FISHERY RULES

1. WFA Voluntary Guidelines for the River Hodder

Members and guests are asked to consider the following voluntary guidelines to further protect fish stocks :

1.1 Catch and release is encouraged for all species but especially salmon. It is additionally requested that all sea trout over 6lb and salmon over 12lb are returned to support future stocks.

1.2 The use of barbless hooks (or hooks with the barbs crimped flat) is encouraged at all times but especially when fishing for trout and grayling, when adopting catch and release or when a daily limit has been reached. The use of barbless or debarbed hooks is strongly encouraged during September and October when stocks of migratory fish will be at their highest.

1.3 The use of treble hooks is discouraged at all times. If trebles are used, they should be barbless or the barbs crimped flat

1.4 Even if the river level is measuring over 18 inches on the markers the avoidance of spinning is encouraged unless fishing the fly is not feasible somewhere over the Association’s waters. The use of lures such as flying C’s is discouraged, and consideration could be given to replacing the hook on spoons and Devon minnows with a smaller single or double hook which is known to cause less harm to fish. Spinners with multiple hooks such as Rapala are discouraged.

1.5 It is requested that members and guests avoid fishing in low water during and immediately after hot weather because fish will be stressed and far less likely to survive release.

1.6 The avoidance of wading whilst fishing for grayling in winter is encouraged to avoid disturbing salmon which may be spawning in the main river.

1.7 Fish should be played hard and landed quickly rather than played until they are at the point of exhaustion. Use of a landing net may help to shorten the fight and control a fish safely during release.

1.8 Members and guests are encouraged to carry a pair of long nosed forceps to aid the easy removal of hooks.

1.9 If possible, members and guests are encouraged to unhook and release fish without removing them from the water. Consideration should be given to taking any photographs of the fish whilst still in the water.

1.10 It is requested that members and guests disinfect waders, nets, and wading sticks prior to fishing if they have been recently used elsewhere.

2. WFA Mandatory rules for the River Hodder

2.1

(i) When fishing for brown trout or grayling (except as in (v) below); ONLY artificial fly may be used.

(ii) The number of brown trout to be taken and retained is limited to one brace per day. Any brown trout less than 20 cm in length when measured from tip of snout to fork of tail must be returned quickly to the water and with as little injury as possible.

(iii) The number of grayling to be taken and retained is limited to one brace per day of fish between 30 and 38 cm in length when measured from tip of snout to fork of tail. Fish to be returned should be released quickly and with as little injury as possible.

(iv) No ground bait of any description, nor the use of maggot as hook bait are permitted at any time.

(v) From 25th December up to and including 14th March trotting the worm may be used when fishing for grayling.

2.2

(i) When fishing for salmon and sea trout the only permitted methods at any time are artificial fly and spinning with artificial bait.

(ii) No spinning bait over 15g in weight or with a hook gape greater than 8mm may be used after August 31.

(iii) Members and guests may only spin when the water height is registering 18 inches on the gauge at Doeford or Burholme Bridge at 8-00 am for morning fishing, 1 pm for afternoon fishing and 5 pm for evening fishing.

(iv) No more than one brace of clean sea trout may be taken and retained per day. Sea trout under 30 cm in length when measured from tip of snout to fork of tail must be returned to the water quickly and with as little injury as possible.

(v) Members and guests are requested to return all salmon unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.

(vi) Any hen salmon caught on or after 15th September must be returned to the water as quickly and with as little injury as possible.

(vii) Members and guests are asked to return all coloured and ripe salmon to the water with as little injury as possible.

(viii) The use of a gaff or mechanical tailer is prohibited at all times.

(ix) Members and guests are reminded to be aware of and comply with all relevant national and regional Environment Agency byelaws which are available here

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-rod-fishing-byelaws-for-england-freshwater-fishing-with-a-rod-and-line

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/regional-rod-fishing-byelaws-north-west-region

3. RIVER DERWENT - Booking protocol :

Members should notify other members of their intention to fish on Isel or Dunthwaite on a particular day or set of days by booking via the WFA WhatsApp messaging portal. For any member not registered on this portal, they may contact any member of the Committee by phone or text and they will post a message for them. To book and reserve a beat the notification should be posted on the WhatsApp Group no later than the day before arrival. The WhatsApp Group will also be used to notify you of BGFA’s intention to fish one of their allocated beats, so please refer to this before commencing fishing.

(i) A beat rota is issued to all members which is also shared with our partners, Bowland Game (BGFA).

(ii) WFA have a maximum of 4 permitted rods on Isel and 2 on Dunthwaite on any given day.

(iii) If a member of either club notifies with advance notice their intention to fish, that beat will remain exclusive until 1pm unless the WhatsApp notification says “Late Arrival”. In that specific case, the member is requesting to fish a beat that has not been prior fished, and it is a request for exclusivity for the whole day.

(iv) If no member of either club gives prior notification of their intention to fish a beat, then that is deemed by all to mean that rods can fish any free beat starting in the morning.

(v) Anyone arriving without prior notification will follow normal etiquette and agree with anyone present how they fit in.

(vi) All rods (other than those fishing as a late arrival) will endeavour to meet up at around 1pm at the hut for lunch. Following country pursuit etiquette, agree on the afternoon’s fishing rotation.

(vii) If an angler requests to change to a different beat in the afternoon session, it will not be unreasonably rejected and all anglers will endeavour to accommodate others.

(viii) All catches must be recorded in the Beat 2 hut on exit and also notified on the WFA WhatsApp messaging portal (or via a Committee member for non-WhatsApp users).

(ix) Members should ensure that their WFA windscreen stickers are prominently on display and, likewise, also ensure that any guest’s vehicles show suitable notice.

(x) Members should respect at all times the property and rights of landowners and/or tenanted farmers including the exercising of care with gates, fences, livestock and parking places.

ISEL FISHING RULES

3.1 Description

The Isel Fishings is divided into three beats and comprises that part of the right bank of the River Derwent shown on the Isel map displayed in the main Isel hut and issued to members of BGFA and WFA. 3.2 Permitied Fishing Methods & Tackle

(i) For salmon and sea trout, fly fishing is permitted at any river height.

(ii) Spinning for salmon and sea trout is permitted when the river level on the gov.uk gauge at Ouse Bridge is at 1.2m or higher at any me from 6am on the day of fishing. Once that condition is met, spinning is permitted for the rest of that day. The gov.uk gauge is at: htps://flood-warning information.service.gov.uk/station/5103?direction=u For the convenience of anglers a marker is provided in Stones Pool immediately below the main hut. A reading of 2 6ins on this gauge equates to exactly 1.2m on the gov.uk gauge.

(iii) Fishing for trout is by artificial fly or nymph only. (iv) For all species only barbless or fully de-barbed hooks are permitted. (v) Flies should have no more than one hook (single, double or treble).

(vi) Flies on single and double hooks must not exceed 13mm in individual hook gape, and treble hooks must not exceed 7mm in individual hook gape (EA Bye-law).

(vii) Spinning lures must only be fished with single barbless or de-barbed hooks, and these must not exceed 13mm in gape. Double and treble hooks are prohibited on spinners (EA Bye-law).

(viii) Members must carry, and make proper use of a fish friendly landing net suitable for the species being targeted. Fish should be unhooked in the water, handled with wet hands, and allowed to recover prior to release.

3.3 Bag and Size Limits

(i) Salmon: All salmon must be released immediately with the least possible injury (EA Bye-law).

(ii) Sea Trout: A minimum size of 12 inches with all fish over 14 inches to be returned. A maximum of two fish may be taken in any one season.

(iii) Brown Trout: A minimum size of 12 inches with all fish over 14 inches to be returned. A maximum of two fish may be taken in any one season.

(iv) Notwithstanding the above, it is recommended that all game fish are returned carefully and undamaged to the river as soon as possible after capture

. (v) Catches should be recorded on the log sheet in the main Isel hut and also on the WhatsApp Group (or via a Committee member for non-WhatsApp users).

3.4 Winter Fishing

(i) Winter fishing for coarse fish (except pike) is permitted from 1st November until 14 March inclusive.

(ii) For all species only barbless or de-barbed hooks are permitted.

(iii) The following baits may be used: artificial fly, bread, cheese sweetcorn, processed meat, maggots.

(iv) Spinning or ledgered worm is not permitted.

(v) Booking is not required for Winter fishing.

(vi) Avoid wading where salmonids may spawn.

DUNTHWAITE FISHING RULES

4.1 Description

The Dunthwaite Fishing comprises that part of the left bank of the River Derwent as shown on the Dunthwaite beat map displayed in the main Isel hut. The fishing is only available from Monday to Thursday. WFA and BGFA each hold two rods only.

4.2 Permitted Fishing Methods & Tackle

(i) This beat is restricted to fly only, and there is no spinning allowed.

(ii) For all species only barbless or fully de-barbed hooks are permited.

(iii) Flies should have no more than one hook (single, double or treble).

(iv) Flies on single and double hooks must not exceed 13mm in individual hook gape, and treble hooks must not exceed 7mm in individual hook gape (EA Bye-law).

4.3 Catch and release is mandatory for all species Catches on the Dunthwaite beat should be recorded on the log sheet in the main Isel hut and also reported on the WhatsApp Group (or via a Committee member for non-WhatsApp users).