Page Last updated: 8/7/10
D.C.A.C. Rules
1. Membership Cards and Bailiffing Duties.
All members must carry their Club Card at all times when on Club waters, and must produce the Card when required to do so by the following:-
(i) Any of the Club’s landlords.
(ii) Any employee of a landlord of the Club.
(iii) Any tenant or employee of a landlord of the Club.
(iv) Any E.A. Bailiff.
(v) Any police Officer.
(vi) Any authorised Official Club Bailiff or person including another member of the Club.
Any person falling into one of the categories listed above has, has on the production of their authority, the right to inspect the tackle
and catch of any person fishing Club waters.
It is the duty of every member of the Club to challenge and inspect documents of anyone fishing Club waters whom they do not recognise.
2. Rod Licences
All members fishing Club waters must have, with them, a valid, appropriate current rod licence.
3. Guest Permits (D.C.A.C. waters only)
In order that they be accompanied by visitors, members of the Club may purchase Guest Permits, to a maximum of 3 per day, and 15 per year.
Guests must only fish in the presence of a member, and are subject to the same rules as the member.
Guest Permits are available from local tackle shops.
There are two types of Guest Permits, as follows:-
(i) A “Coarse Fishing Permit” which confers the right to fish for coarse fish on any waters controlled exclusively by the Club
(ii) A “Game Fishing Permit” which confers the right to fish for game fish on any waters controlled exclusively by the Club.
(iii) Guest Permits are not available for fishing Brasside Pond at weekends i.e. Guest Permits can not be used for Brasside Pond between 5-00p.m. on a Friday and 8-00a.m. on a Monday.
Guest Permits are valid for 24 hours from the time inserted on the Permit at the time of issue, except when issued on a Friday to fish Brasside Pond (see above) The prices of Guest Permits are fixed each year at the A.G.M.
Guest Permits are not available for waters controlled jointly with other Clubs or Associations.
4. Non-Members.
No member is allowed to take non-members with them when fishing any of the Clubs waters unless that visitor is in possession of a valid Guest Permit. (except where that person is covered by Rule 5 below)
A member’s spouse is allowed to fish D.C.A.C. Club waters if accompanied by the member as is his/her children/grandchildren if under the age of sixteen.
6. Access to water and general behaviour
Members must only use recognised paths to the waterside and not trespass. Members must not:
(i) Light fires.
(ii) Damage fences, trees or the banksides.
(iii) Take dogs with them.
(iv) Leave litter.
(v) Leave gates open.
(vi) Insult any landlord, tenant or anyone associated with the land in question. Behave in a manner likely to cause damage to the Club’s relationship with any of it’s riparian owners generally harm the welfare or image of the Club.
7. Takeable Trout.
No trout under 9 inches(230mm) in length when measured from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail may be kept. (10 inches/250 mm Dunelm A.A. waters) All undersized trout must be returned carefully to the water with as little injury to the fish as possible.
8. Bag and catch limits (trout)
No more than six non-migratory fish may be killed by a member in any one day (see specific water rule for variations) The committee may, at its discretion, reduce the bag and catch limit for a period deemed necessary.
9. Retention of fish.
Subject to Rule 9 on page 21 all coarse fish caught on Club waters ( with the exception of pike less than 5lbs [2.3kgs], which may be removed at the anglers discretion) shall be returned alive to the water before the angler concerned leaves the water, Keepnets must always be used if fish are not to returned to the water immediately except in the case of carp over 5lbs(2.3kg) which may be kept in a keepnet during an organised competition, but
which under normal circumstances shall be retained in a carp sack. (one fish per sack)
10. Keepnets
Keepnets and landing nets used on Club waters, or during Club matches and outings, must be of the “knotless” variety . Keepnets must not be less than 8ft. (2.5mts) in length with circular rings of not less than 18 ins. (450 mm) in diameter, (or 18 ins. [450 mm.] by 14 ins.[355 mm.] minimum if rectangular), and rings spaced not more than 400mm. apart throughout the length of the net.
11. Foul-hooked fish
All foul-hooked fish must be returned to the water immediately.
12. Distance between anglers (on rivers)
No member shall fish less than 12 yards (11 metres) above or below another angler who is bottom fishing, or 25 yards (23 metres) above or below another angler who is fly fishing without their permission.
13. Litter.
Any member found leaving litter, discarded tackle etc. on any of the Club’s waters may be called before the Management Committee and may be expelled from the Club without refund of subscription. Each member is responsible for his/her own litter which should be taken home for disposal.
IN OTHER WORDS :-
LEAVE NOTHING BUT YOUR FOOTPRINTS.
14. Radios, Cassette players etc.
The playing of radios or any other sound reproducing equipment by members or their guests on Club or Associated waters is prohibited unless used with personal earphones.
15. Complaints and correspondence
All complaints , giving the name, address and membership number of the complainant, should be submitted in writing to the Club Secretary. Correspondence requiring a reply should be accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.
16. Maximum number of rods
No member shall use more than two rods at any one time when fishing Club running waters.
(see notes on Brasside)
17. Data protection Act, 1984
Members have the right to view their records, held on computer, and may request the Committee, in writing, to have such data removed.
18. Personal liability
The Club does not accept any liability for any damage or injury sustained by anyone or their property or possessions when on property controlled by the Club.
19. Use of maggots – running waters
The use of maggots during the coarse fish close season (March 15 to June 15, both dates inclusive) is prohibited on all Club running waters (E/A National byelaw)
As amended A.G.M. 28-11-2006
Recommendations:
1. Water pollution
(i) Fresh samples of any dead fish (at least 12) should be collected from the affected areas and kept as cool as possible
(ii) Samples from the polluted watercourse (at least 2 pints) should be carefully obtained in clean bottles or other suitable containers.
(iii) Any fish mortality should be reported by telephone to one of the following in the sequence given:-
(a) The Environment Agency-Hotline 0800 80 70 60
(b) Any D.C.A.C. Official
2. Nylon & Braided Lines
Discarded fishing line can cause suffering and death to wildlife. All unwanted line should be taken home and disposed of properly i.e. by burning or cutting into very short pieces.
3. Handling of undersized or unwanted trout
To minimise stress to fish, all undersized or unwanted trout should be shaken from the hook, without being lifted from the water, whenever possible.
4. Final check
At the end of every angling session members should check their peg/swim, not only to avoid loss of expensive tackle, but also to ensure that no litter has been left.
In other words- LEAVE NOTHING BUT YOUR FOOTPRINTS!
5. Fly fishing (rivers only)
When fly fishing a pool anglers are requested, as a matter of courtesy and accepted conduct, to take their turn in order of arrival at the pool and to move at least one metre downstream after every cast.
Print Word version of Rules & Recommendations HERE
D.C.A.C.
Rules & Recommendations: