Fishery
TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR CARLOGIE, BALLOGIE & COMMONTY FISHINGS
GENERAL
1. Fish with fly only.
2. The Dee Conservation Code will be observed.
PAYMENT and CANCELLATIONS
3. An initial deposit of 40% of the full price is required to confirm the booking. The deposit is non-refundable after 7 days from the date of booking.
4. The balance is due to be paid 8 weeks before the Customer is due, or immediately if less than 8 weeks. Payments can be made by bank transfer (Barclays Bank, Account Name: Ballogie Estate Enterprises, Sort Code: 20-29-23, Account Number: 63247767), by cheque or online. A charge may be made for card payments by the online booking system.
5. Tenants shall not be permitted to sub-let fishings without the prior written approval of the Proprietor.
6. In the event of cancellation of a booking by the Lessee, a minimum of eight weeks' cancellation must be given and a cancellation charge of 40% of the agreed rent will be made. In the event of later cancellations, the Lessee will remain liable for the whole agreed rent. We can try to re-let the fishings for you if you give us enough warning. In the event of re-letting taking place a 10% administration charge will be made. We do, however, strongly advise you to take out your own holiday insurance cover in the event that you have to cancel.
7. Please note that in line with general practice, we cannot give refunds for fishing spoilt by inclement weather or poor water conditions. Nor do we give refunds if you decide not to come.
8. No publicity without prior written consultation with the Proprietor.
9. Well behaved dogs welcome.
FISHING ETIQUETTE
10. A fisherman commencing to fish in front of a fisherman fishing the opposite bank should commence fishing at least one hundred yards downstream from the opposite angler, or in a different pool. When starting behind the opposite fisherman allow a separation of at least fifty yards.
11. A fisherman must make steady progress downstream while fishing a pool thereby allowing any following fisherman on either side of the beat equal progress through the pool.
12. A fisherman should show awareness of others fishing the river and should be prepared to lift his line out of the water by request should a fisherman on the opposite bank be playing a fish.
13. If you are sharing a rod then the combined fishing effort should not exceed that which could be expected from one reasonably fit person. Fishing in relay is not permitted without allowing time to pass for the person finishing the pool to walk back up to the start.
DEE CONSERVATION CODE
14. To assist the work of the charity The River Dee Trust we apply a Levy on all rods hired by the week or part week (£10.00 per rod per week).
15. Details of all fish caught (weights, pools in which they were caught, date etc) should be reported to the ghillie or the office.
INSURANCE
16. Clients are strongly advised to take out a Public Liability Policy, covering themselves and their guests, for not less than £500,000.
17. Clients and guests are advised to wear and use their own personal protective equipment where appropriate. This should include chest waders, wading stick, appropriate clothing and flotation equipment to marine standards.
18. The insurance cover in the fishing huts and on the rod-boxes does not extend to the property of tenants. If you wish to leave your belongings in the huts or rod-boxes it is at your own risk and you are advised to ensure that you have adequate insurance cover for sports and other items when travelling.
River/Area
THE DEE CONSERVATION CODE 2021
A. The season will run from 1st February to 15th October up to Aboyne Bridge. Above Aboyne Bridge the season will close on 30th September.
B. Salmon and Grilse: Prior to 1st April it is a criminal offence to retain a salmon or grilse. By law any salmon or grilse that is severely injured or damaged, dies or is killed before this date must be returned to the river. After 1st April there should be 100% catch and release for the entire season.
Sea Trout (inc. Finnock): There should be 100% catch and release for the entire season.
C. At the beat's discretion spinning is a permitted option for the whole river between 1st February and 15th April. In addition spinning is permitted in August and September from the top of Maryculter Beat downstream. It is recommended that fly fishing should always be given a fair try in preference to spinning. Note spinning is not permitted anywhere in October. No more than 1 hook per lure to be used.
D. It is recommended that all hooks should be barbless or crimped. No treble hooks should be used.
E. On the Dee after 1st April all severely injured or damaged fish should be handed to the proprietor. This applies to all beats.
F. On the Cowie and Carron it is illegal to kill a salmon or grilse throughout the entire season. This is due to the Scottish Government classifying these two rivers as Category 3 under the terms of the 2016 salmon conservation regulations.
G. Irrespective of the date of capture all fish handling should be kept to a minimum to avoid damage and stress. Guidelines on how to do this are available on www.fishdee.co.uk.
H. It is illegal to sell rod caught wild salmon or sea trout.
I. All anglers are requested to disinfect waders and landing nets prior to fishing to prevent the introduction of Gyrodactylus salaris and other diseases to the Dee. Further information is available at www.fishdee.co.uk.
J. All pink salmon must be killed, retained and reported to the River Office on the 24-hr number, 01339 880411.
Remember, the Dee DSFB needs the vital help and support of all Proprietors, Ghillies and Anglers to realise the twin objectives of sustaining and enhancing the river's fish stocks and maintaining a viable, thriving fishery.
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.