PLEASE READ ALL THE RULES AND INFORMATION BEFORE GOING FISHING AS IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE.

 

Temporary rules may also be imposed at certain times due to environmental and/or operational reasons – see notice boards and local venue signage, website and social media pages for up-to-date information.

 

Failure to adhere to the club rules may result in disciplinary action and possible permanent expulsion from the club.

 

PLEASE ALSO REFER TO ADDITIONAL VENUE SPECIFIC RULES WHICH ARE DETAILED ON THE RELEVANT VENUE PAGE.

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 ** THE USE OF THE OMC MAGIC TWIG IS NOT PERMITTED AT ANY LUTON AC VENUE **

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Recently updated rules appear in white text.

 

1. CATCH AND RELEASE - ALL FISH MUST BE RETURNED AFTER CAPTURE.

2. Membership books must always be carried whilst on club waters. An up-to-date photo must be fixed to the front cover of the book. No photo, No fishing!

3. All members must be in possession of a valid EA rod licence. It is a condition of your club membership that this must be shown to a club official if requested.

4. Entry to waters ONLY via official entrances – no climbing over gates or fences.

5. Gates to be kept closed and always locked after use.

6. Cars must only be parked in designated areas without causing obstruction.

7. No litter to be left in your swim, even if it was there when you started fishing. No glass bottles or tins containing bait allowed – TAKE ALL YOUR LITTER HOME!

8. Fishing is from the designated pegs/swims only, Cutting/removal of any bankside trees/bushes and/or modifications to any existing swims is strictly forbidden. If you want to do this attend one of our work parties!!

9. No fishing in overhead power line areas.

10. NO DOGS ARE PERMITTED ON OUR WATERS (except on the Grand Union Canal)

11. NO BARBECUES OR FIRES,

12. NO FIREARMS AT ANY VENUE.

13. Baited lines in the water MUST NOT be left unattended. Being some distance away with an alarm receiver or having your mate in the next peg minding them while you go to the loo is NOT acceptable.  Contravention of this rule will result in a temporary suspension of your membership (at least 1 month)

14. No excessive pre-baiting or feeding on North House Lake/Beckerings Reservoir as this causes water quality problems and can lead to water closures and fish mortality.

15. Bait boats can be used (except on North House Lake) with consideration for others.

16. Radios/music players are only allowed when using headphones.

17. Barbless or micro-barbed hooks only and maximum standard size 2 (not catfish size 2)

18. When fishing with lures or live or dead fish baits, you must use a recognised wire trace system at least 12” long and all hooks must be barbless, any barbs must be completely flattened. Predator anglers must also be in possession of the correct tackle especially a suitable sized landing net, unhooking mat, forceps and wire cutters.

19. If live baiting, use a maximum of 8 silver fish up to 6’ in size, caught from that water only.

20. You can only leave a swim with your equipment set up for 90 mins max. Swims must not be reserved.

21. Only fishing shelters and umbrellas are to be used. No tents, tarpaulins or wind breaks.

22. Carp sacks or retainers/slings may be used for a short time (no more than 30 mins.) to retain fish for photographic purposes.  Catfish must not be retained in sacks.

23. Unhooking mats must be used.

24. Landing nets to be of an appropriate size for the target species.

25. KEEPNETS:In the interest of fish care - No Carp, Zander, Pike, Barbel or Catfish over 12” to be kept in a keepnet. No more than 50lb (25kg) of fish should be kept in a single keepnet – Multiple keepnets may be used. Keepnets must be of an adequate size for the number of fish being retained.  Any fish held in a keepnet must be released after no more than 6 hrs unless explicit permission is granted by the committee.

26. Under no circumstances are members permitted to enter the water at any venue.

27. Only two rods may be used (three may be used if a special permit is purchased, see p54 of your membership book).

28. Rig safety checks may be carried out at any time by the club bailiffs - please co-operate with them

29. No matches or competitions to be held without prior approval from the club.

30. No baits to be placed in any no fishing areas.

31. No fishing, or casting into any out of bounds/no fishing areas.

32. No fishing whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol is permitted in moderation. For your own safety please be sensible about this.

33. Night fishing is defined as from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.

34. Unless booked on to night fish members must vacate Beckerings/North House Lake before nightfall, No overnight camping as it deprives a member booked on use of the swim and parking space.

35. One non-fishing guest is allowed per member e.g. wife/partner/child for company and the guest must occupy the same swim/bivvy.

36. Night fishing on Beckerings and North House Lake requires pre-booking with the Night Bookings Officer a maximum of 14 days in advance and a minimum 24 hrs before the date of the booking. See page 22 for details.

37. Members under 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult, except on the Grand Union Canal. Junior members night fishing with an adult member must hold a junior night ticket.

38. 3rd rod permits can only be used on North House and Beckerings between the 1st of September and the 31st of March. See page 48 for full details.

39. The excessive use of oil while floater fishing is not allowed. Use of dedicated fishing oils in moderation is permitted – The use of cooking and other types of oils is strictly banned.

40. The use of drones is not permitted at any of our venues without permission from the club.

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CLUB BAILIFFS WILL ENSURE THE RULES ARE FOLLOWED

PLEASE LET COMMON SENSE AND COURTESY PREVAIL

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THINK ABOUT FISH CARE

Fish care should be a top priority for all anglers.

 

• Always ensure that you use an unhooking mat and that is under the fish when taking trophy pictures, always keep fish low to the ground. Never stand up with a fish when posing for photos.

• Return the fish to the water as quickly as you can.

• We kindly request that in the interest of fish care, that you do not intentionally fish for Pike between 1st March and 30th September. We will not post any Pike catches on our social media pages during these times.

• Ensure all rigs are safe and will not tether a fish if you break off – our bailiffs may ask to check your rigs.

• Be organised, the last thing you want is a lively fish flapping around on the mat while you’re frantically searching for forceps, slings and scales buried somewhere among your kit. Minimise the time that your fish is out of the water by having everything close to hand.

• Never use a towel, rag, piece of cloth or wear gloves to hold a fish, because this will take the protective slime off the fish and leave it stressed and vulnerable to infection.

• We recommend you carry a carp care kit to treat all hook holds, mouth sores, lifted scales etc.

 

 

 

CHECK CLEAN AND DRY – BIO SECURITY

Non-native species and diseases can destroy a fishery. All nets, mats, slings, and fish care equipment should be bone dry before being brought on to club waters. Drying your equipment in direct sunlight is the best way to minimise the transfer of diseases and non-native species. Checking, Cleaning and thoroughly drying all your kit is the best way to stop the spread.