1. The policy of the Owners in administering the Rutherford Fishings ("the beat") is that the following number of rods will be permitted on the water at any one time:-
1st February - 21st August: up to 4 rods
22nd August - 30th November: up to 6 rods
The Owners reserve the right in consultation with their Boatman to increase the maximum number of rods who may fish the water at any one time.
2. Each Tenant will ensure that he and his guests fish with a single rod and line in a fair and sportsmanlike manner and only with tackle and bait legally permitted on the Tweed River system. The water should be fished by fly in preference to spinning tackle when conditions are suitable.
3. Prior to 15th February and after 14th September, fishing will be by fly only. No spinning will be permitted after 15th April unless the river is above 6 inches on the gauge beside the Boatman's House. Even when the river is at or above this level, the matter will be entirely subject to the discretion of the Boatman.
4. There will be no Sunday fishing. The normal hours for fishing are 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Saturday except in the following circumstances where they may be varied at the discretion of the Boatman:-
(i) where the Tenant notifies the Boatman that he will stop fishing before 3pm the Boatman may permit the Tenant to commence his afternoon fishing from 1pm;
(ii) during the summer months when the Tenant is unable to fish during the day because of bright, low water conditions, the Boatman may permit the Tenant to fish prior to 9.30am or from 5pm until 10pm;
(iii) in November the Boatman may permit the Tenant to commence fishing from 9am.
The Owners reserve the right to themselves and their invitees to fish outwith normal hours.
5. The Tenant will comply with the Spring Salmon Conservation measures as revised by the River Tweed Commission from time to time.
These measures apply from 1st February to 30th June in each fishing season and can be found at:
rtc-tweed-spring-salmon-code-4-2022.pdf(rivertweed.org.uk)
All salmon caught between 1st February and 30th June must be returned unharmed to the water. Any fish caught after 30th June should be returned if they are not fresh as they may be Spring stock. Prior to 1st April, any fish that have died whilst attempts are being made to release them shall be left in the river. From 1st April to 30th June they shall be the property of the Owners and shall be delivered by the Tenant to the Boatman.
6. Salmon and sea trout parr, smolts, kelts and baggots, and from 15 September to the end of the season all hen fish should be returned to the water. All coloured fish should also be returned from 1st September until the end of the season. In addition, Tenants are requested to return to the water any brown trout caught on salmon tackle.
7. All foul hooked fish (i.e. those not hooked in or around the mouth) must be returned. Gaffs are not permitted at any time of year and the Tenant is encouraged to use a knotless net.
8. The Tenant is asked to report any suspected poaching or unlawful fishing to the Boatman.
9. Each Tenant will be responsible for ensuring that he and his guests are familiar with the upper and lower limits of the beat and will, at no time, fish beyond these limits.
10. In the event that a Tenant or his guests bring dogs to the riverside, he will ensure that they are at all times kept under control and, in particular, do not worry livestock or birdlife or otherwise cause a nuisance to the proprietors and their tenants or to occupiers of adjoining land.
11. When boats are being used to fish from or for crossing the river, the Tenant or his guests will usually be accompanied by a Boatman. Only in exceptional circumstances and subject to prior approval of the Boatman, will a Tenant or his guest be permitted to use a boat unaccompanied.
In conditions of high water or a rising river, it will be for the Boatman to decide if it is safe to use boats and his decision on the matter will be final.
12. Each Tenant and his guests will be expected to exercise care and consideration in driving vehicles over the access roads and tracks leading to the riverside.
13. The Countryside Code shall be observed at all times and no fires shall be lit and no litter shall be left in and around the fishing hut or on the riverbank.
14. In order to minimise the risk of spreading Gyrodactylus salaris to Scotland, all anglers’ equipment which has been used outside Britain and Ireland within the preceding seven days must be cleaned either by:
(a) Drying at a minimum temperature of 20° for at least 2 days OR
(b) Heating for at least one hour at a temperature above 60°, OR
(c) Immersing in a suitable solution. Virkon (at 1% solution); Wescodyne (at 1%); a 3% solution of common salt (Sodium Chloride) or a 0.2% solution of Sodium Hydroxide, OR
(d) Deep freezing for at least 1 day
