Isle of Wight Freshwater Angling Company Ltd Rules/Bye-Laws

The Company will not accept any aggressive or intolerant behaviour towards other members, guests or Company Officers. The rules listed below will be reviewed and revised when necessary. Any person breaking these rules or being aggressive or intolerant with any other member will potentially face disciplinary action. The disciplinary procedures are listed on our website.

1. The Company will not be held responsible for the actions of its members, any of their guests.

2. Entrance gates must be locked on all Company’s sites. You must lock the gate behind you when entering and leaving the company’s sites. If on opening the gate to the venue there is another vehicle behind you, please do not assume they are members. Please check they know the gate code before allowing them to follow you.

3. Proof of membership must be produced if requested by a bailiff. A member is entitled to see the bailiff’s proof of authority before complying. Bailiff’s can access the company membership records via their smartphones to confirm a member’s details.

4. Speed limit of 10mph on all Company’s sites. All vehicles must park in the designated car parks on the company’s sites.

5. A valid Environmental Agency rod licence appropriate to the number of rods used must be held by all members.

6. Junior members must be supervised by a responsible adult, or senior member at all times, on all Company’s sites.

7. The possession or taking of illegal substances, loud radios, fires, swimming or anti-social behaviour whilst being under the influence of recreational drugs or alcohol is not permitted on Company’s sites.

8. Discarding of litter on Company’s sites is not permitted. You must ensure all litter is disposed of at home. Disciplinary action will be instigated against any member found discarding litter.

9. No dogs are allowed on the company’s sites unless written permission from the Board is held and is subject to review.

10. There will be no transferring of fish between any waters and removal of fish off site is strictly prohibited, unless approved by the Board of Directors.

11. No unauthorised use of manned boats on all company waters.

12. The use of bait boats is permitted on Heron and Gunville Lake only, but must be used responsibly, and not interfere with other anglers.

13. Nets, keepnets, weigh slings and unhooking mats must be dipped in the disinfectant receptacle provided, prior to commencing your session, regardless of pleasure or match angling.

14. Keepnets are only allowed on scheduled company matches. Please see match rules for more information.

15. Unhooking mats must be readily available to use at all times.

16. No fish to be retained for excessive periods of time. It is considered reasonable to allow time to sort out scales, camera and wetting of unhooking mat and sling. You must return your catch promptly, and only one fish out of the water at any one time.

17. You must never stand when handling a fish for a photo. Keep the fish as low as possible and above a padded unhooking mat.

18. All members when fishing Heron Lake and Gunville Lake must have a 42-inch landing net set up and available for use, and an unhooking mat suitable for large Carp and Pike.

19. Venues scheduled for Sunday or Thursday evening competitions will be closed to all non-competitors, from 07:00 to 17:00 on Sunday and from 16:30 on Thursdays.

20. Micro barbed or barbless hooks must be used, and only one hook per rod, except when fishing for pike. Barbless treble hooks are permitted.

21. Pike fishing is permitted from October 1st to March 31st only. No live bait allowed.

22. Rods must never be left unattended, and if a swim is vacated for any length of time rigs must be removed from the water, and bait removed from the hook.

23. There are no bait restrictions apart from live fish, and all particle baits such as seeds, nuts, peas and beans must be soaked, well-cooked and used in moderation.

24. No braided mainlines to be used, but hook lengths are permitted.

25. Bailiffs have the authority at any time to check rigs and end tackle to ensure members are using suitable and safe methods. They are available to offer advice if rigs are deemed to be unsuitable.

26. Fixed method feeders, paternoster rigs or tether rigs are not permitted.

27. There shall be no fishing during the close season on company-controlled stretches of the river Yar. Close seasons runs from March 15th to June 15th.

28. Up to three rods are allowed on Heron Lake and Gunville Lake, provided the appropriate EA licence is held. 2 rods may be used at Kingfisher lake and Old and New lake at Holliers.

29. The Holliers venue can only be accessed between 5 am and 10 pm. All vehicles must not use the access lane before or after these times. Kingfisher lake and minnow lake can also only be fished from dawn to dusk,  Gunville and Heron Lake can be fished at anytime.

30. No fire arms are allowed to be discharged or taken on to any of our sites unless strict authorisation from the board is recieved.

Guest ticket procedure:

1. Any member who requests a guest ticket must be present with their guest on the day of fishing, and will be held responsible for the behaviour of their guest.

2. Guest tickets are only valid from dawn to dusk.

3. Guest tickets must be requested by e mail to iowfacmembers@gmail.com, and please allow 48 hours notice before proposed date of fishing.

4. Paid guest tickets will not be released until confirmation of payment is received

5. Payment needs to paid on line to Isle of Wight Freshwater Angling Company. Account no 14270757, sort code 54-10-34

Company Secretary will issue an e mail to the member with permission. Member is required to show the e mail to a bailiff if requested

MATCH RULES.
1. Only Company members will be allowed to enter the competitions except for the annual open competition which will be open to all.

2. The Match Secretary will have the right to :-

a. Adjust the start and finish times on the day provided that the start times are not changed without proper prior notice.

b. Have the right to cancel, postpone or shorten the competitions as they sees fit.

c. Allow any competitor to change a peg, if that peg is deemed unfishable.

d. Peg the river Yar at their discretion.

e. Allow, but only in exceptional circumstances, assistance to an angler to land a fish, and then only to the extent of handling a landing net.

f. Appoint a deputy prior to the competition, if they are unable to attend themselves.

g. Settle disputes between competitors regarding swims, the match secretary`s ruling will be final.

3. No floating baits, dead baits or lures, bait-boats or fish detectors will be used during any competition.

4. Only one rod and reel or pole to be used at any one time, although other rigs and rods may be made up ready. The use of a pole cup to feed is not allowed if using a rod and reel.

5. All Carp will be placed in a Carp only keep net, on no account will Carp over 1lb and silverfish be placed in the same keep net.

6. All freshwater fish species with the exception of Pike will count in the competitions, unless otherwise stated previously before the start.

7. All competitors will have 15 minutes at the end of a match to land fish caught during the competition. The Angler must declare “fish on” at the finish signal.

8. Ground baiting or loose feeding is not allowed prior to the start signal.

9. Plumbing the depth before the start signal is allowed.

10. The draw for all competitions will be one hour before the start signal.

11. All competitors are to remain at their swims for the weigh in. Unattended keep nets will not be weighed in.

12. In the event of a competitor leaving their swim temporarily all hooks are to be removed from the water and any bait removed.

The Match secretary shall have the right to disqualify any angler in breach of match rules for that day, and their decision shall be final.

Company Waters.

Holliers,  Branstone,  Sandown

Gunville Lake, Gunville Road, Carisbrooke.

Kingfisher Lake, Heron Lake, Minnow Lake,

Behind Little Budbridge Farm, East Lane, Merstone.

River on the Eastern Yar :-

Upstream to the small pump house at Yarbridge may be fished all the open season.

Downstream from the road bridge to the first cattle ditch fishing to commence July 15th until October 30th in each year as per the agreement with the RSPB. Members only NO DAY TICKETS.

The left hand bank upstream of the footbridge at the old mill at Alverstone to the stile near the old railway track.

POLLUTION
There are occasions when there is little point in reporting pollution direct to the Environment Agency but all members are encouraged to inform one of the Company’s Directors of any pollution.

On the other hand, if any member sees any evidence of what they consider to be serious pollution – numbers of dead fish, chemical smells or any unusual water condition, especially on the River Yar above the Burnt House abstraction point, they should inform the environment agency immediately. Anyone spotting pollution, poaching, flooding or any sign of damage to the water environment can ring 0800 807060 free of charge at any hour for assistance. The Board ask that a Director also be informed and the Company will refund any reasonable “out of pocket” expenses so incurred.

NO MEMBER SHALL FISH ON ANY OF THE COMPANY WATERS WITHOUT HAVING A VALID ENVIRONMENT AGENCY LICENCE BEFORE COMMENCING TO FISH.