Rules & Constitution

Basic Rules and Regulations Governing all GAPS Fisheries

RULES OF MEMBERSHIP

1. That any person wishing to become a member can join at any participating tackle shop or other agency online, or by post to the General Secretary via the A joining fee will be paid at the rate currently in force and such subscriptions that shall be laid down by the Society. Acceptance of membership shall be deemed as acceptance of all the Society’s Rules and Regulations. Membership to the Society is open to all applicants. The Society reserves the right to refuse membership at the Executive Committee’s discretion.

That each member shall pay the annual subscription in full when renewing membership. No membership card will be issued until the subscription is paid in full.

2. The Society’s membership year will commence on the first day of June each
3. All vehicles must be parked in designated areas. Failure to comply with this rule may result in the member being asked to leave the fishery by any bona fide member present.

ALL MEMBERS’ VEHICLES MUST DISPLAY THE CURRENT MEMBERSHIP ‘CAR DISC’ AT ALL TIMES ON THE SOCIETY’S FISHERIES.

4. That any member transferring their membership card to any  other person or abusing the privileges granted by the Society or acting in any manner deemed by the Executive Committee to be detrimental to the Society or any riparian owner shall be held responsible for their behavior and may be expelled from  the Society by resolution of the Executive Any member causing damage to any property on or adjoining Society’s waters may be asked to recompense.
5. No person shall light any fires. Members shall not cause any willful or unnecessary damage to the banks or herbage of any of G.A.P.S. fisheries leased, owned or licensed and will always behave in a reasonable and proper manner.
6. Current Membership rule books and ID cards must be obtained before fishing club Members must also carry their Membership cards and rule book when fishing. G.A.P.S. waters and produce them when requested to do so by officers, bailiffs, landowners or any G.A.P.S. member offering proof of his/her standing. Failure to comply with this rule will result in such a member having to appear before the Committee to answer the same. Members are warned to ensure they have statutory fishing rod licenses to cover the water they are fishing. All G.A.P.S. fisheries are governed by the Environment Agency statutory rod fishing byelaws. All G.A.P.S. members shall be considered to have the power of Bailiff on all Society Waters and may challenge any person in accordance with these rules. Any person found fishing in G.A.P.S. waters without being duly authorized shall be prosecuted according to the law.
7. Fishing is not allowed in any manner other than with rod and line and a landing net to secure fish when hooked. No member to use more than one hook attached to any one line, except for predator traces.
8. ROD LIMITS THREE RODS ALL YEAR ROUND unless stated below

ALDERSON LAKES COMPLEX – TWO RODS ALL YEAR ROUND

 

9. Members shall not be allowed to carry guns of any description on Society’s fisheries unless duly authorized by the secretary or his appointed representative; such authorization shall not be granted unless satisfactory evidence is  produced  of  third party liability cover adequate to protect the
10. No member shall be accompanied by a dog unless a dog disclaimer form has been completed and signed (available when joining, or from the Secretary). The dog must be microchipped and insured for third party liability. Removal of the right to be accompanied by a dog many be removed at the Committees ALL DOG MESS TO BE CLEARED UP BY OWNER
11. Anyone found leaving LITTER in the swim or peg or fishing with LITTER in a swim or peg or disobeying these rules shall come before the Committee and will be subject to severe disciplinary action. This includes litter already present in the
12. No complaint shall be considered from ordinary members whatsoever unless the complaint is supported in writing, in either email or letter format and duly signed by the person making such a If anyone having to appear before the committee (at a  time  amenable to both parties) to answer any charges or complaint fails to appear, without offering  a  good reason for absence, he/she will have the complaint dealt with in  their absence and the committee’s decision shall be final.
13. No unauthorized marking or tagging of fish to take place on any G.A.P.S. waters or waters under the management or control of the Society. Removal or introduction of any fish is strictly prohibited unless it is deemed to be a fishery management exercise and approved by the Executive Committee and the Environment Agency fisheries department. All such matters to be dealt with through the Executive
14. No live baiting, only dead sea baits, vacuum packed, blast frozen coarse dead baits and artificial lures See pike angling page of this book for specific pike angling rule and tackle requirements.
15. Night Fishing is allowed subject to a separate fee (as laid down by the AGM) and will be charged at the time of membership renewal. Night Fishing Permits will not be issued to junior members unless they are obtained on their behalf by a senior who MUST accompany that junior member whilst fishing at night. Night fishing is defined as the period one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. Night fishing permits may be limited in number and may be issued at the Committee’s
16. Members must not keep fish for periods in excess of 6 hours in keep nets. Only approved keep nets to be used for the retention of fish. Carp and specimen fish to be retained for as short a period as possible, and not overnight, in approved sacks or retainers. Specimen anglers are to use a suitable sized unhooking mat – see separate carp/specimen fishing page in this Retaining time may be reduced at the Committee’s discretion in times of warm weather.
17. No fishing permitted after sunset on any venue on the day before a match is planned or any day when a match has been arranged until after the match is In the event of space being available after the draw has taken place for the match this space may be made available by the Match Secretary. Any member found fishing venues when reserved for club events may be expelled after the matter is placed before the Committee.
18. Any fishery problems, pollution, fish distress or mortalities must be reported without delay to any Society officer, or in the absence of an officer to the Environment Agency. Name and telephone number of the informant is important for further contact. Environment Agency Emergency Hotline 0800 807060 call free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

19. Members fishing any waters must not leave the vicinity of their swim or peg with lines in the If any member leaves or walks away from the swim or peg all lines must be removed from the water and bait removed from hooks.
20. NO PRE-BAITING OF WATERS ALLOWED ON ANY GAPS
21. No member of the Society is authorized to write or contact the press or media concerning business or matters relating to the Society whatsoever without the prior approval and authorization from the
22. All bloodworm and joker baits are prohibited between 1st April and 30th September inclusive on all G.A.P.S.
23. Any member taking a vehicle into society waters does so entirely at their own
24. Members or authorized visitors entering G.A.P.S club waters do so entirely at their own risk. Members and visitors are bound by the rules of the Club, and the Club will not be liable to any member or visitor or their estate for, any personal injury sustained by them, or death, or damage or loss of property. (A.P.S Committee)
25. NO FIRES WHATSOEVER. Excepted are BBQ’s when used responsibly; this postulates that they will not cause fire risks or patches of burnt grass.
26. No fish to be taken away or brought to fisheries (except dead sea fish bait or blast frozen, vacuum packed coarse dead baits).
27. Members must not dig away banks or interfere with trees or plants of any kind except when specifically,
28. Fishing from numbered pegs only (where provided).
29. Members must observe any special notices that may be erected and not occupy reserved/closed
30. No unauthorized guests to be taken to any
31. Members must not obstruct any Public Footpath with fishing tackle etc.
32. Baited hooks must not be left unattended in a way that enables any straying dog or other animal to pick up and eat
33. Bait boats allowed subject to permit and conditions Permit can be withdrawn by order of the executive committee in the event of misuse.
34. All officials (Committee members, officials of G.A.P.S and bailiffs) have the right to exclude or ask members to leave from any G.A.P.S venue if there is a rule infringement. The DECISION OF THE OFFICIALS IS FINAL. They may also ask members to come before the committee to explain their actions if any of the rules in this book are not adhered to. G.A.P.S members are reminded to be polite and respectful to fellow G.A.P.S members and G.A.P.S officials.
35. SPAWNING FISH/TEMPORARY CLOSURES. Lakes will be closed temporary to allow fish spawning if required.  There may also be other temporary closures required for angler safety – for example flooded lakes; to undertake works safely; or enforced temporary closures at the request of landowners.

 

G.A.P.S. MATCH RULES

1. All entries for club matches must be notified to the Match Secretary before day of match (48 hours’ notice if possible).
2. Competitors to be present at draw at time stated or they may be ineligible to
3. The Match Secretary may appoint stewards if necessary and they shall act with the authority vested in them by the Match
4. Competitors may wet ground bait, plumb depth and set float, clear weed and break ice; place keep nets before start of club
5. Anglers must not annoy or approach other competitors
6. All matches to be staked down and weighed in at Competitors not at their peg at times of weigh in may be disqualified.
7. Peg numbers must not be changed after the draw unless authorized by steward or Match
8. Any number of rods may be assembled but only one rod to be over the water and in use at any time (2 hooks may be used).

9. Whilst fishing, competitors must remain within an area of 3 feet either side of their
10. Points shall be given to winners from 1 down to 20 (members not attending the match shall receive 30 points).
11. Competitors shall fish and feed within the reasonable confines of their peg.
12. No lines to be left unattended in the water or baited on the
13. Whilst fishing away matches or other clubs’ waters, rules applying to that water or host club will be observed and adhered to at all
14. Environment Agency byelaws apply to all Society’s
15. Stewards’ decision shall be final regarding the weight of any
16. All fish to be retained in keep nets except large fish or fish in distress which must be weighed and returned to the
17. Assistance may be given to another angler to land fish with landing net, if
18. All live fish in season to be eligible for weighing in except for Pike. Pike to count only in Pike
19. No lures designed to emulate fish, or dead sea fish, to be used except for Pike or Perch
20. Any complaints about the behavior of another competitor or any dispute regarding weights or infringements of match rules must be made to the Match Secretary before the results are announced.

21. All boat matches must be fished from boats and combined weight to count in each Boat matches shall not secure points except for the specimen fish awards.

CARP/SPECIMEN ANGLING CODE OF CONDUCT

• Appropriate fish care shall be Large padded unhooking mat, suitable landing net, weigh sling and fish care equipment.
• Sack fish for minimum time possible in an approved sack/retainer only for photography reasons. Do not retain fish overnight. Fish to be sacked in deep well oxygenated water and not shallow
• Rods are not to be left
• Anglers shall remain close to rods if snag fishing. This includes setting up shelter and bedchair close to rods when night fishing and not fishing from
• Consider and respect fellow anglers fishing nearby – do not cast into or over another anglers swim.  If in doubt, ask.
• Fish within the confines of the water in front of your peg/swim. Do not cast/fish into neighboring anglers’ If in doubt consult your neighbor as to where they are fishing.
• Consider what is between you and are where you are casting – do not cast beyond snags or large weed beds which you would need to bring a fish
• Rigs shall always be able to shed a lead without leaving long lengths of leader material    trailing for a fish to get snagged Long lengths of leader/lead core are not recommended. BAILIFFS ARE ENTITLED TO REQUEST TO INSPECT RIGS.
• Where allowed, bait boats shall not be used to access water beyond casting range, or outside the confines of your own area of water. They shall not be used to gain behind features such as islands where a fish can go behind an island. Consider weed beds that you may be taking your rig beyond which will cause problems with landing or snagging fish. If a bait boat is being used inappropriately the anglers bait boat ticket will be removed without refund.
• DO NOT BRING ANY NETS OR UNHOOKING EQUIPMENT TO THE LAKE WET. You will be either asked to leave or wait until they are dry prior to WET NETS SPREAD DISEASE.
• Particles shall be properly prepared, soaked and boiled. Nuts of all kinds shall be used in moderation.
• No unauthorized movement of fish between venues
• Time away from a venue when fishing for longer duration sessions shall be limited and shall be for genuine reasons

 

PIKE FISHING RULES/TACKLE REQUIREMENTS

• Unhooking mat/tools to consist of: long & short forceps, long side cutters, pike disgorger, large padded unhooking mat adequate landing net minimum 36” diameter
• Semi barbed or barbless trebles to be used on all traces
• Wire traces min 18″long 20lb breaking strain
• Minimum breaking strain main lines: mono 15lb, braid 20lb
• STRIKE EARLY – DO NOT LEAVE RODS UNATTENDED
• Retention of pike for photos for as short as time as possible
• Pike to be kept out of water for as short a time as
• No fixed leads
• Visual bite indication must be used
• Free lining of baits is not permitted
• No live baiting
• Vacuum packed coarse dead baits may be used, or frozen sea dead baits.
• No pike fishing between the 31st March – 1 October, to include the use of artificial lures
• Report any lost traces/lures and line lost in trees or snags.