Fishery
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 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 in 2019.
These measures apply from 1st February to 30th June in each fishing season and can be found at:
this page
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. After that date 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 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
The Tenant and any guest will be required to sign a Declaration to this effect.
15. The Tenant is asked to observe the Tweed Angling Code as set down from time to time by the River Tweed Commission.
16. The Tenant is asked to contact the Boatman, Michael Farr on the day before any fishing day to check fishing conditions and confirm arrival time etc. Michael Farr's e-mail address is : michaelfarr246@gmail.com and his telephone number is: (H) 01835 823762 or (M) 07305 853155
These rules will be kept under review by the Owners and will be enforced on their
behalf by the Boatman.
January 2021
RUTHERFORD FISHING SYNDICATE
Terms and Conditions of Letting
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1. Particulars of Let
The particulars of let describing the Rutherford Fishings ("the beat") are deemed to form part of this Agreement.
2. Confirmation of Bookings
Bookings will be confirmed on payment of the rent in full. Reservations made by letter or telephone will be held for a period of two weeks during which period full payment must be made.
3. Cancellation of Bookings
If a Tenant is for any reason unable or unwilling to fish, the rent will not be returned unless an alternative booking can be secured, or at the discretion of the Owners. If the alternative booking is arranged by the Owners or their agents they shall be entitled to charge a handling fee.
4. Syndicate's Responsibility
All wages, rents, fishing assessments and commission will be paid by the Owners.
5. Sub-Letting
Sub-letting of any kind including re-letting is not permitted unless permission has been granted by the Owners or their agents.
6. Risk
The Owners and their agents let the rights of fishing only and do not accept responsibility for natural hazards and climatic conditions which may affect the catching of fish.
7. Health and Safety
All Tenants fish the beat entirely at their own risk. Buoyancy Aids are made available by the Owners for use by Tenants when wading or going in boats and Tenants are asked to use these for their own safety. In the event of any Tenant deciding not to make use of the life jackets provided, he or she must sign the disclaimer book (which is kept in the Rod Room) before being permitted on to the river. Tenants are also advised to use wading sticks when wading.
8. Covid 19
All Tenants must comply fully with the restrictions imposed by the UK and Scottish Governments in relation to the Covid 19 Pandemic. During such time as the restrictions are in force the owners may close the fishing hut and restrict the services provided by their Boatman and his assistants.
9. Security
All rods and tackle are left on the beat and, in particular, in the Rod Room, at Tenants' risk.
10. Fishing Rules
The rules for fishing the beat shall be those set down in the Schedule of Rules noted above.
11. Breach
In the event of material breach of either these Terms and Conditions or the Rules, the Owners shall be entitled to terminate the let with immediate effect and without compensation.
January 2021
River/Area
Tweed Fishing codes can be found here
Tweed Spring Salmon Code
Tweed Angling Code for Salmon & Sea-trout
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.