Rules & Regulations

ABERYSTWYTH ANGLING ASSOCIATION LTD

RULES AND ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIONS

ANGLING PERMIT HOLDERS EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS TO FISH ASSOCIATION WATERS STRICTLY AT THEIR OWN RISK.

WATERS - The Association’s fishery consists of the following waters:

Rivers:
(1) The River Rheidol from source to mouth except that part of the Rheidol between Gyfarllwyd Falls and Dinas Dam and such other parts as are indicated to be private waters. Cwm Rheidol Reservoir is classified as still water and not as part of the river except for Regulation 10.
Fishing in the River Rheidol is prohibited:

  1. Between Rheidol Falls footbridge and the Weir situated 30 yards above the Falls

  2. Between Aberffrwd Road Bridge and Cwm Rheidol Reservoir Dam

  3. The Nature Reserve waters between the Gyfarllwyd Falls and Parson’s Bridge. These

    waters are Fish Sanctuaries.

  4. North bank at Glanrhyd Ty Noeth is private fishing.

WARNING: THE RIVER RHEIDOL IS SUBJECT TO RAPID FLUCTUATIONS IN LEVEL. WADING IN THE RIVER RHEIDOL IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS.

(2) The River Ystwyth on the south bank from Gosen Bridge to the sea (Harbour Bridge). Lakes:

  1. Cwm Rheidol Reservoir (6979)

  2. Craigypistyll(7285)

  3. Frongoch (7275)

  4. Glandwgan (7075) - main portion of

  5. LlygadRheidol(7987)

  6. Oerfa (7279)

  7. Rhosgoch (7183)

  8. Rhosrhydd (7075)

  9. Syfydrin (7284)

Map references in brackets are to OS. Sheet 135.

RULES
1. Compliance with Fishery Law & Association Rules
Acceptance of an angling permit is deemed to be an undertaking that the holder will comply with all fishery laws and byelaws of Natural Resources Wales & Association Rules. Thereafter, the holder will not contravene any legal rule concerning the duration of the fishing season, permitted fishing methods or any other matter provided for under fishery law or byelaw & Association Rules.

2. Terms of Issue of Permits
(a) An appropriate and valid Association permit must be obtained before any person commences to fish.

(b) Fishing licences must be produced when buying permits
(c) Permit holders must comply with Fishery Laws and byelaws as issued by Natural Resources Wales.
(d)Association permits are issued to the person named thereon and are not transferable.
(e) Association permits are valid only for the duration of the appropriate angling season as determined by the byelaws of Natural Resources Wales, or such shorter period as the Association may determine.
(f) Possession of an Angling permit conveys no rights other than that of angling in accordance with the rules here stated, and gaining access for the purpose of angling where a right of access exists, For the avoidance of doubt, it is noted that no right to shoot or to participate in any other activity unconnected with angling is conveyed by an Association permit.
(g) All permit holders may vote at the Annual Meeting of Permit Holders. If the Annual Meeting of Permit Holders is held after the end of the angling season, persons who have been permit holders during that season may vote at the meeting.

3. Production of Permit on Request
An Association angling permit must be carried at all times whilst a permit holder is angling. On request by a Keeper, Bailiff, Association Warrant Holder, or any other Permit Holder of the Association, a permit holder must produce his or her permit for inspection.


4. Permitted Methods
Subject to restrictions imposed under fishery law or byelaws, the following methods of angling are permitted on the Association’s river waters: fly fishing, spinning with artificial minnow and spoon, prawn and earth worm fishing.
The following methods of angling are permitted on the Association’s lake waters: fly fishing, spinning with artificial minnow and spoon, and earth worm fishing subject to the restrictions listed below: (use of float is permitted for earth worm fishing on approved lakes only)
Rhosgoch, Frongoch and Rhosrhydd: fly fishing only is permitted.

Frongoch: Fly fishing only is permitted. This lake is reserved exclusively for occupants of the Association’s caravans on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and other permit holders are prohibited from fishing it on these days.

Blaenmelindwr, Glandwgan, Oerfa, Craig y Pistyll Syfydrin and Cwm Rheidol Reservoir: fly fishing, spinning with artificial minnow and spoon, and earth worm fishing only are permitted.
Llygad Rheidol: fly fishing and spinning with artificial minnow and spoon are permitted.

5. Prohibited Methods
In addition to any restrictions imposed by fishery law or byelaws, the following are prohibited on all Association waters:
(a) all forms of ground baiting.
(b) the use of more than one rod at any one time, or the use of a rod which is not under the direct control of the permit holder.
(c) the use of the rod of a junior, for instructional or any other purposes, by any person other than a permit holder authorised to use the rod in his own right;
(d) the use of boats other than those provided by the Association, if any.
(e) bathing, swimming or the use of float tubes.
(f) the use of fish-attracting chemicals or artificial bait enhancers.
(g) catch and release of fish on lakes if spinning.

6. River Protocol
Where more than one angler is fishing a stretch of river, each must, without request, adopt a moving bait technique, moving at least one step downstream between each cast, taking turns to fish through the stretch. A limit of one hour is allowed to a member in the event of another member waiting to fish the same pool and no angler shall remain in one position on the river bank for more than one hour when other members are waiting to fish.

Fishing of backwaters is strictly prohibited.

7. Association Keepers
Any person who wilfully obstructs an Association Keeper in the exercise of his or her general duty of inspecting permits and investigating possible contraventions of fishery laws or infringements of Association rules may be subject to the disciplinary powers of the Association.
Any person using threatening or abusive language or behaviour towards an Association Keeper, or towards any permit holder, may be subject to the disciplinary powers of the Association.

8. Disciplinary Matters
The Association reserves the right to exercise appropriate disciplinary powers in relation to any permit holder, former permit holder, or prospective permit holder, in relation to whom a contravention of any fishery law, whether arising in relation to the Association’s waters or elsewhere, or an infringement of any Association rule, is established.

The Association’s decisions shall be final and binding upon all concerned and may include the withdrawal of the angling permit with or without refund of any payment, or by the disqualification of any person from holding a permit. This power may be exercised against a person convicted of any fishery offence, whether arising in relation to the Association’s waters or elsewhere, or a person found to have contravened any Association rule. In cases in which the angling permit has been withdrawn for a fixed term and the person involved wishes to re-apply for membership of the Association, that person must apply in writing to the Hon. Secretary.

9. Complaints or Representations
Any complaints or other representations concerning actions of the Association, or of particular individuals acting on behalf of the Association, or relating to the behaviour of any permit holder, must be submitted in writing to the Hon. Secretary. The Association reserves the power to consider and resolve these matters and its decision shall be final and binding.

10. Size, Bag Limits and Hooks
(a) No angler shall remove from any Association water any fish of a size less than 25.5 centimetres (10 inches) as measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail.
(b) In the case of sea trout, no angler shall remove a sea trout of a size less than 32.5 cm (13 inches) or greater than 60cm (23.6 inches) overall from either the Rheidol the Ystwyth or Cwm Rheidol dam. Catch & Release on the river Ystwyth after 31st July.
(c) All undersized fish caught by anglers must be returned at once to the water with as little injury as possible.
(d) All salmon, salmon and sea trout parr, smolts and kelts must be returned to the water immediately, irrespective of size and whether dead or alive.
(e) At Frongoch lake, 4 trout may be taken per day, to include a maximum of 2 brown trout (catch & release thereafter).

(f) All other waters a maximum of 2 brown trout per day (catch & release thereafter). Salmon & Sea Trout/Sewin
(g) Barbless or de-barbed hooks only, which are not stainless steel , to be used on the rivers and Cwm Rheidol dam.
(h) On artificial flies with a hook gape greater than 7mm, hooks are restricted to singles or doubles.
(i) On artificial flies with a hook gape 7mm or less, hooks are restricted to a maximum of two hooks with a total of four points between them.
(j) No treble or double hooks are permitted on lures used for spinning.
(k) Spinners and spoons can have only one single hook with a gape of 13mm or less.
(l) Plugs can have a maximum of three single hooks, each with a gape of 13mm or less. (m) Salmon - (i) No worm fishing (ii) Shrimp and prawn fishing is allowed from the 1st September until 7th October with the use of a single treble hook, with a gape of less than 7mm.
(n) Sea Trout/Sewin – (i) All must be released with minimum injury and delay before 1st May. (ii) Worm fishing allowed between 1st April and 7th October using only single worm and single barbless hook with a gape of less than 8mm. (iii) No more than 2 to be taken in any one day.

In addition, Natural Resources Wales rules on migratory fish must be observed on the rivers.

A POLICY OF CATCH AND RELEASE IS ENCOURAGED FOR ALL MIGRATORY FISH 

11. Selling of fish
The selling of fish caught on Associations waters is strictly prohibited.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIONS
12. Association Angling Competitions and Entry of Fish for Trophies
Trophies – in future NO FISH WILL BE WEIGHED IN (except during designated trout fishing competitions). Only fish caught in Association Waters in accordance with Association Rules are eligible for trophies.
13. Angling Safety
Other than where negligence on the part of the Association is established, no liability will be accepted for any accident or injury suffered by a permit holder exercising any right conferred by an Association permit. Under no circumstances whatever will liability be accepted for any loss or damage to the personal property of a permit holder.
IN PARTICULAR, ANGLERS ARE WARNED THAT WADING IS DANGEROUS IN ALL ASSOCIATION WATERS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SO IN THE RIVER RHEIDOL, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO RAPID FLUCTUATIONS IN LEVEL AND REQUIRES PARTICULAR CARE TO BE EXERCISED. IN ADDITION, ANGLERS MAKING USE OF THE BOATS PROVIDED BY THE ASSOCIATION SHOULD TAKE ESPECIAL CARE WHILST AFLOAT, IT IS MANDATORY FOR ALL BOAT USERS TO WEAR AN APPROVED LIFEJACKET WHEN USING AN ASSOCIATION BOAT.
THE ASSOCIATION ALSO ADVISES ALL ANGLERS TO USE EYE PROTECTION.

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14. Respect for Riparian Property
Anglers should respect all property of riparian owners. Signage must be adhered to. Hedges and fences must not be damaged and gates must be left as found. Dogs must be kept under strict control. Fires are prohibited in all circumstances and, in view of the areas of forestry close to the waters, anglers are asked to be particularly careful when smoking. page4image1640672

15. Litter and Discarded Tackle
Anglers are requested to avoid leaving litter of any kind. Given the hazard which discarded nylon may constitute to wildlife, special ‘care should be exercised to avoid leaving lengths of waste nylon either in the water or on lands adjoining the fishery.

16. Disclaimer
It is agreed that all anglers are personally liable to insure themselves and their property. AAA can accept no liability for any loss, damage, injury or death to persons or property whilst fishing association waters, or while using the boats.

17. Communications to the Association
All communications to the Association should be directed to: The Hon. Secretary, Aberystwyth Angling Association Ltd., 6 Lon Llewelyn,
Waunfawr, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. SY23 3TP e-mail: mbarrettuk05@yahoo.co.uk Telephone: 01970 623682

The Association has a Health & Safety Policy and appropriate risk Assessment literature which are available on request from the secretary, or can be viewed on our website.