Fishery
Dumfries & Galloway Angling Association
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. Copies of the signed declaration MUST be forwarded to the DGAA Club Secretary.
General Rules
1 GENERAL CONDITIONS
1.1 Permit holders must fish only within waters owned or leased by the Association and must respect adjoining fishings.
1.2 Season Permit holders must take permits our before the 31st of March.
1.3 Permits are not transferable and can be withdrawn by the Committee at any time.
1.4 Permits are granted for sport only. Fish caught must not be sold.
1.5 Members changing address must inform the Secretary.
1.6 Anglers must show permit to Bailiffs, Police Officers and other members if requested.
2 FISHING SEASON AND BEAT RESTRICTIONS
2.1 The season runs from 25th February until 30th of November.
2.2 No fishing for migratory fish on Sundays, this includes Salmon, Grilse, Sea Trout and Hearling.
2.3 Cairn fishing closes above the Old Waterfoot and including the Old Water on the 31st October each year.
2.4 Trout fishing opens on the 15th of March and closes on the 6th of October.
2.5 Only fly fishing on the Cairn upstream from the Old Mill site at East Cluden before 1st May.
2.6 No night fishing on the Nith before 1st April and on the Cairn before 1st May.
2.7 No fishing in the runner from the neck of the Bleedy Pool to Fourmerkland Pool (rocks left bank).
2.8 Anglers under 18 years of age must not fish between the Cluden Rocks to the Willow Pool.
2.9 Visitors are not allowed to fish the Cairn at Cluden Rocks or downstream after 31st of August.
2.10 Grayling fishing is permitted all year round on the Nith only, other than in the Grayling close season.
2.11 Grayling close season 15th March to 16th June. All grayling should be returned during close season.
3 METHODS AND EQUIPMENT
3.1 Anglers must use only legal methods of fishing.
3.2 Anglers must not use sweep nets, rakes, drag hooks, ground bait, natural prawns/shrimps, keep nets or nets with knotted mesh, rod rests, floats, gaffs, tailers or live vertebrates.
3.3 All weights are banned when fly fishing or fly type lures.
3.4 Anglers must not fish from trees, bridges etc. or use assistance from anyone in such a position.
3.5 No spinning allowed on Sundays.
3.6 Persons under the age of 13 years may use spinning tackle only under the guidance of an adult.
3.7 Anglers may only use one Pennel No 12 or Stewart Tackle No14 when clear water worming for trout or herling.
3.8 The maximum tackle limits allowed for bait fishing are;
Line - 6.8kgs (15lbs) breaking strain.
Hooks - Size 4
Nylon Leader - The length of nylon between the hook and the weight when fishing with bait or lure must not be more than 1 metre.
3.9 When spinning or worm fishing the maximum weight allowed, of any form or design, will be 1.5oz or 42g.
3.10 When bait fishing, the bait must be kept moving through the water at all times.
3.11 When spinning with a bait controller, the lure must be kept moving through the water at all times.
3.12 The practice of "shuffling" is strictly prohibited.
3.13 When fishing for salmon or sea trout only one rod can be used and that rod must be held at all times.
4 CATCHES
4.1 Members must report their annual catches of salmon, grilse and sea trout to the Secretary by the 7th of December. Members failing to make a return will be fined.
4.2 The catch limit is two salmon or grilse in any day.
4.3 "Catch and release" only until two salmon or grilse have been retained. Thereafter anglers must stop fishing for salmon and grilse.
4.4 The catch limit for Sea Trout is 2 per day, with all sea trout over 3 pounds to be returned, and a limit of 4 herling per day over 10 inches.
4.5 The catch limit at Cluden rocks is 2 salmon, grilse or sea trout in any day.
4.6 The limit is 4 brown in any day.
4.7 All foul-hooked fish, fish under 9 inches and unseasonal/unclean fish must be returned unharmed to the water immediately.
4.8 The catch limit for grayling is two per day, although catch and release is promoted.
4.9 All rainbow trout must be killed. These will not count towards your daily trout limit.
5 GENERAL CONDUCT
5.1 Be aware of and avoid Salmon redds when wading.
5.2 Always fish in a sporting manner.
5.3 Give every assistance to prevent illegal fishing and report infringements of the rules to the Secretary.
5.4 Always respect the environment, other anglers and members of the public.
5.5 Fish pools and stretches in rotation and move at least one metre downstream between casts.
5.6 Remove all unwanted and waste nylon and personal litter from the river banks.
5.7 Anglers must not be accompanied by a dog when fishing.
5.8 Do not walk across cultivated fields, disturb stock, damage fences, prune trees or bushes, leave gates open, dig worms or damage the banks in any way.
D&G Angling Association cannot be held liable to any ticket holders for any loss or damage to persons or property.
River/Area
Statutory Regulations
Fishing seasons
Rod and Line 25th February - 30th November
Net
25th February – 9th September
No fishing for salmon or sea trout on Sundays by rod and line
No fishing for salmon or sea trout from 6pm Friday to 6am Monday by net
No salmon to be killed within the Nith catchment It is illegal to:
Deliberately attempt to foul hook fish or to take fish which have been foul hooked i.e. those not hooked in the mouth.
Kill kelts, smolts or parr.
Take unclean or unseasonable fish being baggots,
highly coloured, black or red fish and fish about to or
in the process of spawning.
Sell salmon or sea trout which have been caught with
rod & line.
Use natural shrimps or prawns on any part of the river
upstream of the Kingholm Gates at the bottom end
(tidal area) of the Dumfries Town Fishings.
Fish for any fish without written permission (or
permit) from the beat's owner or his representative.
Fish with any form of salmon roe.
Fish with a "fixed line."
Use gaffs, tailers or knotted mesh nets.
All fish caught must be recorded with the beat proprietor with the exception of:
a) Kelts, i.e. fish that have spawned.
b) During spring only, sexually mature fish that have not
yet spawned.
Breach of any of the above could lead to criminal prosecution, seizure of fishing equipment and vehicles.
For further and more detailed information please follow this link
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 inclement weather or poor water conditions.
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.
Scotland
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