Fishery
Dilston Fishing's conditions
When using the Widehaugh railway crossing just off the A695 anglers MUST follow the instructions on the signs provided by Network Rail. In particular, when crossing with a vehicle, it is essential to use the telephones provided and to contact the signaller for permission to cross.
EA guidelines on catch and released to be observed
The Beat will now operate a mandatory catch & release policy for salmon .
Exceptions to this are badly bleeding fish and a first ever fish caught by an angler. Sea Trout may still be kept although this may also change if the current downward population trend continues to develop.
Single & double hooks may be used up to size 6. This applies equally to spinning lures as well as flies. Multi hook spinners must be altered to have only one hook with a maximum of two points. Trebles may not be used.
Anglers must have a modern knotless net and disgorging forceps with them when fishing. There will be a number of fishing nets in the fishing hut available to borrow if need be.
These are minimum requirements and anglers are encouraged to exceed them where possible.
Fishermen must record all fish caught (including fish returned) with the owners and within 48 hours of the date of fishing. Telephone 07733 617746 or email info@dilstonfishing.com
Dilston Fishings beat accommodates six daily let rods, (four on Saturdays ) and tenants are responsible for ensuring that this number is not exceeded at any time. Fishing commences at 8.30am. In addition members of Corbridge Anglers may also be fishing after 5.30pm in the evening.
Tenants are responsible for ensuring that they and their guests are familiar with the upper and lower limits of the Dilston Fishings and will at no time fish beyond those limits. There is a notice at the western upstream limit opposite the small island. The downstream eastern limit is the bridge at Corbridge. On Saturdays the fishing is restricted to the upper half of the beat from the western limit downstream to, and including the Devil's Water Stream.
Fishing is to be by fly or spinner only, although spinning is discouraged in periods of prolonged low water. There are some deep pools and slower sections which provide ideal spinning water.
Tenants and their guests must fish in a responsible and sportsmanlike manner at all times. However, tenants will sometimes find themselves held up by rods on the opposite bank. As the wading is very difficult in places on the North side of the river it is considered acceptable for our tenants to "fish through" slow rods on the opposite bank.
Tenants are encouraged to fish down through the pools and runs and a step per cast is good practice. Always start upstream of an angler fishing close to you, or if unsure, it's best to ask.
Sea trout may be taken from the 3rd April.
Salmon and sea trout parr, gravid fish and kelts must be returned.
All foul hooked fish must be returned to the river.
Rods may be shared, provided one person only fishes at a time.
Dogs may not accompany rods. Sheep are often on the riverbanks.
Tenants and their guests will cooperate in the prevention of poaching, and are requested to report immediately to the owner, or any police officer, any fishing by unauthorised persons.
Wading sticks must always be used. It is recommended that an A.B.S. approved floatation jacket (or similar) should be worn.
Car parking is available in designated car parking areas.
The main parking areas are accessed over the railway crossing at Widehaugh just off the A695, either (1) just before the gate into the nursery, (2) by the pylon at the western limit suitable for 4x4s, or (3) by the Widehaugh Pool Hut at the end of the track through the tree nursery Please do not block gates as farm machinery may require access. Parking is also available in the public car park on the south side of the bridge at Corbridge.
Access to the beat is suitable for a car though use of a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. 4x4 vehicles are permitted to drive to some pools but tenants must keep to the designated tracks well away from the side of the banks which are often undercut with rabbit burrows and have been loosened by recent floods. Do not park on sand. Some of it is deep and soft. Please take care when driving on the track through the tree nursery as depending on the weather it can get muddy and potholed.
A copy of the booking confirmation must be left and displayed in the windscreen in order to identify anglers' cars. A copy of the booking confirmation must be carried by each person fishing. Failure to observe this rule may result in anglers being asked to leave the fishings forthwith and monies paid will be forfeit.
All rods must obtain and carry a valid Environment Agency Licence. These may either be obtained from a Post Office or online (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subject/fish).
All rods should observe the Country Code at all times; no fires shall be lit, no litter shall be left in or around the fishing huts or on river banks, and all gates must be closed immediately. Barbeques are welcome at the hut area.
Tenants and their guests will not permit any damage to fences, fields, crops, river banks or any other part of Dilston Fishings, and will make good and pay compensation for all such damage which they may so cause or permit.
All rods exercise their rights to fish entirely at their own risk, and acknowledge that neither Dilston Fishings, their servants, agents or employees will be liable for any loss or damage occasioned by or to the tenants or their guests or his/their property.
These rules may be changed or added to by the Estate at any time.
River/Area
Coarse fishing
It is unlawful to fish for coarse fish from the 15 March to 15 June, both dates inclusive on any river or stream.
Game fishing
It is unlawful to fish for migratory trout from the 1 November to 2 April both dates inclusive.
It is unlawful to fish for salmon from the 1 November to 31 January both dates inclusive.
All salmon caught before 16 June must be returned to the water immediately with as little injury as possible.
No person shall sell, offer or expose for sale, barter, or have in possession for sale any salmon or sea trout which has been taken by rod and line.
It is unlawful to fish for non-migratory trout from 1 October to 21 March on any river both dates inclusive.
All anglers aged 12 years or over must be in possession of a valid Environment Agency rod licence before starting to fish.
All fishing belongs to someone; make sure you have permission from the owner before you start to fish.
Further details of Byelaws are available from the Environment Agency - Fisheries Byelaws for the North East.
Conservation Angling for Salmon on the Tyne (CAST)
On many rivers, salmon stocks are in serious decline. Tyne stocks however remain relatively stable, meaning the Tyne is designated as a river Probably not at Risk by the Environment Agency. It is our responsibility to safeguard and enhance this status, by helping minimize the impact angling may have. We also wish to promote angling as an accessible activity for all.
The existing Tyne "Voluntary Code of Conduct" is outdated; this guideline is a replacement. We believe that by the adoption of our guideline, anglers demonstrate they are applying the highest standards based on current evidence. The recommendations we make almost certainly apply equally to sea trout, although the sea trout is not our main focus. We intend to review our document on a regular basis.
This is a summary of the recommendations of our Working Group.
The goals of CAST are to:-
• Enhance salmon numbers by increasing catch and release (C&R) and by good C&R practice.
• Promote angling for its value to society.
• Comply with and improve upon the Environment Agency's C&R targets for the river.
The Impact of Catch and Release
After recognizing their legal obligations, anglers should:
• Recognize that C&R is successful.
• Acknowledge that the optimal policy for catch and release is to release all salmon that will survive. Before June 16, all salmon must be returned by law.
Angling Practice
Anglers should:
• Avoid angling from late morning until late evening if the weather is hot and the water low.
• Choose fly fishing in preference to spinning and particularly to bait fishing.
• Use strong enough tackle to subdue the fish quickly, and play the fish hard to do so.
When fly fishing, anglers should:
• Use standard size 6 hooks (or equivalent) or smaller, and might choose to use single,
double or treble hooks, although the last may cause more damage to the mouth.
• Consider using barbless hooks for more rapid unhooking and reduced mouth damage.
When spinning, anglers should:
• Modify lures with multiple hooks, reducing the number of hooks to one.
• Use standard size 6 hooks or smaller, and might choose to use single or treble hooks,
although the latter may cause more damage to the mouth.
• Consider using barbless hooks for more rapid unhooking and reduced mouth damage.
• Avoid the use of larger flying Cs, and consider the use of barbless trebles size 6 or less, or barbless singles with these lures.
When bait fishing, anglers should:
• Use barbless circle hooks and fish the bait actively.
When landing and handling fish, anglers should:
• Use a landing net.
• Handle the fish as little as possible and only with wet hands.
• Keep fish in the water as much as possible, keeping the fish in or briefly just above the
water for photography.
• Carry pliers or forceps to aid unhooking and be able to cut the line if the hook needs to be left in the fish.
• Hold fish upright in the water with gentle support while it recovers but not move the fish in the water to increase flow over the gills.
• Wait for the fish to maintain its normal swimming posture before release.
FishPal
EXTRA CORONAVIRUS RULES
These rules are to help ensure that not only you, but also other anglers, gillies and walkers, are protected as far as possible. They will apply to all past and future bookings made through FishPal.
1. Social Distancing. Always keep at least 2 metres away from ALL other people on the river (unless in your own household). In particular do not shake hands with anyone.
2. Do not share cars, boats, huts, tackle, nets, crockery, food etc with anyone else (unless in your own household).
3. No longer expect any ghillie to shake your hand, set up your equipment, make you cups of tea, or drive you round the beat. Do not hand any tip directly to the ghillie. Leave it where it can easily be found.
4. Bring your own food and drink and do not share.
5. Bring your own hand sanitiser and wipes and use regularly during the day, especially if you have to use any WC provided by the fishery (try to avoid if you can). Wash your hands regularly wherever possible.
6. Wear gloves when touching doors, gates, styles, fences or any equipment that is not your own.
In addition you must use your own common sense at all times to reduce the risk of cross infection. If in doubt, don't do it!
STANDARD BOOKING CONDITIONS
1. Once you have booked you cannot change your dates or number of rods (the only exception is when you book through the help desk, have notified us of any mistakes within 7 days of the date of making the booking, and provided proper evidence that the mistake is the help desk's and not your own).
2. If you need to change your rod or days, they can be booked separately if you need extra ones and they are available. If you need less rods or days, or decide not to come after all, then we can try to relet them for you, but cannot guarantee to do so. There is a £10 + VAT charge for trying and if successful a further 10% letting fee + VAT.
3. You cannot sublet the fishings you book without our permission and then only by private arrangement and at the same prices and conditions as for this booking. No agent other than ourselves or the fishery manager may be used to help obtain a sublet.
4. Rods may not be shared on any one day without prior permission of the ghillie or fishery manager, which is often refused and should never be relied upon.
5. In Scotland it is illegal to fish without written permission, so you must bring this confirmation, or a copy of it, with you when you fish.
6. Charges: All bookings are subject to a booking charge which will vary according to the amount being booked. The exact charge will be clearly displayed on the very first booking page once you have set what you are wishing to book. There are no charges for processing debit cards. Credit cards can not be used unless you confirm that you are a non EU angler and will be surcharged by 2.5%.
7. Please note that in line with general practice, we cannot give refunds for fishing spoilt by poor weather, water or fishing conditions. If for any other reason a refund is offered by the fishery it will be responsible for refunding you direct. Only if we still hold the relevant funds will we do it ourselves (funds are sent to the fishery at the start of each month)
8. You must ring the ghillie, or other contact set by the fishery, at least two days before you come, so he knows that you are coming and that you know where and when to meet him.
9. You must report full details of any fish caught to the ghillie or other contact provided by the fishery promptly.
10. We have asked fisheries to provide lifejackets or buoyancy aids of a design that will not impair your ability to fish in comfort. We strongly advise you to wear one when using a boat or when wading in strong or deep water. If you don't, you are doing so at your own risk. If you are not happy with the equipment provided, or any other safety issue, please ring us immediately, so that we can arrange for the situation to be rectified. A general guide to safety can be seen by going to this page
11. If you have any problems with the standard of service provided on the fishery, please tell the ghillie or fishery manager straightaway and if you don't get a satisfactory response, please contact the office immediately, so we have time to act before you leave. Failure to do so will severely hamper any chances of us obtaining fair redress for you.
12. To help prevent an outbreak of Gyrodactylus Salaris which has had catastrophic effects on some foreign rivers, all rods fishing must complete a Gyrodactylus declaration on arrival at the fishery. This states that either you have not used your fishing tackle abroad in the last three months, or you have done so and had it properly sterilised, or you have done so and NOT had it sterilised. In the latter case, you must agree to sterilisation taking place before you start fishing, and accept that there may be some delay in getting this organised. A copy of the declaration form can be seen by going to this page and more information on Gyrodactylus by going to this page
13. All bookings are also subject to the conditions set by the relevant fishery.
14. The booking system and its management are at all times acting only as an agent for the fishery. All letting contracts are therefore between the fishery and the person taking the fishing.
15. The system management and/or the fisheries reserve the right to immediately withdraw fishing without compensation from anyone who breaks these or associated conditions, or flouts normal standards of behaviour or fishing etiquette.
16. You need to bring your own fishing equipment (rods, reels, lines, flies etc) unless you have specifically agreed with the fishery well in advance that they supply this for you.
17. You need to be reasonably healthy and mobile to access most fishings. If you are not, you must notify the fishery or ourselves before you book, to ensure that you can be looked after safely and properly.
18. Anglers are reminded that parking of cars should be in designated parking areas and is always at the anglers own risk.
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