Alford

INTRODUCTION

1. The Association is known as Alford Angling Association (AAA).
2. In addition to the following rules, anglers must also comply with the River Don 2025 Salmon & Sea Trout Conservation Policy Legal Requirements

PERMITS

3. Permits are issued to Association members for hand held rod fishing in a fair and sportsmanlike manner with each angler using a single rod only at any time and in particular shall be subject to these Fishing Rules.
4. Permits are issued for salmon and sea trout fishing from 11th February until 31st October inclusive and brown trout fishing from 15th March until 6th October inclusive.
5. Every person fishing must be in possession of a current permit issued by AAA. Permits must be obtained before fishing commences. This permit is valid only for the person named and is not transferable. Permit holders should carry photographic ID.
6. Anglers must allow any Bailiff, River Watcher or Warden to inspect their fishing permit, identification, fishing tackle and any fish in their possession. Any person fishing without a permit will be liable to prosecution.
7. Anglers are required by law to report all fish caught by completing a catch return form.
8. Sunday Fishing is permitted for brown trout only.
9. Fishing for brown trout is permitted during daytime only (defined here as from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset). No night-time fishing for salmon or sea trout before 1st May.
10. Children (persons under the age of 16) are encouraged to register for free membership and must be accompanied by an adult (the adult need not be a member) whilst fishing.
11. When fishing another club’s waters by exchange ticket or at Castle Forbes by arrangement, it is expected that AAA members will abide by their rules.  Failure to do so will be considered a breach of AAA Rules.
12. Any person infringing any of these rules or who may be convicted of any illegal fishing or any offence under the Wildlife Crime Act 1981 relative to trout or salmon fishing, may have their permit withdrawn and may not be granted future permits.

ANGLING CONDITIONS

13. If there is any possibility of an angler’s equipment being contaminated by disease, eg Gyrodactylus salaris, then it must be disinfected prior to use on the river.
14. Anglers must not take or kill any unclean fish.
15. All foul-hooked fish must be returned to the river, whether dead or alive.
16. It is a criminal offence to retain a salmon or grilse throughout the whole of the angling season. By law any salmon or grilse that is caught must be returned to the river, whether dead or alive.
17. It is illegal to sell rod caught wild salmon or sea trout, or use knotted nets, tailers or gaffs.
18. To conserve stocks, it is not permitted to retain any sea trout and any sea trout or finnock that is caught must be returned to the river, whether dead or alive.
19. To conserve stocks, anglers are encouraged to return all brown trout to the river. However, a maximum of 1 brown trout per day and 8 per season may be kept but only within the specified size range listed below.
20. It is not permitted to keep any brown trout under 12 inches in length or above 18 inches in length. Any such fish caught must be returned safely to the river, whether alive or dead.
21. Any angler found in possession of any brown trout out with the size range or more than the bag limit may have their permit withdrawn and may not be granted a future permit.
22. Any pink salmon caught are to be humanely killed and retained and reported to the Don District Salmon Fishery Board (DDSFB).

ANGLING METHODS

23. Spinning and the use of treble hooks is allowed. However there must be only 1 treble hook per lure and these must be barbless or crimped. This is to allow easier unhooking and encourage fish welfare.  Upstream spinning is not allowed.
24. Worm fishing is permitted for junior anglers only and is limited to the months of June, July and August using barbless or circular hooks. Live bait fishing in October is not allowed. The use of maggots as bait is forbidden.
25. Groundbaiting is strictly prohibited.
26. No wading in the river is permitted past one third of its width. Remember that wading too deeply may disturb fish and may affect others’ fishing enjoyment.
27. Salmon anglers should fish downstream only to avoid the risk of snagging fish.
28. Anglers fishing downstream have priority over those fishing upstream.  They should move downstream at least one metre between each cast.  Anglers should consult each other over their fishing plans but must not cut in front of another for at least 75 metres of fishable water (excluding the runs between pools, so if an angler is 25 metres from a pool tail, the next angler may only cut in 50 meters below the head of the next pool). Anglers fishing upstream should keep an eye open for anglers fishing downstream and should step out/back from the water when they are within 50m, allowing the downstream angler to fish through.
29. Salmon and trout anglers have equal standing.
30. Migratory fish should kept in the water at all times.  All fish should be returned to the water carefully with wetted hands and held facing upstream until sufficiently recovered to swim free.

CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS

31. Anglers must always act in a considerate manner to fellow anglers and respect others enjoying the river eg canoeists, open water swimmers, children playing, walkers, dog walkers.
32. Anglers must keep to the fishing paths and if accompanied by dogs have them under control. Anglers will be personally responsible for any damage caused by their dogs. Respect must be shown to others’ property, crops, fences, livestock etc. Gates should be left as found and no fires are permitted.

POACHING & ENVIRONMENTAL

33. If an angler suspects an incident of poaching, on no account should the angler approach the suspect, but he/she should call the DDSFB immediately.
34. If an environmental issue is identified, eg pollution, call the DDSFB immediately and also email AAA. Please help us keep the water and surrounding areas in the best condition they can be.
35. Extra care should be exercised when water temperatures rise. Above 18C fishing may be restricted to cooler parts of the day; above 21C angling should be avoided and beats may be closed.

GENERAL

37. AAA reserves the right to refuse or withdraw the permit of any angler found to be or have been in breach of these Rules.
38. AAA reserves the right to make alterations to the Fishing Rules when deemed appropriate by the Association as a whole.

The use of personal flotation devices is encouraged for all anglers. This is the responsibility of the individual or care giver.