GENERAL RULES
OBJECTIVES AND CONSTITUTION
1. This Association to be called the Horsham and District Angling Association, having its headquarters at the Roffey Social & Sports Club, Spooners Road, Roffey, Horsham.
2. The object of the Association being preservation of the waters in and near Horsham for the purpose of angling and trolling for sport only. Taking fish by any other means than a rod and line is strictly prohibited, and no fish caught shall be offered for sale.
3. The Association shall consist of a limited number of Members whose names and residences shall be entered by the Secretary in a book kept for the purpose. Details of the Members may also be kept on a computer database for the purposes of administration and regulation of the Membership.
4. The business of the Association shall be conducted by a Committee of six, plus the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Match Secretary, Fishery Officer and Head Bailiff. A quorum shall be formed of 6 of these persons, all of whom shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The AGM shall also elect the President, Vice-Presidents and Auditor. In the event of a vacancy arising among the officers from any cause whatsoever, the Committee shall have the power to fill up any such vacancy until the next AGM.
The date of the AGM will be given on the Membership card.
TRUSTEES
5. The Trustees shall be elected by the Committee. The number of Trustees shall not be more than 3 or less than 2 and the property of the Association (other than cash which shall be under the control of the Treasurer) shall be vested in them. They shall deal with the property of the club as directed by resolution of the Committee (of which an entry in the minute book shall be conclusive evidence) and they shall be indemnified against risk and expense out of the Association property.
6. The Trustees shall hold office until death or resignation or until removed from office by a resolution of the Committee which may, for any reason which may seem sufficient to a majority of the Committee present and voting at any meeting, remove any Trustee or Trustees from the office of Trustee.
7. Where by reason of any such death, resignation or removal it shall appear necessary to the Committee that a new Trustee or Trustees shall be appointed or if the Committee shall deem it expedient to appoint an additional Trustee or additional Trustees, the Committee shall by resolution nominate the person or persons to be appointed the new Trustee or Trustees.
8. For the purpose of giving effect to such nomination the president of the Association is nominated as the person to appoint new Trustees of the Association within the meaning of the Trustee Act 1925, Section 36, and he shall by deed appoint the person or persons so nominated by the Committee as the new Trustee or Trustees of the Association and the provisions of the Trustee Act 1925 shall apply to any such appointment. Any statement of fact in any such deed of appointment shall in favour of a person dealing bona fide and for value with the Association or the Committee be conclusive evidence of the fact so stated.
MEMBERSHIP
9. Membership shall be valid from June 1st and will expire annually on 31st May, irrespective of date of issue.
10. Membership is available in the following categories:
Senior (18 to 64 years of age inclusive)
Intermediate (16 to 17 years of age inclusive)
Junior (10 to 15 years of age inclusive)
Minor (up to 10 years of age)
OAP (65 and above)
Disabled
Non-Fishing (minimum age 18 years of age)
11. The date of birth of any Member must be stated.
12. A Minor may only fish when accompanied by an adult Member over 18 years of age. Both must fish the same swim and use a maximum of 1 rod each.
13. Junior Members under 16 years of age, may only fish when accompanied by an adult Member over 18 years of age.
14. Membership cards must carry the Member's photograph with the Member's signature being carried across the photograph and Members must not enter Association waters without a properly completed Membership card containing their photograph.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
15. Membership fees (including fees for night permits, guest tickets and one-night tickets) will be determined on a year to year basis and existing Members will be advised of the renewal fees and costs of the guest tickets and one-night tickets in the newsletter issued prior to the renewal date.
16. The Committee may increase subscriptions by up to 20% without AGM approval.
17. New Members joining the Association after 1st December shall pay half price.
18. No alcohol, drugs or laser pens at any time allowed on any Association waters.
REFUSAL OF MEMBERSHIP
19. Membership application may be refused or withdrawn should the Association feel that such Membership would be detrimental to the Association as a whole. The Committee has the power to act on behalf of the Association in this respect.
NIGHT PERMITS
20. A night fishing permit is available to Senior, OAP and Intermediate Members only (not Minors or Juniors) who have been Association Members for at least two full seasons, subject to an additional fee which shall be notified on the renewal advice. From 1st December qualifying Members may purchase a half price night permit. Existing night permit holders may also upgrade their night permits from 2 to 3 rods at half price.
21. Members may use 3 rods at night from 11pm to 6am only subject to a further fee. (Remember 2 rod licences will be required.)
22. The night permit is valid at the following fisheries only:
Roosthole, Birchenbridge, Island Pond and Foxhole.
23. The night permit is subject to the following conditions:
a) Maximum number of permits to be 45, issued on a first come first served basis, but with preference given to existing night permit holders.
b) Permits are not transferable.
c) Sessions restricted to a maximum time on the fishery of 48 hours.
d) No tackle to be left unattended
e) Carp sacks must only be used for single specimen fish caught during the hours of darkness. Any member breaking this rule will have the night permit withdrawn immediately and may also have his general Membership withdrawn at the discretion of the Committee.
f) No Tilley lamps or other constant light source to be used.
g) No fires allowed. Appropriate safety stoves may be used on the Horsham bank of Roosthole only. Members must accept full responsibility for the use of their stoves and any third party damage caused.
BAIT BOATS
24. Bait boats may only be used by Senior Members holding a valid night permit during the period between 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise.
GUEST TICKETS
25. Senior Members may sponsor two persons for an additional fee per person per day. Members must accompany their guests fishing. See membership card for further details.
26. Guest night tickets are not available.
27. No Guest Tickets will be issued on the bank.
ONE-NIGHT TICKETS
28. Senior, OAP and Intermediate Members who have been Association Members for at least two full seasons not in possession of a full night permit may purchase a one-night permit for an additional fee. One-night only tickets will not be available for Saturday nights. See membership card for further details.
EXCHANGE TICKETS
29. Exchange tickets are available for a number of local clubs. See Membership Card for further details.
RULES APPLICABLE TO THE FISHERIES
NUMBER OF RODS
30. Two rods, two lines, (one hook each) shall be allowed at the same time by each individual with the exception of Minors and those accompanying Minors when only one rod per individual may be used. Members with a 3 rod night permit may fish with 3 rods at the times specified under the night fishing rules
HOOKS
31. Hooks smaller than size 8 shall be barbless or whisker barbed.
32. Island Pond and Foxhole. All hooks, regardless of size, must be barbless.
33. All treble hooks shall be barbless or semi-barbed.
KEEPNETS
34. Keepnets must not be used at Roosthole, Island Pond or Foxhole except in bona fide competitions.
35. Carp sacks may only be used for single specimen fish caught during the hours of darkness.
RETURN OF FISH TO THE WATER
36. All live fish caught in or out of competition must be returned to the water with the exception of sizeable Trout and Sea Trout.
BAIT
37. No bait shall be dug or searched for in the banks or property adjoining any of the waters of the Association.
38. Pre-baiting is not permitted.
PIKE FISHNG
39. MEMBERS WISHING TO FISH FOR PIKE IN ASSOCIATION WATERS MUST FIRST ATTEND A PIKE TEACH-IN ARRANGED BY ASSOCIATION OFFICIALS
40. Pike Season: Pike fishing is only allowed on Association waters between:
1st November and 15th March
41. When fishing for Pike minimum 15 lb line must be used with a minimum 20lb wire trace of at least 18 inches. Forceps and wire cutters should be carried and used when necessary.
LIVE BAIT
42. Live bait may only be used if they have been captured from the water being fished. No fish in excess of six inches shall be used as live bait on Association waters.
LANDING NETS
43. When fishing specifically for carp and pike, a minimum 36 inch landing net must be used.
UNHOOKING MATS
44. In the interests of the fish caught, Members must be in possession of a suitable unhooking mat when fishing Association waters.
ICE-BOUND FISHERIES
45. Waters which are ice-bound may be closed at the discretion of the Fishery Officer and Members must not break the ice to fish.
CLOSE SEASON
46. The Close Season for fishing with rod and line shall be as stated in the Bye-laws of the local Water Authority, and no Member is allowed on Association waters closed during this time unless on official Association business. Association waters will be opened or closed as directed by resolution of the Committee.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS TO THE FISHERIES
47. No Member shall leave any gate unfastened or do or permit any damage to fences, mowing grass, or crops near or adjoining the river or pond, or shall be accompanied by a dog (with the exception of bona fide Association bailiffs) or gun.
48. No work of any description may be carried out without the permission of the Fishery Officer. This particularly applies to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (Sun Oak Farm Ponds, Foxhole and Island Pond).
LITTER
49. No Member shall, when fishing, leave rubbish, such as paper, etc. laying about the banks and shall be responsible for the swim being used.
50. No cans of any description shall be taken onto Association fisheries (including bait tins, drink cans, etc.).
PRODUCTION OF MEMBERSHIP CARDS
51. All holders of membership cards shall produce their cards when requested by any Member producing his own membership card, and to any Owner of Land or person in authority or to a duly appointed bailiff of the Association.
BREACH OF RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION
52. Any Member being a witness of the infringement of the rules of the Association, or the rights and liberties of the Association, shall at once inform the Secretary and the Committee shall have the power to deal with the matter as they think fit.
FISHERY OWNERS
53. Individual owners of the Fisheries and individual occupiers of the land adjoining are (de facto) Honorary Members of the Association with full privileges.
CHANGE OF GENERAL RULES
54. None of the General Rules shall be altered or amended, or added to without the sanction of a majority at the Annual General Meeting, or a Special General Meeting convened for that purpose. Proposals for rule changes must be given in writing and be seconded in writing and submitted to the secretary by March 1st. In exceptional circumstances the Committee may submit propositions after March 1st. Any proposition due for consideration by the Annual General Meeting may be amended at the time of the Annual General Meeting, and without prior notice.
COURTESY TO OTHER MEMBERS
55. No Member may fish within 9 yards (13yds on rivers) of another Member without his permission
56. Any Member casting to another swim, whether to the opposite bank or adjacent bank, must cease to do so if another Member wishes to fish from that swim.
CAR PARKING
All vehicles are left entirely at owner’s risk and Members enter all fisheries at their own risk. No claim for damages will be considered either by the land owners or the Association.
YOUR LOCAL BAIT AND TACKLE SHOP IS:
ASH (Angling Specialists Horsham)
29, Queen Street,
Horsham
Tel. No. 01403 264644