Fishing Rules

Fishing Rules, current 6 April 2017

Fishing Times

1. No member shall commence fishing before 7.30am or fish after 12.00 midnight, or use more than one rod at any time.

Fishing Methods

2. 
a. Spinners, spoons, Rapalas and similar lures are permitted throughout the season provided that no more than one hook (which may be a single, double or treble hook) is used at any time.  

b. Artificial fly is permitted throughout the season. Where fishing is with an artificial fly one single “dropper” fly (tied on one single, double or treble hook) may be used in addition to one single point fly (which must be tied on a single, double or treble hook).

c. Worm fishing is permitted between 16th June and 19th September everywhere except the Danby Lodge beat, as long as a Shelton self-release hook is used. Worming is totally banned from the start of the season until 16th June and from 20th September to the end of the season and at all times on the Danby Lodge beat.

d. Shrimp or prawn fishing is permitted between 16th June and 19th September. Shrimp or prawn fishing is totally banned from the start of the season until 16th June from 20th September to the end of the season.

e. No other fishing methods may be used.

f. The Committee may approve hook types in additional to the Shelton self release hook from time to time and will notify the members of any new hooks. Rule c will then be treated as including Shelton hooks and the additional hook type(s) which the Committee has approved.

Gaffs and tailers

3. The use of gaff or tailer is prohibited at all times

Landing Nets

4. Landing nets must be made of knotless, non-metallic material

Fishing Weights

5. No fishing weight made of lead may be used except those of 0.06 grams or less and those of more than 28.35 grams. In angling terms this means that lead shot from size 14 to size 8 and lead weights over 1 ounce can be used in fishing. These restrictions do not apply to non-lead weights.

Permitted seasons

6. You are allowed to fish for
a. Salmon: 6th April – 31st October inclusive (You must return all salmon caught before 16th June)
b. Sea Trout : 6th April – 31st October inclusive
c. Brown Trout: 25th March – 30th September inclusive
d. Grayling: 16th June – 14th March (after 1st November by artificial fly only)
Size limits

7. Size limits must conform to Environment Agency limits which currently are set as:
Salmon: 30 cms (12 inches)
Sea Trout: 25.4 cms (10 inches)
Brown Trout: 23 cms (9 inches)
Grayling: 30-38 cms (12 inches -15inches)

Bag limits

8. The Environment Agency set bag limits for grayling (2 fish per day) and trout (6 fish per day). The Association do not wish to impose bag limits on Sea Trout or Salmon but strongly encourage catch and release. All members and guests are requested to ask themselves the following question:
“Do I need to kill this fish?”
   
Returning fish

9. All salmon hen fish caught in October must be returned to the water unharmed. All red or stale salmon to be returned to the water unharmed.
10. Any fish that is hooked other than in the throat or mouth must be returned to the water immediately with as little injury as possible
   
Sundays

11. Fishing is allowed on all days of the week, including Sundays

Showing tickets

12. All persons fishing must, if requested show their Membership Card and give their names and addresses to the River Keeper or members of the Association.

Guests

13. A full member may take a guest on not more than six days in any one season and both the member and guest may fish, provided that the guest is accompanied by the full member and that the full member has given prior notice (including the guest’s name) to a person nominated by the Committee before commencing fishing (the person is currently Mike Howard). Not more than 5 pairs of members and their guests may both fish at the same time in September and October to limit the risk of congestion. The five pairs will be booked on a first come, first served basis. All members are responsible for their guests’ behaviour and safety and must therefore remain sufficiently close to their guests to ensure behaviour and safety at all time. Members must also ensure that their guests hold the appropriate rod licence. No member may invite the same guest on more than 2 occasions during any season (but if the guest is a child or grandchild of the member, this restriction will not apply). 

14. Members may at any time share their rod with a child or grandchild of theirs without that activity counting as a guest day.

Dogs

15. No member or guest shall be accompanied by dogs when using the facilities of the Association.

Selling fish

16. It is an offence to sell, exchange or barter any rod caught salmon or sea trout.

Fishing Licence

17. All members of The Association must hold a current Environment Agency Migratory Fishing Licence.

General behaviour

18. Always have regard for fellow anglers particularly when arriving at a point on the river. It is particularly important to note that fishing movement is permitted in only one direction ie.your movement is in a DOWNSTREAM direction. Good manners and common courtesy should ensure pleasurable fishing for all members and guests.

Fishing returns
19. Within a month of the end of each season each member must provide a written return to the Committee showing:
a. All salmon caught, including:
i. Where they were caught
ii. Date they were caught
iii. Sex of fish
iv. Whether they were returned or killed
b. All sea trout caught, including:
i. Where they were caught
ii. Date they were caught
iii. Sex of fish
iv. Whether they were returned or killed
c. The overall number of trout caught on the Grosmont water
d. The number of days that season the member has fished on each of:
i. Grosmont water
ii. Egton water
iii. Danby water
iv. The Danby Lodge water

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