Rules and Regulations

Bollin & Birkin Fly Fishing Association

RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Bollin and Birkin Fly Fishing Association and is established to:

Promote the pastime of fly fishing in the River Bollin and the Birkin and Mobberley Brooks.
Protect fish and their habitat..
Work with Government Agencies and like-minded organizations to improve the environment in the River Bollin and Birkin and Mobberley Brooks and eliminate pollution to achieve Water Framework Directive targets.
Help the recovery and preservation of wild brown trout and other migratory fish.
Remove and control nonnative invasive species
Encourage the health and survival of all species of fish, plants, birds, animals and insects in the catchment.

RULES

These Rules and the Regulations shall be binding upon every member.

Fishing

Fishing in the Birkin and Mobberley Brook is restricted to fly fishing for trout with artificial fly only and with barbless hooks.
There are no restrictions on the size or number of flies used with one rod & line. Treble and double hooks are not permitted on Birkin and Mobberley Brooks.
All fish caught will be released.

Coarse fishing is permitted on the River Bollin.
Wading is permitted; however care must be taken not to wade through weed beds, or to disturb the water to the detriment of those fishing downstream. Members are warned that the waters contain some deep pools that may be dangerous for wading, especially in the River Bollin.
Members must produce their membership cards and rod licenses whenever they are requested to do so by other members, the game keeper, an agent of the Environment Agency or by the landlord or his representative.
Dead fish or signs of pollution should be immediately reported to the Environment Agency “Pollution Hotline” [Tel 0800-807060] and then reported to a member of the Committee.
Damage to property, or the loss or finding of property or tackle, should be reported to the Secretary.

Committee

The management of the Association shall be vested in a Committee consisting of a Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and three Committee members.
The Committee members will meet as and when required throughout the year to debate club matters, three such members will be required to form a quorum.
An Annual General Meeting for all members shall be held before each trout fishing season. Six club members may form a quorum to agree issues arising at the meeting.
Members may call for an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association at any time, providing that at least three members make written application to the Committee.
New rules or alterations to existing rules can only be made at either the Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting. The members should be advised of these meetings at least seven days in advance setting out the proposed changes to the rules and regulations.
Prior to each Annual General Meeting the accounts for the previous year will be audited by an external agency for submission at the meeting.
The Chairman shall have the casting vote at all meetings.

Election of Committee members

Committee members are expected to serve for a period of five years
The Committee members will be required to seek re-election after this time. Voting will take place at the Annual General Meeting
If at any time a vacancy occurs then the Secretary will write to members seeking nominations. Such persons seeking to join the Committee will be asked to provide a proposer and seconder.
Voting will take place at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee reserve the right to hold a postal ballot or call an Extraordinary General Meeting.

Membership

The annual subscription will be set by the Committee prior to the Annual General Meeting. All subscriptions shall be deemed to be due on the date of the Annual General Meeting in each year, or pro rata from the joining date for new members.

Members will be provided with a non-transferable membership certificate enabling them to fish any of the Association waters.

There will be five categories of membership as follows: –

1.Full Member

An active member paying a full annual membership fee. Such members are allowed to fish all waters. They are entitled to vote for the election of the Committee members and any resolutions put to the Annual General Meeting.

2. Bollin and Peover Lake coarse Member

A membership restricted to fishing the River Bollin and Peover Lake. These members will pay a fee of 50% of full annual membership fee. They will be entitled to full voting rights.

3. Junior Member

This may be a young person under 18 who will pay a fee of 25% of the full annual membership and will be entitled to fish all the club waters. Young persons under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

4.Working Member

A membership restricted to those persons who possess skills to conduct practical work as may be required to protect or enhance the catchment environment. In return for 5 man days’ work each year they will receive the benefit of full membership for a fee of 25% of the full annual membership. They will be entitled to full voting rights.

5. Honorary Member:

Honorary membership is awarded to those people who have shown outstanding service to the club or who in the opinion of the Committee would be of exceptional benefit to the club. It may also be awarded to members who are not able to continue as a fully active fly fisher.

The awarding of Honorary Membership is put to a vote at the Annual General Meeting. Such members will not be required to pay annual subscriptions and will be allowed to fish all the club waters. They will be entitled to full voting rights.

General rules for Members

No member is permitted to fish until their annual subscription has been paid in full.
Any Member wishing to take a relative or friend to fish the Bollin, Birkin, Mobberley Brook, Peover Eye and Lake must obtain a guest ticket. A guest ticket may either be earned by attending a working party or can be purchased at a cost of £5.00. A maximum of two guest tickets per member per season may be obtained.
The member wishing to take a guest to fish is required to email the Club Secretary giving the name of the guest and the date that they will fish. The guest should carry a copy of the email from the Secretary approving the request as a form of guest ticket.
If any member wishes to take a relative or friend who is aged 16 or under, they may fish free of charge. They must be accompanied by the Member who will be responsible for their safety.
Any member fishing the Bollin should not fish alone (for safety reasons) and is entitled to take a friend or relative along, who may if they wish fish free of charge.
Any member wishing to resign shall give notice by the date of the Annual General Meeting.
A list of those awaiting membership shall be maintained by the Secretary.
The names of persons wishing to become members shall be submitted from the waiting list to the Committee whenever a vacancy occurs and approved by them before admission.
The club depends on its members to help with the maintenance of the waters and working parties will be organized to facilitate this. Members are encouraged to volunteer and help with this work.
Each member shall be provided with a copy of the Rules and Regulations and maps identifying the beats, location of logbooks and access points. A car parking permit for mandatory display on the dashboard and a list of the current Committee members with their contact details will also be issued.
Members are requested to maintain their own catch records and submit copies of these to the Secretary at the end of the trout season. Additionally, members should complete a return in the on-site log books wherever possible.
All documentation held by the club concerning members personal details will be held in strict confidence. Members should ensure that accurate information is provided to the Committee.

REGULATIONS

Members are reminded that a current Environment Agency Rod License is a legal requirement to fish any of the Association waters. Members must also ensure his/her guest carries a current Environment Agency Rod License.
The open season for non-migratory trout commences on the 15^th March and closes on the 30^th September each year (this ruling is also applicable to rainbow trout)
The open season for migratory trout commences on the 1^st April and closes on the 30^th September each year
The open season for salmon fishing (River Bollin only) commences on the 1^st February and closes on the 30^th October each year
The open season for coarse fishing (River Bollin and Peover Lake only) commences on the 15^th June and closes on the 15^th March the following year
Any member deliberately infringing any of the Rules or Regulations or in the opinion of the Committee acting in an unsportsmanlike manner, shall at the discretion of the Committee forfeit his right to fish in any of the Association’s waters.
Any matter not provided for in the Rules and Regulations may be dealt with by the Committee, and their decision in the matter shall be final.

Disclaimer:

Acceptance of membership signifies acceptance of the Rules & Regulations of the Association.

Members are reminded that certain parts of the Association waters can be hazardous. Some sandy banks are liable to collapse, some pools are deep and some bank side trees are old and may be unstable. Heavy vegetation on the river margins may disguise hidden hazards.

The Association disclaims all liability of injury to members sustained during the pursuit of angling and associated activities. Working parties are undertaken at the risk of the participants and it is their responsibility to comply with all Health & Safety requirements. All prudent risk assessments will be conducted prior to a working party and a record held by the Secretary.

As a consequence of the inherent risk with the use of chain saws, their use by unqualified persons on working parties is banned.

Young persons under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times