1. Fly only
2. The Dee Conservation Code will apply.
3. The ghillie must be notified of all fish caught and returned.
4. No responsibility will be accepted for the loss, damage of tenants belongings or for any injury sustained within the boundaries of the Fishings.
5. Anglers should not fish around the HT overhead wires, and if they do so it is at their own risk. Any personal injury or damage occured the estate will hold no liabilty.
6. Where a dog is taken to the Fishings, it must be kept quiet and under control.
7. Fishing will only be permitted in a proper and sportsmanlike manner. The ghillie will be entitled to ask any tenant to withdraw in the event of any breach of fishery conditions or etiquette.
8. Tenants should read and comply with the Health and Safety and Insurance Guidance set out below. Access to the Fishings is subject to acceptance of this Guidance.
HEALTH AND SAFETY AND INSURANCE
Guidance for tenants
Salmon fishing involving access to and wading in a major river such as the Dee is an activity which inevitably carries significant risks. It is the responsibility of tenants to make their own assessment of the level of risk they are prepared to accept, having regard to the height of the river, the state of access to the pool concerned, their own physical capabilities and any advice they may seek or receive from the Club’s ghillie. Each tenant has a duty to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others, and to protect the environment, when on or by the water.
Wading: the river bed in the pools fished by the Club is composed of boulders of varying sizes and shingle and there may be significant changes in the river bed from season to season, or after a sizeable spate. The boulders may be slippery or unstable and may be difficult to see if the river is high or coloured after a spate, or if fishing at night. Tenants are strongly advised to use a wading staff and buoyancy aid and should be confident that they can enter the river, wade and leave the river unaided and that they can recover their footing should they stumble. Should they not be confident that they can do so, or should they be advised not to do so by the ghillie, they should not wade the pool concerned. The ghillie is responsible for the maintenance for the whole beat and for providing advice to Members, their guests and tenants but does not provide a personal ghillie service as this would be incompatible with satisfactory conduct of his overall duties.
Fishing the Upper Irrigation Pool: the Upper Irrigation Pool is fished from a walkway along a high concrete bank and the water is deep and fast flowing. Parts of the walkway may have an uneven surface and may be slippery when wet and the walkway can be subject to strong and gusting winds. Tenants should take particular care when fishing this pool and should note that, should they fall into the water, the safest means of exit is likely to be onto the shelving far (Birse) bank.
Access paths and access to pools: while the ghillie makes all reasonable efforts to keep the access paths clear of vegetation and in good condition, the paths may be uneven in places and sections may be subject to bankside erosion. Access to the Green Bank and the lower part of Jetties Pool is down a steep and potentially unstable bank. If fishing at night, tenants should ensure that they have a working torch, and should consider also carrying a reserve torch in case their main torch should cease to function. Tenants should make their own assessment of the risks of using the paths and accessing the pools safely and should not attempt to do so if they are unsure of their capability to do so safely.
Insurance: tenants are responsible for ensuring that they have adequate third party insurance cover against injury to others.
Tenants should note that fishing equipment and clothing stored in the fishing hut is not covered by the Club’s insurance and that fishing equipment left in the hut is stored entirely at the risk of the tenant concerned.
General
Members, guests and tenants, as well as recognising the inherent dangers of rivers, may wish to note:
- The need to be aware of overhead power lines, which are clearly marked along the path above Upper Irrigation Pool and across the Old Croy pool, and the advisability of carrying rods horizontally and taking care when casting in their vicinity.
- The risks of contracting Weill’s disease from water or surfaces contaminated with rat's urine can be reduced by adopting appropriate hygiene standards when eating on the river bank, and by covering any wounds or abrasions.
- Ticks are becoming more abundant and can transmit Lyme's disease. Personal examination of exposed skin after fishing and the careful removal of any embedded ticks with an extractor is recommended.
- The importance of eye protection and the awareness of others when casting.
- Given the often solitary nature of fishing, the What3words position finding App provides a useful aid in emergency or accident situations. In the event of an immobilising injury (broken ankle etc) help may be summoned by mobile phone using the What3words precise (3in x 3m) position of the casualty.
- The need to take care when using the steps into the fishing hut.
- The need to take care when in the vicinity of the stove in the fishing hut, if the stove is lit.
- Vehicles – DO NOT leave valuables on display. Better still, remove all valuables before driving to the river
Tenants are asked to bring to the attention of the ghillie or Factor any concerns they may have regarding health and safety matters.
