Rules Extracts
Meetings
The Annual General Meeting shall be held on the first Wednesday in March each year unless otherwise notified. Agenda to be forwarded to all members at least 14 days prior to the meeting. Nominations for the election of Officers and Propositions affecting the rules to be submitted in writing to the Secretary by the last day in January.
General Rules
All members are Water Keepers and must exercise their right and challenge anyone fishing. You are asked to ensure that no persons, including members, picnic, bathe or camp on any part of our Private Fisheries.
All members shall possess their current I.D. card, fishing permit and current rod licence when fishing the Societies Waters and to assist the Water Keepers by producing their membership card and permit when requested to do so,except in the case of Life Members who will be required to produce only their Gold Life Membership Card. Failure to produce when requested will result in the member being asked to leave the Societies Waters.
Water Keepers have the authority to request rig checks at any time. Any member who is obstructive, abusive or violent towards a water Keeper in the execution of their duties will be reported to the Disciplinary Committee and be subject to the immediate removal of their members I.D. card, fishing permit and gate key. Subject to findings of the Disciplinary Committee, these may be returned.
Membership
Annual fees shall be paid by 1st May each year. If not paid by this date then membership shall be deemed to have ceased.
Students – 18 – 25 year olds who are attending School, College or University on a FULL TIME basis, ( such attendance to be confirmed in writing by an official of the Establishment concerned)
Registered Disabled to supply proof of disability, (a blue badge is not sufficient).
Required proof to be uploaded using the option in the side menu.
Close Season
On Rivers the close season shall be 15th March to June 15th inclusive. Water Management reserves the right to close any water in order to carry out essential work.
Guest Permits
A Guest Permit must be obtained by members BEFORE ENTERING THE SOCIETIE’S FISHERIES. These can be obtained from, Oxhey Angling & Harefield Tackle. Day Tickets £10 per person.
24 Hour Permit for Tolpits and Thurlows Lakes available from 1st November to 14th March inclusive each season. Available to Senior Members only who is a minimum of 18 years old the guest shall share the same swim or be adjacent to the member. The cost of the permit will be £25.
The member MUST accompany guests and be responsible for their conduct during the time they are on societies fisheries. Disciplinary action will be taken against any member who allows this privilege to be abused.
Members Family
On Club Waters members are responsible for their children who must be kept under control. Night Fishing – Allowed on all waters EXCEPT: Lower Gade and Stanleys Pool (with exceptions) where no member shall be on these waters one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset.
Night Fishing
On Canals only a traditional Umbrella with no attachments may be used as a shelter.
On Rivers Bivvies are allowed.
Members night fishing shall have a bucket with a seal-able lid for excrement which is taken away with them at the end of a session.
From Friday 30th October 2020 swims 3,4 & 5 only, are available for night fishing on Stanley's Lake. Maximum stay 48 hours per session.
Number of Rods
Two rods with one single hook may be used when fishing the Society's waters and placed no more than 6ft apart.
Angling Practice
BAITED HOOKS MUST NOT BE LEFT UNATTENDED WHETHER IN OR OUT OF THE WATER.
A suitable unhooking mat must be used when fishing for specimen size fish, the minimum dimensions of which shall be 24 inches (60cm), wide, 36 inches, (90cm), in length and not less than 2 inches, (5cm),thick.
NO FISH TO BE TAKEN FROM CLUB WATERS. OTHER FISH TO BE TRANSFERRED ONLY ON THE PERMISSION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY AND THEN ONLY UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE WATER MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
All members and Guests MUST dip landing nets, keep nets, Unhooking Mats and Weigh Slings BEFORE commencement of fishing of Watford Piscators Lakes, Tolpits, Castles, Thurlows, Stanleys, Broadacres.
ALL ITEMS MUST BE IMMERSED FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 MINUTES.
Behaviour
No member shall cause annoyance to fellow members on the waters, by use of any radio, record player or musical instrument. All dogs must be kept under proper control on a lead.
Members must not light fires on the banks of the waters.
Disclaimer Notice
Members are reminded that when on CLUB WATERS they are there at their own risk, whether fishing or not. No liability can be accepted by the Club for damage or loss to members o their property.
Publicity
Publicity, (with the exception of match reports and information put onto the Society's Official Website), in any form is not permitted to appear in any publication or on any Internet Website without prior consent of the General Committee.
General Propositions
That Youth Section Members 14 – 16 years old be permitted to fish all Societies waters, a minimum of 2 members to attend at any one time. Youth Section Members of 12 years up to 14 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult when on Societies Waters.