Fishery
1. Tenants are strongly advised to arrange their own travel insurance. Should the let be cancelled as a result of circumstances beyond The Syndicate's control, the Syndicate will not be responsible for any costs incurred by the Tenant.
2. Please contact the beat care-taker, Hugh Matheson (01463 741368) prior to your fishing in order to make arrangements to meet him and other fishers who may be on your Beat. Hugh Matheson is usually available to ghillie by separate arrangement.
3. Fishing must be carried out in a responsible and sportsmanlike manner. FLY FISHING only at all times
4. Each beat will rotate on a daily basis, changing over at 3.00am.
5. The Upper River let comprises two (2) rotating beats with 3 rods, on the AIGAS and ESKADALE beats. You will be notified of the beat on which the let commences.
6. No subletting is permitted.
7. Fishing will be carried out under the direction of Hugh Matheson. Any decision as to whether or not water conditions are suitable for the use of the boats will be the sole and final decision of the ghillie, and no boat may be used without his permission.
8. Every Tenant shall give notice to the ghillie of any proposed fishing outside customary hours. (ie 9.00am until 6.00pm).
9. Salmon and sea trout parr and all kelts must be returned to the river, as well as gravid fish.
10. Every Tenant must abide by the Beauly District Fishery Board Conservation Policy. Tenants must properly record all fish in the Fishing Record Books, which shall be retained by the ghillies.
11. No shooting of any kind is permitted. Any dog brought by a Tenant must be kept under strict control and must not cause annoyance or interference to other Tenants or fishermen or to farming or estate operations.
12. Fishing huts will be used as shelters and lunch huts and will not be used as sleeping places.
13. Any cars shall be parked by Tenants in the car parks provided and must not be left to block any farm access roads.
14. The Syndicate rights of access to and over the River banks are restricted and every Tenant shall respect at all times the property over which the access rights run.
15. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code shall be observed at all times and no fires shall be lit and no litter shall be left in or around the fishing huts or on the River banks.
16. Any Tenant who causes damage or becomes aware of any damage howsoever caused to any property will notify the ghillie immediately and thereafter the Managing Agents, Messrs Bidwells, Elm House, Cradlehall Business Park, Inverness, IV2 5GH, as soon as possible.
17. Any Tenant observing any disturbances or foul play shall report the same immediately to the ghillie, who will be entitled to ask any Tenant to withdraw from the River in the event of any breach of the Rules or By- laws. Any Tenant may also report any such infringement to the Managing Agents failing which, the Chairman of the Syndicate.
18. Any complaints about the conduct or ability of any of the ghillie or any complaints or suggestions with regard to the operation of the Fishings should be made in writing to the Managing Agents.
19. If a ghillie fishes a Tenant's rod he will count as a rod. Ghillies may not fish a Tenant's rod unless others in the party agree.
20. No liability will be accepted by the Syndicate for any loss or damage to equipment however caused.
21. Tenants are advised to insure themselves and their property appropriately.
22. In the interests of safety, fishermen are advised and requested to wear flotation jackets. Please always wade with caution and within your own limitations: - See attached Safety Advice.
24 Tenants are allowed to fish for a maximum of 12.5 hours in any 24 hour period, commencing at 3am.
25 Tenants will abide by any new rules or codes of conduct that may from time to time be introduced by The Upper Beauly Fishings Syndicate Committee.
TENANTS MUST PRINT OFF AND READ THE RIVER BEAULY CODE OF CONDUCT WHICH CAN BE FOUND USING THE FOLLOWING LINK
http://www.fishpal.com/Scotland/Beauly/UpperBeauly/brochure.pdf
River/Area
BEAULY DISTRICT FISHERY BOARD SALMON & SEA TROUT CONSERVATION POLICY 2019
The Beauly District Fishery Board has a statutory duty to to act for the protection and improvement of the fisheries and for the increase of salmon and sea trout within its District. With declining rates of marine survival, the conservation of stocks should be of prime importance to all anglers. This Conservation Policy represents a minimum requirement all anglers should adhere to.
SALMON
11TH FEBRUARY TO 31ST MARCH - STATUTORY REQUIREMENT
Under The Conservation of Salmon (Annual Close Time and Catch and Release) (Scotland) Regulations 2014, it is an offence to retain any salmon caught before 1 April. By law, all fish must be released. Every effort should be made to ensure no harm is caused to fish prior to release.
1ST APRIL – 30th JUNE
• 100% catch & release
To protect vulnerable spring salmon stocks, it is the Board's recommended policy that all salmon be released
1ST JULY – 15TH OCTOBER
• Release all hen fish of any size and all cock fish over 7lbs (66cm/26 inches)
• Retain only one cock fish under 7lbs per angler per week with a maximum of three per season
• All coloured and unseasonable fish should be released. Please see illustrative guide overleaf.
SEA TROUT
• Release all finnock of 1 pound (35cm/14 inches) or less
• Release all sea trout of 3 pounds (50cm/20 inches) or above
• Retain only two fish per angler per week with a maximum of six per season
• All coloured and unseasonable fish should be released (smolts, kelts, over-wintered finnock)
GENERAL PROVISIONS
• Fishing should be by Fly only.
• To facilitate the release of fish barbless or crimped hooks should be used. Treble hooks should not be
used.
• Under the provisions of The Conservation of Salmon (Prohibition of Sale) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 the sale of rod caught salmon or sea trout is illegal.
• When releasing fish, try to keep them in water at all times and under no circumstances should fish be lifted clear of the water by their tails.
• Guidance on catch & release best practice can be found on the Board's website this page
• The use of ‘knotless' mesh landing nets is a legal requirement and will help prevent the fish from being damaged.
How can salmon be recognised at the different stages of their life?
Fresh-Run Salmon
Recognised by the pristine condition and bright silver flanks. Fish straight from salt water have loose, easily detached scales and many carry sea lice which drop off within a few days. Hen salmon (illustrated) have a tiny kype on the lower jaw, but unlike cocks they retain normal head proportions while in the river.
Maturing ‘coloured' Cock & Hen
Cock: The combination of "tartan" colours is typical although shades vary - the fully developed kype, used in fighting rivals, and the enlarged adipose fin, are the most consistent indicators of maturity.
Hen: These are usually less coloured than cocks of similar age and they never have enlarged jaws. This one will have spent a few weeks in river or estuary - note the coloured head and lack of true silver flanks.
‘Unseasonal' Cock & Hen in Breeding Dress
Cock: The combination of 'tartan' colours is typical although shades vary - the fully developed kype, used in fighting rivals is the most consistent indicator of maturity.
Hen: This is a summer fish – ‘springers' are often darker by spawning time while late entrants may still be silver flanked. Fully mature hens have soft, swollen bellies and spawning is imminent if they also have protruding vents.
‘Unclean' Kelt
Kelts are salmon which have spawned. Usually identified by the thin shape, distended vent and presence of "gill maggots" on the red gill filaments, they are often encountered by anglers in spring when they regain a silvery appearance and can be mistaken for fresh run ‘springers'. Kelts must be returned unharmed.
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.