FARMOOR FLY FISHING CLUB RULES

General Rules

• Use at Own Risk: Members and guests use the club facilities (waters, access, accommodation, boats, and car park) entirely at their own risk. Note that the club’s Combined Liability Insurance Policy does not cover guests.
• Membership Confirmation: By joining, members confirm they have read and understood the club rules. If clarification is needed, contact a committee member identifiable by their blue badge.

 
Membership Requirements

• New Members: Must attend a New Members Day Familiarisation before starting to fish.
• Guest Tickets: Each member receives five guest tickets per season. Fishing is restricted to members only for the first 14 days of the season. Guests may fish after this period, provided tickets and payments are posted in the lodge before fishing.
• Membership Cards: Members must carry their club membership card and a valid Environment Agency (EA) Rod Licence at all times and present them upon request to any committee member or EA bailiff.

 
Health and Safety

• Follow all Health and Safety Regulations posted at Darlow, including the NO FISHING area in front of the lodge and car park.
• Life Jackets: Must always be worn when using boats.
• Wading Prohibited: Wading is forbidden in all club waters.
• Dogs Prohibited: Dogs are not allowed on any club waters.

 
Cormorant Control

• No fishing is allowed during shooting for cormorant control. Members will be informed of these activities via email, the website, and notices at the entry gate and lodge.

 
Lodge and Grounds

• Security: Details about lodge and grounds security are posted on notice boards. The last person leaving must ensure all lights/sockets are off, and the lodge is locked.
• Facilities: Leave the kitchen and toilets clean. In case of flooding in the lodge toilets, a porta-loo will be provided in the car park.

 
Gate and Lodge Security

• Security codes are changed annually. Members must memorize these codes, not share them with non-members, and re-scramble the gate lock code after use, especially if the last to leave.

 
Accessibility

• Disabled members may apply for a permit to drive around Darlow Water under appropriate conditions. Contact the secretary for details.

 
Booking, Catch Returns, and Guests

• Booking In/Out: All members and guests (including non-fishing guests) must book in at the lodge before fishing. Guests must be accompanied by a member.
• Junior Members: (Ages 10–18) must always be accompanied by a senior member.
• Fishing Tuition: Members may give tuition to a non-member without a guest ticket, provided only one rod is used. Any fish caught will count towards the member’s bag limit.

Fishing Regulations

Fishing Method

• Fly fishing only, using one rod at a time.
• Barbless or de-barbed hooks must be used. Fish not being taken should be returned promptly.
• Use of fish-finding technology is not allowed.

 
Fishing Season

• Darlow Water: 1ˢᵗ March to 14ᵗʰ February.
• River Windrush: 1ˢᵗ April to 30ᵗʰ September.

Fishing Times

• Begins 1 hour before sunrise and ends 1 hour after sunset.

Boats and Float Tubes

• Additional rules for boats and float tubes are displayed on the noticeboard. Relevant fees must be paid before fishing.
• Life jackets must always be worn.

Fish Taking Limits

• Brown and Sparctic Trout: Must be returned unless damaged and unlikely to survive. Note damaged fish in the returns record.
• Rainbow Trout: Limits apply as follows:
  • Senior Members: Up to 4 fish per week (Monday–Sunday), with a season limit of 30 fish from 1ˢᵗ October. No catch-and-release or second ticket option after limits are reached.
  • Junior Members: Up to 2 fish per week, with a season limit of 10 fish. Same restrictions as senior members apply.
  • Guests: One fish per ticket. Catch-and-release is allowed after taking one fish, but any additional fish must be added to the member’s allowance.

Club Governance and Rules Enforcement 

• Rule Changes: Decided by member vote at the AGM.
• Rule Breaches: The committee may expel or suspend members who violate rules. Immediate suspensions may be enforced by committee members pending a meeting.
• Honorary Bailiffs: All members are honorary bailiffs responsible for upholding regulations and protecting club assets.
• Guest Breaches: Rule violations by a guest will be treated as violations by the sponsoring member.

Accidents, Incidents, and Disputes 

• Report all incidents involving members, guests, or third parties promptly to a committee member.

Environmental Responsibility 

• Keep the lake clean and take all rubbish, especially monofilament, home with you.