODWORMS AND JOKERS

The use of bloodworms and jokers is prohibited on all the Association’s fisheries.

16. HOOK SIZES (barbed hooks)

Hook sizes of 14 and larger used on the Association’s Fisheries must be micro barbed or barbless.

17. SPEED LIMIT

Vehicles may not be driven along the lane between Potters Lane and the car parks at the Association’s lakes at Send at speeds exceeding 5 mph.

18. STILL WATERS

(a) No fishing is permitted within 4 metres of the lily pads.
(b) Members may only fish from the swims provided. No wading on association still waters.
(c) Terminal tackle lost in bankside vegetation that cannot be retrieved must be reported to a bailiff.
(d) No night fishing in the swims adjacent to the main lily pads.
(e) Keepnets are not to be used on Powell’s Pool.

19. SHOCK LEADERS

Casting weights and feeders with a combined weight of 2 oz or over may not be used without a shock leader of at least 121bs breaking strain and of length appropriate to the rod.

20. CAMPING AND FIRES

No camping or lighting of fires is allowed on any Association water.

21. VISITS (non fishing members permit)

A maximum of two such permits per membership may be issued to a member of the Association on payment of the appropriate fee. Non fishing members must always be accompanied by the member who is responsible for their conduct. These permits are only valid from sunrise to sunset and where issued to Junior members will only be issued for Adult Escorts (parent guardian). Permits are available from the Membership Secretary.

22 BAITED HOOKS

Baited hooks may not be left unattended either in or out of the water.

23. FISH HANDLING CODE

All members must strictly adhere to the Barbel, Pike, Catfish and Carp Codes of Conduct, as from time to time authorised by the Committee. and must treat all fish with the utmost care at all times.

24. PRE-BAITING

Pre-baiting is strictly forbidden on all society waters.

25. GATES AND KEYS

Access to Association still waters is only through the entrance gates which must be closed at all times and locked with the padlocks provided. (in the event of a key being lost a duplicate may be obtained from the Membership Secretary on presentation of a current membership card together with a payment of £30.00).

26. BOATS

(a) The use of Association boats is restricted to Fishery Group members only.
(b) Members are not allowed to moor or fish from boats on any of the Association’s waters.
(c) No Bait Boats permitted on Association waters.

27. ROD LIMITS

The season ticket entitles the holder to the use a maximum of TWO rods at any one time on W.D.A.A. waters. Subject to the purchase of an additional Rod Ticket, the price of which will be determined from time to time by the Committee, and the holding of appropriate Rod Licences, three rods may be used from the 1st October to the 31st March.

28. MATCHES

(a) All match venues, lakes/rivers, are to be vacated by all anglers 1 hour prior to the draw time, with no exceptions.
(b) Match venue is to remain closed to casual fishing until 1 hour after the match has finished.
(c) Vacant swims on a match section may NOT be used until 1 hour after the match has finished, when the venue shall be reopened to casual fishing. Unused whole sections of a fishery may be opened during this time at the discretion of the match organiser.
(d) When river fisheries 2 or 4 are in use, sections 1 and 5 may NOT be used until the match has finished (opposite bank).
(e) After October 1st in the event of the rivers being in flood the scheduled match may be transferred to the reserve venue (Cobbett’s Lake). Notification will be displayed at the lake if this is likely, 24 hours prior to the match date.

29. CLOSE SEASON

(a) With the exception of the Association’s Lakes, the close season on all Association waters shall be from the 15th March to 15th June inclusive.
(b) Close season on Association’s Lakes is from the 1st June to 15th June inclusive.
c) Only Officers, Committee Members, Bailiffs and Fishery Personnel are permitted to be on Association property and waters during the close season.

30. SURPLUS BAIT

Left over bait must not be disposed of in the water or on the bankside.

31. PUBLICITY

No Member shall publicise any information relating to the Association fisheries or catches made, without prior approval of the Committee or Head Bailiff.