Fishery rules

WEIR WOOD ANGLING.

FISHERY RULES FOR ALL ANGLERS

1. You must purchase a Weir Wood Angling fishing permit either on-line or at the Fishing Lodge before you start fishing, carry it with you together with some form of identification and an appropriate EA license. Sorry but we do not allow non fishing guests and rod sharing is not permitted except on family permits.
2. You must fish within the areas, times and only by the method stated on your permit. It is a condition of purchase that you accept and agree to spot checks of your Permit(s) EA license, identification, tackle, equipment, bags and catch at any time. Anyone considered by the duty manager, bailiff or a staff member of Weir Wood Angling to be contravening their permit terms, or any of these rules, will have any fish in their possession confiscated and will be required to leave the reservoir immediately without compensation. Weir Wood Angling reserves the right to exclude anglers at any time from the whole or any part of the reservoir.
3. Anglers must park either in the main car park or the designated area down by the water works. All visitors park their cars at their own risk. There are boats for hire and a ferry service from the fishing lodge for anglers wishing to access more remote areas or who have a lot of gear.
4. All catches must be reported including nil returns.
5. No fishing is allowed in the nature reserve (at the far western end beyond the line of marker buoys) or from the dam wall at any time. For safety reasons fishing from the southern bank between the dam and the furthest launch jetty is not permitted at weekends and after 5pm on Wednesdays.  .
6. The use of electronic fish-finders is not permitted other than for Pike fishing.
7. Preventing the spread of disease – If you have fished elsewhere recently please ensure that your footwear and tackle have been thoroughly cleaned and dried so as to minimise the risk of spreading disease. We will be happy to disinfect your tackle before you start fishing if you are in any doubt in this respect.
8. SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) Anglers must respect Weir Wood’s protected status as a SSSI and follow and observe the Country Code. This means no litter, no dogs, no loud music, no fires and no barbecues.

WEIR WOOD ANGLING

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR BOAT FISHING

1.    Weir Wood Angling reserve the absolute right to hire or refuse to hire a boat or boats to any person or persons over 18 at their sole discretion and without giving reason.

2.    Boats must be returned to the jetty by the finish time but may be recalled at any time due to adverse weather or for other reasons at the sole discretion of the Duty Manager. No compensation will be given for loss of use of a boat or fishing due to bad weather or matters beyond the control of Weir Wood Angling.

3.    Every person hiring a boat shall indemnify Weir Wood Angling against loss or damage to any part of the boat or engine or any other property which might arise from their use of the boat or their activities at or on the reservoir.

4.    Boats may carry up to a maximum of 2 persons. No-one under 12 is allowed in a boat and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

5.    Lifejackets must be worn when on the jetty or in boats. Lifejackets are supplied with each boat and must be returned at the end of the fishing session. Boat anglers are advised to fish in areas where they at least remain clearly audible and visible to others in case of difficulty and carry a mobile phone in a waterproof case. The duty manager’s telephone number during fishing hours is 0788 9728622. Please do not use this number for general enquiries as you may prevent someone in need from getting through. The Fishing Lodge number is 01342 820650. In the event of a serious emergency telephone 999. The reservoir post code for location is RH18 5HT.

6.    During the period of the hire the boat is not transferable to another angler. The hire of the boat ceases once it is returned to the fishing jetty.

7.    Breaking of the regulations by one member of a boat party shall reflect equally on the other occupant of the boat.

8.    Fishing boats under power, must give way to sailing dinghies, canoes, sculling boats or float-tubers at all times. Fishing boats are not allowed within 50 metres of other boats, bank anglers or the dam wall or draw-off tower nor are they permitted to enter the Nature Reserve or special canoeing area at any time (see map).

9.    Any additional restrictions or arrangements for special events will be advertised at the Fishing Lodge

10.  Thwart boards are not permitted as Weir Wood boats have seats already in-built.

11.  No leeboards, rudders or other controls are allowed except drogues.

12.  Trolling or trailing from boats is specifically forbidden for all species except Pike, when fishing on a Pike Permit, whether under power by motor, oars or by drifting.

 WEIR WOOD ANGLING

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR FLOAT-TUBE USERS

1.  Float-tubing is permitted only on certain days and subject to good weather conditions on those days.

2. Float-tube users must be fully paid up members of the British Float Tube Association (BFTA) and be over 18 years of age.

3. Float tube users must follow the latest BFTA safety guidelines and use a recognized make of float-tube that has been manufactured for the purpose. Lifejackets must be worn at all times. Float tube users are advised to fish in areas where they at least remain clearly audible and visible to others in case of difficulty and carry a mobile phone in a waterproof case. The duty manager’s telephone number during fishing hours is 0788 9728622 (please do not use this number for general enquiries as you may prevent someone in need from getting through) The Fishing Lodge number is 01342 820650. In the event of a serious emergency telephone 999. The reservoir post code for location is RH18 5HT

4. Float-tubers may only launch and exit from the slip way in front of the fishing lodge and must return to the launch slip way either having caught their limit or by the finish time or immediately if recalled at any time. No compensation will be given for loss of float-tube fishing due to bad weather or matters beyond the control of Weir Wood Angling Ltd.

5. Float tube users at Weir Wood do so at their own risk and agree to indemnify Weir Wood Angling Ltd against accident loss or damage to themselves, or any other property which might arise from their use of a float tube or their activities at or on the reservoir.

6. Float-tube users are not allowed within 50 metres of other boats or bank anglers, nor within 100 metres of the dam wall or draw-off tower nor are they permitted to enter the Nature Reserve or special canoeing area at any time (see map).

PERMIT METHODS & RESTRICTIONS

All Permits are date specific, non refundable and non transferable. It is only valid if numbered, receipted and stamped. All permits are subject to our Terms & Conditions, Fishery Rules and the method restrictions below.

DAY TICKET TROUT FLY-FISHING

Full day 4 fish - Fishing 8am and 7pm boats or bank

full day 2 fish – 8am to 7pm.

Only one rod may be used at a time which must be a proper fly rod fly line and reel with artificial flies or lures tied with traditional materials. Leaders must be not less than 4lbs b.s. and fly sizes no larger than 8. Fish finders are not permitted.

All species other than trout and brown trout outside of the main season for brown trout which runs April 1st – September 30th must be carefully unhooked and returned to the water alive.

You must keep each trout caught which may be legally taken up until you reach the limit on your permit at which time you may catch and release there after.

DAY TICKET ANY METHOD TROUT FISHING

Fishing 8am and 7pm at Weir Wood on boats or within the day permit restricted bank fishing area designated for this day.

Anglers may use any generally accepted methods of rod and line fishing using a maximum of two rods at any one time and may use both artificial and natural baits, but not ground baits or live or dead fish. No lure bait or spinner may exceed and overall length of 2 inches including the hook(s). No part of the line may be of a breaking strain less than 4lbs and no hooks may be larger than size 8. Fish finders are not permitted.

All species other than trout and brown trout outside of the main season for brown trout which runs April 1st – September 30th must be carefully unhooked and returned to the water alive.

You must keep each trout caught which may be legally taken up until you reach the limit on your permit at which time you must stop fishing. Catch & release fishing even for coarse fish is not permitted after you have caught your limit on a trout permit.

DAY TICKET COARSE FISHING EXCEPT PIKE

Day Tickets non WWAC members - Fish 8am and 6pm within the day permit restricted bank fishing area designated for the day.

On this permit you may use any generally accepted method of natural bait fishing, except spinning, for coarse fish using a maximum of two rods at any one time. You may use only natural baits and ground baits approved by the duty manager. Your lines must be monofilament only (no braids) not less than 4lbs and barbless single hooks only and no larger than size 8. Fish finders are not permitted.

All species must be carefully unhooked on an unhooking mat and returned to the water alive. Keep nets are not permitted except during authorised matches.

DAY TICKET PIKE FISHING – DESIGNATED OPEN DAYS ONLY SEE DIARY

Fishing 8.30am to 4pm (breakfast included in your permit at 8am).

This permit allows you to fish exclusively for pike using any generally accepted method of rod and line fishing for Pike with a maximum of two rods at any one time including fly fishing or spinning with artificial lures and baits and float fishing or ledgering with natural dead baits but not live fish. No part of the line may be of a breaking strain less than 20lbs a wire trace of at least 10 inches must be used. Hooks must be size 8 or larger and all baits not less than 4inches in length inc hooks. All hooks must have the barbs squashed down or be barbless. Fish finders are not permitted.

All species must be carefully unhooked on an unhooking mat and returned to the water alive. Keep nets are not permitted.

WEIR WOOD ANGLING CLUB (WWAC)

All WWAC Fly Fishing members can fish early morning and late evenings 6am to 10pm or 6am to 1pm or 1pm to 10pm on a 4 fish half day permit or season ticket on the bank. Boats cannot be launched before 8am and must be in by 6pm except on Tuesdays and Thursdays when members can stay out til 9pm.

Coarse fishing season ticket holders may fish at night by arrangement.    WWAC Coarse fishing season ticket holders have unrestricted access to all fishing areas (delivery and collection service available) and may use up to three rods at any one time.  

WWAC Pike fishing season ticket holders may fish at any time between 8am and 6pm and hire boats by arrangement.

Season tickets run from the designated start dates: March 15^th trout, June 16^th Coarse except Pike, and October 1^st Pike until February 28^th each year.

MEMBERS MUST SIGN IN AT THE LODGE OR RING between 8am and 5pm AND LET THE DUTY MANAGER KNOW WHERE YOU INTEND TO FISH BEFORE SETTING UP. You must then sign out when you leave. 

The following method restrictions apply:

Trout – as per day tickets

Coarse except Pike – as per day tickets but members may use three rods

Pike – as per day tickets but members may use three rods

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