Fishing Rules

12 Dec 2010

Members must comply both with club fishing rules, as set out in the club Byelaws, and Environment Agency Byelaws.

Full club Byelaws (PDF 51KB)...

Full EA Byelaws (PDF 840KB)...

These are the EA Byelaws which apply, to the best of our belief, TO THE RIVER TAWE. If in any doubt, or for the Byelaws relating to other waters, refer to the EA website (PDF 840KB)...

OPEN SEASONS AND METHOD RESTRICTIONS, SALMON AND SEA TROUT

Salmon, River Tawe - 20 March to 17 October

20 March to 15 June - Fly & spin only
16 June to 7 October - Fly, spin and permitted baits
8 October to 17 October - Fly & spin only

Sea trout, River Tawe - 20 March to 17 October

20 March to 14 April - Fly & spin only
15 April to 7 October - Fly, spin and permitted baits
8 October to 17 October - Fly & spin only

Note

‘fly’ refers to unweighted artificial fly of less than 5g in weight.

CATCH AND RELEASE RESTRICTION

Any salmon caught before 16 June must be returned with minimum injury and with minimum delay.

It is recommended that, whenever fishing with the intention of releasing any fish that are caught, either barbless or de-barbed hooks are used.

OPEN SEASONS FOR NON-MIGRATORY TROUT, ARCTIC CHARR, COARSE FISH AND EELS

Brown trout & Arctic charr – 3 March to 30 September
Rainbow trout – 3 March to 30 September
Coarse fish – 16 June to 14 March
Eels – 16 June to 14 March

OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF LURES AND BAITS

no crayfish, of any species, whether alive or dead, and whether whole or in part, may be used as bait for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels;
livebait may only be used in the water from which it was taken and only during the same period of fishing;
no fish roe, from whatever source, may be used when fishing for salmon, trout or freshwater fish;
non-migratory trout - groundbait or feeder bait is not allowed at any time;
maggots, pupae or non-aquatic larvae are not allowed.

FISHING NEAR OBSTRUCTIONS

Fishing is not permitted in the vicinity of the Wychtree Weir - 25m below weir to 25m above weir

USE OF RODS

Anglers of 12 years of age or older must hold a valid Environment Agency rod licence.
For salmon, trout and other salmonids no more than one rod and line may be used at the same time
For coarse fish or eels up to two rods may be used for each valid rod licence that is held and no more than four rods and lines may be used at the same time.
When fishing with more than one rod and line at the same time rods must be placed such that the distance between the butts of the end rods does not exceed three metres.
A rod must not be left unattended with its bait or hook in the water and it must be possible to exercise immediate physical control over any rod and line left with its bait or hook in the water.

HOOKS AND HOOKING OF FISH

Hooks. No person shall use a bait or lure furnished with more than one hook unless the gape thereof measured from the shank to the point does not exceed 10 millimetres (0.375 of an inch) save and except that the gape of hooks attached to a plug bait may be as great as 13 millimetres (0.5 of an inch) provided the said plug bait is used without any weight and in no case shall any bait or lure be furnished with more than nine hooks and no weight or sinker shall be attached below the lure or bait.
Hooking of fish. No person shall use a rod and line except with a permitted lure or bait and only for the purpose of taking fish by hooking them in the mouth.

USE OF LEAD

The use of lead weights is prohibited with the following exceptions:

size 8 lead dust shot (0.06g) and smaller;
lead weights of 1oz (28.35g) or more;
lead within the construction of lures or weighted flies; and
lead within lead-cored lines, swim feeders and self-cocking floats.

SIZE LIMITS

It is illegal to take fish not reaching the following size limits (measured from tip of the snout to the fork of the tail):

Salmon 30cm (12”)
Sea trout 23cm (9”)
Brown trout 23cm (9”)
Rainbow trout No size limit (individual fisheries may impose a limit in their rules)
Coarse fish No size limit (individual fisheries may impose a limit in their rules)

Individual fisheries may impose size limits that are more stringent or prescriptive than those outlined in the byelaws (as above); and

Undersized fish taken unintentionally must be released alive to the water immediately;

LANDING NETS

Landing nets must not have any knotted meshes or meshes of metallic material.

GAFF OR TAILER

The use of a gaff or a tailer is prohibited at all times when fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or freshwater eels.

REMOVAL OF FISH

No live or dead fish may be removed from any waters within the Agency’s area except legally by rod & line, other than with special written permission obtained in advance from the Agency.
On all rivers, streams, drains and canals, any salmon or trout hooked other than in the mouth or throat shall be returned to the water immediately.

RESTRICTIONS ON THE SALE OF SALMON AND SEA TROUT (from 30 Jan 2009)

No person shall sell, offer or expose for sale or have in possession for sale any salmon or migratory trout which has been taken by rod and line.

These are the main Fishing Rules which appear in full in the club Byelaws.

Members are authorised to fish the waters of the Society with one rod and line during the recognised game fishing season subject to the following rules.
Members must obtain before fishing an appropriate Environment Agency rod licence in addition to their permit / membership certificate.
Members must carry their permit and rod licence with them when fishing and, when requested by a bailiff appointed by the Society, must produce for inspection their permit, rod licence, fishing tackle and any fish in their possession.
The size limit for brown trout and sea trout is ten inches, measuring from the tip of the snout to the cleft or the fork of the tail.
No spinning is allowed until 20th March. From 20th March to 31st May inclusive, spinning is permitted provided the bait measures at least two and a half inches overall. From 1st June onwards there is no size restriction on the bait used. At no time is spinning allowed when the water is below the low level markers.
The following are not allowed on water controlled by the Society: a) worming with treble hooks; b) bait fishing with maggot, shrimp or prawn; c) bait fishing with a float; d) electronic fish finders.
Except for the River Cilieni fishing where all fish must be returned, no more than four fish (whether brown trout, sea trout or salmon) may be killed in any one day (from midnight to midnight). If catch and release is practised, members must ensure that fish are returned to the water unharmed by following best practice as published by the Environment Agency and, in particular, must only use only single barbless hooks (a fully ‘crushed’ barb is acceptable), should avoid the use of bait and should avoid handling fish as far as possible and should avoid lifting them from the water. Where a bag limit applies, fishing must cease when the bag limit is reached.
River Cilieni, Parc fishery. Only fly fishing is allowed; all fish caught must be returned unharmed; a maximum of 2 anglers allowed each day (booked with Secretary).
All anglers, including bait fishermen, must proceed at a reasonable speed through a pool, if other anglers are waiting to fish behind them. Without agreement, members must not start fishing a pool downstream of another angler already fishing the pool.
Members must avoid damaging gates, trees, hedges etc. All gates must be closed. No litter to be left on banks. All nylon must be removed. No fires allowed. No dogs to accompany members onto the water.
The Management Committee shall appoint bailiffs from amongst the members as it sees fit and shall set out in writing the roles and responsibilities of such bailiffs.
Members who are not bailiffs should not attempt to enforce any Society rules themselves but should report suspected infringements to the Secretary or Head Bailiff, whose details appear on the permit / membership certificate.