General Rules
Feltham & Twickenham Piscatorial Society
RULE BOOK
1. Membership
1.1 All persons applying to join the society must be proposed by an existing full member and sign an application form agreeing to abide by the rules of the Society. The person nominating a new member will be responsible for the applicants conduct for the first year of membership. The Society’s Management Committee will vet applications from applicants not having a sponsor and will allow membership to be granted to suitable applicants. In such cases applicants will be required to attend a membership meeting ahead of their application being approved.
1.2 Subscriptions must be paid on or before 1 st May each year. The Society entrance fee will be payable by any person attempting to re-new their membership after this date.
1.3 When fishing society waters members must be in possession of their membership identity card and key and must clearly display their car parking disc. The membership identity card must be produced when requested by a Society bailiff.
1.4 All junior anglers (less than 16 years of age on May 1st) must be accompanied by an adult member of the society when angling on, or visiting, society waters. Any individual attaining a 16th birthday after May 1st will remain a "junior" until the following season.
1.5 Parked vehicles must not obstruct other road users and must be parked only in authorised or designated parking areas.
2. Angling Rules
2.1 Fishing must be carried out in a sportsmanlike manner.
Equipment & Bait
2.2 Only two rods are allowed per member when fishing Society waters (Sivyers Lake is governed by a separate rule set out below).
2.3 Only hooks manufactured as barbless may be used on Society waters. Treble hooks manufactured as semi-barbless may be used when fishing for predatory
species. Double “Back to Back” hooks and two hook rigs are not allowed on Society waters.
2.4 Keepnets must be of a minimum length of 8 feet and be a minimum of 18 inches in diameter. They should be of non metallic knotless mesh and incorporate a carp sack bottom section.
2.5 Leaving baited terminal tackle in the water whilst absent from a swim (i.e. more than two yards from the rod or pole) is prohibited on all Society waters.
2.6 When fishing for predatory species any livebaits used must have been caught in the water being fished.
2.7 No fishing from boats is allowed on any Society water. The boats moored on society waters are for fishery maintenance use. Only under the direction of a Management Committee member may they be used to rescue distressed wildlife or tethered fish. Members are reminded that the Society will not accept any liability for accidents arising from the use of these boats howsoever caused. A flotation jacket must be worn when using the society's boats.
2.8 On waters where dip tanks are provided, all nets, weigh slings and unhooking mats must be dipped before the commencement of angling.
3. Fish Care
3.1 All fish are to be handled with utmost care. Unhooking mats must be used for the unhooking of large fish. N.B. Unhooking in a landing net, provided that neither the net, nor fish is placed on the ground is an acceptable alternative to the use of mats.
3.2 During general angling no Carp or Barbel are to be kept in keepnets.F1 carp may be retained in keepnets along with silver fish. (FPS match rules will determine the handling of these fish during all matches held on society waters).
3.3 Fish may only be retained in keepnets for a maximum duration of six hours on all Society waters.
3.4 Fish may not be removed from Society waters unless under the direct supervision of the Water Committee having first been approved by the Management Committee.
4. Matches
4.1 Waters on which scheduled Society matches are to be held (excluding inter club and open matches) are to be open to non competitors from 10.00 a.m. with the approval of the Match Secretary. At Sivyers Lake, Eric’s Pond will be available for non competitors use during Society matches on the main lake.
4.2 All matches run on society waters must be fished to F & T PS match rules and must have been arranged by prior agreement with the F & T PS committee .
5. Litter
5.1 Any metal, glass or plastic containers taken onto Society waters must be removed upon vacating the water 5.2 Members will be held responsible for any litter in the swim they are fishing and must take all litter and discarded tackle with them when leaving that swim.
6. Guest Permits
6.1 The sale of guest permits to members to allow visitors to fish Society Waters is available on the following conditions:
(i) They are priced at £8 each for adults and £4 for female and Junior anglers (Aged 11-16) Children under eleven years of age may fish free of charge provided that they share a swim with a Full Member.
(ii) Only one guest ticket may be purchased and only once a month.
(iii) Applications for tickets must be made to the Head Bailiff a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the day on which the guest permit is to be used
(iv) No guest tickets are available on the bank.
(v) The member applying for the ticket must accompany the visiting angler and be present for the whole period that the visitor is at the lake. The member is responsible for ensuring that the visitor abides by the Society's rules
(vi) A maximum of four guest permits per venue per day is available on a first come first served basis. An individual may fish as a guest of the Society on a maximum of four occasions each calendar year.
7. General Rules
7.1 Night fishing is allowed only at Sheepwalk Lakes, Lyne Lake and Fronds Farm Fishery (Kennet). All other society waters must be vacated between the hours of 10.00 p.m. and 4.00 a.m. (Sivyers Lake is governed by a separate rule set out below)
7.2 Members must keep away from gravel workings and equipment. Farm gates must be closed after access and exit. Members must not interfere in any way with fences machinery crops and other property belonging to third parties.
7.3 Radios, fires, individual BBQ’s, dogs and the riding of bicycles are not allowed on Society waters.
N.B. A dispensation to allow Bailiff’s to be accompanied by a dog has been granted by the Management Committee.
7.4 Members and visitors must comply with Environment Agency rules regarding angling and be holders of a current EA angling licence. (As part of their duties FPS bailiffs are entitled to ask anglers to show their EA licence)
7.5 There is no close season at Sheepwalk Lakes, Lyne Lake or Henry Streeter Lake. All other Society waters are subject to the rules laid down by the Environment agency regarding Close Seasons (A separate rule applies to Sivyers Lake).
7.7 Any member that attends club working parties in April (on any water) may upon completion of the work fish Sivyers Lake until 8.00 p.m on that same day.
8. Rules specific to Sivyers Lakes
8.1 The season for fishing shall be from the 1 st May to 31 st March inclusive.
8.2 Only one rod or pole may be used between 1 st May & 30th September inclusive. Thereafter two rods may be used.
8.3 The use of audible bait alarms is not allowed between 1 st May and 30 th September inclusive.
8.4 The breaking strain of fishing line to be used on this lake must not exceed 8lbs.
8.5 Only 3 kg of dry groundbait may be used by an angler. Boilies may only be used as hook bait.
8.6 The lake is only open from 7.00 a.m. each day. The closing times vary according to the time of year and are set out below: Jan 6.00 p.m Apr (Closed) Jul 10.00 p.m Oct 7.00 p.m. Feb 6.00 p.m May 9.00 p.m . Aug 9.00 p.m Nov 6.00 p.m. Mar 7.00 p.m Jun 10.00 p.m. Sept 8.00 p.m Dec 6.00 p.m.
Anglers must have vacated the site by the times stated above.
8.7 In the event that working parties at Sivyers Lakes during April do not complete the allotted work, the committee may close one bank of the lake during May in order to complete the work programme. In this event twenty four hours notice will be given by the posting of appropriate notices at the water.
General Information
1. Litter is the blight of all angling clubs and ours is no different. Our rules are very specific on this point and members are asked to be particularly vigilant in this regard.
2. To avoid the ingress of rats and other vermin members are requested not to leave unused bait in their swims on leaving our waters.
3. The notices reminding anglers to close gates, barriers and toilet doors are intended to protect the interests of our Society and our members. We have experienced some very severe vandalism in the past and at least one member has had valuable property stolen from a car parked inside the gates at Sivyers as the direct result of the gates being left open.
Interpretation of these Rules
The Management Committee shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of these rules and on any question which might arise from the rules and on which they are silent .
RULE BOOK
1. Membership
1.1 All persons applying to join the society must be proposed by an existing full member and sign an application form agreeing to abide by the rules of the Society. The person nominating a new member will be responsible for the applicants conduct for the first year of membership. The Society’s Management Committee will vet applications from applicants not having a sponsor and will allow membership to be granted to suitable applicants. In such cases applicants will be required to attend a membership meeting ahead of their application being approved.
1.2 Subscriptions must be paid on or before 1 st May each year. The Society entrance fee will be payable by any person attempting to re-new their membership after this date.
1.3 When fishing society waters members must be in possession of their membership identity card and key and must clearly display their car parking disc. The membership identity card must be produced when requested by a Society bailiff.
1.4 All junior anglers (less than 16 years of age on May 1st) must be accompanied by an adult member of the society when angling on, or visiting, society waters. Any individual attaining a 16th birthday after May 1st will remain a "junior" until the following season.
1.5 Parked vehicles must not obstruct other road users and must be parked only in authorised or designated parking areas.
2. Angling Rules
2.1 Fishing must be carried out in a sportsmanlike manner.
Equipment & Bait
2.2 Only two rods are allowed per member when fishing Society waters (Sivyers Lake is governed by a separate rule set out below).
2.3 Only hooks manufactured as barbless may be used on Society waters. Treble hooks manufactured as semi-barbless may be used when fishing for predatory
species. Double “Back to Back” hooks and two hook rigs are not allowed on Society waters.
2.4 Keepnets must be of a minimum length of 8 feet and be a minimum of 18 inches in diameter. They should be of non metallic knotless mesh and incorporate a carp sack bottom section.
2.5 Leaving baited terminal tackle in the water whilst absent from a swim (i.e. more than two yards from the rod or pole) is prohibited on all Society waters.
2.6 When fishing for predatory species any livebaits used must have been caught in the water being fished.
2.7 No fishing from boats is allowed on any Society water. The boats moored on society waters are for fishery maintenance use. Only under the direction of a Management Committee member may they be used to rescue distressed wildlife or tethered fish. Members are reminded that the Society will not accept any liability for accidents arising from the use of these boats howsoever caused. A flotation jacket must be worn when using the society's boats.
2.8 On waters where dip tanks are provided, all nets, weigh slings and unhooking mats must be dipped before the commencement of angling.
3. Fish Care
3.1 All fish are to be handled with utmost care. Unhooking mats must be used for the unhooking of large fish. N.B. Unhooking in a landing net, provided that neither the net, nor fish is placed on the ground is an acceptable alternative to the use of mats.
3.2 During general angling no Carp or Barbel are to be kept in keepnets.F1 carp may be retained in keepnets along with silver fish. (FPS match rules will determine the handling of these fish during all matches held on society waters).
3.3 Fish may only be retained in keepnets for a maximum duration of six hours on all Society waters.
3.4 Fish may not be removed from Society waters unless under the direct supervision of the Water Committee having first been approved by the Management Committee.
4. Matches
4.1 Waters on which scheduled Society matches are to be held (excluding inter club and open matches) are to be open to non competitors from 10.00 a.m. with the approval of the Match Secretary. At Sivyers Lake, Eric’s Pond will be available for non competitors use during Society matches on the main lake.
4.2 All matches run on society waters must be fished to F & T PS match rules and must have been arranged by prior agreement with the F & T PS committee .
5. Litter
5.1 Any metal, glass or plastic containers taken onto Society waters must be removed upon vacating the water 5.2 Members will be held responsible for any litter in the swim they are fishing and must take all litter and discarded tackle with them when leaving that swim.
6. Guest Permits
6.1 The sale of guest permits to members to allow visitors to fish Society Waters is available on the following conditions:
(i) They are priced at £8 each for adults and £4 for female and Junior anglers (Aged 11-16) Children under eleven years of age may fish free of charge provided that they share a swim with a Full Member.
(ii) Only one guest ticket may be purchased and only once a month.
(iii) Applications for tickets must be made to the Head Bailiff a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the day on which the guest permit is to be used
(iv) No guest tickets are available on the bank.
(v) The member applying for the ticket must accompany the visiting angler and be present for the whole period that the visitor is at the lake. The member is responsible for ensuring that the visitor abides by the Society's rules
(vi) A maximum of four guest permits per venue per day is available on a first come first served basis. An individual may fish as a guest of the Society on a maximum of four occasions each calendar year.
7. General Rules
7.1 Night fishing is allowed only at Sheepwalk Lakes, Lyne Lake and Fronds Farm Fishery (Kennet). All other society waters must be vacated between the hours of 10.00 p.m. and 4.00 a.m. (Sivyers Lake is governed by a separate rule set out below)
7.2 Members must keep away from gravel workings and equipment. Farm gates must be closed after access and exit. Members must not interfere in any way with fences machinery crops and other property belonging to third parties.
7.3 Radios, fires, individual BBQ’s, dogs and the riding of bicycles are not allowed on Society waters.
N.B. A dispensation to allow Bailiff’s to be accompanied by a dog has been granted by the Management Committee.
7.4 Members and visitors must comply with Environment Agency rules regarding angling and be holders of a current EA angling licence. (As part of their duties FPS bailiffs are entitled to ask anglers to show their EA licence)
7.5 There is no close season at Sheepwalk Lakes, Lyne Lake or Henry Streeter Lake. All other Society waters are subject to the rules laid down by the Environment agency regarding Close Seasons (A separate rule applies to Sivyers Lake).
7.7 Any member that attends club working parties in April (on any water) may upon completion of the work fish Sivyers Lake until 8.00 p.m on that same day.
8. Rules specific to Sivyers Lakes
8.1 The season for fishing shall be from the 1 st May to 31 st March inclusive.
8.2 Only one rod or pole may be used between 1 st May & 30th September inclusive. Thereafter two rods may be used.
8.3 The use of audible bait alarms is not allowed between 1 st May and 30 th September inclusive.
8.4 The breaking strain of fishing line to be used on this lake must not exceed 8lbs.
8.5 Only 3 kg of dry groundbait may be used by an angler. Boilies may only be used as hook bait.
8.6 The lake is only open from 7.00 a.m. each day. The closing times vary according to the time of year and are set out below: Jan 6.00 p.m Apr (Closed) Jul 10.00 p.m Oct 7.00 p.m. Feb 6.00 p.m May 9.00 p.m . Aug 9.00 p.m Nov 6.00 p.m. Mar 7.00 p.m Jun 10.00 p.m. Sept 8.00 p.m Dec 6.00 p.m.
Anglers must have vacated the site by the times stated above.
8.7 In the event that working parties at Sivyers Lakes during April do not complete the allotted work, the committee may close one bank of the lake during May in order to complete the work programme. In this event twenty four hours notice will be given by the posting of appropriate notices at the water.
General Information
1. Litter is the blight of all angling clubs and ours is no different. Our rules are very specific on this point and members are asked to be particularly vigilant in this regard.
2. To avoid the ingress of rats and other vermin members are requested not to leave unused bait in their swims on leaving our waters.
3. The notices reminding anglers to close gates, barriers and toilet doors are intended to protect the interests of our Society and our members. We have experienced some very severe vandalism in the past and at least one member has had valuable property stolen from a car parked inside the gates at Sivyers as the direct result of the gates being left open.
Interpretation of these Rules
The Management Committee shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of these rules and on any question which might arise from the rules and on which they are silent .
Match Rules
Feltham & Twickenham Piscatorial Society
Match Rules
1. The recommended duration for a contest shall be 5 hours winter and 6 hours summer.
2. The match must be a pegged down competition. Pegs, preferably twenty yards apart and not less than fifteen yards, must be staked out and numbered prior to fishing. All pegs used under normal conditions must be of a state to give competitors a practicable and reasonable chance to fish his or her swim.
3. Each competitor on drawing his/her number shall proceed to the corresponding number on the bank and this will be considered his/her fishing ground where he/she will fish. The peg must remain in position until the weigh-in is completed.
4. Every competitor must fish from within one metre either side of his/her designated peg. On flowing water, the competitor may fish in the direction of the flow as far as the next peg. On still water, he/she may fish as far as half the distance between his/her peg and the pegs on either side. Where competitors are drawn on opposite banks, the limit of the swim is the line midway between each bank.
The competitor will restrict their activities completely to these boundaries, neither his/her person, his/her tackle, his/her hookbaits or groundbaits may intrude into his/her neighbours swim. In an extreme situation, e.g. snagged tackle of a snagged fish, an angler must seek permission from his/her neighbour/s before moving from his/her designated peg to try and remedy the situation.
5. No competitor may move his/her peg or exchange his/her peg or draw card with another without the organiser’s official consent.
6. Competitors must retain all fish in keepnets which comply with the relevant EA Byelaws. Competitors must take every practicable step to keep their fish alive and, after weighing them, must ensure their careful return to the water. If, for any reason fish are seen to be in distress, a competitor or match official
has the right to demand that they be weighed immediately and returned to the water during the course of the match.
7. A competitor shall have in use one rod or pole, one line and one single hook at one time, but may have other rods or poles and tackle assembled for use in position behind him/her, if possible, providing that no such other tackles are baited.
8. Any bait, subject to local rules, can be used except live or dead fish, frogs spinning baits or artificial lures.
9. No competitor shall have live or dead fish in his/her possession before a match. All competitors must submit to a search if requested by a contest official.
10. Before the starting signal no competitor must on any account groundbait or loose feed the swim but will be allowed to wet a line, plumb the depth and test the float, mix and wet groundbait, clear his/her ground of weed or obstructions and position his/her equipment. On no account must a feeder be used before the starting signal (bomb only).
11. Competitors may receive assistance to or from their peg, or both, for themselves or their tackle, or both.
12. All groundbait may be thrown in by hand, or by use of one or two handed catapults, throwing sticks, swim feeders, bait droppers and bait cups, but no other mechanical means of projecting groundbait is allowed. No bait shall be introduced with a pole cup or bait dropper attached to an extra rod/pole whilst continuing to fish.
13. Any competitor who abandons his/her peg having decided to cease taking part in the match but who decides to continue fishing must do so outside the confines of the length being used for the match.
14. A competitor may wade provided that the water does not extend above the knees unless he/she can touch the bank with fingertips, in which case the water can extend above the knees. When platforms are used, the water must not come over the knees when standing on a river / lake bed.
15. A competitor must cease fishing at the finishing signal. Should he/she still be playing a fish hooked before the signal is given, he/she will be permitted no more than fifteen minutes after time has been called to land the fish.
16. All fish caught are eligible for weighing with the exception of game fish and crustaceans. It will be the responsibility of the competitor to return all live fish to the water after weighing. Dead fish, handed to the competitor by the scalesman, must be returned after the match, to the headquarters by the competitor concerned and placed in the receptacle provided.
Any fish suspected of being weighted or any fish considered suspicious by the weighers must be laid before the match organisers and the angler’s weight be not confirmed until a ruling has been obtained.
If match organisers recommended the disqualification of a competitor they will weigh his/her fish in case the ruling is not upheld.
17. All catches will be weighed to the nearest scale reading.
18. Each competitor will be responsible for ensuring the correct weight of their catch is recorded by the Steward. In any dispute the decision of the weighers and the organisers will be final.
19. Competitors are responsible for ensuring that their pegs are clear of litter and no competitor may have his/her catch weighed in who has litter lying on the banks of his/her swim.
20. Any objection to an angler’s conduct, for whatever reason, must be lodged in writing with the match or club secretary within 1 day of the end of the match. The alleged offender will be informed of the alleged offence and given an opportunity to defend themselves. Should an offender after receiving a warning leave the match scene, the objection shall be deemed to have been sustained and the match organisers must inform him/her of their findings and punishment (if any) within seven days of the complaint.
21. All the foregoing rules are subject to the byelaws of the Environment Agency.
22. Any angler proved to have been in contravention of these rules will be disqualified.
23. The use of lead, including any alloy or compound lead, in the form of split shot or any other suitable thing for weighting fishing lines is prohibited. The prohibition does not apply to weights of lead, alloy or compound lead, less than 28.35 grams if such lead, alloy or compound lead, is incorporated in the construction of swim feeders or self cocking floats.
Match Rules
1. The recommended duration for a contest shall be 5 hours winter and 6 hours summer.
2. The match must be a pegged down competition. Pegs, preferably twenty yards apart and not less than fifteen yards, must be staked out and numbered prior to fishing. All pegs used under normal conditions must be of a state to give competitors a practicable and reasonable chance to fish his or her swim.
3. Each competitor on drawing his/her number shall proceed to the corresponding number on the bank and this will be considered his/her fishing ground where he/she will fish. The peg must remain in position until the weigh-in is completed.
4. Every competitor must fish from within one metre either side of his/her designated peg. On flowing water, the competitor may fish in the direction of the flow as far as the next peg. On still water, he/she may fish as far as half the distance between his/her peg and the pegs on either side. Where competitors are drawn on opposite banks, the limit of the swim is the line midway between each bank.
The competitor will restrict their activities completely to these boundaries, neither his/her person, his/her tackle, his/her hookbaits or groundbaits may intrude into his/her neighbours swim. In an extreme situation, e.g. snagged tackle of a snagged fish, an angler must seek permission from his/her neighbour/s before moving from his/her designated peg to try and remedy the situation.
5. No competitor may move his/her peg or exchange his/her peg or draw card with another without the organiser’s official consent.
6. Competitors must retain all fish in keepnets which comply with the relevant EA Byelaws. Competitors must take every practicable step to keep their fish alive and, after weighing them, must ensure their careful return to the water. If, for any reason fish are seen to be in distress, a competitor or match official
has the right to demand that they be weighed immediately and returned to the water during the course of the match.
7. A competitor shall have in use one rod or pole, one line and one single hook at one time, but may have other rods or poles and tackle assembled for use in position behind him/her, if possible, providing that no such other tackles are baited.
8. Any bait, subject to local rules, can be used except live or dead fish, frogs spinning baits or artificial lures.
9. No competitor shall have live or dead fish in his/her possession before a match. All competitors must submit to a search if requested by a contest official.
10. Before the starting signal no competitor must on any account groundbait or loose feed the swim but will be allowed to wet a line, plumb the depth and test the float, mix and wet groundbait, clear his/her ground of weed or obstructions and position his/her equipment. On no account must a feeder be used before the starting signal (bomb only).
11. Competitors may receive assistance to or from their peg, or both, for themselves or their tackle, or both.
12. All groundbait may be thrown in by hand, or by use of one or two handed catapults, throwing sticks, swim feeders, bait droppers and bait cups, but no other mechanical means of projecting groundbait is allowed. No bait shall be introduced with a pole cup or bait dropper attached to an extra rod/pole whilst continuing to fish.
13. Any competitor who abandons his/her peg having decided to cease taking part in the match but who decides to continue fishing must do so outside the confines of the length being used for the match.
14. A competitor may wade provided that the water does not extend above the knees unless he/she can touch the bank with fingertips, in which case the water can extend above the knees. When platforms are used, the water must not come over the knees when standing on a river / lake bed.
15. A competitor must cease fishing at the finishing signal. Should he/she still be playing a fish hooked before the signal is given, he/she will be permitted no more than fifteen minutes after time has been called to land the fish.
16. All fish caught are eligible for weighing with the exception of game fish and crustaceans. It will be the responsibility of the competitor to return all live fish to the water after weighing. Dead fish, handed to the competitor by the scalesman, must be returned after the match, to the headquarters by the competitor concerned and placed in the receptacle provided.
Any fish suspected of being weighted or any fish considered suspicious by the weighers must be laid before the match organisers and the angler’s weight be not confirmed until a ruling has been obtained.
If match organisers recommended the disqualification of a competitor they will weigh his/her fish in case the ruling is not upheld.
17. All catches will be weighed to the nearest scale reading.
18. Each competitor will be responsible for ensuring the correct weight of their catch is recorded by the Steward. In any dispute the decision of the weighers and the organisers will be final.
19. Competitors are responsible for ensuring that their pegs are clear of litter and no competitor may have his/her catch weighed in who has litter lying on the banks of his/her swim.
20. Any objection to an angler’s conduct, for whatever reason, must be lodged in writing with the match or club secretary within 1 day of the end of the match. The alleged offender will be informed of the alleged offence and given an opportunity to defend themselves. Should an offender after receiving a warning leave the match scene, the objection shall be deemed to have been sustained and the match organisers must inform him/her of their findings and punishment (if any) within seven days of the complaint.
21. All the foregoing rules are subject to the byelaws of the Environment Agency.
22. Any angler proved to have been in contravention of these rules will be disqualified.
23. The use of lead, including any alloy or compound lead, in the form of split shot or any other suitable thing for weighting fishing lines is prohibited. The prohibition does not apply to weights of lead, alloy or compound lead, less than 28.35 grams if such lead, alloy or compound lead, is incorporated in the construction of swim feeders or self cocking floats.
