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The
River Nith
Angling Code
A
guide to the legal restrictions and good practice for fishing
on the River Nith and its tributaries |
The
Code aims to give guidance to all proprietors and anglers
with regard to . . . .
The
LEGAL Requirements
The following regulations or
conditions are contained within various Statutes or Acts.
Breach of any of these could lead to Criminal proceedings.
-
The Nith Fishing season starts on 25th February and closes
on 30th November.
- No
Salmon or Sea Trout fishing is allowed on Sundays
- It
is illegal to use natural shrimps or prawns
- It
is illegal to fish without written permission (or permit)
from the beat's owner or their representative.
- It
is illegal to deliberately attempt to foul hook fish.
- It
is illegal to kill kelts, smolts or parr.
- It
is illegal to take unclean or unseasonable fish
- It
is illegal to fish with any form of salmon roe.
- It
is illegal to fish with a "fixed line."
The
Fishings Improvement Association strongly recommends the following
rules and conditions to owners or Associations for inclusion
in the beat's own Rules.
General
Rules
- Angling
is for sport only and rod-caught salmon should not be sold.
- Respect
boundaries between adjoining beats.
- Anglers
must show permits, tackle and catch to Bailiffs, Police
Officers or other anglers if requested.
- Anglers
under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult when
fishing
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Methods
& Equipment
- Do
not use gaffs, sweep nets, ground bait or rod rests.
- Do
not fish from trees, bridges etc. or use assistance from
anyone in such a position.
- When
bait fishing or spinning, the bait/spinner must be kept
moving through the water at all times.
- The
maximum permitted line breaking strain for all types of
fishing should be 20lbs.
- The
maximum permitted hook size for bait fishing will be No
4.
Fly
Fishing
- Fly
hooks or tubes should be properly dressed - with a coloured
body and a reasonable quantity of hair/fur/feather in proportion
to the hook size.
- Anglers
should not use weights or lead-core lines of any kind when
fishing with the fly.
- No
retrieve, other than slow hand-lining should be made until
the cast has been fished out.
Catches
- Foulhooked
fish i.e. those not hooked in the mouth, must be returned
to the water.
- Ripe
or darkly coloured fish should be returned to the water.
If in doubt, RETURN it!
-
Fish being returned to the water should not be handled by
the tail and should be released as quickly as possible.
Remove the hook with forceps and return the fish facing
upstream and gently support it until it swims away.
- Fish
being retained should be killed as quickly as possible using
a priest or appropriate instrument.
- Catches
should be limited to no more than 2 Salmon or 6 Sea Trout
in any day.
- All
fish under 9"/23cms must be
returned to the water.
General
Conduct
It is important that all anglers know how to behave
on the river and surroundings and that all participants are
conscious not only of their own needs, but also the safety,
welfare and enjoyment of others.
With this in mind, they should . . . . . . .
- Always
fish in a sporting manner.
- Give
consideration to anglers on the opposite bank.
- Fish
down through pools in rotation, taking at least one full
step between casts.
- Avoid
unnecessary wading or any avoidable disturbance to the water.
- Always
respect the environment, wildlife, other anglers and members
of the public.
- Not
park vehicles so that they obstruct gateways or cause a
hazard on the roadway.
- Remove
waste nylon and personal litter from the river banks and
parking places.
- Follow
the Country Code. Always respect farm animals and crops.
- Not
light fires or allow dogs to roam free
- Always
be conscious of and alert to hazards and look after their
own safety and the safety of other anglers.
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Salmon,
Sea Trout & Trout anglers should know and understand the
written and 'unwritten' rules which govern our sport. In this
way, we will set a good example to others and exercise care
for the wild fish stocks, wildlife, the environment and other
anglers.
The aim of this code is to develop good practice and good
sportsmanship on the river. It should also encourage behaviour
which will not bring the sport into disrepute.
We recognise that the various Associations and Beat Owners
on the river will wish to exercise their own rules and that
many of these will necessarily vary. |
