ABERAERON TOWN ANGLING CLUB

THE RIVER AERON’S ONLY ANGLING CLUB

Code of Conduct

for boat fishing in Club lake events

Following several events which occurred in Club lake competitions, after the change from ‘International Rules’ to ‘Fishery Rules’, the Committee has drawn up a ‘Code of Conduct’ for boat anglers to follow at Club lake competitions and other Club events such as organised trips to different lakes and reservoirs. Some points refer to competitions only whereas others apply to both competitions and other lake fishing days. This is not a draconian set of rules but a list of common sense principles to be followed to ensure fairness and the safety and enjoyment of all.

Competitions

1. Competitors must fish for the duration of the match and cannot request to come off early unless it’s for an emergency, such as sickness or injury, or whilst fishing in a storm with thunder and lightning in the vicinity and one angler wants to come off for safety reasons – if an angler makes a request to leave the lake for any of these reasons it should be respected. If an angler wants to come off early, it puts their boat partner at a disadvantage, e.g., if the area at the far end of the lake is fishing well and one angler wants to come off early then 30 minutes may be lost by the time they’ve motored back to the jetty, taken the tackle off the boat and returned to the fishing at the far end of the lake. In another scenario, knowing that their partner wants to come off early, both anglers might decide to fish in the vicinity of the jetty so that little time would be lost in returning to shore. However, this area might not be fishing well and the angler not finishing early would again be put at a disadvantage.

2. Anglers not wanting to fish in rough water in windy conditions. If the best fishing is in a big wave, this puts the boat partner wanting to fish in that area at a disadvantage. If an angler feels they cannot fish in such conditions, then they should put their rod down and wait until conditions have improved or 2 hours have elapsed and then they can dictate the fishing location during their 2 hours in charge of the boat (anglers don’t have to change position in the boat but control of fishing location, if not mutually agreed, should be shared, 2 hours on, 2 hours off). Bear in mind that when the 2 hours is up, their partner can go back to where they were fishing initially if they wish. This is taken from ‘International Rules’ section 7.C:

“The command of the boat will change every 2 hours. Competitors shall change ends every 2 hours or as may be mutually agreed.”

3. There is an imaginary line, halfway between the 2 anglers in the boat, projecting into the water in front of the boat and anglers should confine their casting to their half of the boat. However, if your boat partner isn’t fishing, for example, having a cup of tea or getting out of a tangle then you may cover their water but must desist when they return to fishing.

Competitions and other lake events

Anglers fishing in Club competitions and Club events are also expected to comply with the following:

 Standard safety gear. Lifejackets are now mandatory at all fisheries from entry to the jetty – functioning lifejackets must be worn at all times beyond this point. Eye protection should also be worn at all times when fishing; nobody wants a fly in the eye or to be accidentally responsible for putting one into another angler’s eye - even the best casters can have a wayward cast. Consider your choice of fly in windy conditions – large, weighted flies can be difficult to cast and can be dangerous in rough weather.

 Anglers must not stand in the boat when casting or retrieving line but, if necessary, may stand when playing a fish. Standing in a boat is inherently dangerous - the angler could fall in and endanger not only themselves but also their partner in their attempts to get them back in the boat. Further, if you stand in a boat there is an increased risk you could be struck by your boat partner’s flies, especially if they are fishing ‘the inside of the boat’. Before standing in the boat, for any reason, inform your partner of your intentions.

 Ensure that all boat seats are well maintained and are correctly and securely fitted before leaving the jetty.

 Anglers should carry all the basic tackle needed for the day without having to rely on any of their partner’s tackle, unless agreed beforehand, e.g., single drogue on the boat, shared net, etc.

 The dispatching of fish should not be performed by knocking the fish on the bottom of the boat so that noise shockwaves radiate outward from the boat, please dispatch your fish sensibly without causing disturbance.

 When using a drogue, both anglers have a responsibility for its deployment and recovery, unless otherwise agreed.

 Dispose of all waste terminal tackle and litter responsibly – remember that you are representing the Club at these events and the Club’s reputation is in your hands.

 A mobile phone, with the lodge number stored, should be taken by each boat pairing to be used in the case of emergency.